Yes, we know you love all things pink—and we would never ask you to not “think pink.” But there might be some potential benefit in trying out other ways to complement, and perhaps even enhance, your favorite color.

Here in this bedroom, the pink wall color may be the first thing you notice—but it is not the only thing you notice. Homeowner Carrie Davitch let her preference for pink set the tone in the room, but she was open-minded enough to consider bringing in other hues and materials to accentuate it and add interest.

Get the look: Pink Bedroom

• A dark wood bed frame and wood floor are the perfect contrasts to showcase the light colors on the walls and trim. It is the yin to the yang—a case of opposite attraction.

• Black may not be the first color you would think of pairing with pink, but look at how the outline on the cornice box and the black picture frames draw your eye to the wall
color. A bit of black adds sophisticated elegance and drama to the room.

• The area rug is predominantly pink, but it introduces other soft colors into the space that complement the color. And, of course, its soft texture aligns with the base color.

• A cushioned window seat is a welcome place to read and dream for the girl or woman who spends time there. Having a window seat in a bedroom is as welcome as a fireplace.

• Mix patterns for interest. Notice the Toile de Jouy fabric on the window-seat cushions and bed pillows, the Greek key and plaid throw pillows, and the circular design on the area rug. There are many different patterns, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Balance
is key.

• Finally, an above-bed chandelier is an elegant way to add sophistication to the softness of pink.

By Meryl Schoenbaum
Photography by Mark Tanner • Styled by Jacqueline deMontravel

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Did you ever ponder:“why pink?” I never questioned women’s love affair with pink; it simply exists, and it is a real and deep love. Pink is such a broad-spectrum color that is used to describe any hue between purple and red on the color wheel. It has influenced and infiltrated so many facets of our lives—after all, it is the color that surrounds all romantics, filling us with joy.

The word “pink” was first linked to a description of color as early as 1570 for the common name of the dianthus flower. The term referred to the pinked or jagged edge, not the color. Nonetheless, the association was made and “pink” as a color was officially born.

Pink did not take on a gender role until the late 1800s. It is mentioned in the 1868 classic novel Little Women, in which a reference was made to French fashion denoting blue bows for boys and pink for girls. There was no looking back; the love affair between pink and romantics was in bloom.

No matter what your personal style, there is always a way to incorporate this magical color into your décor. Vintage collectibles are a wonderful way to add touches of this petal-soft color to any room. Feminine lines and themes were quite often paired with a pastel-pink palette. Look for objects that can be peppered from front door to back, and infuse this rosy hue into every nook and cranny of your home.

For a bold approach, select a color swatch to paint a single wall or an entire room. For a less committal approach, start in the living room by placing a pink flower arrangement on a coffee table and a charming rosy porcelain candy dish next to a chair on a side table. Move into the dining room and fill a curio with mix-and-match vintage dishware and figurines. These vintage beauties are meant to be loved. Be sure to take them out of the cabinets for dinner and tea parties. Once in the kitchen, line a sunny window with simple glass bottles and a single pink flower in each.

Decorate with Pink

Pink is an obvious choice for bedrooms, with its quiet nod to romance. Linens from a blush hue to a bold accent are perfect for the boudoir. Look for pillows, bedding, quilts, handkerchiefs, runners and even vintage garments or hats to soften the space. Drape them about without being too methodical. Romance is soft and haphazard; it is rarely planned and never forced. Don’t overlook the loo. Use pink transferware vases to corral toothbrushes, hairbrushes and the like. Place perfume bottles atop elegant platters adorned with roses. The pièce de résistance is a set of vintage his and hers hand towels.

For every space there is a pink artifact or trinket just waiting for a home; this is an easy way to decorate with pink, without the look being overpowering. Offices can be adorned with vintage botanical prints, craft rooms call out for antique sewing notions, guest suites need a pink Depression pitcher and water glasses, gardens beckon for pretty pots of fresh flowers—and don’t forget about the holidays: Valentine’s Day and Easter are the obvious pink holidays, but pink can be effortlessly incorporated into Christmas with the addition of delicate and vibrant old glass ornaments.

Scour yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops and your own attic for vintage treasures that can be sprinkled throughout your home. Romantic living can be easily achieved by
repeating the same palette and themes throughout a room. Create a space that makes you happy and lifts your spirits. Pink is a warm and joyous color, so surround yourself with happiness by thinking pink.

