Valentine’s Day has always felt less about grand declarations and more about the quiet, thoughtful touches that make everyday life feel special. At its heart, it’s an excuse to celebrate warmth in our homes, at our tables and with the people we gather around them. At our Design Studio, we often talk about creating spaces that feel loved and lived in. Valentine’s is simply another opportunity to layer in charm, colour and a little romance. Here are a few of our favourite ways we bring the Valentine’s mood to life.
Dress the room, not just the table
Rather than leaning into obvious hearts and reds, think about atmosphere. A room should feel as though it’s gently blushing rather than shouting. We love to use warm tones such as raspberry, coral, faded rose and soft terracotta through cushions, throws or lampshades. A patterned linen or a soft wool instantly softens a space and feels nostalgic in the best way.
We love mixing prints, a stripe with a small-scale floral, or a bold ikat paired with tactile piping. Texture is just as important as colour. Quilts, embroidery, appliqué and stitched details add that heartfelt quality that makes a room feel personal.
Textiles that tell a story
Our Hearty fabric with Andrew Martin, with its charming hand-drawn hearts scattered across the pattern, feels tailor-made for Valentine’s. It is joyful rather than overly sweet and full of character. On a cushion, a curtain or a headboard, it adds a subtle wink of romance.
Likewise, Busy Lizzie in hot pink brings the uplifting, rosy glow we gravitate towards at this time of year. Its lively geometric pattern has an energy that is perfect for upholstery and instantly brightens a room.
A table with personality
A Valentine’s supper does not need to be elaborate, it is the details that count. Layer your table in the same way you would a room. Start with a patterned cloth or block-printed napkins, add colourful glassware and perhaps a playful candleholder or two. Mismatched china always feels welcoming and tells a story. Handwritten place cards or little notes tucked into napkins add a thoughtful touch. Candlelight is essential, low and flickering. It makes everyone look wonderful.
Adding something handmade
Nothing says ‘with love’ quite like something crafted by hand. A stitched heart on a cushion, homemade biscuits or a pie wrapped in ribbon are the pieces that carry meaning. Even rearranging a bookshelf with treasured objects, postcards or travel finds can make a space feel refreshed and personal. Romance often lives in nostalgia.
What is Valentine’s without flowers?
Forget overly formal bouquets. Dot small posies throughout the house, a jam jar by the bedside, a wild arrangement on the dining table. Mixing vessels such as ceramic pitchers, coloured glass and even teacups keeps things relaxed and charming. Do not shy away from unexpected blooms.
Perhaps most importantly, Valentine’s is about how a space makes you feel. Light your favourite lamp. Put music on. Cook something comforting. Invite friends round for dessert and champagne, or simply curl up with a book and a cup of tea. A home filled with laughter, stories and ease will always feel more romantic than anything overly styled.
And that, we think, is something worth embracing all year round.