Now it wasn’t so much the idea of the natural stone as such but the fact that my husband was insisting on travertine tile: what on earth was that?
I turned to a professional husband and wife team, the owners and contractors of Delphin Design ( www.delphindesign.com ), to assist me with this particular project. This couple, were introduced to me by a close friend of mine who had contracted them to re-tile her kitchen.
My friend was so thrilled with the result and the way they had managed the project that, when she found out I needed somebody to tile my bathroom she suggested I contacted them at Delphin Design.
With the help of my husband I came up with the list of questions I could use when I met with Arthur and Agata.

Q: What is travertine tile?

A: Travertine tile is a durable natural stone that has been historical used in buildings like the Roman Coliseum. Buildings such as this prove the long lasting durability of this beautiful floor tile.

 Q: But what is travertine?
A: It is a natural stone that is closely related to both limestone and marble. It is actually formed by underground water sources. This water is really rich in minerals – these build up into the stone that is used in travertine tile. The end result is a very dense but smooth stone that is noted for its durability.

Q: What travertine colors are available?
A: Most common travertine is naturally and beautiful shade of cream, but depending on place of origin( Turkey, Italy, Iran ) it can also be beige, brown, yellow, red, gray or pink. Each tile has unique color variations because of the way it was formed.
Look of the tile can be also changed by the way it was processed. A honed finish is sanded to appear matte, while a polished travertine tile is polished until it shines. There are other options available such as the size: square 4×4 to 24×24, rectangle 8×16 to 16×24, patterns: versailles pattern or as we call it French pattern and edge profiles: chiseled, cross cut or pillow edge.

Q: What about stone care?

A: We will seal your tiles to protect them from damage. Because the tiles are so durable, a good sealant is really all you need. You can damp mop the floor as you usually would.
Optionally we can use stone enhancer which will bring out deep colors of the stone.
By the end of the meeting, I knew that travertine was the only choice. The tile itself would last forever; I mean the coliseum is still around. It gave me a lot of confidence to believe the stone tile would last longer than my thirty year mortgage.

 I ended up have Delphin Design do my travertine tile installation and what a wonderful choice – Arthur and Agata were an absolute find: a true jewel. They transformed my ordinary bathroom into a convivial and tranquil space that is a true joy to spend time in. The whole remodeling experience went smoothly, from start to finish – no hiccups anywhere along the line. I was absolutely thrilled – it was almost as if Agata could read my mind. She identified key elements to
revitalize my bathroom such as simple designs that featured beautiful glass accents – something I knew would reflect my personality perfectly. Agata offered to help with shopping for materials and we visited a number of retail outlets that sold tiles.
Finally we located Destin Home Deport where, to my absolute surprise and delight, travertine was in stock. Not only that, but our expectations were fulfilled in the range of color and quality available – and, when I realized the killer price of less than $3 per square foot was well within my budget: well, I was sold and so were the tiles! We tagged one crate and thereon discussed the job schedule. The travertine tiles were ours and the work was on. As I mentioned earlier, the whole job went well and everything was totally straightforward. I have to admit, though, that prior to the start of the project there were two potential problems that I simply could not get my head round. The first was my two precious Weimaraners that usually had a free run of the whole house during the time I was at work. Now, during the bathroom alterations I envisaged both dogs to being confined to the guest bedroom when I wasn’t around.
The other problem was my concern at leaving my house in the hands of strangers:should I take a full week off work? In the end I discussed my concerns with Arthur and Agata who were immediately able to put my mind at rest on both counts. When Arthur and Agata offered to walk my dogs, while I was at work, I found the relief astounding.
I found that I trusted Arthur and Agata so much that, at the end of the project, when they asked me what color grout I would like I was amazed by my reply: without hesitation I told them “whatever you think is good in there. I trust you guys”. What better recommendation for Destin Tile Company can I give than that? They have proved themselves to be experienced professionals in every way. Their work is clean, top quality and very creative, showing enormous attention to detail. Everything was just perfect. An unexpected bonus was the new friends I made while planning our new bathroom – even my Weims seem to miss them as well! Best of all, my beloved husband will be coming home in two weeks and I am so excited! I just can’t wait for him to come home and see our new stone sanctuary – to experience the tranquility from this beautifully revamped bathroom.
If you are considering a new bathroom or shower, or have in mind remodeling a tile surface, I can honestly recommend a family business that I guarantee you can trust.
Every project comes with warranty on labor. For more details contact Delphin Design LLC, 850-4620-6506, www.delphindesign.com  – they are in my special book: even if you are not yet ready to renovate, my advice to you would be to take note of their contact details and put Arthur and Agata in your own special book for when you are ready to call them.

