Apparently, less is definitely more! When that crucial moment arrives in a burst of Valentine’s romance some girls might disagree, but at least a minimalist room won’t lead to any distractions from the throes of passion! "The thing that is romantic is spending a happy and emotional time with your partner and not pouring over the giftware that you’ve imported for the night," advised Paston Interiors’ designer Alexander Riley. "The trick is to have a little foresight and don’t get into a rush where you run out and buy every possible romantic gift, chocolate and flower you can think of. "I think it’s very possible on occasions like Valentine’s Day that you can make too much effort and it ends up being rather intimidating that romantic." With the advice heavy on not over-doing it for fear of extinguishing romantic flames of passion before they’ve even been lit, what should we be doing to make-over our homes into a love nest this 14 February? "I think the most romantic thing is just to make an effort with the things you have," enthused Alexander. "If you’ve got a sitting room with a lovely open fire, then make the effort to light it. You’ve probably got some CDs of lovely music tucked in the cupboard - make the effort to play them. It’s the subtle touches that makes all the difference. Accessories 
Candles and cushions add to a romantic room |
"Cushions and candles are great. "Candle light is always known as being the most romantic way to light a room. It’s cheap and easy to do and any room is transformed by candle light. "If you just switch off all the lamps and buy yourself three or four pretty candles, maybe ones that smell nice. "Candles always work well and scented candles just add that little extra sensory stimulant to the scene," said Alexander. If you’re planning to accessorise with cushions and fabrics then think about using a mixture of materials. "The best trick is to use contrasting textures so you layer them on. "You may have chenille and velvets contrasting with silk and satiny finishes. If you get complete opposite with textures they often look the most opulent." For Valentine's Day this year, Alexander has created two very different romantic rooms. Choose either a classic romantic makeover, or contemporary chic. Don't miss Alexander's top 10 tips for creating a romantic room. | 
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