Top 10 Vintage Pink Finds

1. China
2. Linens
3. Millinery or silk flowers
4. Hats
5. Books
6. Postcards
7. Sewing notions
8. Aprons
9. Ornaments
10. Seashells and sea art

Written and photographed by Melinda Graham

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If you’re a collector of beautiful baubles and darling dishware, combine both your passions into a pretty and practical vanity tool: a Teacup Jewelry Stand. All you need are a pair of teacups and saucers. Earrings and bracelets stay put on the rim while the saucers are the perfect spot to store a ring or two. We added a cake plate for extra height and storage space.

Get creative and use what you have on hand or teacups you found at a flea market but never use to make your own. For a permanent Teacup Jewelry Stand, make sure to secure the teacups, saucers and cake plates using hot glue or strong adhesive. They even make great, personalized gifts for the special ladies in your life.

Written and photographed by Jickie Torres

For more great crafts featured in Romantic Homes, like this Teacup Jewelry Stand, check out romantichomes.com/craft.

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At some point during their house-hunting experience, most people think about building their own home rather than moving into someone else’s vision of how a home should look. But the idea is usually abandoned quickly in the assumption that it would be too costly and too lengthy a process. However, Brooke and Steve Giannetti didn’t let those fears stop them. They were determined to find ways to build their house in a low-cost, expeditious manner. And their persistence paid off, as their dream home was built to their specifications and was move-in ready in an astonishingly fast six months.

Brooke explains how building a home unfolded. “My husband, Steve, an architect, was working on a large home on a beach and the homeowners wanted it to feel like a California beach house. That concept appealed to both of us,” she says. “Once we found a lot where we wanted to live, it took about three months to design and get permits, and six months to build.”

When asked what her advice would be for people who would like to build their own home as quickly and affordably as they did, Brooke responded, “It’s all about organizing—scheduling workers close together so there’s not a lot of downtime.”

Brooke, an interior designer, found another benefit to doing your own build: unrestricted creative expression. “Building a home lets you do a lot of things that clients won’t let you do,” she explains. “For instance, we have wood floors in the kitchen and bathroom. Most people worry about getting water on it, but it doesn’t damage the wood. We even have it going up to the shower. I love our wood floors. They are just random-width pine boards nailed to subflooring, and they get better with age,” says Brooke, who has lived in the home with her husband, three children and two dogs for eight years.

For those who lean toward buying an older home rather than building a new one because they are attracted to vintage architectural details, Brooke suggests ways to incorporate those features into the plans. “We love the details and proportions of older homes, so we built our home using details that would have been used on an older home. Steve used classical proportions when designing it,” she says. Decorating with an eye on vintage and antique accessories also gave the home an aged look. “Two old columns that we bought at a flea market flank the entry to the living room,” Brooke says. “The ceiling lights in the entry are antiques made of Murano glass flowers.”

The Giannettis had specific ideas regarding the home’s layout. “We knew we wanted a very open floor plan. While our home looks traditional from the outside, we wanted it to flow like a new house,” Brooke says. There’s a big family room and kitchen area, and an office in the front of the house for Steve. Convenience also factored into their considerations. “We put the laundry room upstairs with the bedrooms. It just makes sense to have it where most of the laundry is generated. Why run up and down stairs with laundry baskets if you don’t have to?” she says.

Perhaps the aspect in which the Giannettis showed their ingenuity the most was in adding light to their home. “Our previous home was very dark, so when we built this home it was important that it was light and bright,” Brooke says. “We wanted it to feel like the original white shingle beach cottages in Santa Monica, California. We installed French doors, which let in a lot of light to the dining room, living room and across the back of the house. We also added operable skylights in the middle of the house to bring in light there. There is no recessed lighting in the house; we only used chandeliers, sconces and table lamps—we didn’t want holes in the ceiling. Can lighting lights up the floor, whereas light fixtures light up the space. They provide a much better quality of light by illuminating the entire room.”

The Giannettis tailored the home’s exterior to suit their lifestyle as well. “The back was originally an outdoor porch, but because it was chilly by the beach, we made it into a sunroom/breakfast room by enclosing it with French doors and adding a farmhouse table and seating area,” Brooke says. One detail on the front of the house is functional as well as fun. “Our front door is a green Dutch door, which works well at Halloween. We can open the top door and not lose the dogs,” Brooke explains. “The green door picks up the colors in the garden. It’s a unifying color.” Other colors used throughout the house as accent colors are white, blue and pink.

