Archives for July 2015

The month of July is when we celebrate our country’s independence. Homes across America gather their family and friends for backyard barbeques with a red, white and blue, stars and stripes theme reminiscent of our country’s flag; ending the evening with a bang through a dazzling display of fireworks. I love to decorate with red, white and blue because of its classic, regal historical look and feel. It’s never passé to show your patriotic colors and it’s easier than you think to capture the spirit of Independence Day year around in your home. Here are some simple tips to decorate your home and pay tribute to our red, white and blue flag with style year around.

The family room is the beating heart of every house. It’s where family and friends culminate to spend time together making it the perfect place to display your patriotic home décor. Create a focal point in your room by painting a wall your favorite shade of red and accent with blue and white. Find a stark white paint for your other walls and incorporate a blue or white sofa, chairs and coffee table that compliments your scheme. Let the red stand out on your wall and bring a few accessories into the room in shades of red through books, flowers, and frames or American flags.

While the family room is the beating heart, the kitchen is the pulse to your home. If there’s something cooking there will be someone looking, so this really is one of the most important rooms in your house when it comes to design. We spend a lot of time in our kitchen so you need to love its look, layout and function. I adore a red, white and blue kitchen because of its simple, clean appeal. White cabinets are a must! They can make a small kitchen appear larger and make the space feel open. Try using a solid blue countertop, white subway tile backsplash and add red accents to the room through your lighting, countertop appliances, flowers, dinnerware, or window coverings. Think about using a collection of small flags on wooden dowels in a white vase as a patriotic table centerpiece.

Your guest bath is a really fun place to express personality and create a conversation piece for your guests at the same time. So when it comes to the guest bath I love to think outside the box. Make a patriotic statement with blue pattered walls, stark white trim and red-hot accessories. Consider using wallpaper or fabric in a classic toile or pattern colored in red, white and blue. Use a contrasting color from the main color on your walls to paint your trim a bold color of red or blue. Or keep your walls a stark white or hue of blue and add a bold punch of red through your lighting, sink or toilet.

When it comes to decorating a bedroom it doesn’t have to be all stars and stripes. Try using checker and dot patterns of red, white and blue to bring a charming and whimsical patriotic feel to your space. American country antiques, hooked rugs or classic red, white and blue quilts look stunning and are all timeless depictions of our countries history. Consider repurposing old furniture pieces to make them new again by adding a patriotic touch painting them in rich hues of red or blue. Remember that lighting is the jewelry to your home and this is also an important way to incorporate red, white and blue into your room.

Accessorizing each room in your home is the glue that ties your design together. It’s not something that you can do overnight but it’s important and fun to collect the right pieces a little bit at a time. Here’s one fun idea to think about in your search for household accessories to tie in nicely with a red, white and blue American theme. Collect flags for different eras and display them throughout your home as wall hangings or use them to make pillows or blankets with flag inspired motifs. This is something that the whole family can enjoy collecting together as you shop or travel. Just think you will be creating your own historical American museum in your home that can be passed down for generations to come.

Enjoy celebrating our Country’s Independence Day with your family and friends but most importantly, enjoy capturing the style and spirit of our freedom in your home year-round.

Cheers,