Creating An Intimate Fireside Valentine’s Dinner: Tips from a Dallas Fireplace Builder

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and is the perfect reason to celebrate you and your partners love together. With more couples staying home this Valentine’s Day, it’s important to find ways to add ambiance and romance. Fireplaces help set the mood, provide a soft glow, and even act as the date’s focal point. As a Dallas fireplace builder, we know a few things about fireplaces! Whether you’ve been dating for a few months or married for years, we’ve put together our favorite tips for creating the perfect fireside Valentine’s Day.

If Your Fireplace Has A Mantel – Use It

The mantel on the fireplace is the perfect place to add Valentine’s Day decor. Showcase bouquet of roses in shades of red, pink, and white. You can even add rose petals across the floor in front of the fireplace. Place your favorite scented candles and light them to add your favorite scent and more romantic lighting. Make it personal and about your relationship by adding in photos from your favorite trips or moments. 

Think Red

When decorating for your fireside Valentine’s Day date, think of adding decor in shades of red. If you are worried about going overboard with the color, don’t worry! You can add small amounts of red through different decor accents, like a red blanket or red candle, to incorporate the holiday’s well-known color.

Get Comfortable 

For a comfortable way to enjoy the fireplace, rearrange your furniture! If moving furniture is not an option, try adding blankets or pillows to provide the perfect spot to spend the evening.

Fireside Dinner Date

Set up a table right next to your fireplace for an intimate dinner date. Lay down a tablecloth, add a candle, and pour two glasses of wine. You’ll feel like you’re at your favorite restaurant! If you can, choose a small table. It will help keep the two of you close and help create an intimate conversation. The fireplace’s ambiance will create a romantic feel, add warmth, and make the perfect fireside Valentine’s Day date. 

Create a Specialty Cocktail

Learn to be a mixologist and create a new cocktail together. Opt for red or pink-colored cocktails to embrace the holiday and enjoy them in front of the fire. You’ll feel like a mixologist in no time!  We’ve added a one of our favorite cocktail recipes below that will help you stay within the color palette and celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Floradora Cocktail 

The Floradora cocktail is named after a 1900s Broadway musical comedy. While it offers a beautiful pink shade, it’s known for being refreshing and semi-sweet. If you like gin, this is a go-to cocktail and is quick and easy to make.

 

What You’ll Need

1 1/2 ounces of gin

1/2 ounce of lime juice 

1/2 ounce of crème de framboise liqueur

4​ ounces of ginger ale

Highball Glass

Ice

 

Fill your highball glass with ice. 

Add in your gin, crème de framboise liqueur, and lime juice. 

Pour in 4 ounces of ginger ale to top off the glass. 

For a fun garnish, add a wedge of lime. 

Enjoy!

Cook a Romantic Dinner

Enjoy your favorite at-home meal together. For a fun and meaningful surprise, cook your partner’s favorite meal. If you are looking for a more intimate experience, try cooking the meal together or trying something new to both of you. It lets you reconnect and have fun while creating a delicious meal to enjoy with each other. Not sure what to cook? We’ve added an easy but delicious pasta recipe for you to try!

Pasta With Brown Butter, Whole Lemon, and Parmesan

What You’ll Need

1 lb. short tube pasta 

Kosher salt for taste

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, divided

1 small regular lemon very thinly sliced into rounds

1 oz. Parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Add the pasta to a large pot of water. Be sure to salt the water generously. Keep an eye on the pasta and stir occasionally. Check the back of the pasta package for cooking instructions. You will want to take the pasta off about two minutes less than instructed. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce you will create. 

While the pasta is cooking, melt half (4 Tbsp) of the butter in a heavy pot. Once melted, add in the lemon slices. Stir the lemons often, for 5 to 7 minutes. The lemons will be soft, and the bottom of the pot will be browned. Once the lemons are soft, take about a third of the lemon slices out and place them on a plate; set aside.

Just before pasta is al dente, scoop out 2 cups of the pasta’s cooking liquid. Add the pasta’s cooking liquid to the butter sauce. (This may seem like a lot of liquid, but it will thicken once the rest of the ingredients are added.) Add the remaining amount of butter one piece at a time. Whisk the liquid until each piece of butter is incorporated before adding in more pieces of butter. 

