As pink continues to dominate décor schemes indoors and out, and a top paint brand has named a blush shade its ‘color of the year’ for 2024, we provide some inspiration for a perfectly pink Valentine’s Day.
Sitting pretty
First up, you want to set the scene. We’re not talking about an all-out bubblegum scenario with frills, bows and fluffy pillows – unless, of course, that’s what you want – no, we’re thinking a chic set-up with punches of on-trend peony pink, enhanced by warm wood tones and a Scandi minimalist look. Picture a Valentine’s dinner for you and your partner, or indeed your closest friends, seated on elegant Nassau chairs around a divine FSC-teak dining table. Throw in a showstopping table-scape, topped off with romantic roses, alstroemeria or pink mimosa for a seasonal pop of pink, and your guests will be wowed. Keep the tabletop uncovered or use a tablecloth with a clean monochrome palette to avoid the overall look becoming too sickly sweet, and then play with pops of color in the flowers, napkins and candles. Soft lighting will be essential to really warm up the look and enhance your pink aesthetic, making for a very atmospheric scene. For a more intimate get together, consider our Nassau bistro set in Peony Pink Social Plastic®.
If a new dining or bistro set is out of your price range this spring, then zhuzh up your furniture with some cushions in pink tones and it will look peachy in no time. To save money and avoid waste, why not scour your local charity shop or secondhand website for some pre-loved delights? An outdoor rug in sandy pink tones can draw the whole look together.
Pink potations
Whether you’re in the mood for something sparkling, a classic rosé or a fruity cocktail, there are plenty of pretty pink drinks to sip on for your Valentine’s evening. A quick and easy pink lemonade or Shirley Temple are great for those with a sweet tooth who want to stay sober, whilst guests who fancy a little tipple of something can take their pick from blush wines, pink gin, a spirit with pink soda, cherry vodka and an array of rosy-colored cocktails. If there’s more than two of you partaking, avoid having to stock a full bar by just getting in a few key ingredients for drinks and asking your guests to bring a bottle of something pink to spruce them up.
Have fun by garnishing drinks with cherries, pink grapefruit wedges, strawberries, edible pink flowers or glitter, and for a retro twist, maybe even little pink umbrellas.
Dress to impress
Barbiecore certainly had its moment in 2023, so you or your guests may already have some hot hues hanging in the wardrobe. If not (or if a hot-pink get-up is not your style), don’t fret, because fashion experts have said pink – albeit in more muted tones – will still be a firm fixture on clothes rails throughout 2024. Temperatures are still a little on the chilly side, so maybe save that flowing pale pink summer dress for an indoor celebration but layering can work really well and provide warmth if you are planning a cosy outdoor celebration. A few strategically-placed throws or blankets in peachy or coral tones could prove invaluable and look fantastic whilst keeping you and your guest(s) toasty.
Magenta menu
A menu boasting only pink hues is unlikely to be the most appetizing thing you could offer guests but you can still provide a refined dinner choice with little accents of color throughout. Think rose petals, with their soft subtle flavor, tossed in with a salad or even a dressed with a rose vinaigrette; wholesome couscous studded with jewel-colored pomegranate seeds; mouthwatering homemade tacos topped with easy pink pickled onions; ramen made with pink oyster mushrooms; a side of chard with its contrasting pink stems; or maybe rhubarb crumble for dessert. With a rainbow of fruit and veg available now, you have plenty of scope to get creative and create something tasty that still fits with your pink theme.
