What? A Neutral Table For Valentines or Do You Perfer Traditional Colors?
I know most of us immediately think pink and red when it comes to Valentine’s Decor! However, what about a neutral Valentine’s Decor? I don’t think your decor style has to change drastically to create a fun and festive Valentine’s table. So today, I’m sharing Neutral vs. Reds and Pink when styling your table for Valentine’s. I’m sharing how I put together two completely different table settings that reflect the Valentine’s Theme!
How To Create A Stunning Tablescape Without Spending A Fortune.
First, let me say I didn’t leave the house to create these tablescapes! I only used items I had on hand to create them. I can’t wait to hear which you prefer.
I have been gathering a few things for Spring. Only a few are new items, while most are vintage finds, some I’ve had for years, and others I’ve picked up recently at Thrift Stores.
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Creating Neutral Valentine’s Decor
Let’s begin with a neutral table. Here are some step-by-step methods I use when planning my table. The key is to keep the color palette neutral with shades of white and beige, while adding lots of texture. The secret to making “beige” feel “exciting.” Without texture, a monochromatic palette can fall flat and be boring. With the right balance, you can create a tablescape that looks expensive and inviting.
How To Add Texture for a Neutral Valentine’s Decor Tablescape
I began with the foundation for adding texture to the table. You can use textiles such as tablecloths or table runners, placemats, and napkins. This helps to keep the table setting from disappearing on the table. I’ve used woven placemats, and the table runner is a handcrafted macrame runner. Both add lots of texture immediately.
Next, I add a couple of my DIY heart garlands. These were made using old music sheets and red construction paper. I strung them together with jute twine.
The hearts add a whimsical feel to the table center.
Creating a Neutral Place Setting
Next, the place setting was created. I used a combination of new large white plates and vintage ironstone plates. I then added these French ironstone bowls to the plates. Inside, I tucked another of the hearts cut from old sheet music and held them in place with a cute little white bird. We’ll assume it’s a LOVE bird and provides a romantic touch to the place setting.
DIY Cutlery Holders
Several DIY music page projects add a whimsical touch to the table. In addition to the old paper heart garland, I made these silverware cones as cutlery holders.
To keep the sheet music theme going, I made silverware cones from old hymnal pages and tied them with some red check fabric I had on hand. I placed them on a white napkin for added impact.
Neutral Table Centerpiece
I decided to add a vintage milk glass cake stand to the center of the table and placed a small eucalyptus wreath around the base. I initially added the eucalyptus to the top of the stand, but it felt too heavy, so I placed it under the stand. The silver-green leaves are still neutral but draw attention to the center of the table.
The brass bird salt and pepper shakers are vintage family heirlooms, and I use them all the time to add warmth to table settings.
Next, I added two sets of candlestick holders. I had painted both sets of thrift store finds with Old White Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan and distressed the finish to allow a glimpse of the original wood to show through.
It’s important to keep these pieces at varying heights. So I placed one on the vintage milk glass cake stand and one on the table beside it.
You will also notice that I added a stack of ironstone dessert plates beneath one of the small candlestick holders to add variety and make the whole space more eye-catching.
You can then use the dishes when dessert is served as well. I added several more pieces of ironstone to the table to balance it.
The ironstone cream and sugar bowls on the cake place, the butter pat plates, and the gravy bowl are all thrift store finds. The vintage clear water goblets were one of my latest thrift store finds at The Triad Goodwill.
Neutral Valentine’s Day Tablescape
I was able to create this whole table with mostly items I’ve had on hand for some time. I used a few new thrift store finds that literally cost pennies. The macrame table runner and the eucalyptus ring are new Spring items! This neutral table is complete with my Spring Cow Painting “Faith”! I have prints available in my store.
Traditional Valentine’s Day Colors For Your Dining Table
Are you ready for a more traditional color palette for Valentine’s Day? Here is another look at the same table, with more traditional Valentine’s colors! It will be interesting to see if you prefer the neutral Valentine’s decor or the colorful design.
