Vintage Flags in the Hearth Room

How has your "June and start to summer" been going? I know I say this at least once a week, but can you believe we're now into mid-June and even though it's not officially summer, it's definitely summer around here in southern Missouri. 

You know how much I love a theme for the mantel. Decorating a mantel is always a bit of a challenge for me. Not sure why except I have a "symmetrical obsession" and I try really hard not to overdo pieces and elements. As a blogging friend and professional decorator once said. Why is it everyone thinks they have to fill a mantel to the very end? sorry, guilty as charged.

When I had vintage spaces at antique markets I did a lot of garage sales, thrifting, flea marketing and generally digging through all sorts of unsavory places, meaning houses, barns, workshops, and old antique shops that hadn't been swept or tidied in years. Inevitably I would find a treasure, and so many times I cannot tell you, that included an old flag... wadded, crumpled, and dirty stuck in a trunk or shelf. Anytime I could find one I'd rescue and clean it and give it the honor it deserves.

Last year my husband brought home the eagle piece above from the antique mall and I at first glance, didn't give it much hope as it fell into the 70's bicentennial celebration reproductions. It was pretty blah, but I used a tube of Rub and Buff and it brought it back to life. Now it's center stage on my Patriotic Mantel.

I'm also using the smaller set of metal house lanterns and my ivy topiaries on either side of the flag and eagle. (Trying not to overdo the pieces) Another vintage flag found years ago, is draped across the top of the TV armoire. Having neutral slipcovers, walls, and a few wood and painted pieces makes it fun and easy to do seasonal and holiday color themes.

Small flags are easy to find and can be easily placed in vases, bowls, cannisters, jars etc. You can have a patriotic look in no time just by using flags.

A small tabletop topiary becomes a patriotic accent with some small flags.

I made this large red toile pillow years ago with a fabric remnant from a table runner. In front is a pillow cover from Amazon for a lumbar sized pillow.

A vintage "Churn-dash" quilt accessorizes and gives color to the sofa. A patriotic color theme can be found in many accessories, they don't have to be absolutely patriotic themed. These Waverly fruit pillows are extras from a sofa I had 20 years ago. The ticking bed pillow is the real deal, made by my husband's grandmother when we were married. I whip-stitched a vintage flag onto it several years ago.

Here are some patriotic posts from the archives, including vignettes in our previous homes.Mini Patriotic DIYs on the Hearth Room MantelStars and Stripes in the Hearth RoomEasy and Instant Patriotic DecorClad in LibertyThanks for coming by friends!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  Home Imagined at the Antique Journey

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode, Wednesday Link Party at Our Tiny Nest

Whimsy Home at  Fifth Sparrow No More

 Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn

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

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home, and My Thrift Store Addiction

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Home Matters at Southern Sunflowers, Grace at Home at Imparting Grace

Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407  Fabulous Friday at WM Design House