Make your home remodeling project pay for itself – and then some.

Home makeovers look so easy on TV. Designers sketch a few ideas on paper, bring in a crew in matching T-shirts, and presto: The house is ready for Architectural Digest.

In reality, remodeling projects are a lot more daunting to the average homeowner. Whether you’re remodeling your primary residence or an investment home, you’re likely to be overwhelmed by decisions:

Where do you begin? How do you decide how much to spend? Do you make décor choices based on what you like or what you think buyers will like? And how do you know what they will like?

“Home remodeling is the best way to protect what is for many their largest investment,” said Vince Butler, chairman of the National Association of Home  Builders’ Remodelors Council.

Home remodeling and improvements totaled a record $275 billion in 2008 – up by almost 15 percent from the previous year.

Fact is, most homes need a little touch-up before going on the market. Your home might just need cosmetic changes – new paint or carpet – or it might need an additional bedroom to compare favorably with the other properties in your neighborhood.

Picking a Project

How do you decide where to begin? The Remodelors Council suggests that you “keep up with the Joneses.” When searching for project ideas, it recommends looking at amenities of other homes in the neighborhood. Building an addition may not be a sound investment if yours is the first on the block, but it would be good idea to add more space to your house if yours is the smallest in the area.

On the other hand, while you may want to have the best house on the block, the return on your investment diminishes if your home becomes the most expensive in the neighborhood. For instance, if all the homes on your block have a carport, you might not recoup the cost of adding a garage.

Kitchens and bathrooms consistently are rated the best places to spend your remodeling dollars. In the trade magazine Remodeling’s survey of 2008 remodeling jobs, the average mid-range kitchen remodel cost approximately $44,000 and delivered a 91-percent return on investment at resale. The average mid-range bathroom remodel cost approximately $10,000 and delivered a 102-percent return on investment at sale time. The more you spend, the less return you’ll see. For instance, an “upscale” kitchen remodel – costing approximately $84,000 – will only reap 84 percent of its cost at resale.

Donald Baranowski(850-685-6048) of  Coastal Builders of NW Florida Inc., based in the Destin area, said that while kitchens and baths also are the most popular remodeling jobs for the Emerald Coast region, his company is seeing a lot more additions being built.

“It’s probably because people aren’t selling, so they’re building on to their homes,” he said. “That makes a lot of sense when it’s not worth it to move.”

You also want to take a long, hard look at your home and decide which areas are most likely to cost you money in the eyes of a potential buyer. Those areas need to take top priority. For instance, have a termite wood-rot inspection performed and prioritize any required repairs.

Floors are a good investment – and bad floors tend to drop the value of a home quickly. If your carpets are worn, consider wood or tile floors. At the very least, install new, neutral carpet in a current style.

If you’re planning to resell your house, avoid too much customization of any individual space. Potential buyers need to be able to envision the home as they intend to live in it. A well-designed fourth bedroom could be an office, workout room or home theater, depending upon who’s looking at the space.

Also think carefully before deciding to add a swimming pool to your home. A pool attracts some potential buyers, but turns away others who do not want the liability or maintenance responsibility.

DIY or Hire a Pro?

As easy as they make it look on TV, the decision to do it yourself is a big one. The enthusiasm that propels you through the early stages of the project is likely to desert you if you aren’t comfortable tackling some of the more frustrating aspects of home remodeling.

Of course, this decision depends on your experience, the type of project you’re planning, and your time and tolerance for living with construction. If you’re just planning to repaint and replace some doors and fixtures, it may well be an ideal project for your free time. However, if you’re planning major electrical or plumbing work or adding a room, you’ll want to make sure your expertise matches the job. The National Association of Home Builders has a great checklist on its Web site — nahb.org/remodel — to help you determine whether your are destined to do it yourself.

It doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” scenario. You might find that there are some parts of the project that you feel comfortable doing yourself – such as building shelves or replacing the hardware on cabinetry – and you just want to bring in a pro for the trickier aspects of the job requiring more-specialized expertise, such as foundation work or installing sheetrock.

