Easy Patriotic Decor With Vintage Flags

Hi Everyone, thanks so much for coming by for Vintage Cottage Weekend! You may be wondering why you're seeing patriotic decor in May, but I'll be joining with a great group of bloggers next week for a patriotic roundup of DIYs and decorating, I wanted to share an updated version of some Easy Patriotic Decor that I've created in the past with vintage flags. With summer kicking off for Memorial Day later this month, then July 4th coming up, now's the time to start grabbing ideas for porch decor, tablescapes, and vignettes that are fun and easy to put together with a patriotic vibe.

I'm all about decorating seasonally and for holidays, and like to keep it simple and easy. I rely more on "color" for my decorating basics than anything else. A basket of red, white, and blue florals, red/and or blue transferware and dishes, quilts and pillows, wooden tool boxes and crates are all easy items to pull together for a fun vintage patriotic look. 

The door basket above is one I put together this last week. I didn't buy anything new, I just gathered red, white, and blue faux geraniums from my stash and accented with a couple of small vintage flags and a grain sack and grosgrain ribbon. Today it's decorating my old Cupboard, but in a few weeks it will head out to the front porch.

This is a tabletop vignette on the farm table in the Garden Room where I've used an old wooden ice cream bucket filled with white geraniums and flags. I gathered a few old clay flower pots painted in red and blue for the old crate display.

I started collecting old flags years ago when I was actively buying and selling vintage and antique pieces. So many old flags were in need of "rescue" and were easily found in flea markets. I love using them to decorate, and feel that since they're not actively in service, but "decommissioned", that as long as they are used respectfully it's not dishonoring our country.

One of my favorite ways to use old flags are the small "cemetery flags" that were used on gravesites or decorating cars, trucks, churches and store displays. They are easily tucked in to a floral arrangement, tablescape, tote, basket or bottle for some holiday color.

If you can't find vintage flags at the flea market then you can buy them on Amazon or Etsy. Try to find a cotton blend fabric if you want to age them with a tea or coffee dye. Polyester fabric won't absorb the dye. It's an easy process, just soak the fabric in the warm liquid until you see a color change. Let dry.

Here's a fun vintage tote filled with old kitchen gadgets, an ivy plant and flag.

Notice that it's "color" that brings all the items together.

For when you have to put together a patriotic display pronto.

Easy and Instant Patriotic Decor

Patriotic Door and Windowbox Centerpiece

Decorating antique bottles for July 4th Decor are cute gifts

 or table setting accessories.

Patriotic Bottles 

Indigo ticking is my favorite go-to summer fabric and is a perfect base for summer seasonal decorating. Add an old flag with a hand-stitch to a vintage ticking goose down pillow and it's an interesting, attention getting accessory for any sofa, chair, or church pew. Don't worry that the pillow is already made, just "whip stitch" it by hand. Ticking is a great "neutral" and coordinates with plaids, florals and most any print.

Larger flags can be draped over the back of sofas and chairs,

 furniture, and tablescapes.

The vintage flag on the top of the armoire causes us to look up with some color.

Small flags can instantly bring an old watering can from "summer decor" to a patriotic display. I have several old vintage galvanized watering cans from the 50's and earlier. I painted the red one below with enamel outdoor paint and used a glossy spray finish. I have others that are antique white, pumpkin, green and pink. They add instant holiday decor with a floral display.

Smaller flags can be tucked into shelves and china cupboards

to highlight a summertime dish display.

Patriotic Holiday Cupboard with Flags and Teapots

Here is a quick faux floral arrangement of shasta daisies in an ironstone pitcher with two vintage flags. On the tablescape you'll see I don't really have anything "Patriotic", I've just used vintage tablecloths where the prints are red, white and blue.

Outdoor 4th of July Tablescape

Even unexpected antique and vintage pieces can be 

instantly transformed to a fun decor statement.

Even my old rocking horse gets a flag for decor.

Here I used an antique dress form outfitted in old flags 

and vintage jewelry one year in the Dining Room.

Clad in Liberty

I love using this old windowbox on the table as a centerpiece.

White geraniums and small flags bring an instant decor statement.

I hope you've found some fun ideas that you can use as inspiration

for your own Patriotic Decor with vintage flags.

Head on over to visit Amber and see what she's up to this weekend

with fun garden inspiration.

Cottage Garden Inspired Craft Ideas

Thanks so much for coming by!

Be sure and come back May 10 for a fun Patriotic DIY and Decor Roundup!

We hope you'll come by Monday evening for the Link Party.

joining in here:

 The House on Silverado  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch     

 Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 

 Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  

Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage  

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home, 

 Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Fabulous Friday at Vintage Home Design

 Farmhouse Friday at County Road 407