If you’re someone who swoons over berry desserts and ceramic pedestals more than fireworks (we get you), this post is for you. July is the perfect excuse to get a little festive with your tablescape, without going full Uncle Sam. At Interior Delights, we believe in decorating for the season with timeless, beautiful pieces that feel collected, not cliché. That’s where red, white, and blue come in.
Before you even think about plates or cake stands, start with your base. One of our favorite tricks is using patriotic hand towels as petite tablecloths or tray liners. Ours feature red, white, and blue details with sweet, cottagey patterns that instantly set the tone. Think of it as a quiet backdrop, like bunting’s refined cousin. Whether you drape them across the center of your table as a runner or lay one over a serving tray, they add just enough color and pattern without feeling over-the-top. And when the party’s over? Pop them back by the sink where they double as functional charm.
Let’s talk about dessert (always). One of the easiest ways to create a red, white & blue moment is by using actual food. Our white ceramic pedestals are the perfect base for treats like berry tarts, frosted cookies, or our family-favorite cake pops. The trick here is coordination, not perfection. If the strawberries are extra ripe and a little messy, all the better! It feels like summer. A white pedestal adds elevation and elegance, turning something simple into something special.
Here’s a not-so-secret secret: you don’t need to own star-shaped plates to style a patriotic table. Just gather anything in red or blue and let it shine. Our blue block print vases are a customer favorite year-round, but they’re especially perfect in July. Fill one with white daisies, baby’s breath, or even some clipped hydrangeas from the yard. A single stem adds just enough charm without feeling like a floral commitment. Pair those vases with Little Blooms tidbit dishes in coordinating prints, they’re sweet and subtle, perfect for olives, cherries, or little nibbles. The mix-and-match prints create a collected look that feels intentionally unpolished (the best kind of polished, if you ask us).
If you’ve never decorated around a butter dish, we gently suggest that July is the month to start. Ours is hand-painted with blue and red floral details, and it's the kind of piece that guests notice and ask about. Place it near the center of the table or on a breakfast tray beside a stack of fresh rolls and napkins. It’s one of those small-but-mighty moments that brings the table together and whispers “Yes, I thought this through.”
Want an easy (and free-ish) way to tie your whole table together? Grab a roll of thin red or blue ribbon from the craft store and use it everywhere: around napkins, tied around pitcher handles, even looped around the base of your cake stand. Our blue block print napkins already add texture and pattern, but add a little ribbon and you’ve got an instantly pulled-together look that’s playful without being overdone.
This is where the cottage style comes in: it’s not about matching everything, it’s about layering what you love. A little gingham here, a bit of toile there, and suddenly your table feels both intentional and charmingly lived-in.
Don’t underestimate the styling power of food itself. Red cherries in a blue bowl? Perfect. Blueberries in a white ramekin? Delightful. Place a strawberry on top of each place setting or tuck a mini flag into your vase arrangement for a subtle nod to the Fourth. Even a bowl of red licorice or blue-wrapped chocolates adds color and charm.. and likely disappears before dinner’s served.
To keep your table from feeling too busy, choose just one or two pieces to be the “center of attention.” Maybe it’s your pedestal cake filled with a mountain of cake pops, or the vase with cascading flowers. Let everything else be supporting characters: the napkins, the butter dish, the berries, they all work together to create a layered but laid-back look.
Speaking of dessert… Red, White, & Blue Day Cake Pops have become one of my favorite summer traditions. I’ve been making them with the kids every July since we opened our shop in 2017. I used to bake the cake from scratch (and sometimes still do if we’re feeling ambitious), but last year I discovered a shortcut that makes things way easier, especially if you're short on time or planning things last-minute. You just use a store-bought cake, and they honestly taste just as good as the ones from Starbucks. Maybe better because they’re homemade-ish.
Here’s how we do it. First, scrape the icing off the cake and set it aside. It's ok if some frosting gets in to your bowl. Then, break the cake into chunks and blend it in a mixer or food processor until it resembles crumbs. Gradually add the icing back in, just enough until the mixture feels like playdough and can be rolled easily into balls. That texture is key.
Roll your mixture into 1" cake balls and chill them in the fridge or freezer for at least 15–30 minutes. After that, just dip the ends of your stars and stripes straws in a little melted candy coating, insert them into the chilled cake balls, and then fully dip the pops in white melted coating. Decorate with red and blue sprinkles, stars, or edible glitter if you're feeling fancy. They look adorable stacked on one of our white ceramic pedestals, especially when paired with a handful of fresh berries.
For more inspiration and timeless red, white & blue ideas, we love the curated features at House Beautiful, Country Living, and Southern Living. Their Fourth of July inspiration is always on point and often pairs beautifully with the textures and patterns you'll find in our shop.
We hope your Fourth of July celebrations are memorable & filled with the people you love. Summer gatherings feel even more special when they’re filled with sweet moments, good company, and a touch of timeless charm.
