Dovetailed by design

By Connie Britell
Special to the Coastal Point

During the past year, I had the pleasure of working with a client in the design of her home in Indian Beach, just south of Dewey Beach. Shortly after beginning the project, it became clear that she was not only crazy about the color blue, but was also a passionate collector of American flag art — just loved the stuff. Jasper Johns, Kenneth Garrett, Norman Rockwell — you name it. I learned a lot about flag art last year and did a fair amount of decorating around it.

As this coming Fourth of July weekend promises to be more extended than usual, with the holiday falling on a Tuesday, there are likely to be additional days and additional meals to share with family and friends. Therefore, this will be the perfect year to have on hand the ingredients for some special tabletop decorations for the patriotic holiday.

Flag-inspired touches of red and white stripes, blue denim, and stars in a variety of colors and sizes are the makings of a great start to a spectacular table setting. Plan now to have on hand these simple decorating elements.

Patriotic tables

Table decorations and centerpieces add color and atmosphere to your celebrations. Start with a blue tablecloth. I like a bright, mid-blue color because it is the perfect background for the setting, but darker blues can be dramatic as well. Even a cloth or runner of blue-and-white ticking material can work perfectly depending on the accessories.

Traditionally the day is informal, so the centerpiece needs to be festive without being fussy. If your table is be set up buffet-style, a large floral centerpiece is needed. It doesn’t have to be difficult, but it is important to get your materials together ahead of time. Red flowers are easy to come by — carnations are always around and are not expensive. Or, gather a bunch of red zinnias or verbenas from the garden. To set off the red, use a generous white vase, decorative bucket or other white container, such as a white ironstone pitcher.

Another image comes to mind from years past. Fields of white Queen Anne’s lace are fresh and lush right around the Fourth of July. One of my favorite flowers, wild or tame, this long-stemmed delicate weed has real presence when bundled as a group. If using a white tablecloth, I reach for my tall blue glass vase to both contrast and complement this lacy lady. Often I use a red-, white-and-blue ribbon cinched at the waist of the vase. Because true blue flowers are hard to find, I pick up glitter stars on floral picks to add sparkle.

For sit-down dinners — whether at home in the back yard or even picnicking at the beach — lower, more casual arrangements work best. I like to press a maidenhair fern or other fresh, summery plants into action. Select a basket that covers the top of the potted plant. A good size of basket for this arrangement is about 6 inches high and 14 inches in diameter. Place the plant in the basket and fill in around it with sand or bark chips and cover with dampened moss. Fill the gaps with small-leafed ivy, then insert three or more mini American flags around the plants and add some Mylar star decoration. Things are sure to pop.

You may also be inclined to create a simple garden arrangement of ferns and chubby blue hydrangea blossoms surrounded by trailing red and white petunias that creep across the denim table cloth.

Complementary cuisine

As pretty as they are, you can’t eat the flowers. Instead, continue your table presentation by planning complementary foods. For example, no matter what the entrée, a platter of artfully arranged fruits can be spectacular. I like to line a large platter with crisp lettuce and start at each corner creating concentric arched rows of colorful fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, white grapes, raspberries and pineapples. Top it off with a cool sprig or two of mint at the center.

If you’re short on time or feeling like you do not want to go through the rigors of stylized food placement, grab an old white kitchen bowl and chuck it full of ripe, red strawberries with a side of whipped cream or Cool Whip.

A country-style basket, lined with a blue napkin is perfect for crusty breads, warm biscuits, or perhaps blue chips with red salsa, to add color to the menu.

I have a vintage set of white dinnerware that contrasts beautifully with the blue denim tablecloth and patriotic napkins. Alongside the white plates, I choose to use a trio of red-glazed vegetable bowls which wait patiently from Christmas to the Fourth to be pulled from the recesses of the cupboard. Stacked high with corn on the cob or filled with baked beans or potato salad, these fire-engine red dishes do the trick. Add to this festive setting blue, classic Coca Cola-shaped drinking glasses to top off the occasion.

Dessert can be as simple as ice-cold watermelon, a sheet cake decorated with an American flag, or as festive as homemade shortcake topped with succulent sliced strawberries, tart blueberries and luscious, sweet, hand-whipped double cream. And, what could be better than that?

At this point, with tummies full of traditional Fourth of July food, in an environment enhanced by your personal patriotic touch, your guests will lean back and smile. Perhaps some Yankee Doodle Dandy in the crowd may even be inspired to break into song, belting out the likes of George M. Cohan’s immortal tune:

“You’re a grand old flag,

You’re a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You’re the emblem of, the land I love,

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev’ry heart beats true ’neath the Red, White and Blue,

Where there’s never a boast or brag.

But should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag.”

Connie Britell, ASID, is owner of Dovetail Interior Architecture and Design with offices in Washington, D.C., and Ocean View. She is co-author with her sisters, Mary Jo Donohoe and Suzanne Hawkins, of “SOS: Sisters On Style, The Professional Organizer For Your Home Designs,” available through www.SistersOnStyle.com.