Light up the weekend with a star-spangled lantern, red-white-and-blue tabletop, and more.
Secret garden night lights
Eden Rodriguez, owner of End Design in Santa Rosa and Mill Valley, places garden stake lights or a small battery-operated camping lantern under tablecloths.
To hide an electrical cord, she parts the grass, tucks in the cord, and stakes it with a U-shaped piece of wire. If you're using electric lights, keep fabric 2 feet from the bulb.
For extra shine, you can create a table covering from brightly colored ― and inexpensive taffeta. Use fusing tape to secure panels together and tuck unhemmed edges underneath.
Lawn stars
This Fourth of July, let a few lawn stars brighten up your celebration. They're ideal alongside a walkway or next to your picnic table.
> Get full directions
Festive tabletop for the Fourth
Here's a quick way to tap those patriotic colors with contemporary style.
Make star luminarias
White bags and vellum stars make festive outdoor lanterns.
Use a star stencil and colored vellum to make red and blue stars. Glue them to white paper bags. For beautiful (and safe) illumination, use a small tap light instead of a candle.
Hanging lights
Give hanging lights a festive kick with blue tea candles, then suspend them by replacing their hanging chains with red and white ribbon. It's your own, updated version of stars and stripes.
Star-spangled pinwheels
These patriotic pinwheels are easy to make and fun to see spinning in the breeze on the Fourth of July. All you need are a few basic materials.
> More: How to make party pinwheels
Chairs for the Fourth
For a crisp and casual accent, cover outdoor folding chairs with red-, white-, and blue-striped canvas fabric (ours is acrylic-coated so it won't fray).
> Get full directions
Patriotic pillows
These pillows, from L.A. textile designer Paula Smail, instantly warm up bench seating ― and would look gorgeous on your couch year-round.
Set a jaunty table
This place setting says Independence Day with a modern spirit that would make our forefathers proud.
Related:
>Your complete grilling cookbook
>Mix and match July 4 party menu
>Your outdoor party kit
