BRIGHT IDEAS:
With Claire Hornby
VALENTINE’S Day is fast approaching and, call us sentimental, we’re in the mood for some hearts and flowers.
Flowers have different meanings so should always be chosen with the utmost care – for example, a striped carnation means refusal, and lavender means distrust, sunflowers signify adoration and red roses, of course, mean passionate love – hence their popularity during Valentine’s Day.
If you are lucky enough to receive flowers from your loved one, you’ll need a pretty vase in which to display them to their best advantage. Barker and Stonehouse has a stunning range of mocha and amber coloured glass vases in a variety of shapes such as bouquet and bud.
Chocolates are another faithful standby, because you can never have too much of it!.
Alternatively, a nice piece of wall art is a lasting way to say I love you, and is particularly nice if you are living together.
Rebecca Puig’s handmade wooden wall hangings are made from reclaimed wood and have a natural rustic charm about them. Para Siempre means “forever” or “for life” in Spanish, making this XO Para Siempre incredibly romantic while the “I love you so much” design says those three little words for you.
Women like gifts that are luxurious but may feel too frivolous for them to buy themselves. Our top picks are the fabulously sparkly Aquilla cushion and the Bourgie crystal table lamp.
And if all else fails, time together is the most important gift on Valentine’s day, so cook a nice meal, cook a nice meal, pick up a bottle of fine Champagne and enjoy an evening together by candlelight. The lovely Light Storm lantern from Barker and Stonehouse makes a stylish addition to any dining table and comes beautifully gift-boxed with a pillar candle for an ideal wedding or anniversary present.
But the hearts and flowers trends are big news this spring too, and you don’t have to be coupled-up to get the look. The Emma Bridgewater Hearts single bedset is emblazoned with love and kisses, pink hearts and flowers to add romance to any room.
Claire Hornby is creative stylist at Barker and Stonehouse. For more design ideas visit www.barkerand stonehouse.co.uk