Happy Tuesday, dear friends. Can you believe that January has raced by so quickly? This coming Saturday is the first day of February and that means plans are being made for that most charming of days, February 14th. Valentine’s Day is such a sweet treat tucked into the middle of winter.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Colossians 3:14 (ESV)
I am joining seventeen table stylists to bring you a Valentine’s Day Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by my talented friend, Rita from Panoply. You will find the links for all the beautiful table settings at the bottom of this post.
Welcome to Sunshine Cottage where I have been busy fluffing for Valentine’s Day! For many years we have celebrated Valentine’s Day at home. It is quiet, no reservations are required, and we always have a table by the window.
I have always loved Valentine’s Day…cards, candy, flowers, and I still hold dear the gold heart locket that ‘My Love’ gave me for Valentine’s the year we began dating. Our EM has asked if she can have it and I am planning on giving it to her soon as a surprise! Not only do we celebrate Valentine’s Day in February, but we also celebrate our anniversary! It will be number 52. We were mere children when we married. (Haha)
It would not be Valentine’s Day without the red velvet heart crowned in gold!
The angle of the sun’s rays in January and February, as it streams through the southwest window, creates magical dancing light!
Candy is a must for Valentine’s! A pink heart plate offers sweet treats…Cupid’s Blend M&M’s, Maggie Lyon Chocolatiers’ Chocolate Covered Valentine Pretzel Rods, and La Suissa Milk Chocolate Praline Hearts filled with cocoa cream!
Carnations were the only flowers I could find, but I happen to love their frilly appearance and spicy clove-like scent. Colors of red, white, and pink are perfect for the Staffordshire “Charlotte” English pitcher.
Long-time readers may remember my tradition of saving our Valentine’s cards. I enjoy displaying them on the table and on the shelves in the cottage. We will reread them again and I will be teary-eyed as we share memories. Rather than buying cards, we now write letters. RM’s letters always tug at my heart strings. His unique writing style evokes all the cherished years of our marriage!
The Pottery Barn tablecloth has been in my linen closet for many years. I can’t remember the last time I brought it out and put it to use. It has a toile appearance but there isn’t a pastoral scene depicted on the fabric. It was the inspiration for my romantic table for two!
A plate stack of a Royal Stafford ‘Asiatic pheasant’ dinner plate, American Atelier ‘Baroque’ luncheon/salad plate, Johnson Brothers ‘Winchester’ salad plate, and a pierced Bavarian rose plate combine to compliment the tablecloth. The pitcher of flowers rest on a treasured Limoges plate. I am a huge fan of mixing colors, patterns, and textures for a collected look!
A pretty floral plate is always hard for me to resist. I found the set of twelve Winchester Pink rope-edged salad plates in an antique shop in Highlands, NC. The shop owner made me an offer that I could not pass up!
“In the Olympic Games of life, love will always be the gold medal winner.”
~ Butch Richardson
Heart napkin rings are Valentine appropriate!
“And suddenly all the love songs were about you.”
~Unknown
Some are blessed to be able to celebrate special occasions with the love of their life. If God allows, I will spend February 14th with my Love, my Valentine. Others may find themselves unable to see, talk to, or feel the touch of their precious Love, their Valentine. I’ve had moments when I have asked myself, how could I ever find celebration in the midst of such unimaginable loneliness? Our dear friend Mary at Heritage Hall has captured the essence of the beauty of memories, and the strength of love that transcends absence. We cherish our time on Valentine’s Day when we read our letters to each other and look at all the cards I have saved. I wish to share with you how sweet Mary has not only provided an answer to my question, but has revealed in practice that true love will never die. Mary brings comfort and hope with these words…
…“Your wonderful idea of reading saved Valentine cards can be implemented even though the one you love is gone. I take out my “treasure” box of cards and sit at the Valentine “date” table to recapture those past
moments when words of love were exchanged.”
You are in for a fabulous treat by visiting the links below. Beautiful ideas and inspiration for your Valentine’s celebration are shared by these talented table stylists!
Panoply – Valentine’s Day: Birds of a Feather
Home is Where the Boat Is – Galentine’s Tea Party
Everyday Living – My Love, My Valentine
Celebrating Everyday Life – How to Style a Romantic French-Inspired Table for Two
Hyacinths for the Soul – Whispers of the Heart
Pandora’s Box – A Valentine Tea for Two
Me and My Captain – Cupid’s Arrow 2025
Life and Linda – Ooh la la! A Parisian Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante – Conversation Hearts for Valentine’s Day
My Thrift Store Addiction – Vintage Style Galentine’s Gathering
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A Copper Inspired Valentine’s Day Tablescape
The Little Yellow Corner Store – Valentine’s Day and a Snowman’s Smile
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – For All the Roses in My Life
The Painted Apron – Love Talk
Dinner at Eight – Artistry and Romance — A Valentine’s Table
Thrifting Wonderland – Creating a Romantic Thrifted Valentine’s Tablescape
Belle Bleu Interiors – A Celebration of Love
Mantel and Table – A Valentine’s Day Tablescape in Beautiful Blush and Peach
How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
What a romantic table for two for the most loving couple in BlogLand.
