Patriotic Inspiration: Tablescapes

Well, we made it. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of tears but we made it. I’ve shared some really special moments with my family these past few days. My Dad presented us with flowers during his last speech. This was the last picture we took before going home for the night after the reception. From the looks on our faces we’re obviously punchy and most of our makeup has been cried off.

After attending events for over a month now, I can’t think of a better way to end this final week of patriotic celebrations than with a little bit of tablescape inspiration. I picked up these Union Jack pails a few years ago at The Country Living Fair in Stone Mountain, GA. They’ve been sitting in a closet while my style continues to evolve but I really like them and I’m not ready to let them go just yet. I’ve borrowed the rolling pins and Kelly galvanized bucket from the kitchen table.

The white china set I’ve loved and used for so long is now headed to Loblolly Manor. I picked up this new to me set of ironstone a few months ago. I’m excited to use it as my every day set now. I’m using the starfish as a way to celebrate the stars in our nation’s flag.

I love the way the patriotic table mixes well with the rest of the room. It makes me feel like the room will be really versatile.

I also wanted to give the kitchen table a patriotic feel that was completely different than the dining room. I decided to use these blue and white ironstone dishes, my favorite lace trimmed napkins and scrapbook paper as place mats from a local craft supply store.

I’ve used this ironstone creamer, sugar and teapot set in so many photos. I love it, especially with roses from the garden. They help add a small amount of red to the table.

These gladiolas are also from my garden. I can’t believe how much they’ve grown. I started with just a few bulbs. I picked up the galvanized can from Renningers in Mount Dora about a year ago.

I had to give these bench pillows the “no sew” treatment and just place the fabric around the pillows. The blue and white floral fabrics are actually curtain panels. I have four of them and they may be headed to Loblolly Manor as well. The middle fabric is made of tiny navy blue flowers. I picked up that fabric at a thrift store for .50. I love mixing prints.

Taking the time to decorate these tables makes me think of all the soldiers, families, and friends we’ve had the pleasure eating with these past few weeks.

I was walking to my car after the reception when one of the maintenance workers came to give me one last hug. He was carrying a plate of food home in one hand and an arrangement of dark red roses for his wife in the other. I’m sure he was tired. He and his team had put away over 700 chairs. “You’re dad is really gonna be missed around here,” he said. He was looking down at the ground so I allowed him a moment to finish his thought. When he was ready, he looked up at me and said, “He cares about the big guy but he also cares about the little guy too and that’s my favorite part about him.” I thought I was going to melt and tears started falling down my cheeks for the millionth time that day. “That’s my favorite part about him too,” I said.

 By the time I made it to my car, I felt at perfect peace about the weekend.

I know amazing promises are on the way. Thanks for letting me share the journey with you.

 

Many blessings,

CoCo