Setting A Romantic Country Dinner

I know its post Valentine's Day, however my inner decorator simply can't help but dish advice. Let's talk about how to set a romantic looking table. First of all the table should be fairly small and intimate and not the type used to seat multiple people for a banquet style meal. A rounded table is more welcoming than a sqaure one as it blurs the lines of formality in terms of how close one is to another. Now for the tablecloth. For the first layer that is directly on the table I would recommend a solid yet sheer color, like pink for example with no patterns or styles whatsoever. It can be made of fine linen or a more silken type material such as a gauzy type of rayon. Make sure its ironed with no creases. Atop that you would then layer a cotton battenburg lace design top tablecloth. I personally like the ones with a type of starburst design in the middle and a continuation of the lace around the edging. This way the color below peeks through and makes the battenburg lace stand out as a nice contrast. Then for a floral centerpiece a mixture of wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, baby's breath, eucalyptus, and carnations. A handful of peonies also work well. Or, if you prefer something more fragrant then a snip of Gardenia, a stem of Jasmine, and a few multicolored fresh roses can work to make the air more subtly fragrant. Faux flowers with petals spritzed very faintly with a light perfume can pass too. The arrangement can be put in either a Milk Glass vase {using this type of glass sets a very vintage tone}, or a wide mouthed crystal brandy decanter, or you can even recycle a glass milk jug and tie a bow around it. If you can add some type of beads or stones to the vase and they're visible it looks even better. Then comes the candles. Nowadays with the wonderful advancements of technology you can purchase battey powered votive candles that produce the tiny flickering flames of yore without the danger of fire. Now for the flatware. I would recommend Oneida 1881 silverware as its rose design is quite antique looking. For the dishes I would use an older Mikasa set as they tend to be more prettily floral patterned than their modern dishware. Or you could use Limoges, especially vintage Limoges. Wedgwood also has very fine china too. Of course, nearly all English made antique bone china is of fine and delicate quality. I have also recently came across an old Eastern European type of dishware called Victoria Chezch Slovakia. The dishes are absolutely stunning. Get what I like to call Chintz edged patterns with pink roses on a blue background. Quilted style placemats are charming to use. As for napkins I used to say linen worked well however if you are making a meal and not creating a showpiece than you should use disposable ones, preferably the thick kind with fancy trim such as those by Vanity. No matter what type of beverage you partake of a pair of crystal or pewtered champagne flutes can help to make it a more intimate and special. Lastly to set the tone have a dessert baking in the oven to add warmth and aroma to the atmosphere. Voila you have an excellent and romantic country dinnertable!