Starfish and sea blue stripes join lobster red for patriotic decor that will add a coastal Maine vibe to your home all summer long!
Summer in Maine
July means it is finally summer here on the Maine coast! I wake each morning to ocean breezes and the low rumble of lobster boats hauling traps. Our little village is bustling with the return of happy vacationers. My gardens are full of new blooms every week. And once again I am the grateful spectator to the steady parade of sail and motor boats, kayaks and paddle boards out my windows. This is my favorite time of year!
In anticipation of the July 4th holiday I have added patriotic touches to our home with a coastal Maine twist that we can enjoy all summer long!
Join me and Maddie for a little tour!
Patriotic bunting and Flags
The patriotic decor begins outside. For big impact, I hang large-scale bunting above the two covered patios on either side of the house. It goes up just before Memorial Day and stays up all the way through 9/11.
We fly the U.S. and Maine state flags year round. I love the sight of the flags flapping in the wind with the water in the background!
A Simple Patriotic Welcome
A single flag added to a basket of blooms in the entranceway is all that is needed to welcome guests.
Seasonal Additions
You don’t need to completely overhaul your home decor to celebrate the seasons. This display of my mom’s antique blue and white transferware stays up year round. For summer I added starfish and a few flags. It took me less than five minutes and now I am set for the summer! Well, maybe I will swap the starfish out for my Limelight hydrangeas when they bloom in August….
The Dining Area
I gave the dining area the full treatment by adding seasonal touches to my existing decor.
Nautical Flags
The antique spongeware in the corner hutch in the dining area is one of my favorite collections. (You will find I say that about almost all of my collections — I can’t help myself!) I added some pops of patriotic red, white, and blue with some nautical flags hung across the top as well as a few small American flags in one of the pitchers. The idea is to keep it simple and “unstyled”. Again, this took me just a few minutes!
Starfish and Stripes
The vintage Cornishware displayed in my big pine hutch is another one of my favorite collections. 😉 This is my coastal version of the stars and stripes!
I bought the red starfish at a local store, but you could easily paint some starfish to achieve this same look. I used a hot glue gun to attach bent paperclips to the backs that then hook onto the tops of the plates.
Another tip: I painted the back of my hutch white. It really brightens things up and makes my displays pop. If you are afraid to paint your furniture, cut sturdy cardboard or foam board to fit the back and paint that instead!
Lobster Red and Sea Blue
Summer in Maine means one thing — LOBSTER! This table setting is my take on red, white, and blue, using lobster red and sea blue! I started with a fun lobster-patterned quilted table runner and added coordinating lobster napkins and plates. Sea blue candles, a bowl of glass fishing floats, and a few of our favorite red crustaceans add the finishing touches. A table setting does not need to be anything elaborate, especially in the summer!
My Best Decor
As you who have been following me on Instagram know well, these two are really my very best decor. Here they are dressed for the holiday in snappy red, white, and blue checks from The Foggy Dog— Maddie in a demure lady bow and Cisco in a jaunty bandana.
The Foggy Dog is a San Francisco-based small business that sells a full line of fun pet accessories and toys in addition to their seasonal collars, bows, and bandanas! All items are made in the USA and, with each purchase, a pet food donation is made to rescue shelters across America. That’s what I call “pawtriotic”!
For more patriotic inspiration, head over to Instagram, where I am joining some fellow New England friends for a Classic New England 4th of July tour! I can’t wait to see what this talented group has to share!
Wishing those of you in the U.S. a festive and safe July 4th weekend!
And to all of you, Happy Summer!
Shop The Post
I am sharing links below to some of the items I have featured in this post. If an item was purchased locally, is no longer available, or is one-of-a-kind, I have suggested something similar. Keep in mind that since I have not actually seen those items, I cannot personally vouch for them. If you purchase through these links, it won’t change your price, but I will receive some compensation. I hope you enjoy this easy way to bring a little Maine style into your home!
This is the link to purchase Cisco’s bandana and Maddie’s Bow Collar.
Great mix of patriotic and coastal decor! What a vibe! Everything looks fabulous!!!
Thank you, Nori! You can tell I have fun with this! Patriotic and coastal decor — two of my favorites!
