After I’m finished packing away all the Christmas decor throughout the house I feel the house is almost “naked”. My favorite DIY home decorations are always the tablescapes. It’s too early to put up a Spring tablescape. Therefore, I decided to throw together a Valentine’s Day tablescape.
My goal (always) is to not spend a lot of money on any tablescape. Therefore, I try to reuse as much decor that I already have. Since Christmas decor is mostly red, that works perfectly to carry over some decorations into a Valentine’s day tabelscape. I also borrow from other rooms in the house. By using those tricks I was able to put together this Valentine’s day tablescape for under $45. I find the easiest tables to put together are created from stuff you have around your house already. This one came together by repurposing and reusing many items I already had. Here is how I put together this Valentine’s Day tablescape I call Puppy Love.
Table Runners
When decorating a tablescape I decorate in odd numbers. I always place three table runners across the width of table instead of one running the length of the table. This is because a table runner in the middle gets hidden under decor. Having three runners running the width of the table creates depth, color and layers to your design. For the Valentine’s Day tablescape, I found this dog with heart table runners. Anything with dogs on it catches my eye so I purchased two and designed my table around the runner. The third “runner” in the middle is a white table cloth I already had folded up to look like a runner. Some Valentine’s Day table runners here and here.
Chargers
Chargers go underneath a standard dinner plate. You do not eat off a charger plate. They are for decorative purposes only. Chargers can be another (larger) plate or placemat. I use chargers as a decorative element to my table. Usually in the form of a placemat. In this tablescape, the chargers are 8 felt hearts placemats (4 one design and 4 another design). More info on chargers here.
Place Setting
I use my grandmother’s white milk glass plate set and silverware. Having a simple and plain white plate set is best. A plain neutral plate set can be used for every tablescape design. Bring in color and decoration elements by the decor, not the plate itself.
Repurpose and reuse
The majority of the table is from white items I already have at home. The dog lamp was taken from my living room. It is perfect for the “puppy love” theme. White vases, jars, bowls, cake stand, candles, candle holders and candy dish all reused. Silk white flowers from attic. The lantern was decorated and used as Christmas porch decor. Stripped it down for the table. Red cloth napkins from Christmas. I did purchase 4 puppy love napkins that match the two runners to mix in with the red napkins. I set the table for 8 place settings. The centerpiece flowers are live and sent to us for Christmas from my daughter’s boyfriend’s family (thank you Winter family)! They are in great shape so I took them out of the reindeer vase and put them in white vase. Wah-lah!
Extra touches
I found two small red wood signs to add some color and add to the whimsical design. The “love” and “xoxo” signs were $10.
What was purchased
Everything that was purchased came from Home Goods. What was purchased was 2 puppy love table runners ($14), 4 puppy love napkins ($7), 8 heart felt place mats ($12) (used as chargers), two wood signs “love” and “xoxo” ($10). The rest came from pieces throughout my house that I “borrowed” for the time being. Very little cost and effort for a cute, fun, festive holiday table scape. Plus, the house doesn’t feel so naked and by the time I’m ready to take down this tabelscape, I’ll be on to planning my spring table designs! Stay tuned for that coming soon!