Since America’s 250th birthday, or the semiquincentennial (say that 3 times fast), is coming up, I thought this month’s Design Challenge should feature patriotic ideas. If you’re new here and don’t know what the Design Challenge is, it’s a monthly post with my friends, where we all share ideas inspired by the same photo. This month is a little different. We have an inspirational photo, but we are all sharing something different. I’m showing patriotism while decorating when red isn’t your vibe.
Showing Patriotism While Decorating When Red Isn’t Your Vibe
Were you around when we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? I remember, but my parents just said bicentennial.
I was 9 and remember going to a huge city-wide party at the park. I enjoyed drinking Big Red soda (it’s still my fave), having a red, white, and blue Bomb Pop, and the fireworks at the end. The rest of the time, I was terrified of getting separated from my parents. It was way too crowded for my liking. I was short and felt like I was going to be trampled to death at any moment. As I think back, I’m wondering why my parents took me in the first place.
Vintage Demijohn works all year round and looks good with flags or on its own.
Despite my childhood grievances and my love of patriotic decor, the color red doesn’t match my mood. I use the pieces I’m currently decorating with around the house. That way, adding a little red is all I need to do. I definitely don’t change everything out as one might do at Christmas.
This year, the summer colors in our home are green and blue. So my patriotic decorating came down to some flags and an entire spool of ruffled ribbon.
Quickly change a tablescape by switching candles, adding flags, and using different napkins.
I used the tablecloth from a couple of years ago in a Pinterest Challenge and still love it. If you can’t find a tablecloth that interests you, check out a fabric store. I purchased 3 yards of fabric, and because I didn’t want to drag out the sewing machine, I used pinking shears around the edges. Not sure my family ever noticed.
Consider using multiple patterns for an interesting patriotic look.
Can you see how blue and green look fantastic together? By adding a plaid napkin, a couple of red candles, and flags, the table went from everyday summer to a patriotic party.
Here’s a quick hint when poking your flags inside of plants. If you want the wooden sticks to stay clean, wrap them with Saran Wrap or Cling Wrap. That way, next year, if you want to use them in a clear vase, they won’t look ugly and dirty. I learned that the hard way.
Dining Room hutch is all ready for summer!
Besides flags, I prefer shopping my home and pulling out anything in red, white, and blue. It could be books, vases, cups, dishes, boxes, candles, ribbon, pillow covers, throw blankets, etc. And don’t forget the Christmas items! You may be surprised by what you can incorporate to show off your patriotism.
This is a good example of using things all year round. The silver trophy cup has had flowers in it, a boxwood ball on top, and even candy canes. Now it has red candles and flags. I love it!
Here’s another hint. If you have a container that may leak or has a hole in the bottom, and want to use it for flowers, place the flowers and water in a Ziploc bag first. It works every time.
Add a mini hutch to a wall if you can!
The green dishes and other blue pieces were already on my little shelf. All I had to do was add two small flags, and voila, instant patriotism.
Repurposing vintage or antique items is saving the earth! Or at least helping the landfills!
BTW, if you are infatuated with plates like I am, adding a small shelf is a great idea. I have plates hanging on different walls, but this little shelf is so fun to redecorate. I move plates and other pieces every couple of months. It’s nice because they are usually tucked away in a cabinet.
Thank you for visiting. If you found your way here from French Ethereal, welcome! I hope you were inspired today. Next up is my friend Lora Bloomquist. You will enjoy her summer hutch decor with thrifted finds. And I hope your 250th celebration is out of this world!
Cindy I always come away so INSPIRED when I visit you! I shall now be wrapping all the posts on my flags in Saran wrap! Thank you so much for hosting this fabulous party!
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Aww, thank you Laura. I had so many from last year that turned such an ugly brown that I decided to never let that happen again. Thankfully, they are super cheap!
What is that sugar bowl with holes in it. I have never seen anything like it.
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It was a regular sugar bowl at one time. If you use a diamond drill bit and are slow and careful, you can drill holes in the lids. It usually used like a flower frog.
Cindy, my favorite idea of yours is using red taper candles as 4th of July decor. Never thought of that and it’s so easy and affordable. The table looks so fun. Thanks for hosting again. Great ideas from everyone.
