With summer quickly approaching, it is time to break out the Uncle Sam hats, fireworks (sorry pups!) and our finest patriotic decor. While I love a red, white and blue palette, the colors are especially meaningful when we fly our flags on Independence Day. The colors symbolize a great many things to Americans. Most directly, white signifies purity and innocence, red signifies hardiness and valor, and blue, perseverance and justice. Between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, the use of red, white and blue is at an all-time high, and I love it. While the color trio certainly pays homage to America, it is also a timeless color palette, and that’s something this design enthusiast can certainly appreciate (and celebrate). There are ways to incorporate the colors into your home, from a casual pop to full-on RWB mania as summer progresses.
Last year I had the pleasure of visiting one of our lovely customer’s homes in Kansas called the Wagon Wheel. Her home is the perfect example of taking the important colors and crafting a beautifully balanced display that takes farmhouse chic to the next level. One lesson to take away when decorating with iconic color combinations is to choose a dominant color and spin it for your space. This customer’s focus on using many hues of blue – from navy to cerulean – allowed the space to welcome pops of red without turning into a statement on patriotism.
Even without this being an existing color palette in your home, a few choice accessories can turn your space into a summer-ready paradise. We set up a Memorial Day celebration in a four seasons room that has a festive flair, not one flag in sight. By using everyday items, you can create a nod to the flag’s colors in a subtle and beautiful way. We started by switching out the winter table covering for a red, white and blue plaid and covering the buffalo check chairs with a nice white and blue ticking. We then set the table with our bright red plates – a favorite that plays into so many holidays – and accented the space with classic blue and white ginger jars. A few throw blankets and a whimsical star napkin ring brought the vision together and without a huge seasonal overhaul.
When all is said and done, as a lover of seasonal decor I like to showcase some USA flair during the summer months. As we get closer to Independence Day, I turn up the volume on my RWB decor. The traditional beauty of a flag banner or swag cannot be underestimated. Mixing those traditional items with touches of stars, stripes and Americana is a perfect way to celebrate the season. Whether you go all out or prefer a more relaxed approach, the most important part of seasonal (or anytime) decorating is to have fun and find what makes you happy.
Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hill’s. For more information, contact Katie at [email protected].