Tips on Decorating a Romantic Home

Fresh flowers add a feminine touch to a room.

Decorating in a romantic style means using soft, feminine color and flowing fabrics. Romantic styling is like looking at the room through a soft-focus lens; everything is muted. A room decorated in a romantic style is comfortable and inviting, the type of place you can't wait to return home to. Romantic decorating is equally at home in city or country.

Colors

Romantic decorating colors begin with soft white and cream. Add delicate pastel versions of colors such as pink, blue, lavender, yellow and green.

Fabrics

Fabrics in floral prints, small stripes and tiny prints are typically used in a romantic decorating scheme. Combining patterns is encouraged in romantic decorating. Satins and linens also work well with a romantic decorating theme.

Lighting

Soft lighting is ideal for romantic decorating. Vintage chandeliers dripping with faceted crystals, iron wall sconces and candles provide soft, subdued lighting for romantic decorating.

Furniture

Bring in some wicker from the porch for a soft, worn look. Wrought iron and wood can be made to look gently worn by painting them white and then lightly sanding the edges. Apply the painting technique to a vintage dining room set for a shabby-chic romantic look. Re-cover the dining chair seats with old quilt pieces or fabric remnants. Headboards made from old wooden doors or garden gates provide a romantic cottage look.

Slipcovers

Slipcovers done in white cotton denim or soft chambray provide a cover-up for worn upholstered furniture and allow for easy cleaning. Buy or make the slipcovers in several colors and change them seasonally.

Flowers

Flowers should be used abundantly in romantic decorating. Bring in fresh flowers whenever possible. Arrange them in crystal vases and mismatched teacups. Remove the lids from old cut-glass salt shakers and use them to display small, single roses or daisies, or line them up on a window sill to add instant romance to the view. Hang a large, floral print behind the sofa and use the colors in the picture as inspiration for accessories.

Toss Pillows

Toss pillows done in a pretty floral print add a romantic feel to your sofa. Trim out the pillows in ruffles, lace, ribbons and tiny buttons. Vintage quilts and chenille bedspreads lend themselves well to becoming covers for toss pillows.

Vntage Linens

Do what Grandma often did not; use those vintage linens. Since they were often stored away awaiting company, many vintage linens remain in excellent condition. Cover your dining table with a pretty vintage tablecloth. Complete the setting with vintage cloth napkins. Dress your bed in vintage pillowcases and sheets. Many of these are hand-embroidered and embellished for a touch of elegance.

Photographs

Scan family photos into a computer program and print them out in sepia tone. The brownish sepia color gives your photos a vintage effect. Display them in old silver frames on a mantel or side table.

References

• Cottage Home Decorating: Romantic Cottage Style Decorating
• Country Living: A Room with Two Hues: Romantic