There’s no denying it, a wood-burning fireplace is an object of envy in any home. Step into a living room or family room that has a fireplace and you instantly feel welcomed and comfortable.

Stepping into a bedroom that has a fireplace is the ultimate romantic or luxurious experience. A wood-burning fireplace is also a great secondary heat source. Well-chosen fireplace accessories not only help you to maintain it and keep it safe, they can add a sophisticated, decorative touch to the room.
 
Since I love fireplaces but live in an apartment, my idea of a perfect date would be with someone who had a fireplace he would be willing to share. What better backdrop could you possibly have for dinner and a movie without leaving the comfort of home? A leather sofa with lots of accent pillows and plenty of room for two, strategically placed near the fire would provide the ideal spot for curling up and gazing into the flames. Slow jazz on the stereo, anything by Pat Metheny (no words, just pure jazz guitar). 

I couldn’t have a perfect date without wine. Sipping red wine in a wine glass large enough to capture the light from the fire is a great way to start a cozy conversation and to discover interesting details about the other person that I didn’t know before. Candles are a must; a subtle way of echoing the flames of the fire throughout the room and making the most of the romantic mood. 

I enjoy cooking, but making a meal together is an ideal way to find out what he likes and doesn’t like. It also gives me a chance to see just how handy he is in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be a five-star recipe: even those of us who are more take-out than cook-in have a favorite pasta dish that we’ve mastered for when we have friends or guests over for dinner.

If the dining room didn’t have a view of the fireplace, I’d persuade my date to take our glasses of wine back into the living room by the fire. I would transform the coffee table into a romantic place to dine by placing oversized glass candlesticks (again, they would “throw” light around the room) in the middle of the table along with matching dinnerware and a basket of warm dinner rolls. 

Once dinner’s done, it’s back to snuggling on the couch with the rest of the wine. Pat Metheny has now been officially replaced by a “chick” flick. (Cars and buildings being blown up on the TV screen tend to interrupt the feeling of romance!) After the movie, it’s settling down on the hearth rug as close to him and the fire as possible. 

There no doubt that a wood burning fireplace is the focal point of my ideal date. How do you imagine your perfect date? Write me if you’d like to share your design ideas that make a room romance-friendly.