Patriotic Tablescapes

On By Carole @ From My Carolina HomeIn tablescapes

Memorial Day weekend is coming fast, and it is time to dig out the patriotic bin and decorate with red, white and blue. Today, I’d like to show you a range of ideas to set your holiday table for a cookout, or a nice dining room for a more elegant gathering of family and friends. Tables don’t have to be expensive, these sprays came from the dollar store, and the candles are my Mason Jar candles. I change out what is in the bottom to coordinate with the color scheme of the table.

Most of my patriotic tables start with my Patriotic Table Runner that I made in 2014 using the TriRecs rulers. See that post for detailed pattern instructions.

I did another design for Madam Sew’s blog last year, using pinwheels and flag fabric. See my post Patriotic Table Runner for that pattern.

I build the tablescape around red, white and blue for the centerpieces and settings. These days I like using what I already have in new ways. Here, I took a white planter, put a red flower in it, and added some fresh blue hydrangeas in mason jars. The sprays fill in the centerpiece. White star melamine plates hold star garland around the fresh flowers.

Napkins are rolled like firecrackers, held with red rings. White plates top red chargers, and I didn’t do a salad plate as we were filling our plates on a buffet this time.

Another year, the hydrangeas were so spectacular, I used them as the centerpiece for a July table. This wooden carrier is meant for milk bottles. I put mason jars filled with water in each well, then added as many hydrangeas as it would hold. Star sprays flank the centerpiece, and small patriotic bowls will hold food.

The table again features red chargers with white stoneware dinner plates, with red salad plates on top. I rolled the napkins this time, too.

Outside on the veranda, a simple table used paper napkins on top of white placemats for color. Star plates and red plastic cups are placed, with the napkins wrapped around plastic utensils and tied with a ribbon.

Simple is sometimes best, with this red basket filled with silk flowers and two flags. Red candles in depression glass holders complete the simple centerpiece. White placemats were topped with our good white china and red salad plates. The star plates became serving pieces this year.

So, what to do for this year? I don’t have any blue chargers, so I will probably use the same red ones. We may be able to have our neighbors come up, so a simple al fresco table would be in order. One thing I do know, I’ll once again use what I already have to set it. Some of the stuff has gone back to the thrift shop, as we entertain a lot less these days, but this marvelous platter will stay as it is just so useful for holding burgers and hot dogs from the grill.

One tip, using wire star garland and pipe cleaners, you can make wine glass charms so you’ll know which glass is whose. You can also use curling ribbon or even make paper stars with guests names on them.

Do you like to set a holiday table for patriotic days?

19 thoughts on “Patriotic Tablescapes”

  2. Lesley Gilbert

    Your tablescapes are always lovely and todays patriotic is so fun to look at – you must love it when a new occasion is coming up and you can change everything – happy Sunday Carole 🙂

    1. Julie

      Your decorating ideas always make me smile, they’re so lovely & welcoming. The hydrangea basket is spectacular. I hope you had a good time at the Garden of Quilts show.

    1. Mary Ed Williams

      Your tables are spectacular!
      I am so sorry that I missed you at the DOQ meeting last Monday. My friends said it was a great presentation.
      Have a fun summer!
      Mary Ed

  5. Marie Chandler

    Carole, the table settings are beautiful and the runners add a patriotic spirit. I enjoyed meeting you at the quilt show Friday. Congratulations for the ribbons you won for your quilts. I especially liked the way the quilts were displayed. There was a good selection of vendors. Your guild members should be commended for a job well done.

  10. Patty Brenner

    Your tables look very pretty! I need to make some nice table runners like those 🙂 I’m by myself most of the time, so I only do a little decorating. A year or so ago, I saw a beautiful patriotic table centerpiece using milk glass, ruby glass, and crocheted doilies in red, white, or blue. I realized that I had some of all of those, so I could ‘use what I had’ to make my table look pretty and patriotic. I wish I could grow hydrangeas like that – yours are beautiful! I split my time between central Texas and Arizona, and it’s just too darn hot. I should look for some silk ones 🙂

  11. What a fun, festive look. I do like those sprays. We don’t do much for Memorial Day or July 4 but I like being able to get a few things early at the dollar store and we’re good to go! It’s especially pretty with your terrific quilts.

  14. I love the R,W.B for patriotic days. I used to do that a lot. Not so much any more. We rarely entertain, and I’ve been downsizing. I do decorate my small buffet. I have seasonal table runners. Usually candles or a special candy dish. Not very elaborate, but it makes me happy. DH could care less! All your table scapes are fabulous. Maybe I’ll swing by the Dollar Store and pick up one “new” thing this year. I could use a “pick-me-up”

  16. Joan Sheppard

    My first job out of school was at a very special restaurant where we “set” the table with great care and I’m always so glad to see you keeping the tradition of a beautiful table. Thanks

  17. Rita C.

    I am not real big on patriotic displays and tablescapes even though I’ve done a few, but I LOVE your table runners and how you’ve you’ve used them in yours!

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