A colorful block-printed table in red, white, and blue linens adds a festive flair that’s perfect for summer celebrations and patriotic holidays. By artfully combining red, white, and blue colors through linens, dinnerware, and floral arrangements, you can create an inviting atmosphere that enhances your dining experience.
Block Printed Linens
I love creating a red, white, and blue table because it offers countless combinations! For this setup, I selected a summery floral, blue-and-white block-printed tablecloth paired with red-and-white napkins featuring block-printed suns. These linens are lightweight and airy, perfect for a warm day.
What Are Block-Printed Linens?
If you are not familiar with block-printed linens, these distinctive fabrics feature hand-stamped designs. Traditionally, this process involves hand-carving intricate patterns onto wooden blocks. These blocks are then dipped in dyes and stamped by hand, resulting in an artisan finish that embraces the beauty of imperfection, in contrast to the flawless output of a machine. India produces the majority of block-printed textiles. However, you can try your hand at block printing with a rubber stamp and fabric ink. Or carve your own design in linoleum with a block-printing kit.
Dinnerware for a Colorful Block-Printed Table
This table has a mix of tableware that complements the block-printed linens. After trying several plates, I chose scalloped plates with blue trim, which ultimately best suited the blue tablecloth. Although they are no longer available, you can find similar paper plates here.
Next, I used small melamine bowls with a “sun” design, similar to the napkins. It’s fun to discover a pleasing design at the bottom of the bowl while indulging in your meal! These Dansk bowls, while no longer available, can inspire you to look for a sunny alternative with a similar design.
Flowers for a Colorful Block-Printed Table
For the floral arrangement, I started with a base of white hydrangeas, then added red and white roses, purple tulips, and blue veronica. The purple tulips, which showcased a blue hue before opening, provided an unexpected touch that harmonized with the purple-blue veronica flowers. The white hydrangea base kept the arrangement feeling light and summery.
Veronica flowers, also known as speedwell, can easily be mistaken for salvia because they look similar. The blooms typically open from the bottom and work their way to the tips. These spike flowers are perfect for enhancing a red, white, and blue table.
Blue Drinkware
The French blue etched glasses by Rose Ann Hall Designs became the focal point of the table. In this case, the blue glasses catch the eye, even amid the vibrant reds. These glasses possess a unique quality: they appear to change color between blue and purple depending on their surroundings. For inspiration on how to style these glasses differently, check out this graduation table and this Halloween table.
The Rest of the Table
To add more red accents, I included charming firecracker popsicle salt-and-pepper shakers.
Red cherries in a clear star bowl added more color to the table.
Each corner of the table features red-lace Vietri plates embossed with a sun-like image.
Additionally, red roses in a bud vase introduced a vibrant red accent, echoing the color of the cherries.
To maintain a light and airy summer ambiance, I emphasized white in the background. Using dark plates and bowls would have altered the table’s overall feel. I also recommend mixing and matching your existing items; combining pieces that weren’t originally intended to match can create a unique and beautiful look.
Creating a Centerpiece for a Colorful Block-Printed Table
Consider various elements for centerpieces, such as a grouping of candles, mason jars filled with small red, white, and blue windmills, or even a patriotic cake on a cake stand. Take a look around your home for items that could become centerpiece materials.
If you prefer flowers but feel unsure about arranging them, try using small bud vases filled with a single color. Scattering several bud vases across the table can have as much visual impact as a large arrangement. To achieve a stronger color presence, select flowers of the same color, type, and height for each vase.
Making Bud Vases
Follow these easy steps to create stunning bud vases:
1. Gather several clear or white bud vases and fill them with water. They don’t need to be identical; variety in height works well.
2. Cut all similar flowers to the desired length for each vase.
3. Remove any greenery that will be submerged in the water (this may be most of the greenery).
4. Place the same type of flowers together in a single bud vase. For instance, cut red roses to the same height and arrange them in a vase. Some flowers, like veronica, benefit from being left taller than others.
5. Scatter the completed vases across the table.
6. Remember to change the water in the vases every day to keep the flowers fresh.
Patriotic Table
This table can be a colorful summer table or give a nod to a patriotic holiday because of the red, white, and blue colors. Sometimes I prefer this understated rendition for a patriotic holiday. To add more patriotic flavor to a red, white, and blue table, place little flags in the floral centerpiece.
Patriotic Recipes You Might Like
Another way to add patriotic touches to a red, white, and blue table is to serve patriotic-themed food. For ideas, click on any of the links below:
- Patriotic Flag Cake
- Red, White, and Blue Bread
- Red, White, and Blue Sweet Cream Fruit Cups
- Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Pie
- Red Slush Punch