For the past few years, I’ve kept Valentine’s Day decor… minimal. I mean, in all fairness, it isn’t typically an occasion that is decorated for en masse, but the idea of romanticizing my home for any time of year that wasn’t more broadly acknowledged felt a little indulgent. Extra. Unnecessary. And in a time when I was trying to minimize everything as life was overwhelming, heavy, and taking a toll, decorating for the sake of joy slid to the bottom of the list.
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This year, though, I felt the pull to bring it back… softly, thoughtfully, and with mostly what I already had on hand.
And honestly? It’s reminded me how much magic lives in small, intentional shifts. I didn’t go wild, but I’ve sprinkled a few moments throughout our home and when I was walking around and re-discovering them while I photo-documented for today’s post, I loved rediscovering subtle nods to the time of year.
A Valentine Village
I realized I was excited to do a little something in our home for Valentine’s Day when I stumbled upon some adorable, glittery Valentine village homes in the center Aldi aisle. I also grabbed some Christmas village pieces — Anthro inspired — on clearance for .99! Anyway, the little Valentine village pieces were so adorable, I ended up bringing home six of them.
Sideboard | Mirror | Bistro Salt & Pepper Set
This cute little textured print in the background was also an Aldi find!
Eliza loves turning on the little houses and letting them glow.
Romanticizing the Everyday
Re-embracing this kind of decorating has felt less about Valentine’s Day itself and more about giving myself permission to care again. To notice. To create beauty for our family and home, simply because it makes daily life feel warmer.
Sideboard | Mirror | Bistro Salt & Pepper Set
It’s lighting a candle during a weeknight dinner. Having a go-to dinner playlist. Letting a vase of faux florals live on the nightstand instead of saving it for guests. It’s getting the cute, not-fancy themed placemats — Eliza loves switching these for upcoming occasions and this cheap set came from the Bullseye Zone at Target last year.
Terracotta Beaded Garland | Black Bowl
Choosing details that make me smile, even if no one else comments on them. This morning, I used a wax seal stamp on a note I wrote to a family member and I loved remembering why the details count. Not just for them, but for me too.
All Hearts in the Kitchen
In the kitchen, I married some sweet form meets function details with a few heart-forward accents. I stacked a hart trivet on our go-to marble trivet set, subbed in a heart adorned spoon rest, and even hauled out the marble heart board and put it on display.
Backsplash Tile | Cabinet Pulls (Champagne Bronze 5 1/16″) | Cabinet Pulls (Champagne Bronze 6 5/16″) | Cabinet Knobs (Champagne Bronze 1 5/16″ | Le Creuset Dutch Oven | Le Creuset Gold Knob | White Cheese Board | Marble Trivet (set of 2) | Marble Heart Board (similar)
Backsplash Tile | Cabinet Pulls (Champagne Bronze 5 1/16″) | Cabinet Pulls (Champagne Bronze 6 5/16″) | Cabinet Knobs (Champagne Bronze 1 5/16″ | Le Creuset Dutch Oven | Le Creuset Gold Knob | White Cheese Board | Marble Trivet (set of 2) | Marble Heart Board (similar)
Last season, I set up a little hot cocoa board for Eliza so that she could make cups for herself, independently. I wanted it to be simple enough for her to be able to handle, and lined the basics on a board for her. It was such a hit, I updated it with a few cute new finds, along with a couple things I had in storage — i.e. this cute heart purposed as a spoon rest..
Pink Stripe Heart Mug | Red Heart Mug | White/Red Heart Bowl | Jar | Marble Tray | Mini Candy Scoop (similar)
All the rose scented candles are being burned this season in our home 😉
Hurricane (similar) | Rock Salt Filler | Candle
A Heartfelt Welcome (See what I did there?)
I found this adorable scalloped doormat at Target for $5 — it’s small but when you’re in the practice of layering your doormats, the top doormat size doesn’t matter. It’s the size of the rug underneath that counts 😉
Subtle Love in the Living Areas
This was far from a transformation or a themed overhaul, but more like a quiet nod to the season. Little moments scattered throughout the rooms we already live in.
Occasional heart-shaped dishes on accent tables on the entry table holding everyday odds and ends. Small candy dishes holding some treats from mine and Eliza’s last Target run… even some cutie marble coasters I had on hand.
Marble Heart Coasters (similar) | Coffee Table Books: The Art of Home; Feels Like Home; Simplicity; Audubon’s Birds of America; Beaches
By the way, we started off with all the conversation heart colors and slowly, Eliza has eaten her way through her favorites. Can you guess which ones she doesn’t care for? HAHA
A Love Note to the Dining Room
The dining room got a wink of a Valentine’s moment this year, with some gold-rimmed blush toned barware. That substitute coupled with a strand of pink and white pom pom garland was all the festivity this corner needed.