From the gorgeous linens to the pretty flowers and the exquisite plate stack, this table is a beautiful place to be on Valentine’s Day.
I enjoyed seeing the votives lit for a candlelight dinner at the end. And I am always glad to read Butch’s quotes.
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🩷❤️🩷
Thank you, Nancy! Your sweet comments warm my heart 🩷❤️🩷
Just beautiful Pam! Your Sunshine Cottage with its cozy atmosphere is the perfect spot for a celebration! I adore your table with the pretty plate layers, beautiful tablecloth and your ‘Charlotte’ pitcher, that makes a perfect vase for your bouquet of carnations! I love the sunlight highlighting all the ‘pretties’ on your table. Such a heartwarming tradition of bringing out your collection of Valentine’s cards, as is dear Mary’s response and the comfort they bring. Congratulations on almost 52 years, such a wonderful and celebratory milestone…you were babies! 😊 As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. ♥
What a sweet tradition to save your cards, as well as writing letters – what a special time it must be to look back and reflect! Your plate stack is quite pretty and I am drooling over your plate os sweets! Nice to see your sunshine as we have had lots of grey. and snowy days here! Enjoy Valentine’s day!
Pam, you have set such a romantic and lovely table, perfect to celebrate such a wonderful event as your 52nd Anniversary!! How fabulous!! Such a beautiful tribute that you have saved all your cards and letters to each other, what a great way to reminisce over your time together. I love the way you captured the sun shining over your gorgeous plate stack like rays of hope for many more years of happiness together. I hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day ❤️
Pam, it’s always a pleasure to pull up a chair to your table and today is no exception–beautiful! You have outdone yourself with the gorgeous plate stacks, chocolate, and velvet hearts! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Pam, you and Butch are the most romantic couple I know. Being married 52 years does not happen by accident. I hope we might have a peek of EK receiving the locket. Sunshine Cottage looks very romantic. The table is beautiful, and I especially love those votives.
Thank you, Roxanne for your sweet comments. You are right behind us celebrating your 52nd!
Pam, Your table is beautiful. I love the new salad plates. They are really pretty! Valentine’s at home is always so much better than a crowded, noisy restaurant. Your etched stemmed drinking glasses are lovely. The carnations in the pitcher are just perfect as a centerpiece. Hope you have a wonderful week. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara! You are so sweet ❤️
Pam, truly a table full of love.❤️ The tablecloth is a lovely with your beautiful plates stack. Your Staffordshire “Charlotte” English pitcher is gorgeous with your red carnations. The sun always seems to shine brightly in Sunshine Cottage. Happy anniversary to you and Butch. I love that you have kept your cards and also write love letters to each other. a beautiful celebration of love.
Pam, congratulations to you and Butch…52 years is amazing these days. I like to make a joke when told of a long union….I say “with the same man?” LOL. Seriously, congratulations on your sweet love and all your romantic Valentine’s Day rituals. I save all our cards to each other and the Captain is one of the most romantic husbands, so I am very Blessed.
Your Sunshine Cottage is decked out in Valentine splendor and so cozy.
We spend the day at home also after many years of dealing with crowds and sometimes disappointing meals. A cozy table for two set up by a crackling fire in the fireplace, and a special meal is perfect for us.
How sweet EM asked for the gold heart locket Butch gave you so many years ago. That brings tears to my eyes.
Hugs and Blessings to you and yours my dear friend. ❤️❌❌❌⭕️⭕️⭕️ ❤️🩹❤️🩷
All of you girls have made some of the sweetest tables capes for Valentine’s Day tea. Love all the pretty colors and your plates are so gorgeous. Love it all Pam. Hugs. Kris
You are a sweetheart! Thank you, Kris ❤️
Simply stunning, warm and romantic. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your longtime love.
EM is going to treasure that locket. One of my grandgirls is enamored with a locket given to me by my sweet mother-in-love, Shirley. I wear it almost exclusive to other necklaces. I do plan to give that locket to my Noelle because I know she will treasure it too.