If you hire a contractor to oversee your remodeling project, the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodelors Council advises you to look for one with the Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) designation. This designation indicates that the contractor is well trained on the particular challenges that regularly occur on these kinds of jobs and has the expertise to deal with them.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI, nari.org) also has a searchable database of certified local contractors. Ask friends, neighbors and your local hardware store for recommendations, and speak to other people who have done work on your home, such as plumbers and gardeners.

Ready, Set, Renovate

Now that you’ve chosen your project and have a pretty good idea about who will be doing the work, it’s time to dig in and get started. There are a few steps you should take to ensure that your project flows smoothly.

Make sure you look into zoning regulations before you start a remodeling project. The local planning office and/or your housing association will be able to tell you which renovations are permissible, as well as which permits you will need.

Once you know which projects will offer the greatest return on investment, you can make a more informed decision about how much you are willing to invest in your investment. Most people finance their remodeling projects by borrowing against the equity in their older home – an attractive option because the interest on these loans can be tax-deductible.

Make sure your budget is detailed, including all the materials, labor costs, permitting fees, etc., that you anticipate. If you have hired an expert to manage or complete the job, make sure that he or she provides you with this kind of detailed budget, and go over each line item to ensure that you understand how your money is being spent. The NARI suggest that you set aside about 10 percent to 20 percent of your total budget for unexpected costs and miscalculations.

“Pick out everything ahead of time,” recommended Don Baranowski. “As you get to the end of the project, you’ll just be ready to get your house back. If you then have to go and order your faucets and fixtures, it can hold everything up.”

At Coastal Builders of NW Florida, clients are provided with a selection sheet to help guide them through the process of picking out everything needed for the project.

As you go through your line-item budget, one way to stretch your finances, suggested by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, is to consider how labor-intensive some design features might be. For instance, laying a ceramic tile mosaic backsplash would be costly compared to a backsplash laid with conventional-sized tiles.

Develop a schedule for your project – but leave room for flexibility. Weather problems and other delays can throw off your timing, so try not to schedule your finish date too close to the holidays or other major events.

Maximizing Your Resale Value

Ultimately, you want your renovations to reap big rewards in the resale. Even if you have done the majority of the remodeling yourself, you should bring in a professional real estate agent to prepare your home for potential buyers. He or she will know how to present each room in the best light, and can make additional suggestions about small “fixes” that will improve your home’s chances of a successful sale.

Sometimes your home or condo just needs a facelift instead of a major remodel. And even if you completely remodel your kitchen, there may be other rooms in your house that just need a little TLC. A few small, inexpensive touches can make a big difference in a buyer’s overall perception of your home.

For instance, if you aren’t prepared to remodel your bathroom, at least replace the old shower curtain with something new and bright. One of the least expensive, yet most effective, ways to prepare your house for the market is to repaint it  – inside and out.

Paint or replace a room’s trim or add crown molding, suggested  Destin Real Estate agent Agata Grudzinski(850-659-3027), if the design and style of the house accommodates it. Remember: When choosing paint and design styles and colors, neutral is best.

Agata also recommends replacing electrical switch plates in a home.

“Over the years, they get grungy or painted over,” she said.

And speaking of brightening a room, check all your light bulbs, she said, and replace any that are burned out.

Your front door makes the first impression on potential buyers. Replace any doors that have been damaged over the years, said Agata, and/or install new door handles for an updated look.

Don’t forget the front yard. Be sure that siding, paint, landscaping and other outside areas are acceptable. Plant a few flowers. If the trim around the windows and doors is peeling, paint it. Repair cracks to the sidewalk and/or driveway.

Odor is a major issue with buyers.

“If you smoke or allow others to smoke, the home will be much harder to sell,” Agata Grudzinski said.

If there’s a smoker in your house, consider professional cleaning, including carpets, to get rid of all smoke odors.

“And if you smoke, smoke outside while the house is on the market,” Agata added.

Do you have pets inside? Pet owners often are unaware of the fact that people who don’t have pets  – or worse, have allergies  – are far more sensitive to pet odors. And the odor issue extends to “perfumes” as well. Just because you like the overwhelming scent of cinnamon potpourri, that doesn’t mean your potential buyer will. Go for a neutral scent indoors.

While nobody is perfectly neat all the time, you must be mindful to keep your house clean and ready to be shown at any moment.

“There’s nothing more off-putting than sinks or tubs that are grungy,” Destin Real Estate Agent said.