Molly, I absolutely love your patriotic decor! Those red starfish are so eye-catching! I painted the inside of 2 of my pine pieces a few years ago. Mine are dark green!
Hi Jane! Thank you! This is my favorite time of year! Ooh, the green color sounds fantastic! Amazing what a difference a little paint can make!
Hi Molly,
I love your style. You’ve collected some of the best collectibles, especially the blue and white collections. I wish you and the pups a wonderful 4th of July.
Karen B.
Thank you! I love my blue and white collections! They speak to my heart! Hope you have a great 4th too!
Well done Molly. I loved it all. Now if I could just wrangle an invite to sit for some lobster ( sigh inserted here). Wishing you a very Happy 4th of July.
Thanks, Deb! Don’t know where you live, but Luke’s Lobster, a Maine-originated enterprise, has restaurants all over the country! Happy 4th!
Molly- Looks great! Just pick up the “sea bugs” and chill the wine. It’s pretty much an eating holiday.
Melissa
Ha, yes! I have friends visiting, so lobster rolls will definitely be enjoyed at some point!
It is all adorable. I love all the blue dishes.
Thanks, Sandy! Patriotic summer decor might be might favorite of all seasonal decor!
Molly,
Your home is perfect for displaying a patriotic theme all summer b
Thanks, Rachel! It just feels right here!
Hi Molly: Where did you get those fabulous wreaths outside your door? They look like coiled rope.
Hi! The wreaths are made of upcycled old lobster trap rope that has been braided. They are from a small Maine business called Wharf Warp. You can find them on Etsy! Let me know if you have any other questions!
I love your patriotic decor! And like you I keep mine up all summer from memorial day to labor day! So nice to keep the decor simple. I love the red stars on the Cornishware! And of course Cisco and Maddie look great!
Thanks, Amy! Someone on IG mentioned a couple years ago that they keep their patriotic decor up through 9/11. I think that is such a thoughtful idea and I have done it the last two years!
Everything looks amazing, as usual! I love the casual vibe of everything and what a view! Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Jill! Nothing too fancy here — especially in the summer!
I love all the sea stars everywhere. The mix of patriotic and coastal really works. I love your fur babies all decked out for the 4th!
I love the mix of coastal and patriotic too. Two of my favorite decor styles!
All your blue and white is the best eye candy ever and your fur babies are so photogenic!!!! I wish you all a wonderful Holiday weekend!
Thank, Andrea! Blue and white and Maddie and Cisco are my favorite decor elements!
Molly, you have a beautiful home. I loved those cute little lobsters laying on the table. Everything is just lovely.
Hi Tammy! Thank you! Those lobsters were a fun local find. Sadly the store I got them from is now closed.
Your home is patriotic perfection, Molly! I am so happy to be able to see all the pics you wouldn’t necessarily be sharing over on Instagram. I love your blog! July is my favorite month as well. So much to look forward to.
I love easy patriotic decor, Kim! The flag flying with the ocean in the background is one of my favorite sights! Thank you for all your support and encouragement for my blogging endeavor!
I love your coastal maine decorating ideas Molly!!!
Thanks, Stacy! I appreciate your support!
Absolutely love your home and the decor changes you make to follow the seasons. Enjoy following your instagram and now your blog.
Hi Connie! Thanks so much for following along with me on Instagram and now on the blog!
I absolutely adore your patriotic decor, Molly. Especially the starfish in the hutch. And … your dining table hurricanes. LOVE them. I’m a little late for 4th of July but red, white and blue works beautifully through the summer. I’m searching the Foggy Dog website now for new collars for our little doggies. Can’t believe I didn’t know about them and they’re just across the Bay. Hope you had a wonderful 4th! xo
Thanks, Juliet! I got those hurricanes at Target just before everything shut down for the pandemic. I get asked about them frequently and of course Target doesn’t have them anymore. I like that they take a taper candle — different! I agree that red, white, and blue works all summer long! And yes, The Foggy Dog is so great! The dogs had fun green plaid bows for Christmas from them too. So cute!
This feels like a real HOME, slowly curated, welcoming, cheerful. I love it all!
Aw,thanks so much! It definitely is a real home! In fact right now it is a real home that smells like skunk — Maddie and Cisco made a new friend last night….