Where I live, the Fourth of July may be the most celebrated, highly anticipated day of the year. In addition to fireworks and cookouts, our city holds an annual steam engine parade with a healthy collection of steam engines (be sure to Google it if you aren’t familiar with steam engines), veterans and soldiers, horses, antique cars, local floats… growing up, this was the event of the year. Vendors and food trucks fill the sidewalks and fairgrounds of our downtown area and leftover candy litters the street. It truly is an amazing time for my city and when I was a little girl, I probably have more fond memories of that day than any other.
With busy family events and community gatherings, we look forward to coming home and having a small, casual, block party-ish celebration with our neighbors. We all head to our street to set off fireworks, and migrate from driveway to driveway with cocktails. Organizing a small dinner for just a few friends/neighbors before the action starts is a great way to kick off the evening.
I LOVE this patriotic table and the easiest part? The only new additions are these cute napkins. Again, a true testament for the different looks you can pull off when you build an arsenal of linens and focus less on collecting dishes. I actually started out with flags in the hydrangea arrangement but Mother Nature had other plans that day and brought the wind and the rain (doesn’t Jackson Browne have a song about that?). After whipping around and slapping the hydrangeas repeatedly, I pulled them and put them to use elsewhere.
Ok, I fibbed. These little Spode Blue Italian Teaspoons are also a recent addition 😉 If you are looking to set a seasonal table but are low on the right colors/materials, you can find everything you need at your local grocery store.
Confession: had I been paying more attention, I probably would have kept the pillows to the pretty embroidered blue and white since the red white and blue are so close to the similar napkins, but, it’s the Fourth of July and ok to be a little more whimsical and break some rules 😉 *TIP* This cute little striped outdoor throw slouched over the chair arm is half off. I love it so much, I actually have it in green also. You are welcome 😉
One of my favorite details of this simple gathering is the little sparkler station. I leave the lighting of the fireworks to my husband, but sparklers are my jam. I used a the lid of the small blue and white jar to hold the boxes of matches and tied some patriotic ribbon garland (catch the simple tutorial HERE) I made last year around one of my garden stools. And how cute is this saying I quickly whipped up on the computer?
“Don’t ever let anyone dull your sparkle”
Hydrangeas have been my hearty go-to and I LOVE to have them overflowing in my blue and white jars.
These placemats are so easy and have not let me down. They are super affordable so I think I will be getting a few more colors. They are perfect for outdoor, but I also used them inside for a casual look HERE. And, my crackle wine goblets see me through pretty much every table setting. I did break down and get these in another color haha.
Happy Fourth of July! May you have a wonderful time celebrating America, making memories with friends, lighting up the sky, and creating fun, patriotic tables. Oh, and if you have a steam engine parade, be sure to check that out too 😉
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ADDITIONAL SOURCES
Dining Set: Costco Wall Art: HomeGoods| Table Runner: HomeGoods | Red White Blue Pillows: HomeGoods | Blue and White Dishes: Vintage
*Note: Post contains affiliate links and sources throughout the post. Where product is no longer available, a similar substitute has been listed.
Linking up with a Tablescape Thursday link party, hosted by Between Naps on the Porch.
Absolutely beautiful and inviting! Can’t wait to hear what you are going to grill for the 4th!
Joni, thank you!! One day, the two of us will sit out here and sip our cocktails together 😉
Kelley, be still my red white and blue beating heart!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! Incredible!! xoxo
Tam, thank you! those napkins reminded me of you 100%! Can’t wait to see your gorgeous summer table settings!
You are so full of surprises and continuously amaze me! Every detail is absolutely perfect. I sure miss that special parade, but I love your new traditions more!
Nan, I have learned so much from you! Thank you for all the fun times and memories and here’s to many more! xoxo
Can you tell me where the charger plates came from? Your tables ape is absolutely gorgeous. You are an inspiration. Thank you,
Debbie, thank you so much! The place mats are here: http://rstyle.me/n/bruf3db5rpf and the dinner plates are vintage 😉
Kelley! You are always the queen of table scapes and this red, white and blue patriotic scene is perfect for the holiday coming up!!! Your sparkler station is brilliant…I LOVE that idea and may have to borrow it!! You’re always my decor hero for sure … You have so many fabulous, original ideas!! Happy wekeend my friend?❤️?
Bree, oh my goodness- you are my decor hero! Love you, my sweet friend! PS- our countdown is officially on!
What a beautiful patriotic tablescape! I love the beautiful napkins and throw pillows. They add the perfect touch to your blue and white dinnerware. I hope that you have a Happy Fourth of July!!!
Shannon, thank you so much! I have been having so much with that blue and white. Wishing you a wonderful 4th, also!
Every detail is amazing and beautiful. You can tell that a lot of thought and work went into this. Gorgeous photo’s as well.
Sweet, sweet tablescape plus the sparkler station is brilliant! I will positively be borrowing that idea in the future.