In the end, it’s the personal touches that make a house a home. “We put lockers in the entry for everyone’s stuff,” Brooke says. “There’s a bed nook in our daughter’s room with two antique corbels above the bed. We put white subway tile in all the bathrooms and on the walls in the kitchen for a classic look. The kitchen pantry door is a Victorian green door.” A large farmhouse sink is softened with a skirt underneath, and the wood floors are made warmer by scattered vintage hook rugs that Brooke found at flea markets. But everyone’s favorite conversation piece is the nickel ship bell in the kitchen. “Each kid has his own signal. It saves on a lot of screaming for the kids to come to dinner,” she says with a laugh.

“There’s nothing like building your own home; it’s built to your specifications and lifestyle,” Brooke says. “And everything has a built-in memory as well.”

By Meryl Schoenbaum
Photography by Mark Tanner • Styled by Jacqueline deMontravel

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It’s a shame that moms only have one day in honor of them. For all of her sandwich making and for all the talkbacks she mustered through, one day doesn’t seem to be enough.

Thus, Mother’s Day should be something memorable, sentimental and fun. No—flower deliveries and a phone call simply will not suffice. Need we remind you of those colds she nursed? Spelling tests she quizzed you on for practice? Breakups she comforted you through?

Celebrate her in a way that is worthy of her and fun to do by holding a tea. Though not just any tea, rummage through your personal memorabilia and, if able, bring to the gathering representations from past generations. They could range from placing a photo album on the table to making your grandmother’s recipe for scones.

For our tea, we included pieces from three generations of tea sets. Diane Sedo, contributing editor and self-proclaimed sentimentalist, has held on to many of her family’s past tea ware. There is no need to worry about mismatching sets; in fact, we applaud the look. Motley items, connected with a delicate and pretty pattern, can create a modern, vintage feel. The shared theme is the connection between you and your relations. “When I set a table with my mother’s, grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s china, I feel a link to the generations,” Diane says.

A tea need not be fussy. Even the queen engages in a simple tea every day. Some staples include finger sandwiches, scones, jam, cream and, of course, tea. You can serve a variety of brews to make it more interesting, but, of course, you should make your Mom’s favorite tea the main pot on hand.

Select a convivial spot. If the weather forecast is set for a nice day, something outdoors is always welcoming. The beauty of Mother’s Day is that it lands right when flowers are blooming, so garden teas are an excellent choice; and you can even add fresh clippings to the setting. Take a cue from Jane Austen and incorporate your finest tea ware and silver in an outdoor environment. “Give your mother a teacup in her favorite style to take home as a memento of her lovely day,” Diane suggests.

Everyone loves a tea. It started back when we sipped from our play cups with teddy bears and dolls as the guests. Therefore, it seems most fitting that a tea is the event of the day. “It’s all about them,” Diane says. “The setting, treats and beautifully set tea table all show the love and care bestowed upon the mother.”

Recipes:

Lemon Curd

Makes 2 cups

Zest of 2 large lemons, finely grated
Juice from 2 large lemons, strained to remove pulp and seeds
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
5 1/3 Tbsp. (1/3 cup) unsalted butter

In the top of a double boiler, combine lemon zest, strained juice, sugar and eggs. Lightly whisk together until well blended, about 30 seconds. Place pan over simmering water and cook, stirring constantly until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes. Do not allow mixture to boil. Remove the top of the double boiler from the hot water and stir in the butter, a little at a time, until blended. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools in the refrigerator. Store in a container covered with a lid or plastic wrap to keep a film from forming. Chill thoroughly (typically 3 hours) until ready to serve. This will keep up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Devonshire Cream

Makes 2 ¼ cups

1 8-oz. package cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup whipping cream
(All ingredients should be at room temperature)

Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy, then beat in remaining ingredients until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Spoon into a pretty bowl and serve.

Produced by Diane Sedo
Written and photographed by Jacqueline deMontravel

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Buttons and beads, ribbons and rhinestones. The emphasis is on embellishing at Gilding the Lily, a boutique in the business of selling accoutrements that add a little splash and a lot of charm to just about anything.

The store’s name says it all. “When something doesn’t need embellishment, it’s called ‘gilding the lily.’ People don’t need this stuff, they want it; they treasure it,” owner Nancy Jamar explains.

