Valentine’s Day Dinner: DIY Idea using the Moroccan-inspired red Spice Route

Today, we’re sharing a post from our archives. You’ll love the romantic DIY Valentine’s Day dinner that Priya of Once Upon a Tea Time designed for us last year.  Take a peek inside her lovely home, and get inspired for your own Valentine’s Day, with a little help from Saffron Marigold…

Romantically hand stamped cut branches

This year I have decided to plan ahead for Valentine’s Day. I am going to put together a little Valentine’s Day dinner, dinner à deux, only it’s going to be on Sunday evening, Feb 13th rather than Monday the 14th. What a great way to start the week! Here is what I plan to do…

1. Create the perfect room. There is a small room at the top of our house. It can barely fit a table and two chairs, making it perfect for an intimate dinner for two. I covered the table with the Moroccan-inspired Spice Route tablecloth. I love the colors of this print- the bright red-orange is perfect for Valentine’s Day. The wintry faux crystal branches are in perfect contrast to the the warmth of the Spice Route.

Iced crystal branches on a Spice Route table

I covered the chairs with two small vintage quilts that I picked up on my last visit to India. Pretty, don’t you think?

Chairs dressed in a vintage red quilt from India and the Spice Route cushion

2. Setting the table. I chose white china for two reasons- it is easy and goes with everything and secondly, the white color contrasts well with the red Spice Route. I plan on using some lovely silver serve ware to add a dose of glamour to the evening..

Setting the table

A glass of wine, anyone?

So far so good!

3. Make it personal: Put your stamp on it ( literally!). The table looked great but I wanted to personalize it. I looked around for DIY and other creative ideas for Valentine’s Day but most seemed beyond my crafting abilities . So here is my simple idea: I stamped the words You and Me on wooden circles- I got these when our walnut tree had to be pruned - and used them as place cards.

Personalized wooden place cards

Personalized wooden 'You and Me' place cards with Spice Route Dinner Napkins

What do you think? I plan to add candles and fresh flowers and voila, I am ready! I haven’t yet decided on the food but maybe vegetable jalfrezi with hot naan? I will keep you posted!  The idea behind Valentine’s Day is to slow down and take the time to appreciate each other. Wishing you and your significant other a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

Priya certainly has a wonderful vision for her romantic dinner.  We’ve got 8 more Valentine’s Day inspirations here!

1. Spice Route makes a customer’s bathroom come alive
2. “Moroccan Merriment” Gift Idea Guide
3. Bedskirts series: Taking the Spice Route
4. Christmas table decor – Spice Route
5. The Spice Route Tablecloth: Traditional Textiles, Modern Mix