Decorate with Crafts
Our Country Sampler stylist shares tips for enhancing a dining area and kitchen with flag-waving flair.
René built a centerpiece grouping around a folk-art founding father, bringing in varied elements and textures to call attention to the whimsical figure.
René set the stage with a Mount Vernon table runner, featuring a historic design and classic palette, and then arranged a pewter platter to serve up a patriotic 1776 sign that offers an aged appeal.
Next, René perched a handmade wool George Washington figure atop a doll-size chair to lend it a bit more prominence in the display. In the background, a flag-inspired hooked pillow echoes the banner in the figure’s hand.
To contribute extra color to the scene and continue the textile touch, René wired together shapes cut from red felt and red cotton polka-dot fabric to craft layered flowers. She nestled the blooms into a petite arrangement of faux florals in a black tin and then encircled the tin with coordinating patriotic ribbons.
The Corwins’ dining room is original to the home, but wood panels on the walls and tin on the ceiling were installed to give it a more rustic feel. Freda made punched-tin panels to fill in for missing doors on the cabinet, allowing her to incorporate the heirloom piece for showcasing her red transferware dishes and blue enamelware. René took her design cues from those prized collectibles when mixing in Fourth of July decor.
CENTRAL CASTING.
A woven table square offers a graphic counterpoint to a simple linen cloth, forming the foundation for the tablescape, which includes chunky stars-and-stripes candleholders (see instructions on page 69) set atop a riser and accented with twig stars, Americana blocks and greenery. Pewter pieces bring luster to the arrangement.
STARRY SIGHTS.
The Corwins installed the dark shutters to provide privacy because their home is located on a busy street. When open, the shutters call attention to the window decor, which includes a star-studded homespun valance, a large rustic wood star trimmed with a patriotic ribbon bow and a windowsill candle sporting a star-shaped bulb. The festive theme continues to the tan wall shelf beside the window, where a firecracker stacking block set and a red plate bring a burst of seasonal style to the everyday pewter display.
SIMPLY SWAGGY.
To dress up the plain chandelier, René created a garland by stringing papier-mâché stars, beads, pieces cut from blue and red striped paper straws, and coordinating ribbon cut and folded to resemble flag shapes. She aged the straws with antiquing wax to blend with the other garland components.