I wouldn't, I'm Dutch... so the "our" (i.e. American) part doesn't really apply to me... or to a lot of your other international readers. :P

You might wanna rephrase your piece here. Or you could ask how your international readers would incorporate their national flags in their interiors as well. It will give people the same inspiration, and you Americans can use those ideas to display your national pride on your big 4th of July celebration!

The first flag is gorgeous btw! And take away the stars and it could very well be a Dutch or French flag. I would love to have one of those!

It's probably best not to show images of flags that are in violation of flag display etiquette in celebration of our independence.

"Flag display etiquette" is stupid and every U.S. politician who has ever worn a flag pin is in violation of it.

There, I said it.

and other than offending a veteran, god bless america for offering us the freedom to do as we wish without fear of persecution for... well... sitting on the flag while dragging it on the floor. Its not something I would do but I respect their right to sit on the flag every day if thats how they feel patriotic.

Indoor flag display (unframed) reminds me of college apartments.

That said, we display the American flag outdoors for many holidays and events.

A flag on a couch is offensive. Displaying a flag is one thing, but using it as a slipcover... Poorly executed... Is disrespectful (no matter what country the flag represents).

Actually, @ebarrett3, the flag pin IS allowed as per the US Flag Code. It specifically states that it should be worn on the left lapel.

However, the flag should never be allowed to touch the ground (pic 5), and should not be used as bedding or drapery (also 5).

As an American who is married to a Brit, I would love to also see examples of other international flags used in decor.

Wow, string flag opinions!

There's also this tour, featuring a vintage stars-and-stripes... and the owner is British.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/an-englishman-in-new-york-house-tour-120607

Actually lapel pins aren't in violation, assuming they're worn on the correct lapel. They are the only way to wear a flag that isn't in violation of flag etiquette.

Good point about international readers, Bennemans!

Also .... not really a fan of the flag on the couch. Seems a bit disrespectful, but that may just be me.

cptruthless, if you look around, this site is filled with images of British flags (and nautical flags) as decor, far more so than American flags.

That said, as a lefty liberal from MA, the whole national flag thing as day-to-day decor ooks me out. Way too Tea Party for me.

I limit my flag for fourth of July, mainly because it irks my British friends who come to my annual BBQ.

I think, somehow, the pride in Old Glory has been somewhat diminished by the strong reverence attached to the flag itself (which I understand and am not arguing, just sayin.')

But there is something to be said for the outrageously joyous display and creative adaptation that some demonstrate with their regional, national or group flags... the Puerto Rican Day and Gay Pride Parades come to mind as stellar examples of EFP. (Extreme Flag Pride.) :)

Wow, tough crowd.

I agree with mjs7640 -an unframed flag is a little too reminiscent of my college days.

That said, I'm proud to display a form of the American flag in my home and have a large print of the Jasper Johns flag at MOMA in my bedroom.

I think the flag as slipcover actually looks best! But then again, I'm a fan of upside-down crosses used in decor too :)

Tough crowd, indeed!

Question... Does anyone know what specific flag Steven Arroyo is hanging on his door? It's absolutely gorgeous but the original article make no mention of the flag.

Any thoughts?

This page is featured on the Flag Wall of Shame. I think the reason you see few instances of the American Flag used as a bed throw is that the majority of Americans respect what the flag represents. To most people, it is not merely a doily or a quilt. You are free to use it that way, but your alternative is to treat the flag with respect.

Yeah - I'm bothered by the misuse of flags here, but the framed American flag from #4 and the GORGEOUS banner from #1 are wonderful representations.

In b4 stupid, staunch, overdramatic Nationalism...

Oh...NVM

@Bennemans, the post is talking about an American holiday and involves *gasp* American flag decor! Imagine that! And when the Dutch host a popular design site, please be mindful to the sensitivity of international visitors, including Americans. :P

My flag display is mostly confined to pins and jewelry, but I love the look of a worn flag (of any country) fully displayed in a frame. I just haven't figure out how to artfully include Old Glory into my small home with limited wall space.

Basic flag etiquette is in the "Flag of the United States" Wikipedia article. If you learn the simple rules, then you can show intended respect clearly. After 9/11, many immigrants here displayed flags to show support, but unknowingly did so so wrongly that it was unintentionally offensive. Many ragged, muddy little paper flags were left littering the ground like cigarette butts for many months. Many ripped, rain-soaked, faded flags were left hanging from cars until they disintegrated.

"The flag should never be used as wearing apparel..."
"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

The code contradicts itself. Also, it's not allowed to be used for advertisement of any kind....but it's used a billion times in every campaign ad I've ever seen.

See how backwards and totalitarian these rules are?

It is "Etiquette" not rules. I have never heard etiquette called totalitarian (a horribly overused word by the way). Just because someone is breaking decorum doesn't mean respect for the flag cannot be had.

Something being commonplace does not mean it is not technically wrong.

The code has been amended over the years to allow for exceptions such as lapel pins.

