Hi everyone! I decided to pull some things together and share an Americana style country summer tour for the 250th Birthday of America just using things I already had! I have plenty of red, white and blue, even though I don’t normally use those colors together.
I layered a quilt from a friend on the sofa, then added pillows I had, including some pillows I made from feed sacks from granddaddy’s store.
The suitcase radio (on grandmother’s trunk) is from the 1940s, and this is the radio my great grandmother and my daddy listened to President Roosevelt’s funeral on in 1945. Family photos, books and windows from the old house here dress up this corner.
A collection of books about America my Aunt Jody gave me, seemed perfect for the coffee table.
Beautiful magnolia blooms from mother’s yard are the centerpiece.
I kept the mantel simple with the red velvet scarf I made, my grandmother’s candle holders and an oil pastel by Louis Rowell (in 1909) of the view out the front of my great grandmother’s home here nearby.
In the kitchen, I brought out the floral sink skirt and curtains I made last year. So perfect for this theme!
I made all the feed sack towels from granddaddy’s feed sacks.
I really wanted to use the Blue Willow china my Mammaw Chandler bought for me, a piece at a time, at the grocery store in the early 90s. These are really special, and such an iconic pattern for Americans – even though the scene is Chinese, and they’re normally made in England🙂
I love reusing these vintage calendars for the corresponding current year.
The Brown drip cookie jar is actually from the Bicentennial in 1976, and I keep coffee in it.
On the table, I used a red check runner I made from a tablecloth, oil lamps from the old house and some flowers from the yard in a pitcher I borrowed from mother.
The 1880s American organ was inherited, and I do play it every now and then😊
In the bedroom – there was a BIG change!! I found this Walnut Eastlake antique bad on Marketplace for $100, and I could not pass this up. It was too beautiful, and I’ve always wanted a full wood bed. I put the iron bed in my girls’ room😊 It works perfectly with the other antique furniture I have in here.
I used my usual white linens, and added some vintage pillow cases my great aunt gave me and my great-mammaw Laney’s quilt.
I made the ticking stripe pillow for Christmas one year.
My Mammaw Laney also made this quilt, and it’s so perfect with these colors.
I used some of the art my granddaddy’s cousin Ruth painted many years ago. I usually have these somewhere in the house, but thought they would work so well with the reds and whites in here.
I’m so happy with how everything turned out, and so glad I decided to go for it and get these things out of closets, cabinets, etc., and put them together. This is definitely not a typical “patriotic” tour, but for me this is just perfect and reflects my family heritage here.
I have a video up where I’m sharing some of the stories of the people these things came from, so be sure to check that out!
Thanks for stopping by, and Happy 4th!
Anita
I enjoy looking at all you do. Happy 4th to you and your family.
Author
Thank you Connie!! Happy 4th to you as well!!
Author
Thank you! She is here safely so I’m definitely going to enjoy every minute😊
Anita, Have been reading you for years and love your connection to your family, the land you live on and your Country. I’m a lover of our flag and those colors and it was fun to see how you incorporated red white and blue through your rooms. I want to say to you Thank You For Our Freedom! Sooo Much going on in the USA today and Thank You for your service. I love your voice and have gone back and listened to you sing in uniform, brings me to tears every time. I’m PROUD to be an AMERICAN! God Bless America!
Author
Thank you so much Barb, I really apprecaite your kind words – I am thankful to. enjoy this beautiful country and the amazing people who sacrificed to make it as good as they could🙂❤️
I always love “walking” through your home. It never fails to make me smile as I spot similar or identical things that I also have, from wooden boxes and trunks to quilts and lamps and dishes. We’re definitely connected when it comes to the love we have for memories attached to them.
Author
My friend, we definitely are connected in that way – thank you so much!!
Americana showplace !! Just lovely. I think my fav of your decor designs! The bed !
Author
Thank you so much!!
The beautiful antique bed is such a gorgeous addition. I am so delighted to read you found one that you’d been wanting and at such a reasonable cost. Congratulations! I love reading your posts and am always inspired by your decorating skills. From one Western North Carolinian to another, thanks for always sharing your beautiful photos, Barbara
Author
Thank you so much Barbara🙂
I love all your memories you share with us and makes me remember mine. Your dish set I think is like my Blue Willow that my mom gave me in !984, she also got it from the grocery store where she shopped. My sister and I got a full set of 8 and I cherish it. I love the decorations you used and that new bed, love Eastlake furniture, you will cherish that. Have a happy 4th of July and being with your daughter.
Author
Oh how wonderful, Marlene, and that just makes me so happy to hear that is sparks your own special memories❤️
Everything looks so nice. The bed is gorgeous. What a fabulous find. Happy independence day to you and your family.
Author
Thank you so much Judy😊
My goodness $100 for that bed? I wouldn’t have been able to pass it up either. What a find!
I had a bit of luck myself thrifting of late. I found a collection of liberty blue Staffshire plates and platter. I’ve been wanting something blue and white to pair with the salad red dinner plates. I found at an antique fair years ago. Given their all patriotic scenes, they couldn’t be more perfect for the Fourth of July. I have them layered in my China cabinet with the red plates and couldn’t be happier to have found not only blue and white, but extremely patriotic, blue and white.. when I looked them up. I found out like yours. They have been sold by the peace in a grocery stores and originally commissioned for a bank as a giveaway for our bicentennial in 1976. Not as good as that bed but still made me might be happy..
You home is so gorgeous. I love all the history you’re able to bring to it and share with us. Thank you!
Author
Thank you so much Maria! Oh wow, I love those so much and never see than around here! They are definitely perfect for the 4th! I thought the bed was such a steal, I couldn’t pass it up!
Happy 250!✨️
Oh how I wish we were neighbors! Your styling is so endearing and I love Sentimental Decor (that was the name of my book). Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us…just so delightful in your details. Blessings and best wishes for this HOT summer.