Keep granite countertops and bathrooms clean and shiny, and clean all your windows to maximize the light in your home.

Eliminate most of your family’s personal items from a home you plan to sell, because you want the buyers to be able to picture themselves there. Clean off countertops to give the illusion of more space.

Finally, celebrate your successful remodel and polish with a day out of the house – and plan your celebration for the day that your real estate agent schedules your first open house. Give your buyers a chance to imagine themselves relaxing in your living room, cooking in your newly remodeled kitchen or barbecuing in the back yard.

Meanwhile, you can be out hunting for your next dream house.

MAKE SURE THE CONTRACT with your professional remodeler includes:

• Contractor name, address, telephone and license numbers • A list of what the contractor will and will not do – for example, the tasks you have chosen to do, such as painting or demolition

• A dated copy of all drawings and diagrams. If changes need to be made during the project, record them in these documents and have both parties initial and date them.

• Start and finish dates

• The times work will start and finish and the days that workers will be at your home

• How change orders will be handled

• A warranty for one year

• A statement of how the contract can be canceled

• Any agreements that were made orally should appear in the contract

While our homes serve us well in providing shelter and a place in the world that we each can call our own, the best intended among us (yours truly included) easily overlook and sometimes neglect the very environment in which we actually live out our personal lives.

I used to work with a woman who said it best when she would apologetically explain to visitors to her home, “I should have a plaque in my entryway that says, ‘I know better.’”

However, for many of us, it isn’t just about knowing better. We need professional help to rescue us from our décor dilemmas, but an interior-design service often can tax two important resources – time and money.

Overcoming the Makeover Malaise

Fortunately for those of us who haven’t considered an interior update since papasan chairs were in – the first time – a new trend is emerging in the design world that offers a budget-friendly decorating-in-a-day solution.

One Emerald Coast business, Le Simple Makeovers, owned by Mattie Carr and Michelle Schuman, has made this new approach the focus of its design efforts.

“Our concept is that we go in for a day and we renew and refresh,” said Schuman, a professional interior designer since 1991. “People are afraid of interior designers. They think, ‘Oh, I can’t afford it.’ But this is for all price ranges.”

For $500 a day, Schuman and Carr, who also owns Les Sassy Mermaids at The Market Shops at Sandestin, will recreate one or more rooms, working mostly with items the homeowner already has.

Carr said that she and Schuman founded Le Simple Makeovers because they recognized the need in the area. In addition, “we want people to come into their homes and be able to enjoy their lives,” she said. “It is very rewarding.”

They start the process by talking with the client, learning his or her likes and dislikes in terms of color and style, as well as what the client needs for day-to-day functionality. In fact, after a brief visit, the observant Carr was able to tell me correctly about my own design preferences, based entirely on my clothing.

After formulating a plan, Carr and Schuman go to the client’s home and remove most of the items from the rooms included in the makeover. And then they remove their shoes.

“They said, ‘Let’s declutter the place. Are you ready?’ And then they took off their shoes and said, ‘Are you really ready?’ and they started moving furniture,” said Enid Eckhardt, a recent Le Simple Makeover client who owns a condominium in Tops’L Beach & Racquet Resort, east of Destin.

Eckhardt, who is from New Orleans but relocated to the Emerald Coast after Hurricane Katrina, was in need of an efficient home makeover. In addition, the condo, which had not been updated in several years, is co-owned by several family members, so Eckhardt could not just empty it and start over. She needed a way to keep and make the best use of most of the current furnishings.

During their visit, Carr and Schuman rearranged several rooms in Eckhardt’s condo to give her home a more aesthetic balance and functional flow. They also edited the homeowner’s belongings, helping her select the appropriate pieces to keep for her home’s new look and those items she should store or donate.

The design team then brought in a few new furnishings and accessories for an understated update as well as to tie the look together. And finally, a full palette of interior paint was chosen for Eckhardt’s entire home.

“They worked with me and understood the budget that I had,” she said. “They see (your home) from a different perspective. It makes you see things differently. It is just amazing what they did in one day.”

Redo Dos and Don’ts

Teresa Vucovich, owner of Uniquely Chic, a home interiors and gift store located in Destin, also offers design services that can be accomplished in a day.

Vucovich and her staff American Society of Interior Decorators-certified designer, Jenifer Berger, always are available to help their customers – “from hanging one picture to whatever they might need,” Vucovich said.

