We have so many summer holidays where we celebrate our country, and a patriotic red white and blue table setting would be perfect! I’m not really into flags for decorating, but I do love the colors themselves.
So when I have a dinner party around one of the “flag holidays,” I like to set a beautiful and elegant table that evokes the sentiment. And of course, it’s a fun and summery color combination any time, not just at the holidays.
Flowers for a Red White and Blue Table Setting
It doesn’t hurt that we have red roses in our garden that start blooming right about Memorial Day, and carry on right through Labor Day. We also have a gorgeous white rose bush, so I have a secondary color to work with too.
Obviously, if you don’t have the right colors of flowers in your yard, the florist or grocery store are fabulous resources!
And your red white and blue table setting doesn’t have to be complicated. I just pop the flowers into these crystal water glasses and parade them down the center of the table. Simple!
I’ve used this technique millions of times, and it always looks elegant.
Adding the Blue – with a Tablecloth
Now with the red and white taken care of, it’s time for the blue! (Actually, in real life the blue came first, but we can talk about it second!)
A simple blue tablecloth brings the Patriotic to our setting, and is a lovely base for the bright flowers.
And More Blue with Gorgeous Salad Plates
And another little pop of blue with these gorgeous salad plates! I absolutely fell in love with these one day at Williams Sonoma. I wrote all about them in A Vibrant Blue Tablescape. I use them as often as I can, and it’s so fun to get lots of different looks with them.
The Rest of the Red White and Blue Table Setting
Because the salad plates had that gold rim, I decided to go with gold for the chargers, flatware, and candles. If you’ve been around M&T for a while, you’ll recognize all these pieces.
The chargers are some of my favorites – lightweight and completely inexpensive. Easy to wash up, and continue to look gorgeous even after years and years. These are probably about 15 years old and still going strong.
The dinner plates are our regular everyday white ones. I seem to gravitate towards sturdy and heavy and long lasting.
The flatware is a favorite too. Such a fun shape and it’s heavy and solid. It always surprises and delights my guests. And it’s also pretty inexpensive, and looks great.
Candles and More Gold
We have two styles of gold candles on our red white and blue table setting. The tall vintage pillar holders give some height between the flowers, a look I really love.
And the little gold mercury glass votives are pretty, and bring some light down low at each place setting.
I’ve linked the candle holders and all the other pieces, in the boutique section below.
Glassware
We have our familiar glassware too. The cut crystal water/highball glasses are the same as the ones I used for the centerpiece. I like that they match, and give the table a little extra sparkle.
Then the wine glasses. They’re both Riedels – the balloon-shaped pinot noir glasses, and the smaller ones we use for crispy white wine.
A Touch of Red for the Red White and Blue Table Setting
For a final touch on our red white and blue table setting, I set a red triangle of napkin. It’s shaped a little like a flag fold – perfect for the flag holidays.
Reflected View
Back when I first started taking pictures, I used to love to take a few of the table reflected in the buffet mirror. When I was taking these, I remembered that and tried again. So here’s the whole table – backwards! It’s a little dark and dreamy, but you can really get that red white and blue effect.
So that’s it! Hope you’ve gotten some inspiration for a red white and blue table setting of your own. Thanks so much for joining me!
Shop the Red White and Blue Table Setting Boutique
Click on the pictures below for links to the pieces I mentioned in this post. If something’s not available, I chose a similar replacement.
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Michele Morin says
So festive! I love read, white, and blue for summer!
Barbara Leone says
Hi Michele! Great word – it really IS festive! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping over. Hope you have a lot of fun tables this summer!
Kim says
Barbara, this is a lovely table to celebrate your Memorial day in the red, white, and blue. Your roses are gorgeous down the center of the table and how nice that they come from your own garden! I love the softer shade of blue that you chose and how great to be able to use your favorite blue salads from WS. The gold accents are just perfect and your crystal brings that touch of elegance. Very pretty table my friend and I hope you had a wonderful Memorial day!
Barbara Leone says
Thanks so much Kim – I really do love those blue and white salad plates! I’m glad you like the gold and crystal. Can’t wait to see your next table! Thanks so much for stopping over, and hope you had a lovely holiday too!
MaryJo Materazo says
Love your table Barbara! I’m all about understated patriotic decor and this table is perfection. Your roses are beautiful and look fabulous. I love cutting from my own garden and these bring such a festive vibe. XO- MaryJo
Barbara Leone says
Hi MaryJo! Isn’t it great to have gardens to pick flowers from? I remember when I lived in an apartment – it was very nice, but I really missed a yard. Thank goodness for planter boxes and miniature roses! 🌹
Sandra @ Dinner at Eight says
Barbara, I’m enjoying all the ways you’ve styled those beautiful plates! I think this is about the most elegant patriotic table I’ve seen. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Barbara Leone says
Thanks so much Sandra! It really is fun to see how many looks you can get with the same pieces! I had a wonderful holiday – hope you did too!
Jenna says
Wow Barbara, this is gorgeous!!! The flowers are breathtaking and I love the way you styled them in the crystal glasses down the center of the table, just beautiful! Your plates are so pretty and your gold flatware is my favorite…Simple yet elegant, your signature style!
Barbara Leone says
Thanks so much Jenna! Now all I need are some of your delicious recipes to serve, and we’re set! So glad you popped over – hope you’re having a wonderful week!