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What makes a sexy romantic room?
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Most people recognize romance in a setting but wouldn’t be able to define it if asked. And then it’s often based on a personal.jpg)
fancy—so, what might be a romantic personal vision for one person, wouldn’t cut it for another or might just be a turn-off altogether.
Another misconception is one of taste and money. You might not have the funds that, say, Hugh Hefner has, but, then again, his taste may be boudoir-ish or even garish. And lots of romantic looks can be done on more modest budgets. So, let’s take some elements I think will help you out to achieve a more romantic bent for your entrance, living space and bedroom.
Design Set
Fantasy is romantic. An Arabian night theme with a tented ceiling however may be over the top if you have a camel seat and wear safari clothes. Although a canopy-draped bed might be a compromise, and with fresh clean bedding added, you may just be onto something.
Setting
We can’t all wake up to the sea churning with incoming waters crashing on breakers or restless spilling frothy water pouring onto silver sands. And although a French castle on a hillside stained with mauve from an acre of lavender conjures up a period movie, we can still dream by having some creative painting or a trompe l’oeil (French for “fool the eye”) design scene of an vineyard, or even a seaside retreat painted on a living room wall.
Garden Rooms
Garden rooms are lovely but if you’ve killed every plant you’ve ever owned, why not opt for a more reasonable palm tree in the corner to help you breathe. And forget about smoking in romantic rooms because, well, it’s not—romantic that is.
Here are some other tips:
• Nix the dorm room atmosphere. Classy adults don’t leave smelly socks and piles of last week’s boxers lying around.
• Declutter. Nothing screams chaos faster than an over-filled coffee or end tables with sporting goods holding up the walls and the path from hell. If you don’t have closets or adequate storage facilities, get a folding screen and hide it.
• Color: My husband and I had a red bedroom once and unfortunately it didn’t work out. It’s an argumentative color, better suited to stirring one’s appetite than anything else. Believe it or not, the grey flannel hues, and understated, but cozy neutral colors are more an inducement to
relaxing.
• Think about texture. Like smooth chintz against a stone wall. A faux fur throw looks great against antique leather. And make sure your couch is comfy; if you are buying, maybe an extra down-wrapped cushion will make all the difference.
• Get a padded headboard. Make sure the linens are crisp and clean. Juxtapose that against soft pillows and maybe a down comforter.
• A fireplace is nice. Even freestanding ones can be put almost anywhere today. Just make sure the firebox is small, doesn’t need constant tending and is vent-less. It’s the warming flicker of the flames that draws people to pull up their chair.
• Add a touch of animal. A sexy, fake cowhide chair, or a leopard rug. Just 
make sure all the animal elements are faux. I find it hard to enjoy fur when I know how it’s harvested.
• Subdued lighting is cool or I should say warm. If you only have an overhead light, get some lamps. If the lamps are big, try pink bulbs. Candles are all right but if they are not high quality, you’ll need to do some tending or you may burn the place down. Trim the wicks, pick soy candles or the smokeless types and make sure it’s in a fireproof holder.
• Good smells are really important but I don’t particularly like all Airwick scents or fake linen clouds wafting by. Think subtle and don’t mix scents. A small, live gardenia plant will fill an entire 10 x
12 room. Honor your senses.
• Music always helps to set a mood. Aim for a style you don’t need to get-up-and dance-to or a track that requires a sing-along; and if you’re not a professional musician, don’t even hum along.
• Have ready-made hors d’oeuvres or snacks to accompany good drinks: a couple cheeses with some fruit or even an antipasto tray with a crusty, but not-too-chewy bread.
• Be a class act. Remove the phone, clock, TV, computer and anything else that could distract you. Romance is about attention. If you can’t quietly talk with a nice glass of wine and then smooch without being reminded it’s ten o’clock, time for________ (anything can fill in the blank here), then you aren’t ready.
Oh, yeah. Women have to have dark chocolate.
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