Fourth of July tabletop

Combine a tablecloth, table runner, napkins, and lanterns in patriotic colors for festive outdoor decor without the holiday kitsch.

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First, cover your table in blue (we used the Hemstitched tablecloth from Williams-Sonoma, $122; www.williams-sonoma.com). Lay a white runner (ours is the Classic Hotel table runner from Pottery Barn, $19; www.potterybarn.com or 800/922-5507) down the length of the table.

Fold and iron red napkins (we used buffet ones from Cost Plus World Market, $9.99 for 6; www.worldmarket.com or 877/967-5362) to make them about the same width as your table runner; lay them down to use as placemats, tucking each top edge just under the runner.

To finish the setting, float red blooms in clear bowls and add a row of lanterns (such as Rotera lanterns in white from Ikea, $3.99 each; www.ikea.com) to set the table aglow.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Sunset Publishing Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning