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Saying I Love You in Style . . .

				Room decor sets the mood for love and romance. We've chosen to entertain our Valentine in perhaps, the most publicly visible part of the home, the living room. The living room is the place where you display your personal collections, it's the space you save for those very special occasions --- a perfect setting for a romantic pas de deux. The Asian aesthetic, although sparse, is an inviting motif for this contemporary room. Begin your evening by dressing your table to impress, plan the menu, the music, and the lighting. Accent your space with Asian novelty items, such as lanterns, characters and ornaments.
The Art of Seduction Are you in the mood for love? Sure, you can wine and dine your honey at a swank restaurant in town, buy the most expensive champagne to sip, while enjoying your filet mignon with all the trimmings. But there are other ways to romance your baby. Or if you don't have a baby, your favorite valentine. Instead of staging your evening in the dining room or the kitchen, use the coffee table in the living room, an accent table in the entryway or even the bedroom, wherever the mood says amour.
			Simply Red Red, as a color, is powerful, it grabs your attention. A little red goes a long way.For our setting, we used a red tablecloth not only because it is the color of love and Valentine's Day, it is also symbolic in many cultures. It is the color of happiness and good fortune to the Chinese. To Latinos, it signifies vitality and sensuality.
		To East Indians, it points to abundance and fertility. And in African cultures, red denotes love and boldness, a strength of the heart. To further heighten the mood and the senses, we used Asian ornamentation to accentuate the boldness of line and scattered roses to bring in scent and sensuality. The contemporary pieces in the place settings are topped with authentic Asian soup bowls, ornate chopsticks and flatware. Everything doesn't have to match, the mix makes it exciting and interesting. Small, square pedestals normally used for candles give height to the teapot, the doll and other accessories. Large pillows, also adorned with ornaments, extend the flavor and make for generous, cushy seating. To set everything aglow, use candles, candles and more candles. It doesn't matter if they are votives, tapers or bricks. Cinching the tablecloth with a flower, keeps things low and luscious. And in keeping with Asian custom, remember to remove your shoes . . . What happens next is up to you.