Vucovich added that she encourages her customers to begin with a little planning, which can go a long way, even when doing a quick-fix makeover.

“They need to focus on the purpose of the room and what they want to get out of the room and start from there,” she said. “You have to put things in a room that you love and that mean something to you. When you make that room an extension of your family and your personality, then people are going to be comfortable there.”

Carr, Schuman and Vucovich all agreed that applying a new coat of paint is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to change a room. Paint not only refreshes the walls, but the right hues can make any room look larger and airy or more intimate and cozy.

Color also can introduce a new tone and personality for a room at a fraction of the cost of new furnishings or floorings.

Vucovich said that one of the best secrets to quickly reworking a room at a low cost is adding a lamp.

“Lighting adds warmth and you can highlight a particularly area in a room – it is a much more intimate setting if you don’t have the lights blaring in a room,” she said.

Mixing what you own with a few carefully selected new accessories also is a great way to make a room look different. A new area rug and a painting or two can completely change the personality of the room, with minimal effort.

But before you add, be sure to edit what you have. Carr said Le Simple Makeover’s strength is to “reduce and refine.”

“People don’t notice their clutter,” Schuman said. “They need a fresh eye. People buy and they just keep buying. It’s detracting from a look.”

At the End of the Decorating Day

Although their makeovers are designed as one-day events, Carr, Schuman and Vucovich all stand ready to continue to work with their clients on an ongoing basis.

“It’s not just about a one-trip thing,” said Carr, who still is looking for items for Eckhardt’s Tops’L condo. The decorating consultants all build a relationship with their clients, just as a full-service design firm does.

“Mattie and Michelle said, ‘This is your list of things to do – and we will come back when you are ready,’” Eckhardt said.

“The one time has given me so much to work with and think about. That night I looked around and I felt like I had really accomplished something.”

But what if your plans fall through or, in the aftermath of an exuberant Christmas, you’re looking to save a little money without sacrificing romance?
You don’t have to look any further than your own home.

A house can be more of a romantic retreat than a fancy restaurant or resort spa, say interior decorators. And it’s not just the obvious places, such as the bedroom, that can help set the stage for romance. Unlikely spots such as the living room, dining room, outdoor patio and even bathrooms can easily, and inexpensively, become love nests.

“Overwhelmingly yet subtly indulging all of the senses and setting a mood — that’s the essence behind creating the enhancing experience of a romantic space or retreat,” says Tamera Massey, an architect and interior decorator with offices in Seaside and Tallahassee.

These spaces must be crafted with intimate attention to detail, Massey says, mixing the mystery and excitement of romance with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
Rose petals on the bed are for amateurs, these decorators say. To really transform a room into the ultimate romantic retreat, you must indulge all five of your senses: taste, smell, sight, hearing and sound.

It’s not always the obvious choices, such as red walls, that decorators consider romantic. A newly single woman who owns a 5,600-square-foot home in Shalimar chose one main color to decorate her home: white.

Destin-based Kelly Porter-Smith, her interior designer, says it evoked the “clean slate” the divorcee was looking for.

“We created a cocoon effect,” Porter-Smith says, with a variety of textures to help break up the monotony of white, such as thick frieze carpet.

If you don’t have the time or money for a take-it-down-to-the studs renovation or custom-built home, there are simple, inexpensive tricks that homeowners can use to achieve a romantic atmosphere. Adjusting the lighting, adding a few decorative touches, and focusing on sentimental themes are some of the recommendations decorators have for heightening romance.

Christmas in February

Treat Valentine’s Day decorating with the serious attention given to other holidays, such as Christmas, says Cara McBroom, a Miramar Beach-based interior designer with Lovelace Interiors.

“On Feb. 1, we should do the same thing to lift our spirits,” McBroom says. “One easy way to do this would be to save all the simple red Christmas decorations.”

Red vases, candle holders, a red velvet table runner can be salvaged for Valentine’s Day, she says.

“You want long-lasting decorations you can set out two weeks prior to the big day.”

McBroom says the five senses are used in Christmas decorating and can also be used in February.

“At Christmas we have cinnamon candles, earthy pine trees, holiday music, sparking lights, cookies and candies, and a variety of textures under the tree.”

Do the same thing in February, McBroom advises. Stock candy dishes with chocolates, play love songs, rent chick flicks, burn rich candles with scents such as chocolate, and decorate with textures like silk and velvet.

