SALUTE TO SUMMER: BUDGET TABLESTYLING TIPS

Think your everyday white dishes can't be made into something special? Think again - A simple gathering of items you may already have around the house, finally putting to use items you may have picked up in your travels, and a few items from the local dollar store can create a tastefully styled tablescape, both saluting summer and the American spirit.

Start by pulling together all RED WHITE & BLUE items from around your home. Keep your favorite magazine or catalog clippings handy - not to copy, but to keep your focus. Put all your items together on your cleared dining table. Take some time to play with combinations to give yourself a clear vision. Clear the table, and stack your findings nearby your work space - stack your goodies on the stairs and in the kitchen. Pulling all these things together first will save time later when you are inspired - or when the light goes off in your head (hence no hunting in the middle of your "groove").

The key to styling is all in how you EDIT. Not everything needs to be used, at least here on your table. Save some space on the table for food. Think ahead as to if you use an item, where is it going to go when your guest sit?

Maybe a nearby buffet can take an item or two, to help pull together the look in your space. But again, NOT every space needs to be littered with trinkets and tributes. Show your spine - collect books and remove their jackets to reveal your ideal color scheme - red white and blue. Top your stack with a thrift store federal find (only $4) of an eagle etched glass container from 1976. To highlight the etching, simply fill the vessel with water, add a drop or two of blue food dye and three tea lights (remove from tin & they will float) and a simple chic Federal-inspired accent as been created.

A collection of B&W beach photography on walls helps set a coastal summer style. This is also a great way to incorporate some of those special shots you've captured in your travels. (The two at the top I captured in St. Augustine.)

This is a great time of year to pull out those striped curtain panels. Pull them out of storage two years later and the old can seem new again. Wreaths aren't the only item to hang on your door. This string of starfish was picked up as a souvenir when in Key West. The simple addition of a patriotic scarf gives a new look to "Stars and Stripes".

Holiday spirit to...

coastal style

Think of different ways to use of other household items - shower curtains, pillow cases, bandannas, dishtowels. A clean or new shower curtain can be used as a table cover- which was the inspiration for this set. Layer table runners, placemats or chargers to create interest in your scheme. The pattern in this curtain was a great jumping off point to create two looks plus a third using traditional table runners...

RED WHITE BLUE & BAMBOO:

NEXT IS BLUE WHITE RED:

TIP: FREEZE BLUEBERRIES

to use as beverage chillers.

AND LASTLY IS RED WHITE & BLUE:

 This 'These Colors Don't Run' set is styled with three table runners already on hand (2 white & 1 red). Dollar store bandannas can become napkins. Patriotic kitchen towels can also be used as napkins, or simply drape them onto slip covered chair-backs for a simple detail. A favorite budget decor updater to your chair backs is to use pillow cases as slipcovers.

 Simple patriotic dollar store paper lanterns turned upside down in small planters help to give some height to the tablescape. Another dollar store score was one made three years ago: simple clear plates with red white and blue stars on the rim. Layered on the white dishes, it adds to the spirit of the style. For an updated twist on your red white blue color scheme: add a shot of turquoise.

If you usually don’t decorate with red (except at holiday) opt to pick up some faux flowers at the craft store. You can reuse these at holiday, thereby giving more bang for your buck. If you have a steady income coming in - go for real. Again, souvenir shells collected over the years from travels helped add a coastal look to this to salute summer.

God Bless America!!!

Thanks for visiting and I hope the tips help!

Have a Happy 4th of July Weekend!

(And enJOY your last days of summer for Labor Day Weekend!!)

NOTE: Although I created this post for July 4th - it can be used for any patriotic placesetting you'd want to create - like for this upcoming Labor Day Weekend - the true last hoorah! to summertime...

All styling and photos by Lynda Quintero-Davids

Link Shared at:

Somewhat Simple - Red White & Blue Party 

Between Naps on the Porch - Tablescape Thursday

Centerpiece Wednesday - Style Sisters

 

Beach Party - Fine Craft Guild

Thanks for stopping by!

Update:

Pin Shared at HomeGoods - Happy By Design 2014