Celebrate the Fourth of July with a Red, White and Blue Tablesetting

Welcome! I'm so happy you're joining me today to celebrate a very special Fourth of July! It is the 250th anniversary of America's "great experiment", the phrase first used by George Washington to describe the creation of a democratic republic based on Enlightenment ideals.

 

I've set the table in bold reds and blues balanced with strong whites. I began with a vibrant table runner and matching napkins that sets a casually festive tone.

 

    

Blues are the dominant colors in the place settings, with jauntily scalloped placemats forming the base on both the wood of the table and on the runner.

 

    

A deep cobalt glass vase holds red carnations, white tulips and blue hydrangeas. Completing the centerpiece are pierced star votives in the same colors.

 

Celebratory sparkle is provided by the glassware and silver-toned napkin rings and flatware.

 

    

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . . with certain unalienable Rights,

 that among these are Life, Liberty and the the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

In Congress, July 4, 1776

 

    

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

September 17, 1787

In this photo, the blooms had just begun to open.

 

The dinner plates and appetizer plates are a creamier white than the bright whites in the linens. I love the elegance of their scalloped, embossed rims, designed in the "French Provincial" tradition. The salad plates have a less pronounced wavy edge and display vivid Meissen blue floral designs against a white background. Topping them all are vintage 1930's glass plates in a lovely translucent cobalt with overlapping arches.

 

     

The traditional cut-crystal design of the tumblers companionably pair with the casual glass wine stems. Being bright red adds to the festivities!

 

I generally like to carry the theme or style of the table onto the adjacent buffet. In this case I added wooden stars and patriotic blocks in red, white and blue. 

 

     

I placed the same fresh flowers in a fun glass vase splattered in several shades of blue; its straight sides contrasts with the centerpiece vase's curves.

 

After an early dinner, we can easily move to the patio for dessert and to wait for the neighborhood fireworks to begin. The patio can be explored further in A Perfect Backyard Summer Picnic under the Trees.

 

I love that tulips continue to grow in the vase as they open their blooms! 

 

     

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us . . . 

that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 

Abraham Lincoln, Gettsyburg Address, November 19, 1863 

 

The Great Experiment has progressed through 250 difficult and impactful years. We are its lucky recipients and I believe it falls to us to ensure the way forward for another 250.

Thank you for joining me to celebrate the Fourth of July!

Table details

Dinner, appetizer plates | Villeroy & Boch 'Manoir'

Salad plates | Blue Danube (Japan) 'Blue Danube'

Vintage appetizer plates |  Hazel-Atlas 'Newport' 1936 - 1940

Flatware | Lenox 'Esquire' 

   

* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight does not receive any type of compensation.