With July 4th upon us, I was inspired to explore some red, white and blue patriotic color combos. Typically thought of as vintage Americana colors, many of the photos I found illustrate how this classic combination can be so much more.
It’s summer, so why not start off with an inspiring, cheerful porch? Polka dots and stripes have always been a favorite of mine. Love the pillows and birdhouse.
These red barstools illustrate just how effortlessly red can liven up an all white space.
I love the texture of the rattan chair paired with the red leather ottoman, and there are those polka dots and stripes again. At least I’m consistent ;).
Contrary to the color ‘rule’ of using a color three times, these contemporary red floating shelves may be the only red in this space, but it’s all it needs to finish it off.
If you’ve ever doubted how much of an impact a small detail like knobs can make, just take a look at this next picture and imagine the cabinetry with simple chrome knobs. Big difference, right?
Deep blue walls really help this space stand out against the view and white cabinetry.
Want to do something bold but maybe not in an entire room? The hallway is the perfect place!
This outdoor space is where I want to be right about now!
Source
I love me some Ralph Lauren! This bedroom looks like it belongs in a house in the Hamptons…on the beach of course!
And this one definitely belongs in the mountains of Tennessee. Can you just imagine yourself sipping some hot chocolate, cuddled up with your favorite fur baby and a good book on a winter’s night in this room?
I love, love, LOVE this bedding! I wish I could find the source for this photo :(.
Which is your favorite??
In other news…
Do you ever have one of those weeks that fly by, and although you might have done a lot, it feels like you really didn’t do anything? That’s pretty much what this week was like. The Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett concert that I mentioned last week was excellent on Tuesday. There were more than 18,000 people there, elbow to elbow on the lawn. We really went for Lady Gaga, but it was super cool to see someone as iconic as Tony Bennett too. Thursday we went into Manhattan for the day which probably wasn’t the best idea ever. It took us 4 hours to get home! Lots of people leaving early to get a head start on the weekend I guess, and the long drive sucked the life out of me. Guess this ‘country mouse/city mouse’ is changing ;).
One thing I do want to mention is if you’re interested in photography, check this out. Unfortunately, the sale at that link is over, but they will certainly have new ones. They’re even going to have a ‘homemaking’ one which sounds intriguing, and I know you’re interested in that ;). I purchased the photography bundle, and it looks like I have my work cut out for me. Soooooooooo many things to look at, I think it will take me YEARS to get through them all, but at $67 I couldn’t pass it up and I thought I’d share (not an affiliate link).
The backyard is still a mess. We haven’t had more than two days without rain and the contractor doesn’t want to bring any equipment back there until the ground has dried up. At this rate, I’m wondering if we’ll ever get our fire pit :(.
I’m working on updating the guest bath with some peel and stick ’tiles’. I’ll also be giving the dated cabinetry a coat of paint and changing out the hardware and a few other inexpensive changes so stay tuned. (I ran out of tiles and have to wait for another shipment so it may take a few weeks.)
Enjoy the holiday my lovelies! Till next time…
Sharing At
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Such beautiful inspiration! I love the idea of a red, white and blue bathroom. I bet with an Americana style that would be adorable! But what really gets me is that porch (swoon!) and the cabin living room and bedroom. So cozy!!
The concert sounds like it was awesome! They would be quite a duo to see. 😉
So bummed for you with all the rain and not being able to progress on the yard. Darn , darn, darn!!! Hope sunshine comes flooding through for you soon.
Happy holiday weekend. xoxo
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I love the red white and blue inspiration and I love that porch! Hopefully you will be able to get you pit work done soon. I hope you have a lovely 4th of July and weekend.
Julie xo
susan says
Love all the pictures, Doreen, especially the last 3. The red, white and blue looks so cozy. And the mix of florals and checks is always a favorite of mine. Our little village has a bus stop that takes us into NYC for $6. No driving, no hassles. It takes about an hour and a half but you can read, look at the passing scenery or doze off and the time just flies by.
Have a Happy 4th of July!
Dewena says
Okay, I really really want those last 2 rooms for my dream NC mountain home! I love the mountains of East TN too. I’m just a mountains and hills girl.
I fall in love with red, white and blue all over again every July but never more so than this year, for some reason.
I hope the rain slows down enough for your work to get finished, Doreen. I know you’ll enjoy that fire pit!
Happy 4th!
Pat Cable says
I love, love, love the Ralph Lauren bedding. I could live with that. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you do to the guest bathroom. Had the day off and I got a lot done. Come see my bedroom and tell me what you think.
