Elevated Independence Day

As unusual as it may sound, Independence Day is my favorite holiday.  My family has a long history in this country and I’m really patriotic. I am a huge lover of fireworks, love the summer, and I adore the colors of our flag.

This year, I decided to make a bolder statement in my decor, which used to consist of little Made in USA flags I put out in a semi-circle in front of the Hawthorne and oak trees we have flanking our driveway. I am bringing the decor inside now, too. 

Our family room somehow became patriotic without me realizing it. It’s funny because my paternal grandparents’ last house was red, white and blue in the family room, but it was really subtle and I’m sure was not on purpose. I wonder whether I’m the only one to have noticed it. Regardless, I have two bright red velvet sofas and two chairs I bought as raw frames and finished myself. Their seats are a medium blue fabric and I found this gorgeous red, white, and blue striped fabric for the seat backs. The colors work well year-round, but the room will look especially good on July 4th this year. 

The simplest change to my mantel right now is that I put a few of the leftover flags I use outside in two of my blue and white vases. I then ordered two packages of bunting from Grandinroad and then overlapped their ends neatly by a few inches and used a zip tie to secure them. I didn’t feel this was ideal, but I can’t sew (I know, I know). In order to hide the zip tie in the center I made a basic bow. Next year, I will have a better solution for the center (stay tuned as I have a neat project up my sleeve). 

I used a zip tie on each hanging side as well, but covered them with a basic white ribbon. I wanted to create a festoon appearance. I’m pretty happy with how this looks. I’ll say, the bunting is on the stiffer side, probably because it’s meant to be indoor/outdoor, so it’s not exactly easy to “fluff” or “zhuzh”.

Another simple way to add a touch of festivity is with the red tassels I tied around some of my ginger jars. I actually keep these  like this year-round because it matches so well with the room. 

Lastly, I have this beautiful reproduction of a painting I love, Avenue in the Rain, 1917, by Childe Hassam. The original hangs in the White House. Hassam painted a series of flag paintings during and after WWI.

This practice of painting the same scene in a series under different weather or lighting conditions was a hallmark of the Impressionists. Though the artist employed techniques of the group, he was not keen on the term. 

This painting was created shortly after President Wilson delivered his “Peace Without Victory” speech, which may have prompted this painting. While our country was debating entry into war, it was customary for flags to hang on Fifth Avenue, which is the street this painting depicts. I especially like the reflection of the flags on the puddled street below. In my home, this is hanging in my basement, which has its own variety of relics supporting the history of the Unites States.