Thank you, Cindie. How special to have a locket from your sweet mother-in-love and one day pass it to Noelle ❤️
The dabbled sunlight with the pink and red flowers and the velvet valentine heart create magic from the first photo Pam! The Sunshine Cottage with a table for 2 is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner with your beloved Renaissance Man! I do love your tradition of saving your Valentine cards and re-reading them every year, and the shelves in your cottage are perfect for displaying them. I love your pattern mix and Butch’s quote about love and the gold medal. Mary is right, your love with always be with you~💕
“Butchs’ unique writing style” touched my heart. What a revealing statement of love snd your love for each other. This will be my first year without my love but for the past two years he didn’t respond to “it’s Valentine Day” . Memory’s are all we are left with. Only the good ones are allowed.
All of your tables are picture book worthy but the Valentine one is the one to make lovely memories. Enjoy❤️
Thank you my dear Alice. Wonderful memories warm our hearts. Blessings sweet friend ❤️
First let me just say, it is so gray and gloomy here, that seeing this sun kissed table has lifted my spirits. I’m loving all the red details from the crowned velvet heart (I have one too!) to the fabulous and elegant plate stack of charmers. Love the table linen, Pam. It’s fun to pull out “old friends” and give them the spotlight. It’s perfect for the vibe of this beautiful table.
Monnie gave me valentine gifts, the occasional card if one caught his eye, but always prepared a lovely meal for the two of us. I, of course, set the table.
You know I’m all about mixing colors, patterns, and textures as well for a collected look. I think that’s what keeps things interesting, and you definitely shared beautiful, interesting, inspiration for each of us. Now if we just had a touch of sunlight! I smile at your tradition of reading the valentines through the years. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pam, what a beautifully romantic table you have set for the two of you. The sunlight on the table at this time of year truly is magic! The Charlotte pitcher filled with carnations is so pretty and I love the tablecloth you used. The plate stack is gorgeous and the gold crowned velvet heart and heart napkin rings are so sweet. I love your tradition of bringing out all the previous valentine’s day cards and sharing them with each other and displaying them around the Sunshine Cottage. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary and wishing you both a glorious Valentine’s Day!
What a wonderful tablecloth to act as the anchor for your table setting. I was excited to see the choices of china many of them favorites. The pinks and whites contribute to the vintage feel of the table. The napkin rings are lovely touches to the table. So many hearts bring out the message of love you and your husband share each year. The flowers in the floral pitcher bring the elements together for a lovely Valentine’s Day table. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Lynne, thrifting Wonderland
Pam, your table is absolutely stunning set in Sunshine Cottage. The sun’s rays dancing through the cottage is truly magical. You have so many pretties displayed on your lovely table. I adore carnations too. Their ruffled appearance is so pretty, and their fragrance is heavenly. Congratulations on 52 years of marriage! I hope that you have a Happy Valentine’s Day, sweet friend!
Gorgeous
Thank you, Rebecca!
What a wonderful collection of Valentine’s Tablescapes. Love the table and the lovely salad plates…lucky you to have discovered them and that the owner made you an offer that you couldn’t refuse.
Thank you, Karen! I really didn’t need any more dishware, couldn’t refuse the offer!
Pam, your Sunshine Cottage for Valentine’s Day is simply breathtaking. I can see all the decor behind the table, and the table itself is just so beautiful with the pattern and color play. I love the dish stack on that tablecloth! The flowers are perfect. The obvious love you & Butch share is so wonderful. I so love reading both yours and his posts. The treats look so yummy – those pretzels are calling my name! The candlelight is gorgeous, but that sunshine [on my shoulders] in the winter in the cottage just cannot be beat. Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for participating in this blog hop. You are so appreciated.
Pam, I enjoyed reading about your Valentine’s Day traditions. Its so nice that you display cards and mementos each year to celebrate. Your plate stacks are stunning, and my favorite things are the pierced Bavarian rose plates. They are so romantic! Everything on your table is pretty, and I want to congratulate you on fifty-two years of marriage. What an achievement and blessing! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Your Valentine themed table just warms my heart, Pam. My beloved and I were engaged on Valentine’s Day and I treasure that memory. Your mixture of dishes is so charming and one of my favorite pieces is your pitcher that holding your carnations. Enjoy your beautiful love for each other ♥️
Thank you, Kitty for your sweet comments ❤️ Valentine’s Day will always hold that treasured memory for you❤️
Pam, your valentine’s table is perfection for a romantic setting! I love all the pinks and the dish patterns are so pretty and all work together. I have some Pink Castles I need to unpack for the big day. I think it’s so romantic to save cards we received, I try to do that but I’m sure some have been lost over the years. Wishing you and Butch a very Happy Valentine’s Day and a very Happy Anniversary!…..
