Woodbank Lane: SETTING A RED, WHITE, AND BLUE TABLE

Do you have big plans for the long weekend? I really don't, but I do have a patriotic tablescape in my dining room to enjoy for a few days. I'm showing it to you today and sharing the easy process for setting a holiday table--or any table for that matter.

DETERMINE THE COLOR SCHEME

When setting a holiday table, the colors are usually predetermined--red, white, and pink for Valentine's Day; shades of green, red, and maybe blue for Christmas; red, white, and blue for Independence Day, and so on. But if you're just wanting to smile when you walk through the dining room, pick colors related to the time of year or think about what family event you have right around the corner.

DECIDE WHAT BASE TO USE

For my July 4th table I used a blue patterned table cloth and layered it with a burlap runner for texture. If you don't have a table cloth, place mats work and are a good way to add pattern.

DECIDE WHAT DISHES TO USE

I wanted to incorporate all three patriotic colors on the table. My plates from Target that we use everyday supplied the red. The white is my Wedgewood Strawberry and Vine that I've had forever. . .

. . .and for the last plate, I used blue and white transfer ware picked up over the years from various thrift stores and antique shops.

I tucked a napkin neatly into the stack, added a water stem and a blue tea glass (they were my grandmother's), and a bread saucer to finish the plate setting.

DETERMINE THE CENTERPIECE (or pieces)

This last step was easy for me. I love blue and white--as I'm sure you've figured out by now--so I pulled pieces from here and there to create the look I wanted. Sometimes one large arrangement to create a focal point is perfect, but I used multiple pieces to create a full look. Some pieces are twenty-five years old, and this small jar joined my blue and white family just last week. :-)