A few months ago I found a really amazing table runner at one of my favorite local thrift stores. It had such a gorgeous mix of textures, and an understated elegant vibe… and oh, that fringe! I’ve used it in at least two tablescapes so far, including this Valentine’s Day tablescape, and I’ve also left it on the table even when not set for a bit of Winter warmth.
For this table, the runner is used to delineate the “table for two” space – it creates the boundaries for the tablescape when the boundary isn’t the whole table, and makes it feel just a bit more intimate. This year it’s more about Winter warmth and a variety of textures than it is about over-the-top hearts and flowers. Here’s the Valentine’s day tablescape for two that my sweetie and I will be enjoying – so simple, but quietly lovely!
We’ll be enjoying our simple fare using thrifted “Old Britain Castles” by Johnson Brothers of England. This venerable pattern features a different castle on each piece, and comes in several transferware colors including blue, pink, and mulberry. The dinner plate (shown here in pink) features Blarney Castle in Ireland.
Look at that detailed edge design!
Our thrifted napkins are a wonderful faux suede, wrapped in a luxurious beaded ring that looks like pomegranate seeds. I found these at my favorite consignment store. Have you heard the theory that pomegranates – not apples – were the “forbidden fruit” in the Garden of Eden? Some scholars believe this to be true primarily because of the likely geographic location of the garden in the Middle East. A fruit used for temptation is certainly appropriate for a Valentine’s table!
Flatware is thrifted “Springtime” stainless – I only have the two dinner forks in this pattern, so they were perfect for this table where there’s no salad. The other side of the plate is a modern utilitarian steak knife by Palm.
Our glassware is the sturdy and generously-sized “Duratuff” by Libbey – these are in pink, but I also have them in purple.
More of that wonderful runner and its various textures – it’s velvet on the back, and the fringe is beautifully nubby like drapery fringe. I love the heavy weave and the shirred velvet!
Here’s a look at the fringe from another tablescape – I only have this “candlelight” shot!
The centerpiece for this table so simple… I’ve had these heart Christmas ornaments in tan and pink for several years, but have only ever use them as Valentine’s decor. A friend once told me they “look delicious,” and she’s right – they look like little Valentine macaroons!
The little soft pink votive/tea light holders were a recent thrift store find, as were the silverplated salt and pepper set and bowl.
After I set and photographed this table, I began to play around with a different idea for the napkin – I did a heart-shaped napkin fold, which I ended up really liking. So now for the actual day, I have to choose between “temptation pomegranate” napkin rings, or a super-suggestive heart-shaped bed napkin fold (bow-chicka-bow-wow)! Here’s the staging shot from my napkin folding video tutorial over on TikTok, where you can find me as @vfcstyle.
For more tablescape inspiration, join me over on Instagram (@vintagefloralcottage) where I’ll be participating in Tables for Soiree (#tablesforsoiree), a weekly hashtag filled with beautiful tables! I’ll also be sharing for Tablescape Thursday at Susan’s blog, Between Naps on the Porch. And of course, be sure to check out my Facebook Group, Thrifty Tablescapers, where we share creative ideas for beautiful tablescapes on a budget!
Here’s an image for Pinterest, too, in case you’d like to save my “textured table for two” for future ideas!
