The Romantic Home

The world may celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th (or at least convince you to buy flowers and a card) but everyone knows that true love can’t be captured in a single day.

Photo source:  Hearth & Gable Interiors

Romance needs to be cultivated in order to flourish. It’s the spirit in which we choose to live our lives; the passion we nurture within ourselves, and the beauty we seek around us.

Living a romantic life is easy when you surround yourself with romantic things. What makes a romantic home? The people who live in it, of course, who fill it with the people and objects they love… the ones who provide the soul, and the ones who know instinctively what charm is found in little details.

These are some of my favourite features and romantic accessories:

1)  BOOKS

Photo source:  www.apartmenttherapy.com

Books are basically a free vacation sitting on your shelf. Each volume reminds you that you can live another life, visit another world, or simply stop and daydream for a little while — any time you want. Old books give us the pleasure of nostalgia and memories of how a story can change our perspective, our life; new books give us the anticipation of future delight. Not to mention, all the best stories contain a little romance. Every home needs books upon which to feast the eye and the imagination.

Photo source:  Mark Kimball Moulton

2)  FRONT PORCH

Photo source:  www.southernliving.com

There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned and sweet about a front porch, where you can sit back and watch the world go by. It also provides an option for moonlight al fresco dining, another romantic pursuit. Wink.

3)  ART & COLLECTIONS

Photo source:  www.elledecor.com

Few things are as intimidating as a blank wall. And few things are as personal as artwork. Introduce one to the other and you have a love-match for the ages. Beautiful images inspire beautiful thoughts. It’s as simple as that.

Photo source:  www.blulabelbungalow.com

4)  WINDOW SEATS

Photo source:  Martha O’Hara Interiors

Window seats provide bright corners with natural light, inviting us to linger just a moment longer over coffee or conversation.

Photo source:  www.onelkstreet.blogspot.com

5)  FRESH FLOWERS

Photo source:  www.houseofturquoise.com

For instant invigoration and freshness, bring the outdoors in, with cut flowers and greenery. Nature has a colour to match every interior. The best part:  perfumed blossoms act as a greater stimulant to the senses, leaving rooms scented and spring-like. Present a room with a bouquet and watch it bloom.

Photo source:  Yvonne B. Photography

6)  GABLED CEILINGS

Photo source:  www.countryliving.com

There’s something about a slanted roof that brings to mind the playfulness of a treehouse and the magic of fairy-tale cottages and castles. I love the idea of living spaces fitted into angled corners and under the eaves.

7)  FIREPLACES

Last Valentine’s Day, I wrote a whole blog post on fireplaces. (Click here.)

Photo source:  www.homedit.com

A wood-burning fireplace is a rare luxury, and a delight to the senses… the glow of a blazing hearth, the crackling of burning logs, and the warmth and comfort of a home-fire that draws people closer together. Add wine and conversation and kisses and the recipe for lifelong romance is complete.

Photo source:  www.designsponge.com

8)  PILLOWS AND BLANKETS

Photo source:  www.frenchfancy.com

Texture and softness excite our tactility, while natural fibers and materials give us a sense of comfort. Every romantic home owner knows that creating cozy, inviting places to lounge or sleep is like getting a hug from your own house.

Photo source:  www.countryliving.com

9)  CLAWFOOT BATH TUBS

Photo source:  www.fashionmenow.co.uk

Fluffy towels, scented salts, soak-up-to-your-neck total relaxation — x 2 if you want. Pure romance.

Photo source:  www.marjorymejia.com

10)  OLD THINGS

Photo source:  www.shelterness.com

Anything that looks like it has a story attached to it, is romantic. Incorporating old bricks to make a feature wall, or using reclaimed wood for floors, doors, and furnishings not only adds visual interest, but is good for the environment as well, and that’s about as sexy as it gets.

The fashion industry may be obsessed with youth, but anyone worth their salt in the design field knows that if you want to create instant impact, add something old… something imperfect, preferably glazed with patina or flaking with paint. Antique hardware, a vintage lamp, an iron bedstead… because history invites our curiosity, we can indulge in romanticizing the past.

Photo source:  www.homebunch.com

The beauty of romantic decor is that any of the above elements can be combined for an even more dramatic effect. As with any relationship, it’s all about your level of commitment!

Do the math:

Reclaimed wood feature wall + fresh flowers x blankets + pillows = fabulous. To the power of puppy.

Photo source:  www.houseofturquoise.com

Window + pillows + blankets = heaven.

Photo source:  www.decor4all.com

Books + old things = comfort.

Photo source:  Mark Kimball Moulton

Gabled ceiling + fresh flowers x pillows = afternoon nap.

Photo source:  www.midnightpoem.tumblr.com

Brick wall + old things x antique mirror gallery wall = sumptuous steampunk.

Photo source:  www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com

More romantic spaces:

Photo source:  www.digsdigs.com

Photo source:  www.houseandgarden.co.uk

Photo source:  www.apartmenttherapy.com

Photo source:  www.countryliving.com

Photo source:  www.sohohouseny.com

Photo source:  www.myscandinavianhome.com

Photo source: Crush Cul de Sac

Photo source:  www.home-designing.com

Photo source:  www.ohmydearblog.com

Happy Love Day!