Americana the Modern Way
Where I grew up in rural New Jersey, rows of 200-year-old homes spend their summers decked in red, white and blue bunting, with folksy craft-art renderings of Uncle Sam keeping it company on the porch. People took pride in the fact that George Washington spent a night in our town as he traveled from Philadelphia to his Morristown headquarters.
While the colonial home I grew up in was brand new, my mother always found ways to bring that same sense of history and patriotism to our home, adorning the front porch with red, white, and blue impatiens and hanging a version of Betsy Ross’ finest work proudly next to the door.
Now that I’m grown, my decor style is decidedly more modern, but I still feel a real sense of pride in the way my country was founded, and in the thousands of men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I’ve been searching for some fresh ways to incorporate Americana into my decor and am finding myself inspired to deck my California home in the colors and themes that reflect my pride in my country.
Here are seven ideas that are inspiring me … as I hope they do you.
My husband has always proudly displayed Old Glory in his workspace, but I’ve been searching for ways to take it out of the shed and give it the attention it deserves.
Carly Boettcher created this art piece specifically for this space after she was inspired by an old, sepia-toned photo of a flag she’d seen. “I love Americana-inspired decor, and this loft wall seemed like a great blank slate for a large piece,” she says.
The worn — but not tattered — antique-feeling flag plays beautifully with this casual living space.
Leave it to Andy Warhol to create an image of Uncle Sam as arresting as it is familiar. I love how the unframed canvas plays against the rustic, antler-backed chair here, which seems as if it was plucked from Davy Crockett’s cabin. The marriage of the two creates continuity within the theme, without feeling at all cutesy.
Of course, not all of us have tens of thousands of dollars to drop on an Andy Warhol print. But street artists often play on patriotic themes in interesting, conversation-provoking ways. So make it a practice of checking out local galleries, which typically have monthly exhibits and offerings from regularly contributing artists.
Give a rustic nod to the Old West by displaying equine accessories, like this saddle.
With a little patience and a couple hundred bucks, you can create a display like this one by sourcing a vintage saddle (check eBay and Etsy). When looking at vintage saddles, the important thing is to make sure the leather hasn’t become brittle. Pieces like these were built to weather dirt, dust and grime. A little saddle soap applied with a soft-bristled brush, a microfiber cloth and a toothbrush on the detailwork can go a long way in bringing the original luster of a vintage piece back.
If you’re unsure of which products to use, a visit to your local tack store or an email to an online tack shop should result in some quality guidance.
A nursery offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate the United States’ seafaring heritage in red, white and blue.
Red and white furnishings are unexpected and fun. This crisp ship’s diagram anchors the space, as it’s bookended by nautical flag prints, creating an oversize art collage.
The geometric patterns of Native American art simply work with modern architecture. The mixture of textiles — both mounted and used as a floor covering — and prints creates texture and interest in this minimalist space.
Not sure to do with Grandpa’s old flag? Try framing it. Entrepreneur Taylor Russell mounted this vintage beauty, creating a striking art piece while preserving it for years to come.
Had she mounted it on the wall, it might have felt too formal for this casual, contemporary bedroom. Leaned atop the mirrored dresser, it has just the right of insouciance to avoid feeling too stuffy.
Tour Russell’s serene Toronto condo
These austere, beautiful longhorn skulls hark back to the days of cowpokes and covered wagons while creating a sculptural effect in this midcentury-inspired entryway. They bring the bench below back to its Shaker roots, while the globe fixtures anchor the space firmly in the present.
More photos: See U.S. flags on display at home
