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Star Spangled Brunch

June 23, 2009 By Merri Cvetan 7 Comments

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My friends and I have been going to the New Berlin parade on the 4th of July since we were in college.  Over the years we added spouses and children, changed our post parade venue and added brunch.

Summertime is my favorite time of the year and who doesn’t love the celebration of July 4th?  It gets hot by noon, but in the morning we relax on the porch over breakfast and Bloody Marys!

Festive red, white and blue

Festive red, white and blue

Setting an independence table is fun and festive.  You can pull out all the red, white and blue stops.  I found the iron table and chairs at a flea market for a song a few years ago.  A bit of sanding and spray paint and it seats up to 6 people comfortably.

Red, white and blue the color for the day

Red, white and blue the color for the day

Denim placemats add the touch of blue to the place setting.  Since this is practically a picnic, I bring out my enamel dishes from Sweden.  You can pick up lots of white enamel dinnerware at flea markets, but since I’m part Swedish, I stick with those marked Sweden.

Vintage enamelware

Vintage enamelware

Look for dishes marked Sweden.  The cm indicates the size

Look for dishes marked Sweden. The cm indicates the size

Start the party with basic supplies

Start the party with basic supplies

What could be more Americana than a red bandana?  They make perfect napkins—colorful and inexpensive.  I fold them in thirds and then half again.  Triple pleat in the middle and hold together with an old fashion clothes pin.  I write each guest’s name on the pin and add a couple of mini flags.

What could be easiser than writting guests' names on old clothes pins!

What could be easier than writing guests' names on old clothes pins!

Bandanas also work as chair seats.  No upholstery required!

Bandanas also work as chair seats. No upholstery required!

Bandanas also fit the chair seats.  The upholstered seats are fine, but I like the coordinated look since the table top is glass.


Festive place setting

Festive place setting

It’s OK to break the rules when setting the table.  Since the cup and saucer take up the right hand corner of the placemat, I chose to put the knife next to the fork and spoon with the saucer.

Patriotic candles and ribbon for the centerpiece

Patriotic candles and ribbon for the centerpiece

The centerpiece is a trio of RWB candles, ribbon and flag.

Festive table setting

Festive table setting

Such a simple way to start the celebration!

Filed Under: Great Gatherings, Post Tagged With: 4th of July, Brunch, Color Chic, dinner party, Dinnerware, Entertaining, Furniture~Chic, Holiday celebration, Interior Design, Interior Design ~Chic Tips, Napkin folding, party planning, Place settings

Comments

  1. April says

    June 23, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say
    that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any case
    I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  2. How I Make $300 a Day Posting Links Online says

    June 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    Cool post, just subscribed.

  3. Leona Gaita says

    July 3, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I LOVE bandanas as napkins. They’re so festive and very practical. I used navy blue ones every day for years. They must have been washed a thousand times..and they’re inexpensive. Best of all you made it all look so great! the clothes pins add a very charming country touch. Lovely!

  4. Deana says

    July 3, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    The bandanas as slipcovers for the chairs is such a cute idea! Love it!!

  5. Kathleen Ellis says

    July 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Great ideas, Merri! Love the bandanas on the seats! Clever napkin “rings”, too!
    Happy 4th…enjoy!
    ;-D

  6. Cass @ That Old House says

    July 4, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Hi Merri!

    FANTASTIC idea with the clothespins — love it, and will steal it as soon as I can. 🙂

    Also love the enamel ware… I am Norwegian, and I do love how the Scandinavians “present” things so beautifully; I had aunts who could serve you a wilted lettuce leaf, but do it so elegantly that you thought you were dining very well indeed!

    I am very fond of the Cathrineholm enamelware from Norway — I collected some of that when I was a kid.

    Again — LOVE the clothespin idea — brilliant! Happy 4th!
    Cass

  7. Merri says

    July 6, 2009 at 8:46 am

    So glad you like the 4th table setting. I’m always looking for clever ways to seat guests at the table. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter “Style By Design”. Get interior design and table setting ideas twice a month!

    Merri

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