As with many people whose life’s work was a long-held dream, Nancy received her calling at a young age. “My mother had a button collection. She used to give each one to me on cardstock with a note attached,” Nancy recalls. “For example, one note said, ‘This button is from the gray suede sports coat your dad bought on our honeymoon.’ Each button had a story woven into it.”

Nancy loves how embellishing brings a piece to life, infusing them with a sense of history once it is a personalized keepsake. Her collection started with children’s hats from the 1930s that were being sold at a flea market. The hats were not in perfect condition, but she bought more than 100 of them, seeing it as an opportunity to adorn them with veiling and millinery flowers to enhance each one. Thus began her journey into acquiring the accessories that would make their way into her store.

In addition to selling vintage hats and buttons, Gilding the Lily offers vintage jewelry and handbags, writing papers, artisan jewelry, feathers, Victorian seed packets, vintage sheet music, old magazines (including wonderfully illustrated vintage French men’s magazines), whimsical paper doilies and more. These materials are used to create one-of-a-kind pieces and are also sold on Nancy’s website. The self-described “book junkie” turns to old reference books to see how jewelry, hats and clothing were made through the decades. She advises novice collectors of ephemera to scour flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales in search of materials, and downplays the need for advanced skills.

“With basic skills you can create cold connection jewelry,” she says. “You don’t have to know how to solder or weld. A beginner can dive right in by wire wrapping and linking. Just get basic tools. Half a yard of ribbon can be used as binding on a journal; old jewelry gets a new life when a relative’s brooch is made into a necklace.”
Blogs are another source of inspiration for Nancy (Lidy Baars’ French Garden House blog—littlefrenchgardenhouse.blogspot.com—is one of her favorites). Nancy began blogging in 2007 and finds it an important vehicle in connecting with other women.

“Blogging is a very important component of the women’s creative movement that’s so huge right now,” she says. “People started out scrapbooking and are now art journaling. I find it amazing that you’re meeting people from all over the world through blogs. My store is constantly evolving in response to what women are creating.” Vintage jewelry making, for example, is a hot topic right now.

Taking an active role in bringing women together through making personalized keepsakes, Nancy offers classes and workshops at Gilding the Lily. Her most requested class is jewelry making, in which she teaches skills such as stringing and beading, as well as hammering bracelets. One particularly popular class focuses on making bracelets from buttons.

Gilding the Lily hosts many talented artists, including Dede Warren, Robin Dudley-Howes, Holly Stinnett, Kelly Kilmer, Christine Rose Elle, Sid Hanner, Arlene Baker, Debby Schuh, Kristen Robinson, Jane Perry, Sherry Goodloe, Lisa Guerin and Pilar Pollock. They teach classes from jewelry design, art journaling, textile and mixed-media creations to French beaded flowers, paper dolls and embellished aprons.

Some of Nancy’s favorite materials to work with are old metals, particularly brass; silver filigree beads; citrine and quartz. She also enjoys using pearls and has several strands pinned on the wall for inspiration. Her students enjoy making brooches, bracelets and earrings using the materials, and are effusive in praising the experience of creating keepsakes in the company of other women.

“For me, it’s like being in a church. There’s no place else I’d want to be,” one student said to Nancy. Even her husband, Alain, has come to understand the significance of her role in bringing women together to express themselves using the embellishments.

“He used to call it a bunch of junk,” she says. “Now he’s changed his tune. He says, ‘Ninety percent of your clientele give you hugs hello and goodbye. I don’t know anyone who has such a customer base.’”

Gilding the Lily
305 N. Harbor Blvd. Suite 101
Fullerton, CA 92832
gildingthelilyvintage.blogspot.com

By Meryl Schoenbaum
Photography by Jaimee Itagaki
Styled by Jacqueline deMontravel

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A room dressed in white allows my mind to rest, think, be soothed and be at peace. It is a color that is always willing to be applied to almost any décor and style, from ultra modern to ethereal and romantic. What started as a simple dalliance with white has now become a true love affair. And so, embracing my new love, I have transformed my 1820s Federal Colonial bedroom into a space fashioned in the serenity of white.

Though white is now the foundation of my décor, I still follow certain design principles. First, I fill the space with only the things I’m passionate about. Antiques and old architectural elements are trademark pieces that I depend on, which I mix with newer finds. Iron gates and antique mantels are also generously used for their charm and interest.

