Our brand champions authentic design, sustainable living, women's issues, and creativity.

Hosting a 4th of July Celebration

4th+of+July.jpg

I love celebrating Memorial Day and the 4th of July with family and friends. It is my daughter's favorite holiday, and I wanted to throw a small gathering to send her back to DC in style.

Here is a continuation of the blog post about how you paired your blue and white French dinnerware with red to create a festive table:

I paired my blue and white French dinnerware with red to create a festive table. Although I used a red, white, and blue combination, I tried to keep the color palette more subdued. I used a white tablecloth and red napkins and added red pops with flowers and candles. I also set out a few patriotic decorations, such as flags and bunting.

The tablescape turned out beautifully and was the perfect setting for a fun and festive gathering. My daughter loved it and said it was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.

For me, celebrating the 4th of July is so exciting. It is a time to welcome in the summer months, have barbecues, and enjoy outdoor dining. It’s a perfect way to bring people together in a casual atmosphere that is fun and uplifting.

“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.”
— —Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

I designed this arrangement using a large blue and white ginger jar and added Dusty Miller, Hydrangea, Delphinium, and some flags. I chose not to add red flowers, such as carnations or roses, because I wanted the design to have a more romantic and calming feel.

In the little COBALT blue vases, I added a few white anemone flowers to contrast the deep blue. The blue centers of the anemone ARE a beautiful match to the vase.

Did you know that these anemone flowers are all about their appearance? They don’t have nectar; thus, bees are not attracted to them.

4th July.jpg
4th of July Centerpiece close up.jpg

When designing for any event or interior, it is essential to always keep with your specific theme, and this will help you stay on track and give your design a continuous vision.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your event or interior.

think about the overall mood or atmosphere you want to create. Do you want your event to be formal or informal? Elegant or casual? Once you have a general idea of the mood you want to create, you can start to narrow down your options.

There are a number of different themes to choose from, so you are sure to find one that fits your needs. Some popular themes include:

  • Classic: This theme is timeless and elegant, perfect for formal events or creating a sophisticated look in your home.

  • Contemporary: This theme is modern and stylish, perfect for informal events or creating a sleek and modern look in your home.

  • Rustic: This theme is warm and inviting, perfect for outdoor events or creating a cozy and comfortable look in your home.

  • Vintage: This theme is charming and nostalgic, and it is perfect for themed events or creating a unique and personal look in your home.

Once you have chosen a theme, you can start to think about the specific elements that will make up your design. This includes everything from the colors and patterns you use to the furniture and accessories you choose.

It is important to be consistent with your theme throughout your design. This means using the same colors, patterns, and materials throughout your space. It also means avoiding mixing too many different styles together.

By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and cohesive design that will stay true to your theme.

Here are some additional tips for creating a successful themed event or interior:

  • Start with a strong concept. What do you want your event or interior to say about you or your event? You can flesh out the details once you have a clear idea of your overall vision.

  • Be consistent with your theme. Use the same colors, patterns, and materials throughout your space to create a cohesive look.

  • Don't be afraid to add your own personal touch. The best-themed events and interiors are those that reflect the personality of the host or designer.

  • Have fun! Theming of your event or interior should be an enjoyable experience. Don't take it too seriously, and let your creativity shine through.

By following these tips, you can create a themed event or interior that is sure to impress your guests.

Adding the rush chargers creates a more casual look to my table.

Adding the rush chargers creates a more casual look to my table.

Because the large ginger jar arrangement was too big to stay in the center of the table, I moved it and instead created a centerpiece using 4 of the tiny cobalt blue vases and added more flowers to each. I placed them all in the center of the table and used my larger arrangement on another table where my desserts were displayed.

Note: Creating a centerpiece for your tablescape should always maintain the view from across the table. Your guests should be able to see each other clearly from each side of the tablescape. A centerpiece that is too large will obstruct the view from many sides.

I repurposed these little vintage cordial glasses into vases for my table.

I repurposed these little vintage cordial glasses into vases for my table.

I decorated these cupcakes simply by using vanilla frosting and using mixed red and blue berries. I added another little arrangement just to create a pretty vignette for my desserts.

I decorated these cupcakes simply by using vanilla frosting and using mixed berries. I added another little arrangement just to create a pretty vignette for my desserts.

I placed my larger arrangement and desserts on another table in the corner. I love to create little vignettes that capture interest and add to the aesthetics of my design.

Main Meal

Barbecue

Barbecue steak, chicken and hamburgers

stuffed shells

Macaroni Salad for 4th of July

macaroni salad

4th of july calls for casual and hearty food.

Grilled Corn on The Cob

Grilled corn on the cob

Grill corn brushed with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Keep turning the corn until all sides are cooked.

When done, squeeze some lime juice on them and add cut-up parsley.

I added just a bit of chili powder when cooking the corn, but you don’t have to.

Note: When grilling corn, the trick is to keep them from burning but still have a bit of a char on them. When you see the corn browning, turn them to another side until thoroughly done. While cooking the corn, I keep a container with olive oil, salt, and pepper and brush the corn with that mixture a few times until they are done.

The other items served for the main dish

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

Tossed Romaine Salad

Cut up a watermelon - In small wedges

Dessert

To get the recipe to this Patriotic Pavlova, click on the picture or the link below.

To get the recipe to this Patriotic Pavlova, click on the picture or the link below.

I made a pavlova for dessert and decorated it with red and blueberries. The recipe was from Brit. co.

A tip for this recipe: I’ve never baked a pavlova before. For those who also have not, here are some tips. When baking the pavlova, it will expand and flatten as it is baking. Before baking it, keep that in mind when you dish out the pavlova before baking. Do cook it on parchment paper as the recipe directs because it is delicate once cooked. It will be easier to transfer to another dish. It’s so worth making. It was crispy on the outside but incredibly soft and chewy on the inside. There are many ways to garnish this dessert, but I did it exactly as the recipe stated. It’s a great recipe. I highly recommend it. Delicious!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

a party without cake is just a gathering
— Julia Childs

“The thing is…celebrating Memorial Day and Independence Day are important holidays in the United States. We commemorate patriotism, those who served our country, and the Declaration of Independence of the United States, signed on July 4, 1776. We celebrate it with fireworks, family reunions, concerts, barbecues, picnics, and parades. Enjoy however you choose to celebrate in your home!

As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining, my friends!

Mary

May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows.
— Anonymous
From my home to yours.

From my home to yours.

find us on Instragram