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Thank you Carol. It’s interesting how much Christmas decor you can pull out for our patriotic holidays. 🙂
Cindy
So many clever ideas. Thanks for hosting.
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Thank you Rachel.
These decorating ideas are so clever and helpful too, like the tip about wrapping bottoms of flags in plastic wrap before popping in a potted plant!! Wish I’d thought of that! I love your summer blues and greens, and the little pops of red are easy to remove! Stay cool my friend!
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Thank you Cindy. Glad you found something useful that you, the queen of diy, can use!
I love seeing red in other people’s homes but in mine, not so much. You have so many darling ideas on patriotic decorating, especially with flags! My favorite is the trophy cup and the candles. So spontaneous and clever! Pinning!
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Right?! Red is not for me but I can stand it when it’s paired with flags. Seems like most color combos can work with our US flag. Thank you Michelle!
Cindy, I thought I left a message, but I think I wandered off to pinning, lol! I love the gentle touch of adding just a few American flags to your decor to keep the RWB to a minimum. I’m not really a red person, either, but oddly we have that L-shaped sofa and it’s cover is red. 😉 (That’s what was available at the time and it would have been 6 wks. to wait for white denim, at the time.) Really pretty!!! Your home is always a delight and green looks lovely ~ I bought some green salad/luncheon plates at Hobby Lobby while in California. I LOVE the new green outlined roses on china I see lately! (I have no idea where I will store all this… “Blinders”. when entering stores… ) 😉
Happily pinned several photos, as always! And yes, antique china looks lovely with little flags tucked inside. <3
Happy 250th hugs,
Barb 🙂
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You made my day Barbara, thank you. I literally laughed out loud reading about your red sofa. I would rather sit in a folding chair for 6 weeks. Does that make me less or more patient? LOL!
Red is not my favorite color but, I will use flags in different ways. Love that ribbon and thanks for these ideas. It is a wonderful time to celebrate our country’s 250 years!!
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Yes it is Marlene! I’m excited to see what we do on the 4th of July this year. Hope you can see some fireworks!
Yes, love the blue and green with the pop of red in the flags. That cottage art on the green shutters is my favorite; perfect for summer decor! Yep-give me a quiet 4th and avoid the crazy crowds-sounds good!
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I find it harder and harder to want to be in crowds. We have a lot of art fairs with lots of booths lining the streets. Even knowing I’m going to miss something awesome, I will still pass due to crowds. Happy 250th Lora!
I’m infatuated with dishes as well and love those green in the mini hutch. Are those vintage? I can’t find any in green.
The little pot with holes in the lid, did you drill those or did it come like that, so cute with the flags. Happy Fourth
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Both sets of green dishes are from HomeGoods, so not vintage. And I usually find green dishes in spring. As for the vintage sugar bowl, if you use a diamond drill bit, and go slow and steady, you can make holes in the lids. You can probably find a DIY video on YouTube. I’ll try and post about it soon. Thanks Heather! Hope your Independence Day is amazing!
Thank you for hosting this challenge, Cindy! I love your ruffle ribbon and your beautiful and festive pops of red! Your clever tips and hints are also so helpful! Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!
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Thanks so much Lynne. Glad you enjoyed it and found something helpful. Hope you have a wonderful celebration!
Love how you strategically placed flags and candles to decorate for the 4th. Your home is gorgeous so adding a few of patriotic items looks like the perfect plan.
Happy 4th,
Kippi
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Aww, thank you Kippi. That is so sweet of you to say. Hope your 4th is exciting!
I’m with you on overdoing the reds. I used a simple red rimmed dinner plate for my rwb tablescape. The small flags are just enough of the beauty of showcasing it. All the blues & whites are very pleasing. Love them all.
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I often wonder why I don’t care much for red. Maybe it’s from the “old world” style years ago, maybe it’s that when I wear it I feel like Santa or the many stop signs that clog my journey. 😉 Whatever it is, I’m over it. Even when Christmas rolls around, I don’t want to use bright red. However, I just found a hand painted tray in a dark rusty red and love it! Thank you Rita.