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Home Tours, Summer, Vintage Style

Of Thee I Sing: Patriotic Summer Porch Tour

 

Welcome friends! Today I am so excited to be hosting the Patriotic Porches Tour and to be celebrating all the summer fun and patriotic decor inspiration with fourteen special blogging friends! You can find the links to all of their beautiful tours at the end of this post.

 

To kick off the tour let’s take a look at how I have added some festive, All-American flare to my front porch for Independence Day and summer. Come on up and sit a while!

 

As you come up to the porch you can stop and smell the fragrant herbs along the way. My Rosemary is growing beautifully this year and smells wonderful!

 

 

It was super easy to create a patriotic porch this summer simply by adding some mini-American flags, banners, buntings, festive throw pillows and a few other vintage summery finds.

 

For a summer change I switched out an ornate French urn that normally holds this faux, spiral boxwood topiary for an Americana vintage crock with red wooden handles.

 

A vintage pressed back chair in the corner by the front door is used to display various kinds of flowers and plants year round. After trying many different kinds of colorful mixed annuals on the porch, I have found that ferns do best in the dappled shade. I love the simplicity of ferns in baskets or urns adorned with a single American Flag.

 

This primitive style Uncle Sam is a favorite yard sale find. He is our porch guest from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

 

Patriotic Porches Tour 15 bloggers Porch Tour

 

 

It officially just turned summer a few days ago…”Hello Summer!” Time to celebrate!

 

What better way to celebrate summer and the Fourth of July than with a little picnic on the porch?

 

For today’s tour I repurposed an old trunk as a makeshift picnic table. A simple snack of fresh sliced watermelon and ice cold drinks is perfect to enjoy while sitting on the porch and socializing with friends and family. It just wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without sparklers either, so I placed several packages in a little striped metal bucket. Does anyone else have multiple packages left over each year?

 

A vintage Coca-Cola cooler serves it’s original purpose, (one of my all time favorite junkin’ finds), while a giant Coca-Cola bottle is used as a vase for a fresh cut Annabelle hydrangea from our beautiful bush which grows right beside the porch.

 

 

 

 

A simple basket is filled with picnic necessities and some cute dish patriotic dish towels from the Target Dollar Spot. I bought a couple of extra dish towels to make throw pillow covers for next year’s patriotic decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I seriously cannot wait to cut into that watermelon! I have bought oh, about 12 so far this summer and they have all been duds! Keeping my fingers crossed that this little beauty will be a winner!

 

Our front porch was one of the things we fell in love with about our 1921 yellow brick home. We use it nearly every day of summer. Last summer my husband built the barn style doors which give us lots of privacy and make the porch feel like an outdoor room. There is plenty of room to sit on one of the antique chairs, comfy pouf, or even on the rug since the porch stays dry. Our family really enjoys sitting on the porch during summer rain storms too.

 

 

 

 

 

If you come to my house, you won’t get away without a music reference or music lesson! As I was putting the finishing touches on this post I remembered that I had an extra chalkboard in my junk stash. I wanted to use a patriotic phrase of some kind on the chalkboard, and what better lyrics than “Of Thee I Sing” for a music teacher? I often used this song as a vocal warm-up for my choirs (great practice for “ah” vowel sounds!) and also as part of patriotic and folk music units for my elementary music students.

 

my country tis of thee lyrics | My Country, ‘Tis of Thee

 

“Of thee I sing” is taken from the Patriotic hymn, “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) written by  Reverend Samuel F. Smith in 1832. The melody was well known at the time and variations of the tune had even been used previously by Haydn and Beethoven in various compositions.

 

 

Dear friends I am so glad you joined me on the porch today!  I hope you enjoyed it! If you would like to come inside and look around, you can see how I decorated the dining room with patriotic touches in An Early Summer Tour of My  Old Kentucky Home too.

 

Beautiful Historic Kentucky Home Summer Home Tour

 

 

Now it’s time to continue touring all of the beautiful Patriotic porches, patios and decks on the Patriotic Porches Tour!