I was able to pick a few fresh daffodil blooms yesterday! (I know, crazy here in February!) They are so lovely, and I had to incorporate them into this fun, festive table.
As you can tell, I like a bird theme, whether traditional colors or neutral! Here are a few of the planning steps that went into creating this table setting.
I used the same neutral table runner and DIY heart garland. I just flipped several of the hearts over to the red side of the construction paper. I added the green thistle garland, red cake stand, and white pitcher with fresh daffodils.
Using these festive dinner plates, bird plates, salt and pepper shakers, and vintage green goblets completely transforms the feel of this space. I also added some additional pops of yellow with a water pitcher and a salad bowl. The thrifted candlestick holders pop with muted green candles for a fresh style choice.
Notice I changed out the pitcher holding the daffodils. This pitcher has a wonderful aged patina and works better with this table setting. It was a recent thrift store find, and I love using new finds in exciting ways.
This table setting was also created using many items I’ve picked up from thrift stores. However, the bird dishes, the thistle garland, and the macrame table runner are all new for this Spring.
Both tablescapes can be used long after Valentine’s Day. Just remove the hearts and replace them with paper flowers or other Spring or Summer decor.
FAQ
I have a couple of other ideas that would make these tables really pop. For the neutral table I can see adding a really soft pink. Use pink water goblets and maybe a pink ribbon around the cutlery cones.
In addition, if you are not a fan of yellow, these dishes are filled with almost any color you can imagine. You could remove all the yellow accessories and replace them with blue. Add blue hydrangeas for a floral touch or white roses. Or pull out the pink shade from the plates for a red and pink themed Valentine table.
Absolutely, both tables are filled with lots of spring and summer vibes. Just remove the hearts. You can replace them with other decor or leave the space as it is.
The majority of the items are thrifted, however almost all of the purchased items are available on Amazon. I have included links for each of those items. Just hover over the name of the items above and if you click on the highligthed link, it will take you to Amazon where you can see the details and purchase if you desire.
Thanks so much for making it to the end. I hope you’ll share your style perference with in the comments.
More Valentine’s Related Posts
- 9 Creative Valentine’s Craft Ideas
- How To Use Cloches for Valentine’s Decor
- Budget-Friendly Winter Valentine’s Porch Decor
- Easy Heart and Vintage Seed Packet Garland
- The Best Thrifted Valentine’s Decor Ideas
- DIY Valentine Wooden Heart Swag
Other Old Book Page Decor Ideas
If you love creating recycled decor, you will love seeing these other old-book-page crafts and decor ideas.
Regardless of your preference, I hope you got some tips on planning your table styling for Valentine’s and into the summer months. Feel free to comment and ask me questions here.
Pin It To Remember It
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I love both tables, I agree with you depends on mood.
Your thrift store finds always makes me want to go thrifting.
Cindy I really appreciate your comments.
Beautiful Rachel. I luv the neutral table and that macrame table runner😱
Thank you so much Ann!
Rachel, love your blog – so glad I signed up. Both tablescapes are lovely and your post was so informative!
Lori,
Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to sharing more on this blog.
I love your neutral Valentine tablescape! I love how you explained step by step in pictures! Such great pictures and a beautiful table!
I appreciate your input Heather! I’m so glad you like it.
I really liked both n love that macrame runner! Yet I’m a gal for color so my vote is the second one. Love the creativity re that heart pillow too! Always looking forward to your next appearance in my email box!!!
Julie,
Thanks so much for your sweet compliments. I look forward to sharing more adventures with you.
Rachel, I’m going to share this beautiful table in Valentine’s Day round up coming to the blog soon!
Ann,
I really appreciate this.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your neutral tablescape!!!! However, cutting up old sheet music makes my heart hurt – I am a pianist for 47 years, and I hunt for beautiful old sheet music and actually frame it!!!
