Ways to make your Valentine smile

Whether St Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day or pagan ceremony - historians seem fairly divided - it is an excuse to spoil a loved one. You can choose to go all out with hearts, flowers and hand-picked treasures, fill a room with candles, or create the ideal setting for an atmospheric dinner. Whatever your plans, we’re on hand to help with décor details or a one-of-a-kind gift to make the right impression. 

Set the scene

Valentine’s Day décor doesn’t have to mean red hearts and roses. You can create a wonderfully romantic feel using a few simple pieces. Flowers and foliage, whether fresh or long-lasting faux blooms, instantly elevate a space. From our faux Cherry Blossom Stems - which look wonderful bunched together - to faux Boxwood Stems, you can fill a space with pretty colour and bring a touch of the outside in. 

Blooms we love include the delicately coloured Ranunculus Stem, which has a wonderfully romantic look, while our beautiful blousy Peony Rouge stems with double flower heads make a stunning display. Group several stems of the same type together, or place amongst faux foliage stems on mantels, windows and tables for maximum impact. Our incredibly realistic faux Orchid Plant is another of our best-loved blooms at this time of year.  

Create the mood

Nothing says ‘romance’ more than candlelight. Candles create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, they have the ability to transform any space. This is one case where more is more - we don’t think there is such a thing as too much candlelight.

Mix and match candle height and shape for an eclectic look, or stick to pillar or dining candles for a more elegant finish. Our Rustic Pillar Candles start from just £1.95 and come in a gorgeous range of unusual colours, including dusky rose, olive, taupe and red. Tealights are perfect anywhere and everywhere, adding an enchanting glow to any space. Consider using glass, mirrored or frosted votives to play with the flickering light and reflect it as much as possible. 

Table service

Our Rustic Zinc Candle Holder With Leaves looks beautiful dressed with moss, ribbon or shells for a gorgeous table centerpiece, while our Etched Prosecco Glasses are made for raising a toast. Handmade from recycled glass, these also make perfect gifts for him and for her.

The Natural Twig Heart Wreath sets a Valentine’s theme, but this hand-crafted wreath makes a gorgeous decoration all year round. Dress it with foraged finds, ribbon or twist faux blooms or foliage around it for a unique personal touch. 

Everlasting bouquet

Faux foliage can be a wonderful alternative for fresh bouquets, and will last and last. Our made-to-order Charleston Bouquet brings together a few of our favourite stems in shades of soft green, including Scabiosa, Hydrangea, wild berries and Boxwood. Elegant and graceful, our Bloomsbury Bouquet features Hydrangea, wild berries and lots of beautifully leafy Boxwood. 

An elegant alternative and super soft to the touch, our utterly beautiful Mimosa Blush is incredibly chic and pretty when gathered together in a vessel such as our Massin or Panobo Vase, adding plumes of texture and interest with its soft fuzzy flower heads.

Valentine’s isn’t only about having a special someone in your life, it’s a lovely time to share how much you care for friends and family in little ways that will raise a smile. Our cute Owl Trinket Dish - perfect for holding small pieces of jewellery, coins or keys - paired with one of our gorgeous blank Greetings Cards is a wonderful way to show someone how much you care - a lovely little ‘thank you’ or a ‘thinking of you' gesture for a valued friend. 

Gifts you’ll adore

We have lots of lovely gift ideas, which you can find categorised by price, on our website. Whether you are looking for an ornament that means something special, a scented candle that has a favourite fragrance, vintage-style décor or faux blooms that will not wilt within a week, we have the perfect match. 

And if you are looking for something special for the home or garden, either for yourself or someone else, we specialise in sourcing vintage garden furniture, statuary, ornaments, urns and planters. Just email us with your request or pop into the shop. Our previous blog post here offers a few ideas.