Jemma says
Perfect inspiration, Doreen! Each and every room was a delight and It is nearly impossible for me to pick a favorite, although I did like the scenario of cuddling up with a fur baby and hot cocoa. You went to a once in a lifetime concert- what a combination! I hear you with the city mouse/ country mouse transformation, we can’t wait to get building and moved away from the traffic, people and shopping -( waiting on soil injections now)
You are waiting too, for the rain to cease, guess we both must practice patience.
Happy Fourth of July, pretty Lady,
Xo
Jemma
Cindy says
Lovely inspiration. Too bad about the weather interfering with progress of the yard. Have a super 4th
Cindy
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
Great inspiration! I like the porch best. We have a screened in front porch on our new house and that’s the first area I’m going to spruce up! Red, white and aqua are my colors, although the darker blue is very pretty too.
The photography bundle sounds good. I wonder what the homemaking one is going to be about. I’ll sign up to get their alerts. Thanks!
Donna says
Happy Fourth to you D&J!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I liked the living room with the striped rug. Kind of makes me want to go back to these colors! Great inspiration, as I pinned every single one!
Brenda
tammy j says
ohmygosh!
thank you for this visual FEAST!!!
better than bbq… no calories… only delight! love them all!
what a a treat!
I love the living room one for the tennessee mountains especially! oh yes. I can see myself there!
happy america day dearest bean! xoxo♥
Jane says
I love your photo choices,,,especially the first. I want to paint my porch floor at the lake an nice shiny color like this and probably gray, too. When ? Ha!
I hate bad traffic—luckily I sleep like a baby in a car, Sadly, I’m a cranky baby when I wake up.
Sounds like you have a lot of irons in the fire. Don’t we all? Love and luck to you.
Jane x
Vicky Hunt says
Beautiful homes! I love red, white, and blue although I have never wanted to decorate with it in my own home. I guess I feel it’s too limiting for me…lol! I love all colors. I do hope to use it on my porch…if it ever gets built! Sounds like you are a busy bee lately! Keep enjoying life!
Poppy says
Your red, white, and blue views are all temptingly beautiful, and I can see myself, lounging and indulging in every single one of them as I am attracted to these strikingly bold hues – yes, even white! My favourite is the first, for its outdoorsy whimsy and then the Ralph Lauren bedroom for its R & R appeal. Like you, I LOVE polka dots, stripes, checks, gingham, especially all thrown in together – somehow, they work!
Hope you had a very happy 4th in your own pretty place on the lake!
xoxoxo
Poppy
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Lets see, there’s 3-4 bedrooms, a bath, a family room, living room, kitchen, porch, and deck…can we go with the bundle package on this one? 😀 There all stunning, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the last two rustic beauties, the former of which ooks very familiar, lol.
Cecilia says
You have quite the list of updates! Haha, don’t we all? We’ve been renovating the farm bathroom…it’s coming along but not as quickly as I’d hoped.
Beautiful photos of beautiful spaces…love the one on the deck, but I love me some polka dots! They are just fun. Have a great week!
Hugs
Cecilia
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hi Doreen! I love the outdoor furniture on the lake and the room with the deep blue wall. I’m glad you enjoyed the Lady Gaga concert (any pictures?). Sorry to hear about the fire pit. At least it’ll be a while before you’ll need to use it. I hope you had a great 4th of July weekend! 🙂 xx
Doreen says
I took some cell phone pics but nothing ‘blog worthy’, except maybe the fried chicken I made! Lol
rue says
Doreen, I’d love to sit outside on that deck and have a few cocktails with you. I think we’d have a blast 🙂
I hope you get your yard finished soon. I know what a pain it is to have to wait. Hope your Fourth was great too!
xo,
rue
Sue says
I like the blue knobs in the bathroom and the red flower sofa in the Tennessee cabin setting, but they are all very happy and bright spaces. So crazy this year how much it is raining. Raining here yesterday and again today. It will be great to see a peel and stick makeover in your bathroom.
Doreen says
It’s raining right now Sue! One good thing…my FRONT yard has never looked so good!
Kelly says
I enjoyed looking at those pretty inspirational pics. Red, white, and blue interiors always look so fresh.
Natasha in Oz says
G’day from Oz! I am popping by via the Ivy and Elephants link up.
I love all if these red, white & blue rooms but that bathroom is my absolute favourite. Thanks for finding them and sharing!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Mary Ferguson says
I love it all, but especially the last picture of the bedroom with the red checks. Looks terrific.
Have a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing all the beautiful decor.
Mary