5 steps to spooky and stylish Halloween decor
October 25, 2010
Lisa Canning
SPECIAL TO YOURHOME.CA
Capture Halloween horror in high style this season with our tips for keeping it simple and chic:
NUMBER 1: AN ORANGE FREE HALLOWEEN?
Many may object to my first suggestion, but this Halloween I will be using a colour palette completely absent of orange. For starters, my jack-o’-lanterns will all be getting a moody makeover in black and copper. To give your pumpkins their own costume change this year, apply a quick coat of spray paint in black, then paint the stem a metallic copper using a paintbrush for some added glam.
Continue this colour scheme in your home by gathering collections of black vases, candlesticks, and themed candles.
Remember the same design principles that work year round should also be used at the holidays: Gather things in vignettes, work in multiples and add an accent colour (in my case, copper) sparingly for emphasis. The result will be spooky, but sophisticated.
NUMBER 2: CREATE SCARY VIGNETTES
Halloween is definitely the time to exercise your more theatrical side. But do this in restrained proportions so it doesn’t look like Halloween vomited haphazardly in your home.
I like to keep themed decorations limited to a few areas so the look stays classy and not tacky. In your entryway, swap family photos for simple scary words printed in an ornamental font and add a few pumpkins to your console table. On your fireplace, melt red wax crayon onto the tops of white candles to mimic blood and stack vintage books covered in cobwebs.
Part of the allure of Halloween is the escape from reality - but you don’t have to escape style to have fun with a theme.
NUMBER 3: CONJURE UP A COLOURFUL CANDY DISPLAY
I’m not sure how Halloween evolved from a day to ward off evil spirits to the candy collecting cacophony it is today, but the gathering of the goodies is my favourite part of All Hallows Eve.
Whether you’re going door-to-door or purchasing your candy, display your bounty in a collection of glass vases. Or take it one step further and label your candy with daunting descriptions: yogurt covered pretzels become bones, Swedish berries become blood vessels and candy worms are a dead ringer for brains. Hop on over to the House Of Smiths for directions on how to make stylish labels and some great inspiration photos.
NUMBER 4: CREATE BLOOD-CURDLING BOOK COVERS
This is a simple, subtle and easy way to introduce some blood-curdling reactions on your bookshelf. Using simple white or brown craft paper, cover your book spines to conceal their original covers (use clear tape to secure it in place). On the spine, write some terrifying titles by hand or if you’re tech savvy in an elaborate font. Some suggestions include: How To Cook Bats, Potion No. 9, and Tricks and Treats.
NUMBER 5: HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR
I like when Halloween remains light and fun, as opposed to menacing and gory. So for those of you who also enjoy some whimsy and humour, here are my favourite tricks to help bring your guests a chuckle or two:
•Place vampire teeth in the bathroom next to a tube of denture cream
•Stuff a pair of stockings with ruby red slippers and place them under your porch
•Carve your pumpkin with a large mouth opening and spill the pumpkin seeds and strings from inside for a vomiting pumpkin
Lisa Canning is an interior decorator, stylist & blogger in Toronto. www.condosbycanning.com