A bedroom should always be one’s sanctuary. My rule for the bedroom is television is taboo, thus securing its position as the one room in the home to truly escape the stresses of the day. The walls are painted in a soft pink, while the furnishings and accessories are, once again, white. The bedding’s glorious, oversized white puffs beg me to slip underneath and sleep. In this room, I indulge my love of accessories, ghostly mirrors, architectural elements, white and pink roses, and French accents; plenty of candles are scattered throughout. And finally, my signature chandelier—another French antique—adds just the right amount of sophistication.

Principles to Creating a Romantic Room

Must-haves
Rustic furnishings, monogrammed textiles, primitive floors, fireplaces and antiques are items that are the foundation of modern country style.

Furnishings
Decorate with wrought-iron sofas, chairs and daybeds, preferably in white, black or copper. Painted, carved chairs and boudoir vanities in white, black or blue.

Palette
Paint walls in warm shades of cream, white and blue. Textured wallpaper and toile are great alternatives.

Accessories
The French like to indulge in luxurious embellishments. A few favorite choices include European linens and laces, burlap pillows, beaded chandeliers, garden urns, aged church pieces and statuary, old pottery, baskets, vintage papier and tarnished silver. All whisper charm with a French accent.

For more information on Jo-Anne Coletti, visit vintagerosecollection.com.

Written and photographed by Jo-Anne Coletti

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Homeowners Sue and Rick Sparks converted their old one-car garage into a sunroom that complemented the style of their breezy beach cottage and made the best of their garden view. They spend many hours there reading, relaxing together or even napping—so much so that they lovingly refer to it as the nest. “The nest is the perfect place to chill out, listen to music or curl up with a good book,” Sue says. “I love opening up the windows to get the breeze from the garden before settling in.” Consider the following ideas to create a solarium of your own:

Windows

Boost your Vitamin D intake naturally with plenty of windows and a few strategically placed skylights. The key is to forgo the window treatments in favor of direct sunlight.

Furniture

When Rick and Sue planned the décor, they knew proper furniture—not the usual patio or garden furniture—was the best route for them. They chose cushy upholstered chairs in classic silhouettes, an elegant side table with a painted laurel motif to bring in the garden theme and classic accessories and light fixtures to ­complete the look.

Architectural elements

Traditional sunrooms originated with farmhouses and urban row houses around the turn of the 20th century to the 1950s. They were simple structures designed to allow home dwellers to enjoy the outdoors during inclement or hot weather in the comfort of an indoor room. Modern sunrooms are typically constructed of aluminum ­framing and tempered glass. To get this living-room look, consider painted wainscoting or bead board on the walls for a cottage look. Use wood trim and molding around windows and baseboards for an even more complete look.

Flooring

The sunroom is part indoor haven, part outdoor hideaway. The one element that bridges the design between both styles is the floor. What looks like tile is actually painted squares, a design suggested by the architect who helped remodel the rest of the cottage. The design imparts a rustic element and brings in a pop of garden color to add a bit of whimsy to the room’s classical design.

By Jickie Torres
photo by Jaimee Itagaki

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“I consider myself a late bloomer when it comes to decorating,” says Liza Price, who was once an impulse buyer. The way she decorated her 2,800-square-foot home was according to whatever she saw in vogue. “My style has evolved from the first house to this house,” she says. Downsizing to a 1,800-square-foot cottage meant getting creative and eliminating the excess.

“I was envisioning the layout for this tiny cottage, which had just a tiny dining room and small living room,” Liza says. “I realized we had never really used the space we had at the moment.” Her beautiful beach cottage proves that you don’t have to sacrifice style when scaling down. Try something new this summer by transforming a small space. Here’s how to get the look of Liza’s cozy French-style living room, while maintaining functionality and keeping within your budget.

1. Use vintage grain-sack fabric on top of an antique coffee table. This style of vintage linen is popular and can be used as pillowcases, runners and, in this case, a table, bench or even an ottoman.

2. The French-style framed mirrors act as an extra window, opening space and light throughout the living area. Go to your local architectural salvage yard and start your own DIY project. Replace the windows with mirrors and, if needed, distress the paint to add texture to your walls.

3. The chandelier is the perfect size for a small area. Add fabric to your chandelier or light fixture to make it match the color scheme in your room. Chandeliers are popular in Shabby Chic décor, but you don’t need an upscale home to display one. Exude comfort by toning it down with warm colors and using lampshades that aren’t too gaudy.

