HALLOWEEN: Ideas for Decorating Your Pumpkins

With October upon us, people are decorating their homes with cornstalks, fresh bales of hay, mums and pumpkins.  We stopped by our local farm over the weekend and did a little shopping of our own, to decorate our front porch.

Next weekend I'll start decorating.  I didn't have a chance to this weekend because the porch is in need of some cleaning.  But here's what we picked up:

I love unique pumpkins, with different color variations and natural designs.

I had to pick this pumpkin because of the stem

I love the subtle color combo I have going on

Speaking of pumpkins, I found some creative and amazing pumpkins design ideas.

How gorgeous is this scrolled pumpkin! (HGTV Gardens)

For those who don't have the option of decorating outside, displaying small pumpkins in glass jars adds a nice touch.

Decorate your table with this lovely pumpkin and nut display.

Getting creative with washi tape (via lil luna)

A little paint and some thumbtacks go a long way.  How cute is this?
(image via country living)

Purchase some burlap ribbon at your local craft store and you have a beautifully decorated pumpkin
(image via country living)

Have fun decorating!

xo,

HAPPY (FRIDAY) HALLOWEEN: "Pink and Black Gal-loween" Tablescape

 

Friday is here.  And, it's Halloween!  I'm excited to share with you a tablescape which I collaborated with my sister, Rose from Design by Occasion.  We are calling it:  "Pink and Black Gal-loween".  The "gal" is for the girly girl in us, as well as the pink tones incorporated in the design.  This table setting is perfect for a few of your gals who enjoy a little glitz and glam.  Here you can enjoy a signature pink cocktail drink, nibble on a few desserts and enjoy the scenery of glossy black pumpkins, embellished masks and an amazing floral design.

 

While this is not your traditional Halloween, we stepped outside the box when coming up with the design.  The idea of pink, reminded me of Glinda, the good witch and the black represented the wicked witch of the west.  And, how fitting of an idea; especially when two sisters are creating the look.  Not to say one is good and one is wicked (we both have a little of each - lol).

Pink and gray-pinstripe fabric set the theme for the black, white and gold tones

Black and white stripe dinnerware, layered with a floral design pattern
add the ying and yang of masculine and feminine. 
Topped by glossy black pumpkins for added drama.

Embellished masks help decorate the table to for a stylish and glamorous look.
And, of course, tasty treats for the occasion.

 

 

It was so much fun collaborating with my sister.  Even though we created this design together, we both were inspired in different ways. Take a moment to head on over to Design by Occasion for more.

Photos by Jo Ann DiGiacinto//Styling by Jo Ann DiGiacinto and Rose Angel Lopez via Design by Occasion.

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

xo,

STYLING YOUR HOME FOR HALLOWEEN

There are lots of people out there who really aren't into the spirit of Halloween; least of all decorating.  But no one said, you have to go crazy and spend lots of money to be a little festive.

 

Here's a quick little look I put together for those that want to spruce up their foyer/entryway table, coffee table or desk. 

 

I gathered a couple of design books that had the color black in them and set them on a printed napkin in the same color family.  A black martini glass (which can be filled and decorated), painted pumpkin and candle creates a simple but festive look.

 

 

You don't have to be perfect when painting and decorating your pumpkin.  This is your way to get creative.  You can make it pretty or scary.  If you're like me, I have tons of leftover paint in the house.  Here, I painted the pumpkin in a pale pink and painted the top in a bronze metallic.  Adding decorative rhinestones for a little glam.

You create a similar look by removing the books and replacing them with a decorative mirror (used as a tray).  You can add spiders and cob web if you want to add another layer.

 

What are some of your looks for Halloween?

xo,

HALLOWEEN TABLETOP IDEAS

Halloween was never a BIG holiday for me.  But, last year, I created a Halloween tabletop and it was so much fun!  In case you missed it, you can view last year's post here.  This year I'm excited to collaborate with my sister from (Design by Occasion). She will be visiting the end of October and we'll be creating a Halloween look.  I'm super excited to see our design ideas come together. 

It's always great to see other people sharing their ideas and talents.  It inspires me and gets me motivated to create my own design. 

Here are some of my favorite tabletop looks from other creative enthusiasts.

via DigsDigs

via Table Decoration Ideas.org

Image via momtoob.com

Halloween tabletop via CocoKelley.com

Image via Coco Kelley

Image via Tablescapesbydesign.com

Image via Domaine Home

What are some of your favorite table looks?

xo,

HALLOWEEN TABLESCAPE REVEAL

Halloween Tablescape 2013

In the past, I have decorated for most of the holidays; the major holidays.  This year I decided to try my creative hands at creating a tablescape for Halloween.  I scouted stores and websites for inspiration.  It was then I found my inspiration!  I walked into the Williams-Sonoma store in NYC and saw their table linens for Halloween.  It was a toile inspired Halloween theme, with animal skeletons; vintage inspired (called Halloween Skellie Toile on sale now in stores).  It was then, my creative juices started to flow. 

I wasn't sure what I was going to do for the centerpiece.  Of course, it had to be bigger and make a statement.  I went through several options in my head:  paint a large pumpkin and put it on a stand? Buy candle-themed candles and put it on holders? I didn't find anything I loved so I decided to use the hurricane vase and mercury candle holders I did for Christmas. Adding black tapered candles and webbing changed the look related to the theme.

For the dinnerware, I used what I had (Crate and Barrel, no longer available). I didn't want to spend a lot of money on buying all things Halloween.  So, I decided against buying Halloween plates.  My tastes change so often, I didn't want to buy plates and then the following year, find something else I like and have a collection and no where to store them.  I found some dollies for glasses and thought these would make a perfect decoration for plates.  Adding those to the black plate charges at Michaels (thanks to my sister for telling me).  And, they were only a dollar each! 

To pull the whole look together I added webbing to the table, mixed with barbed faux wire, metallic objects, little painted pumpkins, gems, spiders and skulls with a realistic crow.  I love telling a story and this does just that!  It's a little spooky but still glam.  This was a fun and easy project.  The spider webbing was the only difficult thing to work with; lot of pulling and cutting along the way.

Hope I've inspired you to create your own look.  Head over to http://designbyoccasion.com/blog/ and check out a collaboration my sister put together featuring her version of my tablescape.  And, while you are there, you have to check out her GLAMOWEEN table!

Happy Halloween! 

Lillian Vernon spider dollies http://www.lillianvernon.com/product/spiderwebdoilies.do?from=Search&cx=0.  I added the gem in the middle.

 



Black Crow from Williams-Sonoma store (on sale now).  Black and Mercury votives at Pottery Barn.

Grim Reaper at ZGallerie http://www.zgallerie.com/p-14345-grim-reaper.aspx

A band of gems purchased at the Container Store to dress up the hurricane.

Metallic Skeleton Hand - ZGallerie http://www.zgallerie.com/p-2468-metallic-skeleton-hand.aspx



Metallic Skull found at Marshalls.  Black votive at Pottery Barn.