Fire & Ice Valentine’s Day Tablescape
Welcome! I am delighted to once again be joining our talented group of tablescape enthusiasts as we share our Valentines tablescapes! Rita from Panoply has brought together 20 lovely ladies, all with a passion for pretty tables! You will find links to all the bloggers at the bottom of this post.
Whether you celebrate a cozy Valentine’s Day with your significant other or host a fun dinner party for friends, I think you are going to love my table this year.
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Deciding on a theme had me stumped as to how to style this years’ table. In fact, I have felt in a bit of a creative slump lately. It has been such an unusually rainy and gray January for us. We are used to having bright, white fluffy snow this time of year
Since the weather has been so gloomy, we haven’t ventured out much, and I knew I had to do something to break out of this rut!
After a 2 year hiatus, the Niagara On The Lake Ice Wine festival was back this year! It was just the change of pace that we needed to get back in the swing of things.
It also inspired this fire & ice tablescape!
When it comes to Valentine’s Day tablescapes, I always try to think outside the box a little bit. I usually gravitate to pink, like this romantic pink and gold tablescape or this pretty in pink tablescape with the most gorgeous pink roses.
This year, I wanted to do something different and I kept getting a visual of lots of flickering candles down the centre of the table. Not only do they provide a romantic vibe, but more so a warm and cozy ambiance.
But, what to do about the ice?
I thought about making some ‘ice’ ice buckets and tea light holders and freezing flowers into them, but they wouldn’t survive long in the heat of the house.
When I was wandering around the festival and tasting all the delicious vintages, it hit me!
Ice Wine!!
If you are not familiar with ice wine, it is a deliciously sweet dessert wine that is the result of grapes left on the vine to freeze. They are harvested in the middle of the night in freezing temperatures (a minimum of -8 degrees celsius) and are crushed while still frozen. The result is a highly concentrated and sweet juice that after fermentation becomes the sweetest wine you have ever tasted.
Oh, did I mention it smells heavenly! I would recommend serving it in flared or tulip shaped wine glasses to get the most of that delicious aroma!
After tasting several, we were left swooning over the 2019 Dean’s List Savant Icewine, from Niagara College Teaching Winery. It tastes just like a raspberry, strawberry jam, with hints of honey. And, it was on the Dean’s List!! It is a Cabernet Sauvignon ice wine, and the only red that I tasted.
Ice Wine is not just for drinking!
While it certainly is a decadent after dinner wine to be served with fruit or a sweet dessert, it’s uses don’t stop there.
When cooking with ice wine, in my opinion it is best used in dessert recipes. I made this delicious ice wine cheesecake more than a few times. And these apricot cupcakes with ice wine frosting are easy and delicious!
One of my favourite ways to serve it, is to combine it with dessert! Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for an easy yet elegant dessert.
I filled a pink glass vase to use as an ice bucket to chill the wine. Wine glasses are filled with mini ice cubes and fruity ice cubes, just waiting for the wine to be poured!
A little goes a long way, as this delicious nectar is incredibly sweet.
And now for the fire!
I gathered up all the clean burning taper candles that I could find. There is just something so elegant about taper candles. Especially when the are several grouped together. Admittedly, lots of lit candles makes the safety girl in me a little nervous!
This set of flameless taper candles with the lovely flickering flame and dancing wicks are on their way to me, but sadly they didn’t arrive in time for this tablescape. I actually prefer to use realistic looking faux candles on the dinner table as they are much safer.
I used mismatched candlesticks for the taper candles, including wood, brass and crystal. Little silver dishes filled with cinnamon heart candies for the tea light candles.
Little bags of “fiery” cinnamon hearts sit atop each plate stack for guests to take home!
Valentines tablescapes are even more charming when you mix and match!
I find Valentine’s Day tables that are set with a collected mix of elements are incredibly romantic. On this table, I have added these pretty blue transfer ware plates atop pink napkins, white dinner plates and bold red chargers.
The silverware and wine glasses are also mismatched. I hadn’t planned to use mismatched glasses, until my husband accidentally broke one of a set of four when bringing them up from the bar. I was left with three of one style and only 2 of another. A happy accident, as far as I am concerned!
In keeping with a gathered style, I made a centrepiece using bright pink roses, peach carnations, white tulips, purple delphinium, pink wax flowers, and mini gerbera daisies in a deep burgundy colour. Just like flowers that might have been picked from an English country garden!