 

Patriotic Porches Tour

 

Next up is Stacey at Poofing the Pillows. You won’t want to miss her beautiful tour! You can also visit all of the other tours right here:

 


 

Do you have any patriotic porch, decor, craft or recipe posts you would like to share? Please join me on Saturday, June 30-July 4, 2018 for a Patriotic Party!

 

Patriotic Link Party Patriotic Decor Inspiration Patriotic Decorating Ideas Fourth Of July Ideas

 

Thanks for stopping by, and come back again soon!

Amber Signature copyright 2018 Amber Ferguson

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33 Comments

  • Reply Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows

    Amber, your porch is beautiful in every season. You have so many fun things to use and decorate with. I’d love to walk up on your porch and just look around!

    June 26, 2018 at 7:27 am
  • Reply Cecilia

    Amber, you have so much vintage goodness packed into your patriotic porch! I just love it! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

    June 26, 2018 at 7:52 am
  • Reply Laura Ingalls Gunn

    What an inviting porch Amber. I cannot believe you found that fabulous Uncle Sam at a garage sale. The scattering of croquet balls is a darling idea!

    June 26, 2018 at 9:08 am
  • Reply Kathy A

    Love your porch! Love Uncle Sam! Hope that watermelon is a good one!

    June 26, 2018 at 9:24 am
  • Reply Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors

    Amber, I am envious of your porch! All of your patriotic touches look just beautiful, and I adore the Uncle Sam. Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful tour! It has been so much fun! Happy 4th of July, sweet friend!!!

    June 26, 2018 at 9:56 am
  • Reply Michelle @ The Painted Hinge

    I love your porch Amber! I especially adore your Uncle Sam and the vignette on top of the old sewing machine. Thanks so much for inviting me to join the Patriotic Porches tour!

    June 26, 2018 at 11:15 am
  • Reply Cindy@countyroad407

    That is the cutest title to a blog post I’ve ever seen! And it’s so fitting! I adore your porch! I would sit out there for days and maybe take a nap or two! I can see why y’all spend many a day out there. Great decor too. Thanks for asking me to be on this tour. It’s an honor!

    June 26, 2018 at 11:43 am
  • Reply Rita C at Panoply

    Love all the porch parties, Amber! Yours is vintage fresh!

    June 26, 2018 at 1:17 pm
  • Reply Jann Olson

    Oh girl, I am drooling over that Coca Cola cooler! What a fabulous find!! Uncle Sam is so cute and the barn doors are the perfect touch of privacy. I just bought our 2nd watermelon. First was a dud as well. Keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂 Nothing says summer like a porch picnic!
    hugs,
    Jann

    June 26, 2018 at 1:55 pm
  • Reply Angelina

    Wow!! I love all of your vintage patriotic finds! I have got to keep my eyes open for when I go antiquing as all I have are flags! I love the Uncle Sam too!

    June 26, 2018 at 3:05 pm
  • Reply Kelly

    Amber your porch is just perfectly decorated! I love the old coca-cola ice chest and of course your hydrangea bush! Thank you so much for hosting this lovely tour and including me!

    June 26, 2018 at 4:01 pm
  • Reply Heather Olinde

    I absolutely adore your patriotic porch, Amber! I love all the vintage touches and the way you’ve styled it all so perfectly. I am so honored to join such talented ladies on this tour! Thank you for being such an awesome host!!

    June 26, 2018 at 4:10 pm
  • Reply Christy @ Our Southern Home

    Amber,
    I just love your porch and the amazing vintage touches! I have a sewing cabinet like that. I love the color you’ve painted it! So many fun touches, but can I just crush on your gorgeous lawn! I’m a Realtor as well. Happy 4th and thanks for including me.

    June 26, 2018 at 5:47 pm
  • Reply Marilyn Lesniak

    Sorry delete. I thought this was TFT. I am a few days off!!

    June 26, 2018 at 8:36 pm
  • Reply Chloe Crabtree

    First, Amber, Thank you so very much for reaching out to me, I am so glad you did and so happy to really be discovering all of the great posts here at Follow the Yellow Brick Home! Now, your porch!!! So cute! I really like the Coca Cola cooler offering up cold drinks! Your “Of Thee I Sing” theme is perfect for a music teacher like you! Your Uncle Sam is great, I am thinking I might want to start collecting Uncle Sam figures, they are really catching my eye! Once again, Thank you so much for reaching out!! This is such a fun hop!