Take the pasta off the stove and drain. Add the pasta to the butter sauce. While stirring often, add 1 ounce of the parmesan cheese at a time. Once all of the cheese is added, continue to stir until all of the cheese is melted. The sauce should be creamy. If the sauce looks very thick, try adding more pasta cooking liquid (or water) 1–2 Tbsp. at a time to thin. Keep in mind; the sauce will thicken as it starts to cool.  Remove the dish from the heat and sprinkle with 2 tsp of pepper. Toss the pasta. 

Top with lemon slices and a sprinkle of parmesan. 

Enjoy with your sweetie! 

Not Interested In Cooking? Skip It!

If cooking isn’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Order in from your favorite restaurant and enjoy it fireside. It gives you both the night off from cooking (and the dreaded cleanup) to relax and unwind in front of the fireplace. It will be like you reserved a table for two from your favorite restaurant but from the comfort of your own home and by a crackling fireplace – it’s a win-win! 

Plan an Indoor Picnic

If you want more of a picnic feel, add cozy elements to the floor like blankets and throw pillows for a cozy night together. Pack a picnic full of heartfelt, sweet treats, or create a cheeseboard full of your favorite cheeses and crackers to pair with your favorite wine.

Don’t Forget Dessert! 

While the fireplace offers a romantic glow, it’s also an easy way to channel your inner child and cook up marshmallows to make Valentine’s Day s’mores. Get creative with your ingredients (like swapping out Hershey’s chocolate for a Reese’s) and get cozy by the fire while cooking up a fun dessert. If you want a more relaxed after-dinner moment, pour yourself a glass of champagne or seltzer water and cozy up to end your at-home Valentine’s Day dinner.

 

Are you looking to add a fireplace or remodel your existing fireplace in your home? Stop by and see our showroom, or contact us to discuss what you’re looking for. We’re here to help. Reach out to us today!

Sources: 

https://www.thespruceeats.com/floradora-cocktail-recipe-760079

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pasta-with-brown-butter-whole-lemon-and-parmesan

 

When designing it can be a challenge to create a space that is functional throughout the year. Below are things to think about when designing for outdoor living and its year-round use. 

GENERAL PURPOSE

Take into consideration the general purpose of the space. When designing it’s important to think about the number of people and the area’s intended purpose. For families’, this could mean around 4-6 people using the space on a regular basis. On the other hand, if you’re a couple that likes to entertain frequently, having a larger space to host would better serve its intended use. The general purpose goes back to the kind of materials you’re using as well. When entertaining adults and young children, it’s better to use stain-resistant materials to prevent food and beverage stains. Take into account square footage, and expected foot traffic in order to determine furniture and layout.

FROM HOT TO COLD 

Think about the elements at different times of the year. In the summer, it’s beneficial to have shade and/or some sort of cooling system such as a fan. In the winter think about windy weather and cooler temperatures. An enclosed area with a fireplace creates space that stays warmer on winter days. Covering the porch insulates warmth during the winter. Easily transition to the next season by installing a fan for the summer. For areas with slatted patios, and semi-covered porches our artisan fire bowl pairs nicely creating an open-air fireside.  

SEASON CHANGE

Think about the materials and colors you’re using outdoors. Consider how long these will be in the sun, wind, etc. By having semi-enclosed spaces it helps to protect your outdoor furniture. Polyester, PVC, solution-dyed acrylic, and marine vinyl are common weatherproof materials used for patio furniture that withstand the elements.

The landscape during a season change affects outdoor spaces as well. For instance, if your landscape has oak and flowering trees, in the spring will produce pollard. Aster, daisies and baby’s breath produce higher amounts of pollen, so keep in mind the surrounding landscape and how it will affect the area during the season change. 

No matter what you decide Trinity Fireside has a number of options made for the outdoors! Our products create a comfortable place to relax while staying in harmony with your design. Visit trinityfireside.com for more information and to view our gallery!