Valentine’s Day can be celebrated with your family, friends, or…of course, your significant other! I shared some tablescape tips, quick custom table setting craft, and Black Forest Cocktail recipe on KATU’s Afternoon Live recently. Watch below to see some of my tips in action!

It was a pleasure getting to visit the studio at KATU’s Afternoon Live again! This time I shared some tips for a Valentine’s Day dinner party that will delight!

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Tips for creating a Valentine’s Day Tablescape:

1. Layer on the patterns, but keep it to the same color palette. I’m a maximalist who loves clean modern lines. So, when I want a delightful tablescape I think about layering on patterns in my linens and paper goods. However, if the patterns are mixing a bunch of different colors as well as shapes, it tends to not look intentional and can cause a chaotic feeling rather than one of interest.

I chose prints of black and white (dots, lines, checkers) and then I did add in one printed paper good that had a black and white color scheme along with the red and pink I had as my pops of solid colors. It worked because the print was used very sparingly, went with the rest of the colors, and was a larger print rather than small and busy. Below are resources to recreate the look!

• Striped Table Runners* (12 runners),
• Checker Table Runners* (12 runners),
• Flower cocktail napkins*,
• Linen and Black Polka Dot Napkins*,
• Bust Vase*, Faux-leather red heart napkin holders*,
• Black Silverware*,
• Heart Bowl from Target (or if you’d prefer glass, these Pink Crystal Dessert Bowls* would look so cute!), pedestal
• The pedestal cake stands are sold out from Target. Here are some of my favorite pink and red cake stands from Amazon: Pink Vintage Inspired Glass Cake Stand*, Red Melamine Scalloped Cake Stand*, Red Glass Cake Stand*, & Pink Scallop Dessert Stand*,
• The crystal sugar jars were also a pre-season find at Target that are now sold out, but these red crystal sugar dishes* and these pink crystal candy dishes* would work for this as well!
• White heart salad plates*
• Black dinner plates*

2. Add in a handmade element to make it more personalized or interesting. I find that small handmade elements can add a bit of whimsy and surprise, especially when layered into the design. Wouldn’t it be fun for you to sit down to a table filled with beautiful things and see your name peeking out from a placemat or notice a piece of quirky art in the midst of perfection? I purchased white fabric placemats* and black fabric markers* and went to town creating XOXO placemats and ones that said “Love You!”.
3. Set out dessert and the first course or appetizers before the party starts so you’re not in the kitchen the whole party! I utilized the dessert as part of the tablescape because Valentine’s Day and decadent desserts just go together. I also placed a caprese salad in heart shaped bowls on the plates so that the first course was ready to go.

4. Serve a signature drink! I really love a signature cocktail at a party. It decreases the amount of bar items you have to prepare, allows you to drive your concept through to the food and drinks, and still provides for guests! For Valentine’s Day I’d go with a great chocolate martini! I served a black forest cocktail for this particular party theme.

Would you like to go to a dinner party like this? I know I would! I love the pops of color contrasted with the black and white graphic elements. But, moreso, I think it would be fun to celebrate with people I love in such a pretty setting!