graceful tablescape for my galentine’s party

valentine's tablescape

When invited to join this Valentine’s tablescape blog hop showcasing “romantic tables for two,” I intended to do just that. You know, arrange an intimate, romantic table setting for me and my husband. With flowers. And hearts. And music. And no TV remotes. Or cell phones. But it began to sound like a lot of work. Trust me, he’ll be happier with some buffalo wings on a TV tray in the den. So why not share my artistic efforts with my girlfriends instead? You know, a Galentine’s celebration.

On a side note:  Before I ever saw the word “Galentines” anywhere, I had already come up with that name  – Galentines.  Yep, I coined the phrase. Someone else just beat me to the manufacturers, and before I knew it, MY idea was printed on napkins on store shelves and showing up all over Pinterest. (Just like my friend Janet, who began cutting the feet out of her pantyhose long before the debut of Spanx. Someone else beat her to the punch line, but really Janet invented Spanx, and she reminds us of that often.) Just sayin’.

Okay, back to my Galentine’s fete. Wanna join us? Pull up a seat…

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valentine's tablescape

I’m in Florida right now, and my condo here is casual, with a funky midcentury vibe. I love my live edge table, so I didn’t want to cover it with a cloth. I did, however, spot this lovely runner in Cost Plus World Market and couldn’t resist.  The embroidery on the ends tugged at my heart, and they picked up the colors in my flowers beautifully.

valentine's tablescape

valentine's tablescape

I upcycled paper lunch bags into metallic vases and filled them with red carnations and salmon colored roses. (Check out my tutorial here.) Then I folded citron green napkins into funky heart shapes.

paper bag vase

I then repeated the color red in little wooden trays of fresh strawberries. (Since you’re officially one of my galentines, I’ll let you in on a secret. These wooden trays are actually incense burners from World Market!)

valentine's tablescape

And speaking of galentines, you know I’ve gotta get my peeps a Valentine. I filled these small colored bags with raffia handles with a bohemian patterned tissue paper and some sweet surprises.

valentine's tablescape

Let’s see… have I forgotten anything in this Valentine’s tablescape? Flowers? Check. Strawberries? Check. Wine? Need you ask? And of course, all my sweet galentines.

valentine's tablescape valentine's tablescape

Like this tablescape? Please share it on Pinterest!

valentine's tablescape

Want to see more lovely tablescapes? Check out these fabulous posts below:

Monday
 
 
Tuesday
 
 
Wednesday
 

 

Thursday

 

Friday

 

Comments · 52

  1. Your table is gorgeous and I love that runner. How lucky are your gal pals! Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story, and have a great weekend.

  2. paper bag vases?!so cool! I love that you made a heart with the napkins, it’s a lovely touch. Can we talk about that table runner? beautiful! As always, lovely touring together.

  3. Wendy, your metallic paper bag vases are genius! It is always fun to get together with your favorite gal pals and I have no doubt they will feel super special at your beautiful “Galentine’s” celebration. I love that you have chosen to combine red and orange flowers. Such a pretty combination. And, can we talk about that table runner. Stunning!

  4. Wendy, I love your bold use of color! It is exciting and perfect for Galentine’s. The table runner is exquisite! Your friends will definitely appreciate time spent at your lovely table!

  5. So fun and colorful!! I love your metallic vases – so creative – this is one of my favorite settings so far. Unexpected and versatile. So glad that we’re galentines!

  6. I love this idea! Your table is just beautiful with the pretty flowers and gorgeous table runner. The color palette you chose with your flowers is just lovely and makes such a pretty statement! It has been so much fun blog hopping with you!!!

  7. I love the vibrant colors of all the flowers – that grabbed my attention right away. Your table runner makes a nice backdrop for the flowers. We have Galentine celebrations as well – way before the phase was coined – but I will give you credit for it!!

  8. Good Morning Wendy!
    Such a gorgeous chic table with fantastic colors. I love the vitality, richness and exuberance of your artful table creation.

  9. What a striking centerpiece you’ve created using “bags” and making them into something very special to hold those fabulously coloured flowers! And they do tie in with your new table runner perfectly. Would love to be one of your galentines and sit at this table – maybe I’d get to check out what is inside the gift bag! 🙂

  10. What a great idea to have a Galatines with just you and your girlfriends! I love your paper bag vases and your beautiful table runner!

  11. What a great play on the Valentine’s table! I love your color scheme, something different than the dominant neutrals and blush pinks. The way the arrangements tied in with the tablecloth was very beautiful.

    1. Thanks Chloe! and thanks for including me in this blog hop! Always honored to be a part of it.

  12. I love the idea of a Galentine’s get together! The use of paper bags painted with metallic paint is such a great idea-one I will definitely be “borrowing” as well as the incense burner-I never would have guessed! Strawberries, wine and girlfriends are all you need for a fun day!

  13. Love your Galentine table, so chic. The colors are rich and vibrant. Great idea using those little bags for vases.

  14. Hi Wendy, I did a Valentine brunch last year for some girlfriends and it was one of my most fun parties ever. I love your bags as vases idea. So pretty and smart. That table runner is wonderful ~ another reason to love World Market.

  15. Wendy your table is lovely…and I like the “vases”…how creative of you. I agree on being the first on innovations as it has happened to me also…just not quick enough I guess. LOL
    The table runner reminds me of Spring and the abundance of flowers to come. I live in Florida too and my hibiscus are amazing, but I long for the Spring forsythia, tulips and lilacs of my Midwest upbringing. Thanks for blog hopping with us.

    1. Thanks Kari! Where are you in Florida? I’m in Ft. Myers. Just my second winter here, but I love love love it.

        1. Kari, I would love to have lunch and talk blogging! I’m actually in North Ft. Myers. I’ll be here until mid April. I have company right now through the 17th of this month. Anytime after that I’m free. I’d love to get together.

  16. How lovely to have a Valentine’s Day gathering just for the girls. What a wonderful idea and my thanks to you for inventing it. (You should be acknowledged and get the credit along with your friend who invented Spandex.) I fell in love with your beautiful colorful table runner and the use of the bright colorful flower centerpiece. It really picked up my spirits seeing such lovely cheery colors. Now if I was one of the Galentine friends, I most certainly would bring the chocolate to go with the wine. So fun and festive. Have fun!

  17. Wendy, I’d be more than happy sharing a Galentine’s with you at this table. Very organic, creative and clever use of the napkins, incense boats and paper bags – I love it all, but it’s the overall rush of color that really grabs my attention. Really nice tablescape (I searched to see if I could find a photo of the live edge table with no luck – darn!).

    1. Thank you Rita. You always have such kind words. I’ll have to send you a photo of the table. I bought it from Blowing Rock Woodworks in North Carolina. Go on their website to see their beautiful items. I had planned to add a lot more touches to my tablesetting but once I added the flowers I felt I didn’t need much more. Just flowers from the supermarket… ha!

  18. ha ha, wings and a TV tray sounds just like my husband…yes it’s the girls that appreciate the effort and oh and ah over the details! I LOVE your bag vases, the bright flowers mimicked from the lovely runner. So pretty!!

  19. Love the upcycled bag vases for your flowers and vibrant colors in your Galentine’s table! Your runner is stunning!

  20. Wendy, I loved how your table came together. Cute and creative ideas! I just learned what a galatine party was this year! How many years behind am I?
    Fun to blog hop with you this week.

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