Cozy Moments of the Heart

Welcome, friends!

Valentines Day is a month away!

Join us for a Valentine's Day Tablescape Blog Hop!

We hope we will inspire you to set your own

Valentine's Day Table.

Thank you to our host Rita @ Panoply, the lady who keeps us organized and on track,and a special welcome to our newest participant,Barbara Leone @ Mantel and Table

There are 16 tabletop stylists joining the hop today.

Links are at the bottom of this post.

The Chef and I traditionally spent Valentine's Day

dining at a table for two in our home. 

We learned long ago that dinners out on Valentine's Day

were excessively expensive and reservations hard to come by.

My husband, was an exceptional cook, and I a dishaholic,

who takes much pleasure in setting a beautiful table.

I have to say, we were a perfect match!

This year I plan to set a table by a cozy fire.  

The menu is yet to be decided, but it will be simple.

Just 3 weeks out from my hip replacement, I anticipate celebrating with my friend who will be here helping me. 

Though the meal may be simple, the table will be simple elegance

as I wish to set a special table to show my heartfelt gratitude to

my friend for her generosity of helping me post surgery.

I plan to use a stack of beautiful Arte Italica Finezza Italian ceramics 

with the most intricate lace design encircling each border.

Linens are from Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs.

The round velvet placemats are my go to favorites.

I have them in almost every color offered.

Soft and cozy, the lush velvet adds a level of elegance

worthy of the exquisite ceramics stacked upon them.

The ruffled linen napkins are thick and soft,

and feature the Crown Linen Design logo.

Unexpected napkin rings are actually French 

antique sterling and ivory baby teething rings. 

I've had my own sterling teething ring since a baby, but it wasn't until

2018 on a quick getaway to France, that I chanced upon 

the idea of using these charming bits of childhood as napkin rings.

Each time I visit Paris, I make a point to visit the 

charming shops along Rue du Bac in the 7th Arrondissement.

 La Maison du Bac is one of my favorites with its mix of old and new objects dedicated to the arts of the table.  Obviously my kind of shop!

It is here that I first noticed sterling teething rings used on the table.

I began my own collection of antique teething rings on that 2018 French trip shopping the renowned Foire de Chatou, a fabulous fair

for antiques and food that is held twice a year and has been around for over a hundred years.  Next date: March 8 - March 17.

Four of the above were found that first trip, 

and the others added in years since.

The sterling flatware is Sir Christopher by Wallace.

Selected for our wedding registry, the classic pattern has

proven the test of time, still pleasing the eye.

Rather than additional linens on this table for two, I chose a long cozy wool scarf to drape across at an angle between the settings.

The colors and the long, loopy 

fringe say COZY to me.

Arte Italica pewter has been part of our tabletop inventory 

since 1999, and it, too, has proven the test of time.  

The delicate pink glass stems are vintage and perfect for a shrimp cocktail to start or some sweet treat to end the meal.

The posey bouquet is a mix of alstroemeria, freesia, and tutsan berries.

I gathered the mix into a tumbler which I placed inside a recent birthday gift, an exquisite bag by German artist, Anke Drechsel.

The hand embroidered silk velvet is intricate and stunning.

Rather than use this visual delight to tuck away jewelry, I decided to 

purpose it as a flower vase to keep out for pure enjoyment.

I tied on one of the teethers 

that has a sterling heart.

Here is a close up of the fine hand work.

What do think?  

Do you like to use objects 

as unexpected vases?

I discovered this Veuve du Vernay at World Market months ago.  

The pink toile is a fun touch for any celebration table.

The one of a kind heart is handmade by an artist in upstate 

New York who creates collages from images 

found in old MacKenzie-Childs catalogs. 

Whatever your plans for celebrating Valentine's Day,

I hope you and yours dine at a special table.

As Pooh says, "It's so much more friendly with two."

Hop about and be inspired!

💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖 💖

Panoply - Color My World, Valentine

Hyacinths for the Soul - Cozy Moments of the Heart - Valentine Tablescape (You are Here)

The Cat's Whiskerz - Hearts, Snowflakes and some Sparkle for a Valentine's Day Table

Red Cottage Chronicles - Family Fun Valentine's Tablescape

Everyday Living - Valentine's Day - A Celebration of Love

Life and Linda - Love You Beary Much

The Painted Apron - Rosy Valentine

My Thrift Store Addiction - Must Have Flowers! Vintage French Valentine's Day Tablescape

Me and My Captain - Elementary, My Dear Watson

Home is Where the Boat Is - The Birds and Bees

Karins Kottage - Flirty and Fun Valentine Table

Pandora's Box - A Valentine Breakfast

Mantel and Table - A Vibrant Blue Tablescape for Beautiful Valentine Romance

The Bookish Dilettante - Valentine's Day Tablescape: Hearts and Lace

Thrifting Wonderland - Be Mine...Valentine

Dinner at Eight - A Valentine's Table with Flowers, Ribbons and Hearts