I love kitchen themes that are not necessarily based on food. One kitchen decorating style I love in Americana. Americana decorating features home decor with stars and stripe accessories based on the American Flag in the colors of red white and blue. If you are now picturing a table draped in a flag and a striped kitchen, think again. Americana style kitchen decor is much more beautiful and subtle than that.

To decorate your kitchen in Americana Style, you would first start with the neutral decor that most kitchens begin in. The background of your Americana kitchen can be modern, country, or traditional. You can have dark wood kitchen cabinets or a white painted kitchen. With your base kitchen in place, you can begin decorating in Americana style.

You can find many Americana fabrics from which you can make your window treatments and seat cushion covers. Your fabric can be as subtle as simple red checks or plaid, to having a bold stars and stripe print. You can also use these fabrics to make a table runner or place mats.

In addition to adding Americana Fabric, you can hang Americana decor, trinkets, and other forms of metal wall art.  You do not have to go out and buy all of these items at once; you can accumulate them over time. I like to purchase Americana decor items in July, after Independence Day. In the meanwhile, while you are waiting for those great Americana items to go on sale, purchase a nice star set to hang on your wall like this Horgana USA Three Metal Wall Stars set.
These cute metal stars are boldly decorated with the stars and stripes reminiscent of the United States Flag. There are three stars in the set, which are 24", 18", and 12" in diameter.

• November 2007