Thank you, Emily! Your comments are sweet and heartwarming!
Oh Pam, another lovely! That pitcher on the table is — if not the same pattern — a dead ringer for my grandma’s transferware pattern (but I think hers might be Johnson Brothers). Nonetheless, a reminder to swap out my china for February! The carnations are so pretty in it. Love all the plates and pretty touches!
Thanks you, Jeanie. I wish I had more pieces like the pitcher!
Pam, your story is truly endearing. I love to hear just how much Valentine’s Day means to you and to your husband. You express your thoughts in such a way that allow others to feel the kind of loving relationship you have with your spouse. Remarkable and something to cherish for years to come. I love your table, especially your mixtures of patterns of all of your delicate plates. Your tablecloth is such a lovely backdrop to your floral plates. The dancing sunlight of the day plays into the romance and coziness of the table. The floral centerpiece conveys just as much beauty as the floral plates. Such charm. Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine’s Day.
Thank you, Marsha. It is a special day for us. Thank you for the well wishes!
Love the table setting so much and those napkin rings!!! LOVE! I also love your tradition of Valentine cards and reading them year to year. Makes me smile. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy! Hugs and blessings to you, dear one!
Love is in the air at your home and the sweet tablescape awaits! And I agree with you Valentine’s Day is “a sweet treat tucked into the middle of winter.”
Thank you, Mary for your warm comments!
What a lovely meaningful table. You and Butch are so lucky to have found love so long ago. To keep the cards and still read them touched all of our hearts.
There is a pretty plate under the pitcher I would have liked to see and the glasses are ever so beautiful.
Thank you, Myrna. I should have shown the Limoges plate by itself. The glasses are vintage Fostoria!
Lovely table! The plate stack is fabulous. I love mixing and matching patterns too and there are some beautiful pieces here. I’m in love with your transferware pitcher too. It’s perfect with the carnations. Happy Valentine’s Day and anniversary. I love all your beautiful traditions. XO- MaryJo
Thank you, Mary Jo. Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Awwww… Awesome and breathtaking Valentine’s post! Gorgeous dishes! That wonderful pitcher has caught my eye… Absolutely stunning with carnations! Thank you for such beauty and inspiration.
Maristella, thank you for your lovely comments, my friend!
Thank you, my friend!
Pam, your pretty table is utterly charming! Layering all the patterns in various shades of red bring interest and depth to the display, and entice one to unlock each layer for study. I especially love the Royal Stafford and Johnson Bros plates with their intricate designs, different yet compatible. The pitcher is beautiful and is a perfect vessel for the mass of carnations with their frilly loveliness. (Carnations are severely underrated I think!) As long as we remember, loved ones live on in our hearts. Happy Valentine’s Day
What a beautiful post Pam! Especially sharing Mary’s story at the end, I remember after my late hubby, Ed, died doing similar in reading his notes of love that he had left for me. Sweet, sweet memories. 😊
By the way, I particularly liked your heart napkin holder.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. So precious that you had notes from Ed that you could read.
Blessings, my friend
Pam
Thank you, Jennifer. Blessings❤️
Your table is so lovely Pam, and the candlelit one is extra lovely! You have such a way! Thanks for sharing the idea of rereading the letters and cards, whether the writer is here or not. That’s such a wonderful thing to do. It’s always wonderful to share a hop with you – Happy Valentines Day to both of you!
Oh Pam, Your Valentine’s Day tablescape is absolutely enchanting! And I really love your Pottery Barn tablecloth! The flowers, the plates, it’s all so sweet! You have created such a romantic and inviting setting.
Your tradition of saving and rereading Valentine’s cards is so sweet. It’s a beautiful way to cherish and relive the precious moments you’ve shared over the years. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! Wishing you and your Renaissance Man a joyous Valentine’s Day filled with love and cherished memories.
Pam & Butch,
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!!! I am excited that you’ve shared so many Valentine’s Days together. Charles and I are at 38 VD’s this year. And actually 39 since we started dating right before Valentine’s Day. That first year, I made him a large heart-shaped cookie and wore pink and white with white high-top aerobic dance sneakers. 😉 Guess it worked!
Love your cottage tablescape and thank you for sharing the names of all of the plates. It is fun to stack different plates together. <3
To many more!
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thanks so much, Barbara. Your sweet comments warm my heart!
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day! I hope yours was special. Ours sure was. We went to Olive Garden, one of our favorite places and also is the restaurant we went to for our first date over 36 years ago. God has been so good, and I can’t thank Him enough to still have my precious, lifetime valentine and soul mate. I cherish every second He gives us together and pray He will give us many, many more years, in Jesus’ name. May He bless you and your RM and your family always.