Always Americana

In the decorating world, colors come and go. One year it’s jewel tones. Another, pastels are all the rage.

But there are those who aren’t influenced by fashion. They live by their own palette.

Marge Lee likes red, white and blue. Her Hayden, Idaho, home is decorated around an Americana theme.

Tiny drums fill the shelves, hand-carved soldiers stand at attention. Flags are everywhere.

Lee and her husband, Barry, who moved to North Idaho last December, owned an older home in Snohomish, Wash., for 35 years, and her fascination with Americana started there.

“I’ve always liked red, white and blue,” Lee said. “So I decided to decorate the living room of my old house in those colors.”

She purchased a hand-carved minuteman from an antique mall and a collection was born. It has grown slowly and steadily.

The carved soldier was made by Robert Rae, a Kirkland, Wash., artist. Lee’s research indicated that the piece was commissioned by Seafirst Bank (now Bank of America) for the nation’s 1976 bicentennial, and they are scarce. She has found only five others.

The 24-inch figures are dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms with tri-corner hats and the curled wigs worn by men at the time. Each is playing a drum.

Rae also made miniature drums for Seafirst, which actually were small coin banks, and Lee has collected more than 20 of those, enough to fill the shelves of a small closet.

She also collects vintage drums, large replica battle drums, vintage flags and cast-iron flag stands.

“The flag stands are actually hard to find,” Lee said. “Most people assume they are old Christmas tree stands.”

Friends who are antique dealers keep an eye open for items to add to Lee’s collection and occasionally come back with a find.

“I bought 11 of the little drums from one dealer,” Lee said. “That was one of the best buys I’ve made.”

Lee also loves historical books and primitive paintings.

Her favorite primitive piece is propped on the mantel over the fireplace. The rustic flag, one large star and two broad stripes, was painted by her grandson when he was 10 years old.

“He took a board and painted and gave it to me because he knew I liked flags,” Lee said. “He’s 18 now, and I still love it.”

Lee carries her theme out to the garden as well. Red petunias spill out of pots, and small flags, standing in old galvanized metal watering cans, parade across the back porch.

“We downsized when we moved out of our big old home, so I’ve had to change the way I display things,” Lee said. “But I’ll always keep my favorite colors around me.”