I styled them to look like they are dancing and floating with movement, just like the flickering flames of the candles.
A white linen table cloth is the foundation for this tablescape. I wanted a billowy white table runner, but didn’t have time or the inclination to purchase one. So, I made one using 4 of these flour sac tea towels and fluffed them up down the centre of the table.
I hope you have enjoyed my fire and ice themed tablescape! Styling it was certainly fun!
Just a few more pictures before you go!
Now it’s time to visit 19 equally charming Valentines tablescapes with fun, fresh ideas for making your celebration extra special!
Panoply – Valentine Tablescape for ‘Just You and Me’
Home is Where the Boat Is – Love Birds’ Bed & Breakfast
My Hubbard Home – Vintage Inspired Rose and Gold Valentine’s Table
Life and Linda – Sealed With a Kiss Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante – Valentine’s Day Tablescape Blog Hop: Paris Is Always a Good Idea
Everyday Living – Colors of Love
thecatswhiskerz – A Frosty Galentine’s Day Tablescape
Pandora’s Box – A Galentine’s Table
Living With Thanksgiving – Let Me Call You Sweetheart
The Little Yellow Corner Store – A Glamorous Winter Snowman for Valentine’s Day
Karins Kottage – Pink and Red Valentine’s Table for Kids
The Painted Apron – Hearts and Flowers
My Thrift Store Addiction – Cupid’s Valentine Dessert Buffet
Celebrate and Decorate – A Romantic Valentine’s Tablescape for Two
Belle Bleu Interiors – A Day for Love
Dinner at Eight – Valentine’s Day – A Table Set for Tea
Hyacinths for the Soul – Where You Go, My Heart Follows
Thrifting Wonderland – Start With Flowers Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Sweet Valentine Tablescape
DON’T FORGET TO “PIN IT” FOR LATER
Your table in candle light is just lovely and wine-drizzled ice cream sounds heavenly! Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
I want to try that wine Maureen…sound so intriguing. …and your table is lovely. I think candle light..whether real or faux is necessary for a romantic table….and you, my friend have a romantic table. I personally like a collected look so mis-matched is right up my alley. I hope to join you at the next hop…provided I get my IT issues fixed so until then Happy Valentines day
Great idea to use tea towels for your runner! So many pretty things about your tablescape! I too love to mix and match candlesticks on my tables. Your beautiful blue and white plates mixed with the light pink napkins are fabulous. Great work!
Karin
Beautiful table, Maureen! I always feel like you spin an Old World flair to your tables, and this one is consistent with that impression for me. The floral centerpiece is just wonderfully Old World for me, the candlelight creates that Old World moody vibe, and although I am no oenophile by any means, I love learning about wines. I’ve never heard of ice wine, but it truly sounds like it could be a dessert. The idea of it in a cheesecake or over ice cream sounds delicious. You know I love a vintage mix of elements, and your blues and pinks complement your floral arrangement very nicely! Thank you for being part of the hop with your personal flair. ❣️
Hi Maureen, your Fire & Ice theme is so different and perfect for Valentines with flickering candles and Ice wine. Your flowers are beautiful and echo the colors of the blue and white plates, red chargers and pink napkins. I’m all for mixing and matching things, I think it makes things much more interesting than when everything matches. Your beautiful table is romantic and inviting, just lovely! Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Your theme is implemented nicely! I like how you placed your table linens as a runner. Very creative! Your flowers are gorgeous, especially with your blue plates. The candlelight is such a sweet, romantic touch, too. I absolutely love your style!
Happy Valentine’s!
XO,
Ricki Jill
I love your idea of setting a table centered around the ice wine!! I grew up with vineyards all around us. Every once in a while our dog would get loose and head over to the vineyard and come back with purple grape stains all over his mouth from eating grapes right off the vine!! But your table is beautiful with the candles for the fire and the wine on ice!! Love it! And your flowers are gorgeous!! Have a lovely Valentine’s Day!!❤️
Maureen, you have a beautiful table here with your fire and ice! The candles down the center are so lovely and the ice wine perfectly completes your theme. I can only imagine how delicious the ice wine is over ice cream – yum – and ohmygosh, how great is that it is the dean’s list wine! The flowers are so beautiful and I love the blue transferware plates on the white dinner plates. Wow. Anyone would be happy to have a seat at your lovely table. Love the billowy table runner too! Happy Valentine’s day to you and your family!
