My schedule has kept me hopping lately and I’ve got another big project coming up this weekend – leaving me very little time to plan anything for the 4th of July.  Luckily a July 4th holiday table is very forgiving – by simply adding red, white and blue to my white dishes I can create a tablescape to suit the celebration – resulting in a visual big bang for a small amount of effort.  I thought I’d share some of the tablescape inspiration I recently found online.

Red, White, Blue Table Ideas for You

This tablescape has it all – a star studded tablecloth, red and white star candles, blue plates and flatware, red paper napkins adorned with Uncle Sam, Sam’s hat as a centerpiece, American flags, red/white/blue bunting, star serving dishes, and red, white and blue balloons with exploding firework graphics.  There’s no doubt the date is July 4th!

Striped and star covered banners unfurled and criss-crossed on the table eliminate the need for placemats or a table cloth - plus they add a graphic interest to each setting.  Quick and easy to set, this table decor is effective none the less.

 The color says it all – simply use red, white and blue, add a couple of flags and your table is set.  White rattan chargers, red paper plates, blue napkins, plus red and white striped placemats layered over a blue table clothare topped with white hydrangeas.   

Mix red white and blue paper goods and your table is fun and flirty for the fourth.  Large paper dinner plates sport polka dots, striped and solid bands while the smaller ones include blue and white toile printed round plates, red/white/blue square plates and polka dot covered rounds.  Polka dots, stripes and solids dress the napkins and two shades of blue, solid red and polka dot cups complete the settings.

 A perfect beach setting – a white starfish tops a stack of red white and blue plates.  The stars and stripes napkin tucks between the plates, gracefully overlapping the “beach grass” placemat.  Additional white starfish lay scattered across the blue star runner and top the red gingham table cloth.

Independent Elements

Build your own tablescape with items you already own or select a few new favorites to build your design around.

Select your favorite or use them all – flag corn holders, stars and stripe bowls, star studded salad (or dessert) plates, stars and stripe dip or condiment server.

Create menu boards for your holiday buffet with Dollar Store picture frames.  Paint the frames white, the insert with chalkboard paint and then add colorful stripes.  Cute and functional!

Patriotic Votives are easy to create with red, white and blue glassine paper and clear glass containers.  Scatter them across the table for a twinkling ambiance after sunset.

Dust off your red, white, blue and silver Christmas ornaments and fill a collection of glass containers for a sparkling centerpiece.

Red white and blue flowers cut fresh from the garden will make a simple but stunning addition to any table.

Make dessert the centerpiece!  Sundae toppings, a collection of sweets and treats, add a festive touch to the table until they’re sprinkled over freshly scooped ice cream and devoured!

Take a look at  this “Howcast.com” video to learn how you can create two July 4th table top decorations quickly and easily with readily available supplies.

What Have You Planned?

What have you got planned for July 4th?  Will it be a party, a picnic, a bar-b-que?  I’d love to hear how you’ll be celebrating this weekend.  We’ll have dinner on the patio and, since  I’m helping organize our community’s firework display,  we’ll then head lakeside as the “bombs burst in air.” 

Whatever you do – make it red, white and blue!

We’re Celebrating Our 1st Year!

As we mentioned yesterday, our one year anniversary approaches….and YOU’RE the ones getting the gifts!  We have 3 fabulous giveaways for next Wednesday, July 7.  One of the contributors is the ETSY store Word Garden and she makes beautiful, unique handmade pillows.  She’s a “free-spirited creator and loves putting photographs, images, art and beautiful words” onto her pillows.  Like me she’s “infatuated with words and collects meaningful and positive quotations”.  Her ETSY store is the fulfillment of a life long dream to sell her creations and we’re thrilled to have her participating. 

I’m just showing you a couple of her styles but you really need to visit her store (click here) to enjoy the full range of her captivating pillows.  One of our lucky readers will win their choice of one of her lovely pillows.

Remember there are 2 more contributors.  Check in tomorrow to learn about another fabulous gift.