My solution? There is quite a lot of sheet music available for free download online. I also own CDs of all Bach/Mozart/Handel/Beethoven piano music. So, I’ll print out a few pages and tea-stain the paper to “age” it; then dry thoroughly and punch (or decoupage), etc., depending on the project.
But what a lovely table – any guest would feel honored to be seated at a table with so much care and attention taken to make it so beautiful!!! Cheers!!! ~Chrissie
Chrissie,
I’m so glad you liked this table. Thanks for stopping by.
All of your ideas are golden, Rachel, but my favorites are those re-purposing old book pages. Guess you can’t guess why 😉
Frances,
Yes, I can see why. Thank you for sharing your ideas with me.
I’m with Team Neutral, Rachel!
Sandra,
I’m so glad you like the neutral table. It’s my favorite also.
The neutral table setting is my favorite.
Joanna,
I’m so glad you like the neutral table ideas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Rachel,I really like the neutral look with the table runner and the paper hearts and Love birds. Great job!!! I’m always excited to see what you come up with. I love your style.
Gail,
I really appreciate your comments. Thank you for stopping by.
Being Autistic, Valentine’s Day is the one holiday I never seem to decorate for, as red “screams” at me. I’d been in a bit of a funk with Christmas over, waiting to decorate for Spring, when I got a few of your earlier emails that showed very neutral Valentine crafts. Somebody, stop me!!! I ordered neutral linen pillow slipcovers, bought a yard of mattress ticking, and started ripping. From there, I hit up Amazon for assorted shades of red buttons (from bright to almost burgundy, 700 for $8!) in different sizes, traced a large dollar store heart, and broke out the hot glue gun. Then came the shim heart. It turned out so achingly good in dove gray, powder blue and shell pink, then waxed, that I did another in varied shades of white (antique, parchment, etc.) and waxed it. I’m halfway through a third that I’ll leave out year round, but I think I’ll just wax it.
You do a lot of crafts with old books and old sheet music. I ADORE them. However, as a pianist and a bibliophile, both, my soul cringes at the idea of tearing/cutting them up. My solution is to find online sheet music (I actually have CDs of about 8 major classical composers), or online public domain, and print them out. THEN, I brew up a STRONG cup of black tea, pour it onto a jellyroll pan, and steep the pages for several minutes, then allow to dry overnight. The paper is wonderfully-aged, a lovely color and vaguely wrinkled texture, and perfect for crafting! When making your flowers, I used Lemon Zinger and Raspberry Zinger for lovely subtle pink and yellow shades! They look beautiful nestled in with the aged ones. But, best of all, “No works of art were injured in the creation of this project.” lol
I’m so glad you have this blog. I’m so glad I found it. My daughter is laughing at me and my recent burst of crafting energy, but I’m so glad it’s back!!! I plan to use the button-art pillow cover you featured again, with the outline of a rabbit, using white/pearl buttons, come Easter!! 🙂
Chrissie,
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m overwhelmed and so glad you are crafting again. It’s good for the soul and our mental health to be creative. Your words have energized me to get busy with more crafts. Looking forward to seeing what else you make.
Both tablescapes are lovely, I like how you demonstrated how to set the two tablescapes using some of the same elements and ending up with two very different looks. I really like the vibrancy of your colorful tablescape. I like the look of your paper garland with some of the hearts turned to the red side
Angie
I really appreciate your comments and it’s a reminder to share the process. Thank you so much.
Rachel, I always love your tablescapes! You do such a lovely job with each and every one! Your neutral table is so pretty with that beautiful macrame runner and your added touches. I loved your idea of wrapping the silverware in music sheets — such a cute idea! You always have such great ideas for us. I liked the traditional table because of the lovely dishes and color. For Valentine’s I always enjoy using a touch of red on my table! Thanks for sharing all your ideas with us! Have a great week!
MaryAnn
I really appreciate your input. So glad you like both versions.