    June 26, 2018 at 9:22 pm
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Thank you so much Chloe! Uncle Sam collecting sounds like fun! All it would take is for me to find another cute one then I would be hooked! I am so glad you joined us and I hope you will join us again for upcoming tours and hops!

      June 26, 2018 at 9:45 pm
  • Reply Emily

    So much lovliness! Love all the hydrangeas and all the patriotic decor!!???????????????????????? Love love
    Love the old sewing machine table! Such a darling idea to have it out
    On your porch!!
    ~Emily @ LeCultivateur.com

    June 27, 2018 at 2:32 am
  • Reply debbie-dabble

    Amber,
    Love your nostalgic looking Patriotic Porch!! It looks like it is from a much simpler time when life seemed easier!! Love it!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    June 27, 2018 at 3:58 am
  • Reply Haley

    This is so beautiful and festive! My favorite is the vintage coke cooler…so sweet! We would love to have you link up for our link party Our Inspired Collection!

    June 27, 2018 at 10:20 am
  • Reply Krstin

    Amber,
    I love so many things here! A Coca- Cola cooler like yours is always on my list, I find them often, just not at the price I want yet! I love ferns too and that gorgeous crock you used. It’s shape is so fun! How you always tie in your love of music is one of my favorite parts. And I also love how you made the porch into a room with those doors! Such a gorgeous setting!

    June 27, 2018 at 2:12 pm
  • Reply Botanic Bleu

    Amber,
    Thank you for organizing a patriotic porch blog tour. I am having such fun seeing everyone’s porches and reading their thoughts about patriotism. The Coca-Cola cooler is the BEST! Can there be a 4th of July celebration, or any other, without sharing a Coke? Seeing Cokes just makes me think summer.

    Judith

    June 27, 2018 at 6:30 pm
  • Reply Carol Cook

    Everything, absolutely everything, on your porch is wonderful. My favorite piece is the old treadle sewing machine. I have the base of my grandmother’s and use it as a table base. I wish I had the real deal.

    Thanks for asking me to join the tour. Each time I meet new people.

    Have a great 4th!

    June 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm
  • Reply Pam Richardson

    Amber, I love the way your porch is ready for the 4th and summer. The old Coke cooler is perfect and the idea of a picnic on your porch is so enticing! I hope the watermelon was a good one this time!

    June 28, 2018 at 6:57 am
  • Reply Katherines Corner

    love your wonderful patriotic porch especially the hydrangea in the soda bottle xo

    June 28, 2018 at 5:09 pm
  • Reply Pam

    I love it…everything looks so 4th of Julyish! Great job

    June 29, 2018 at 11:04 am
  • Reply Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours

    Amber you have out done yourself! Everything looks beautiful even with the rain.

    July 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm
  • Reply Cecilia

    Thanks for sharing your charming patriotic porch at Vintage Charm!

    July 1, 2018 at 10:48 pm
  • Reply Amy

    There are some darling displays here. I really enjoyed looking at them. Thank you for sharing at Over the Moon.

    July 2, 2018 at 2:34 am
  • Reply Katie Mansfield

    I love it. That Uncle Sam is adorable! Thanks for sharing at Keep In Touch.

    July 2, 2018 at 6:10 pm
  • Reply Ann K/ Corner of Plaid and Paisley

    Your porch is darling, it sure looks inviting for anyone stopping over to enjoy the 4th!!!

    July 2, 2018 at 7:24 pm
  • Reply Sherry

    How beautiful Amber! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

    July 4, 2018 at 7:11 pm
  • Reply Karen Hammerschmidt

    lights_of_home@hotmail.com
    I am the designer of your uncle Sam
    There where 3 different Sams!
    Fun to see

    August 13, 2020 at 6:51 pm
    • Reply Amber Lyon Ferguson

      Oh my goodness, what an honor for you to visit my blog! I would love to see the other designs!

      Thank you so much for stopping by!

      August 13, 2020 at 8:46 pm

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