“This is a great time to bring out all the crystal you were given when you got married, for a little glitz and glamour,” she says.

The Right Light

Just as Realtors preach “location, location, location,” interior decorators tout “lighting, lighting, lighting.” When designing a room for couples, decorators say using soft lighting is important.

If you have dimmers, now is the time to use them, McBroom says. Aim for flexibility with your light choices, Porter-Smith adds. In a bedroom, have overhead lighting as well as lamp lighting.

Then there is the obvious choice: candles. If it’s for a special day, drape the room with candles, using different sizes and shapes in order to achieve a staggered look.

Light the corners of a room, or putting accent lights on art, is a less expensive way to set the mood. A more expensive option for homeowners is installing dimmers so the mood can be instantly changed with a single button. Make sure any lighting changes also add convenience, she says. For instance, don’t install lighting that requires crawling out of bed to flick off a switch; instead, use remote controls or have a switch near the bed.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Arranging a room around a specific theme, beyond Valentine’s Day, is effective.

For couples, celebrate your love by taking a walk down memory lane, with photos, mementos, music and art that evokes a favorite vacation or honeymoon locale.

On the wall could be art or a photo of Venice and its abundant gondolas gliding down a canal. On a table could be photos from the trip of you and a loved one kissing at a piazza, posing in front of the Coliseum in Rome, or twirling spaghetti in Florence.

Scented candles, soft music, candies or chocolates on a nearby table — all can add a splash of romance to a room. Depending on how far the theme is taken, wine could be offered from an Italian vineyard, the music could be Pavarotti, and the candles could be hand-dipped from Florence.

If you’re after a more permanent transformation, go for glamour by hanging a Venetian chandelier, which is more conventionally seen in dining rooms but can be placed in a bedroom for a romantic effect. To invoke the luxurious lifestyle of European royalty, shop for an ornate four-poster bed draped in Italian silk, with matching dressers with solid bronze or gold handles.

With the workday pressure gone, it puts you in the mood for romance because you’re in vacation mode, relaxed and comfortable. Think about what made a good resort or hotel experience and try translating this in your own home, decorators say.

Hotels are great resources for romantic settings because they don’t contain the typical bedroom clutter. There are no books, no messy nightstand and no misplaced furniture. Hotels offer simplicity, and many are designed to emphasize romance over other practical needs, with bigger beds, whirlpool baths and hammocks on balconies.

“One design essential is a great bed,” Porter-Smith says. “Start out with a good mattress and bed linens. No polyesters — it has to be natural fibers.”

One big no-no? Using your bedroom, or any other romantic retreat such as a living room, for “double duty.” Don’t put gym equipment or an office desk in a bedroom, Porter-Smith says.

“You could create a more harmonious space if you just keep it as a place for relaxation.”

Soft Touch

Don’t forget about one of the most important senses — touch. Decorators say soft, inviting fabrics such as velvet and silk are key to setting the stage for romance. This extends from the window treatments down to the type of rug or carpeting, sofa, bedding, and tables and chairs.

While modern furniture might appeal to you aesthetically, designers say to watch out for sharp corners and stiff furniture that may look great but not feel so good.

If a homeowner has wood floors, place a soft rug on top of it to add warmth. Or choose carpeting such as a long-haired California Berber.

In the bedroom, go with sheets or comforters that are soft to the touch.

In the dining room, just using linen napkins, or having chairs with a smooth texture such as suede, can help soften the room. Use a table centerpiece that is inviting to the eyes, nose and fingers, such as roses, an orchid or lilies.

Beyond the Bedroom

Bedrooms aren’t the only place in a home that can be transformed into a romantic retreat. With the right decorative touch, practically any room can have a seductive appeal.

Backyards are sometimes overlooked but can be the perfect spot for romance.

If you have a pool or whirlpool, use floating candles with waterproof candleholders. Tiki torches along the perimeter of your backyard provide a gentle glow. And if your backyard offers some privacy, try setting up massage tables with aromatic oils.

Living rooms or family rooms can also be transformed into a romantic hideaway. Many of these rooms have televisions, which offer the opportunity to settle into a cozy couch and watch a romantic movie. Don’t ignore the rooms that have good views of a nearby lake or park.

These transformations need not be temporary, decorators say. The best part about turning your home into a romantic retreat is that you don’t need the excuse of Feb. 14 or the pressure of the right dinner reservation to achieve the spirit of Valentine’s Day, or any day of the year.