4. When a room is just too white, incorporate decorative pillows that are bold and colorful. It’s a simple way to bring a monochromatic room to life. It not only allows you to get creative with accessories but makes life easier because the material is washable.

5. Use a stool as a small side table. Whether swivel, wooden or metal, it can be used for many things, like resting books or adding extra seating in the living room. Liza uses hers to hold bright yellow tulips to freshen up her home and bring the outside in.

6. Hang your favorite aprons against the wall. A collection of vintage prints and patterns adds charm and color to your décor without breaking your budget. They’re easy to find at thrift shops.

7. In Nancy’s dining room, floral curtains soften the overall look.

By Olivia Bounvongxay
Photograph by Jaimee Itagaki

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Best Page-Turner …

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (2006, HarperCollins)
This rags-to-riches romance set in 19th-century London is the first in a trilogy that includes The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose. A friend of mine compares these books to a box of jelly donuts that you just can’t put down.

Best Reason to Live in the Moment …

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003, Harcourt)
Clare first meets her future husband, Henry, when she is six. He is a time traveler who can’t control where he goes, so he’s often tossed into key moments in his own life and the lives of his loved ones. If you like stories where love overcomes even the weirdest obstacles, this book is for you.

Best Romance for English Majors …

Possession by A. S. Byatt
Two present-day literary scholars, Roland and Maud, discover a previously unknown romance between two Victorian
authors. It’s a toss up on what’s most interesting: the love stories or the literary detective work.

Best Young-Adult Romance …

Anything by Sarah Dessen
The teen readers I know love Dessen’s books because she just “gets it.” Her latest is What Happened to Goodbye.

Wackiest Narrative Structure …

One Day by David Nicholls (2009, Vintage Contemporaries)
Every July 15th for 20 years, we get one-day glimpses into the lives of Emma and Dexter, who first hook up in college during the 1980s and drift in and out of each other’s lives in the years that follow. A great story if you’ve ever wondered what would have happened if “the one who got away” ended up wandering back into your life.

Most-Reliable Romance Author …
Nora Roberts never disappoints, our readers insist. Check out The Next Always (2011).

For a Romance That Takes You to New Heights …

The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye (1978, St. Martin’s Griffin)
This epic romance begins in the Himalayas and takes you deep into life in 19th-century India.

For Reassurance That Love Lasts …

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (1996, Bantam)
Ever seen one of those sweet elderly couples and wondered about their back-story? Here’s a back-story you’ll never forget.

For Second Wives …

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)
When Maxim de Winter’s second wife moves into his sprawling English estate she becomes convinced it’s haunted by his gorgeous first wife, Rebecca. If you’ve ever felt like your honey’s ex is a hard act to follow, thank your lucky stars she’s not Rebecca.

If You Think Geeks Are Adorable …

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (2011, Dutton Adult)
The romantic hero in this offbeat office romance is the IT guy. ’Nuff said.

If You Can’t Ever Forget That Flakey Guy Who Made You Mix Tapes …

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby (1996, Riverhead Trade)
This romance is written from a guy’s point of view, and Rob is kind of a loser. Nevertheless, you’ll find yourself rooting for him as he attempts to pull it together and find true love.

If You Believe in Second Chances …

Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Persuasion (1817) by Jane Austen
Don’t listen to your gossipy friends and relatives when it comes to love; listen to your heart, these novels urge.

Romance You’ll Either Love … or Love to Hate

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller (1992, Warner Books)
No one is neutral about this one–you either love it or hate it. But it’s so short, you might as well give it a try.

If Your Relationship With Your Sister Is … Complicated …

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner (2002, Washington Square Press)
You’ll chuckle at this story about the lives and loves of two sisters who have little in common, except for their shoe size.

If You Love a Roguish Romantic Hero ….

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936)
Fiddle-dee-dee! If you’ve managed to miss this one, don’t put it off until tomorrow. Read it now.

If You Know in Your Heart That Love’s Always Strange …

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult (2003, Washington Square Press)
Readers who like their romances a little spooky will relish this tale of love in haunted Comtosook, Vermont.

By Erin Mascercola

Do you have a favorite romantic read that didn’t make the list? Let us know by visiting Romantic Homes on Facebook or through our website’s contact page. Happy reading!

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