July 4th Farmtable in the Garden Room

Last month, I did a little DIY paint transformation with a breadboard to give it a more "subtle" look of gray-washed aging. That one little difference made a big impact on styling further tabletop centerpieces and tabletop tableaus out here in the Garden Room. I like to use more than one element in a tabletop grouping, but I don't want them scattered all around willy nilly. I like to corral those crazy knick knacks and vintage items!

Being mid-June, it was time to do a patriotic theme in the Garden Room and on this farmtable that can be seen from the kitchen and hearth room. You know I love seasonal decor with some vintage items thrown in, so I started looking for a focal piece to use with my ever-present wooden ice cream making bucket of flowers. 

I filled my antique bucket with faux white geraniums, hydrangeas, and viburnum (with a few sticks thrown in for fun). I've collected a bunch of "memorial" flags over the years, so I did an accent of 3 vintage flags within the flower bucket arrangement. These are the vintage flags from before 1948 as they have the 48 stars, versus flags from after 1950 which are the current "50 Star" versions.

It's hard to imagine that these pristine little cemetery flags are over 70 years old.

I wanted to find a patriotic look metal tray for a colorful focal piece, so I did a little hunting through Etsy and Ebay. I found this piece that's part of a tin with a tray from Sunshine Biscuit Company from the 70's. Around the time of the Bicentennial celebrations in the mid 70's a lot of commemoratory items were produced and I imagine this was one of them.

It's a slightly different shade of the patriotic blue we usually see, and it's in lovely shape with only small signs of wear. It makes a bright and eye-catching statement piece for the tabletop.

I have several plaid Thermos pieces, but I usually only think of them during the Christmas season.  I grabbed them and used two to create another little grouping with some blue Ball/Mason Jars, flags, and an old painted red clay flower pot.

I dug through my vintage postcards and found these two "vacation destination" souvenir packets; one from the Grand Canyon and another from my area, Big Springs which is nearby in the Missouri Ozarks. The Missouri packet was published in 1939 with great colorized photo illustrations.

My husband and I recognize a few of these famous camera shots and angles from our recent camping trips around southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.

Fun to mix it up with the little flags in the grouping.

How about you?  Have you decorated a bit for July 4th?

Since my little wren nest is currently not occupied, 

I'm working on my front porch with a fun patriotic theme.

Did you catch my last post...

Have a wonderful Father's Day weekend, everyone!

Hope you'll come back 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,  Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407

Fabulous Friday at Vintage Home Design Friendship Friday at Create with Joy 

 Funtastic Friday at 2 Chicks and a Mom