Stop and Stair

* Arrange furniture and accents to mimic the rise of a staircase; let decor progress from a tiny child’s chair up to a tall flag holder atop a hutch.

* Drape a patriotic rag quilt over a wood blanket rack and pair it with a tea-stained accent pillow situated nearby.

*  Hang an antique flag or an Old-Glory-inspired lap quilt above a staircase to take your style to new heights.

Sleep Easy

* Layer pillowcases made of navy-and-white ticking underneath stars-and-stripes bedding to add texture.

* Go big: Put up a buffalo-check valance or curtains to complement the small squares of a homespun bedspread.

* Fill a clear glass vase or jug with colorful marbles and use it to display miniature flags on a windowsill.

Primary Selection

* Bring red, white and blue dishware and glassware to the front of glass-doored kitchen cabinets for a quick summertime update.

* Buy inexpensive dish towels in patriotic hues and hang them on peg racks and appliance handles for extra flair.

* Create a simple, yet vibrant, centerpiece by tying a length of Americana ribbon around a glass vase and filling it with summery blooms.

For Star-ters

* Create a foundation for patriotic decor by choosing complementary everyday furnishings such as a navy sofa or white lamps with red-plaid shades.

* Welcome stars-and-stripes style into your living room with Americana accents aplenty, including a rug, throw pillows and vintage artwork.

* Throw in a splash of contrasting color to shake things up; in this room, a plate of bright green pears delights the eye.

Zest of Life

* Set off bright blue tableware with a picnic-ready, red-and-white checked tablecloth.

* Arrange vibrant lemons around potted impatiens inside a decorative bowl to create a summery centerpiece.

* Give each place setting a bit more interest with a contrast-colored votive and a natural-textured place mat.

Independent Thinking

* Hang a cupboard just off center above a desk and a flag-motif coatrack on an adjacent wall to create a V-shaped path for the eye to travel.

* Display woven baskets on the coatrack to provide a stylish spot to stash office supplies, extra taper candles or guest towels.

* Stencil a bunting-esque border around a papier-mâché box and use it to give a rustic lamp a boost.

Bowled Over

* Strike up some conversation in your living room with a few spare bowling pins displayed on a small shelf.

* Square off your decor with framed art layered on the mantel in front of a unique rectangular mirror.

* Tea-stain cloth bunting to give it more timeworn appeal and power up your room’s primitive patriotic pizzazz.