Maureen, Your flowers and candlelight immediately drew me into your table details. I love the assorted flowers you selected, especially the delphiniums, which I don’t often see in our area. I love the way you arranged them. They do look like they are dancing and floating.
Your icewine was very interesting. I have not heard of that before. I love learning new things.
Your blue and white plates caught my eye also. I am a blue-and-white girl! Your romantic table is very pretty and certainly has many pretty details. I love your pink container used as an ice bucket. The texture and color were perfect for your Valentine’s table.
I enjoyed your post. The real candles appeal to me. They add so much, and you will not go away and leave them burning, so I vote for real. Have a great Valentine’s Day.
I’ve not had Ice Wine before, Maureen, but after your explanation it is something I definitely want to try. Love the mood of your table…old-fashioned elements with romance. You can’t go wrong. Always enjoy some blue in a tablesetting and this was the perfect amount.
Lynne
Oh how I love to visit Niagara, living just a couple of hours away. I am delighted to discover a southern Ontario blog. I will have to try the teaching winery, it is one I was not familiar with.
Your tablescape was intriguing, using a vase to chill a demi bottle was ingenious, and pretty.
I will be back to read again.
Kim
We do consider ourselves lucky to live in Niagara! Niagara College has 2 campuses, the Niagara On The Lake one has the teaching winery, plus a teaching brewery and distillery! It is a little off the beaten path when it comes to wineries!
Maureen, I love a ‘mix and match’ styled table and your ‘gathered’ bouquet is beautiful and certainly reminiscent of an English country garden! I love your ‘fire and ice’ theme, so clever with your ice wine, candles and candy red hots. A friend gave us a bottle of ice wine several years ago, we’ll have to open it up to enjoy and hope it hasn’t turned! As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy Valentine’s Day ♥
Maureen, mixing and matching is wonderful when it comes with setting a table. Love your beautiful bouquet, it sets the mood for this lovely table.
Fire and ice is a great theme. Thank you for sharing about ice wine. The candles add so much to your romantic table. Always a pleasure joining you.
Maureen, I love the idea of fire and ice…you pulled it off splendidly. Your bouquet is gorgeous and the mix of the table draws me in. I have never heard of ice wine, but it sounds fabulous over ice cream or in cheesecake. The candles add a delightful ambiance. Your table is perfectly lovely and romantic!
Maureen, I am sorry that I am so late in commenting (its that thing called work lol). I too love this mix and match style and you’ve done it so wonderfully! The candles and flowers look so romantic and your blue and white plates are so pretty with the pale pink napkins. I’ve never heard of ice wine but loved the bottle with the “Dean’s List” stamp – very clever. I’ll have to try the wine and it sounds delicious poured over ice cream. Using your tea towels for a billowing table runner was ingenious too. Thank you for all the lovely inspiration here. It was so nice to “meet” and hop with you and wishing you a happy Valentine’s day!!
Maureen, what a beautiful fire and ice tablescape. I was so taken in by the mismatch items and the movement of your colorful floral centerpiece. It does add to the interest of the table since I loved to look at all of the pieces individually. The lit candles really does add to the warmth and coziness of the table too, but I agree, battery operated are safer too. I really enjoyed your explanation and recipes regarding the ice wine. There is one winery here by us who makes a wine from the frozen grapes. I really loved your cheesecake and cupcake recipes using the wine since I usually buy the wine just for drinking, but now I can use it in a dessert. It all looks so delicious. It is always a pleasure to hop with you. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Maureen, I LOVE this idea! You were so creative to come up with this!! I do understand how gloomy it can be in the winter when you don’t get a nice dusting of crisp white snow to brighten things up. You certainly found the answer in your combination of fire and ice and celebrating with ice wine! I am not much of a drinker, but I love anything sweet, so this sounds perfect! Serving it over those fruity cubes is delightful! Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Maureen, your table is stunning! I love the rich color palette, and your flowers are gorgeous! The addition of candles is so pretty and romantic. It is always a joy to join you on these hops. I hope that you have a happy Valentine’s Day!
I love this table! If there is such a thing as being elegant yet simple this is it! The light from the candles, the mismatched glasses, the beautiful ice cubes, and the whimsical candy hearts. Lovely!
I love your sumptuously romantic table of fire and ice. The glow of candlelight increases the ambiance of a table to linger over, but the mix of candle holders and the eclectic dishware add depth and interest. The insouciant flower arrangement reminds me of (imagined!) tables found in Paris. Altogether lovely! I enjoyed hopping with you!