Romantic rendezvous

Today is a red-letter day. In fact, today is a day for all things red. It is Valentine’s Day.

It’s a day for hearts, flowers, chocolate and romance.

“Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl of romance,” said Moll Anderson, a lifestyle and romance expert who recently released her second book, “Seductive Tables for Two: Tablescapes, Picnics & Recipes That Inspire Romance.” “If this holiday is important to your wife or spouse, you must pay attention and act accordingly.”

Valentine’s Day is the one day you should give yourself permission to go over the top, Anderson said.

“You need to give yourself permission once a year to get crazy, to put hearts all over — hearts and stuffed animals. Me, I like to do it all year-round,” she said.

The main idea to remember is that you want your significant other to feel special. Anderson said that just takes a little time and creativity.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money or a lot of time. It could be a picnic that you take to the office. Do whatever you can, understand what they are all about.”

Aimee Beatty, Pier 1 Imports’ in-house stylist, said creating a romantic tablescape is the first place to start.

“Layer white traditional dishes with red and silver accents to give your dinnerware a whole new look.”

White dishes also can be combined with seasonal, themed pieces as well as red or floral dinnerware, said Sabrina Soto, Target’s style expert and HGTV designer.

“Adding a few touches to your dining table is a fun and affordable way to decorate for the holiday,” she said.

Soto also suggests changing where your dine.

“Instead of dining where you always do, choose a new spot. Move a small table in front of the fireplace or in the center of your living room. If weather permits where you live, go out onto a porch. Dining with a beautiful view of mountains or city lights will seem very special,” she said.

Following the same ideas, she said that instead of roses, which are a staple for decorating on Valentine’s Day, “switch it up and decorate your home with unexpected fresh flowers like lilies, orchids and ranunculus. To add an extra pop, arrange them in a colored vase.”

When creating a romantic setting to celebrate, Anderson said two key ingredients are glitz and glamour. These will help heighten the senses and make your celebration more memorable.

Along with glitz and glamour, Anderson’s must haves for intimate celebrations are presentation, atmosphere, whimsy and deck the halls, which is time spent with your loved ones sharing fun, food and drinks after the decorating is completed.

Another way to help set the mood for romance is candles.

“They lend a soft light to a room or dinner table, creating a romantic atmosphere,” Soto said. “This year, get creative with your candle displays. Line up paper bags filled with small, flameless candles and turn off the lights to set the mood. Allow the soft glow of the luminaries to guide your way to the dining nook for a special, private dinner date.”

Beatty said fragrant tealights should be placed in every room to “create a romantic atmosphere with unforgettable ambience.”

She also suggests using red and white candles at different heights paired with elegant taper holders or hurricanes.

Anderson said most people have all sorts of items that can be used to create a romantic setting, items that are often tucked away for holidays or forgotten about. She suggests going on a scavenger hunt in your own home to see what you can find or taking out the “good china” that is normally reserved for special occasions.

“Nothing is more special than your relationship and the people in your life,” she said.