I'm sorry, but a "lefty liberal" who doesn't like your own flag? Really? I'm not going to lie, the Union Jack in decor trend does irk me sometimes because we're not British. It has no meaning to us aside from being "trendy!" Lame sauce. I would have like to see more American flag inspired decor, like the painted dresser fronts, or pillows, or bunting, which my patriotic self is going to locate now for some 4th decor. I don't understand the patriotic shame. Go to France on Bastille Day and see how they roll.

I have a bicentennial flag for California. It's currently hanging on a drapery rod until I can afford to have it framed like the one pictured above.

http://www.rearrangeddesign.com/2011/03/art-shuffle.html

The American flag isn't something I'd decorate with but I see the same amount of "disrespect" with the British flag. So are we all equal opportunity flag displayers?

The recent history and use of the british flag seems very different than the US flag. Pretty sure brit kids were not terrified with stories of the union jack touching the ground. The use of the british flag has a mod, pop art connotation in my mind than the use of the US flag, which those of us that are old enough associate with vietnam war era protests. If any brits are offended by the use of a flag on Noel Gallaghers guitar or on a pillow, I've yet to hear it.

Flag display etiquette? I've never ever heard of such a thing. I'm Canadian so I would never decorate with an American flag but I suppose it looks good if you really like your country's flag. Personally, I don't like the look of flags in decor.

As a Canadian, I don't have superstitions about my flag. While I do love my country and have "pride" in being Canadian, I'm not going to get all patriotic or outraged over flag use. If that was the case, I'd berate all the Americans that I've met in Europe wearing Canadian flags on their backpacks (and yes, there are people who still do this--quite a few, surprisingly).

I have a vintage 48 star flag that I took to a frame shop for an estimate and I was quoted $600 bucks. It was a rather large flag but I nearly fell out of my chair. Does anyone have advice on how to "frame" a vintage flag in a way that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I know I for one am mortally offended when I see people eating cakes with the US flag on them for the 4th of July. How can you CUT UP and DEVOUR the symbol of our country !! And drinking out of dixie cups with our emblem on them ?? What is wrong with this country !!!!!!!!

Seriously, if you are offended by people deciding not to follow some ridiculous, arbitrary protocol because they are more interested in finding a way to work the symbol of their country into their everyday life... well, you can just deal with it. Don't expect anyone else to care about you getting butthurt over it.

(although I personally think it almost always ends up looking tacky, and the same goes for union jacks etc., but that's just me.)

How you use a broadly recognized symbol like a national flag usually will be assumed to indicate your attitude toward what it represents. Either don't use such a symbol, or learn the related etiquette. Then, you'll accurately communicate your message, whether it's respectful or offensive.

If the US flag, or something meant to portray the flag is used, flag etiquette should be followed (if you're looking at the flag, the stars should be in the upper left corner; US flag on exterior pole should be the top flag, followed by the state flag, university or other flag). When we fly both the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack, the S&S is on the most eastern pole as it's closer to DC. As for international readers, if you display your country's flag, you should check to make sure it is property displayed.

It troubles me that the same people who take for granted their freedom are willing to stomp (figuratively) on their flag....so little respect. If you live in the United States and don't like it, or our flag. Move.

If you live in the United States and don't like it, or our flag. Move.

This is the kind of ignorant statement from certain Americans that baffles me. The people who tend to say "don't like our rules/language/culture/traditions, move" tend to also be super patriotic about being "Free" with a capital F. Guess what? Part of Freedom is the ability to dissent/criticize/question.

God Bless America & c.

@anthropos, Since you're Canadian, maybe you really don't understand, so I'm willing to "unbaffle" you. The deaths of US troops in Viet Nam was so bad in its own right that it triggered a lengthy unofficial civil war here in the states that tore apart many families. Every one felt it one way or another, and many survivors from both sides of the conflicts still suffer, especially veterans and their loved ones.

That's why some comments, again from both sides, are reflexively visceral and inflammatory, and so may seem to be written by ignorant people. It's hard to respond from an intellectual level to a sensitive topic. Considering current affairs and their stirring of Viet Nam era memories, I'm impressed by the thoughtfulness of most commenters on this thread.

i am seriously baffled at people who are offended by people proudly displaying their flag. none of them were backwards or upside down or torn or graffitied or even displayed outside for others to see. it's the inside of their homes, they're personal space. chillax dudes.

It's so disingenuous of adults born and raised here to claim that they're clueless as to why flag display can be an emotionally charged topic that I'll stop feeding this thread's trolls.

@Miami's Elaine: just because people disagree with you, doesn't make them trolls. That's the most irritating form of dismissal on the internet.

If you think people are trolls, look at their comment history and see if they are truly trolls or not.

It's so disingenuous of adults born and raised here to claim that they're clueless as to why flag display can be an emotionally charged topic that I'll stop feeding this thread's trolls.

Agreed. The flag is a super charged subject.

I would be offended if the flag on the sofa was a real flag, but it's just a cover. As long as it's not disrespectful, be proud to display the American flag. We're lucky to be living in this country!

It's just a stupid, garish piece of cloth, nothing more. It isn't holy. It doesn't hold magical powers nor can one travel on it like a magic carpet. Who cares? Do what you want with it. Pray on it, have sex on it, burn it. This is America, not the Taliban so If someone doesn't like what you do with the flag or has some co-dependant need to tell you how to live it's their disease not yours.