Memorial Day is a holiday which exudes duality. Originally, Memorial Day marked the day that honored the men and women, who have served in the United States military. Eventually, Memorial Day also became known as the unofficial first day of summer. The two faces of Memorial Day – one serious and the other jovial – has become the essence of this holiday.

In the late 1860s, people would visit national cemeteries on May 30th and decorate the individual graves with flowers and flags, giving rise to Memorial Day’s original name: Decoration Day. Officially becoming a federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day was observed by hosting family gatherings and organizing commemorative parades. The patriotic roots of this holiday give rise to the red, white, and blue theme.

These commemorative gatherings soon evolved into a festive celebration that also serves as a kickstarter to summer fun. This day became dedicated to barbecues, pool parties, hanging out on boats, and the opening of beaches. The nautical theme that characterizes the other face of Memorial Day emerged from these marine-focused activities. So in one holiday, there is a juxtaposition of the formal and the lighthearted; the patriotic and the familial; the red, white, and blue, and the nautical.

Stylish Reversible Placemats

Highlighting the decorative duality of what was originally known as Decoration Day, Von Gern Home introduces the Memorial Day Collection, featuring the perfect staple pieces to complement both the original motif and the modern twist associated with this day. Celebrate in style by dressing your table with versatile table setting that are seemingly tailor-made for Memorial Day but are also adaptable for the entire summer season.

The Patent Reversible Placemats in Red & Orange, Yellow & White, and Turquoise & Blue feature bold red, white, and blue hues on one side and beachy bright orange, yellow, and turquoise on the other side. These placemats are ideal for a classic patriotic Memorial Day theme and can be flipped to match a more mellow vibe for the rest of the summer season. These fashionable placemats are sophisticated and chic, yet at the same time create an artistically festive ambiance.

Fun Napkin Rings

To complement the patriotic and nautical duality of Memorial Day, the Starfish Napkin Rings are a quintessential addition to the table decor. These fun napkin rings are a striking deep blue that both matches the original shade within the American flag and is, at the same time, reminiscent of the open sea. These unique napkin rings are both decadent and whimsical, perfect for casual table settings but also seamlessly fit to a more formal tablescape.

Nautical Decor

An unexpected decoration to bring everything together and add that impeccable finishing touch is the Sea Creatures from the Decorative Objects collection. Medium Starfish in orange and white, Large Starfish in navy, red, and yellow, as well as the Sea Turtle in red are utterly delightful adornments that can add a fun embellishment to a Memorial Day table and be reused throughout the entire summer. The glossy resin finish gives these decorative objects a contemporary and refined look that transcends the merely casual.