By Deepali Nandwani

13 Stunning Steps To Lay The Perfect Table
1. Place a red tablecloth, in silk, with embellishment - sequins or zari.
2. Use red, purple or mauve coloured table runners.
3. Layer your tablecloth for a dramatic effect. Start with a plain cloth in red or purple. Then top with a sheer fabric or tulle. You could simply stretch long lengths of ribbon across the table.
4. Pick napkins in red, or in matching colours like mauve or purple.
5. Place the napkins in crystal glasses. Also, use silver cutlery and plates. They compliment the colour best.
6. Place red anthuriums, carnations, roses or tulips, purple orchids or if you want to offset the colour, pure white hibiscus flowers, in silver or a steel vase, which would balance the bright colours. Alternatively, anthuriums and carnations look good in a tall, slim glass vase filled with water.
7. To add a romantic touch, cover the vase with an inverted cone top and burn a red candle within the cone. In fact, try replacing the flowers with fruits like strawberries and cherries.
8. Opt for the slim candles, embellished with a bit of gold or silver dust. Stay in tune with the theme and choose from different shades of red and purple and place them at the centre of the table.
9. Time to get those champagne flutes out.Keep them on a tray with the napkins.
10. You will also need an ice bucket for your favourite bubbly. Silver is the colour.
11. To create a great ambience, light the coloured candles across the room - on the sideboard, the bar, the window sill, anywhere you think it will look good.
12. Fill bud vases or bigger crystal vases with loads of anthuriums, orchids or roses.
13. Use silk or embellished cushion covers,throws for the sofa or even a floor rug with the same colour scheme.

Seven Ideas For A Romantic Meal
Seafood: Cook some red lobsters, dunked in a bit of red wine.
Indian: A fiery fish curry, spiced with red chilli and a tangy tamarind flavour served with tomato rice would do the trick.
French: Prawns cooked with red wine, or cabbage and corn cooked in red wine. Simply use red wine as a base.
Italian: Pasta with a tomato and basil based sauce and red peppers.
Far East: A red Thai Curry, made with a paste of chilli, lemon grass, red peppers, carrots and red Thai curry paste pairs excellently with steamed rice and red wine.
Vegetarian: Cabbage is considered to have aphrodisiacal qualities. Stick to the colour theme - purple cabbage, it should be! Cook it the English way, with apples and red wine.
Desserts: Simply serve a sinful apple pie or strawberry gateaux. Or just fruits - apples, juicy strawberries or red cherries to keep going.

Let red predominate everything, from the table setting to the food, the candles, the room setting, and see the magic of the day unfold.

The Perfect Setting
Pay attention to table décor - tablecloth, runners, napkins, plates, silverware and crystals.
Build up the ambience of the room with aromatic candles and flowers.
Pick a good wine or better still... champagne and cook (or just order) your favourite food - from starters to desserts.
Feed each other!

Did you know That the colour RED
• Is the colour of warmth, energy, courage and strength?
• Stimulates your adrenal glands?
• Boosts sex drive?