Gold Rimmed Blush Carafes | Pom Pom Garland | Bar Cart (similar)
Accidental Office Shelfie
Not intentional but I’m claiming it anyway, I am in the process of shelving my new Taylor Swift puzzles my mom gifted me for Christmas as I complete them. She ordered them from THIS small shop and THEY ARE FANTASTIC! Lover stands on its own right now, almost knowing its purpose for the season.
The Vinyl Wall, Valentine’s Day Edition
The little spot I find myself in most saw a little seasonal switch, too.
Record Storage Console | Record Player | Speakers | Acrylic Record Holder | Floor Lamp | Window Shades (in Bali White) | Rug | Storage Ottoman
My vinyl record display wall is new this year (did you catch the details in my first project of the year post HERE?) , but changing it up has already become one of my favorite ways to mark the seasons. For Valentine’s Day, I swapped in all red vinyl record covers, and the impact was instant. I love seeing my normally hidden collection on display.
Rechargeable Sconces (Set of 2) | Floating Wooden Record Shelves | Record Storage Console | Record Player | Speakers | Acrylic Record Holder | Clear CD Holder (used for singles) | Floor Lamp | Window Shades (in Bali White) | Rug | Storage Ottoman | Acrylic & Gold Pedestal Side Table
This was always the vision when I installed it last month — a wall that could evolve with the seasons, holidays, or even just a feeling. Seeing it dressed for Valentine’s Day only confirmed that this is a project I’ll keep coming back to again and again.
Rechargeable Sconces (Set of 2) | Floating Wooden Record Shelves | Record Storage Console | Record Player | Speakers | Acrylic Record Holder | Clear CD Holder (used for singles)
Small Valentine Touches, Just for Her
I still have Eliza’s little room additions on my list but if you missed it, I’ll be following last year’s lead. Also, don’t underestimate the power of this $10 heart pillow (that also is back and comes in pink.) It’s Eliza’s favorite part of her Valentine room!
Heart Garland (similar) | Red Heart Pillow | Channel Tufted Bed | Rattan Storage Trunk | Cloudscape Wall Art | Nightstand | Lamp (similar) | Acrylic Picture Frame | Piggy Bank | Belgian Linen Pillow Covers | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Linen Shams
Sources: Picture Frames (set of 2)
Decorating her room for the seasons feels like a quiet love note from me to her. A gentle reminder, even on the most ordinary days. If you’ve seen my videos of surprising her, you get it! Even if she doesn’t remember the decorations themselves, I hope she remembers this little tradition and how excited she would get.
Felt Heart (Similar 1; Similar 2) | Rainbow Snow Globe | Bookshelf | Song Lyric Art (similar) | Song Lyric Art Frames | Taylor Swift Art Print Frame | Taylor Swift Art — Lucy Claire Illustrations
I also already put together Eliza’s Valentine basket and shared it in a video HERE, but if you missed it, here’s some of what’s inside…
Inside Eliza’s Basket…
- Pink bubble hem skort dress
- Hello Kitty pj set
- Kinder Joy Egg
- Hello Kitty memory foam neck pillow (similar)
- Unicorn puzzle pack (Target Bullseye Zone)
- Hello Kitty page palette paint book
- Pinkalicious book
- The Fate of Ophelia Taylor Swift vinyl 7″ single
- Weighted plush stuffie
- Valentine Nerd Clusters & Jolly Rancher jelly hearts
- Olipop Shirley Temple
Heart Garland (similar) | Red Heart Pillow | Channel Tufted Bed | Rattan Storage Trunk | Cloudscape Wall Art | Nightstand | Lamp (similar) | Acrylic Picture Frame | Piggy Bank | Belgian Linen Pillow Covers | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Linen Shams | Woven Storage Basket | Area Rug
Heart Garland (similar) | Red Heart Pillow | Channel Tufted Bed | Rattan Storage Trunk | Cloudscape Wall Art | Castle Art | Flower Art | Nightstand | Lamp (similar) | Acrylic Picture Frame | Piggy Bank | Belgian Linen Pillow Covers | Linen Quilt | Linen Duvet Cover | Linen Shams | Woven Storage Basket | Area Rug | Curtain Rod | Curtain Rings | Woven Pendant Light
In a year where I’m intentionally choosing to make an effort in remembering the joy of romanticizing our home and the everyday, Valentine’s Day earned itself a little more notoriety in our house 😉
Maybe this season of decorating is just a phase. Or maybe it’s the gain of momentum in letting myself lean into joy more often again. Either way, I’m glad I said yes to it, even in the small subtle moments.
What a perfectly lovely post!
Corine, xoxo to you!
I g got 3 of the houses. All they had. So cute! Know you love music. Have you heard of Laufey, she’s from Iceland. We are singing one of her songs in the Alpharetta Community Chorus.
From the Start-it’s kind of a bossa nova beat
Sally, I love that for you! And I know of her and know she’s a big deal. I need to give her more of a listen as I haven’t gotten on board completely just yet with her (beautiful) operatic sound.