Do you ever feel like there is always such a divide among people around Valentine’s Day? It’s either super lovey-dovey pro Valentine’s Day, with cupids and bright red and pink conversation heart candies, or it’s the complete opposite end of the spectrum, zeroing in on “Single Awareness Day” with anti-Valentine everything. There’s no in between, or appreciation for the other side’s struggle (and yes, there are struggles on both sides!).

I often feel as though this highly commercialized holiday has romanticized this picture of: if you are in love, things are perfect, and if you aren’t, things are crap. The truth of the matter is, it is a struggle for those in and out of love. A struggle to find love, or a struggle to keep love alive, there are dark and complicated bits to both sides. And naturally, where there is dark and troubling elements, there is the bright and shining light on the other side, radiating happiness and bliss.

This persistent balanced tug of bliss and struggle in the realm of love is what inspired this month’s tablescape. A glamorous table decor in black and red, adorned with crystal accents throughout. This dramatic Valentine’s Day home table decor can be enjoyed by everyone, and despite its initial dark look, would be a refreshing change to the traditional valentine’s table decor.

Plenty of drama is created in this look by the black and red combination, but I think it’s the textures of the centerpiece floral and the diamond and petal table accents that really bring the high-end glamorous look to this home tablescape.

A look at the dramatic tablescape:

Seating for two, anyone?

How about for four?

Tall centerpiece with black silk floral:

Close up of the scattered decor on the table. Petals and diamonds, what else could a girl want?

A clever napkin fold for when you don’t have a napkin ring on hand:

Some shots with the lights on, for optimal viewing enjoyment:

As my challenge of creating a monthly tablescape for my home table continues, it is important to keep costs in mind. By using plenty of coupons at my local craft and hobby stores, along with some great finds at my local thrift stores, this glamorous black, red, and crystal Valentine’s Day table decor cost me about $62 to create. Here’s what everything cost:

• Burgundy Tablecloth – was $13.99 on Amazon
• Ombre Black and Red Ceramic Plates – a set of 4 plates was $2.99 at Goodwill
• Black Napkins – had on hand from my January tablescape (found on Amazon)
• Glass Candlesticks – a set of 4 candlesticks was 99 cents at Goodwill
• Black Candles – used 4, on clearance at Michael’s for 99 cents each
• Box of Silk Rose Petals – on sale at Hobby Lobby for $4.99
• Crystal Diamonds – used 2 boxes (two different sizes), each on sale for $2.99 at Hobby Lobby
• Eiffel Tower Vase – was $2.99 at Goodwill
• Beans – $2.00 for a huge bag at Wal-Mart
• Black Spray Paint – had on hand
• Black Silk Floral Stems – used 6 stems, at $4.19 each (on Clearance) from Michael’s
• Black Satin Ribbon – had on hand left, over from my DIY Napkin Rings

Things brings to total cost for this glamorous black, red, and crystal Valentine’s Day table decor to about $62. A bit more then I intended to spend, but given that it’s a holiday month, and considering the sheer impact and drama that this tablescape creates, the price seems worth it. Plus, I have plenty of ideas for a number of these elements in future tablescapes!  As I mentioned last month, I bet there is a good chance that you have a lot of these elements on hand, or can find them easily. It’s all about looking in the right places!

Watch how easy this centerpiece is to create:

I am sharing this tablescape on Between Naps on the Porch’s party as well as with Rustic & Refined, and Blue Sky Kitchen.

This marks month two of my challenge, to create a beautiful home tablescape each month. What do you think of this concept for a February table decor?