Treat yourself to a deliciously spooky Halloween

Even though this year has felt a whole lot more like a trick than a treat, there’s something about Halloween that makes me feel like a kid again! I always delight in helping my boys put together their costumes and getting my home ready to welcome trick-or-treaters. The holiday hoopla is definitely going to look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still revel in the fun of this devilish day! You know by now that I love a festive tablescape, so why not bring the focus inside this year with a slightly creepy and totally stylish setting for Halloween dinner?

I put together this Halloween decor for a client in another—more normal—year, but in 2020 I’m really feeling a dark, moody vibe (to match our collective frame of mind, perhaps?!?) and am going with a dramatic black and gold scheme. If you need a refresher on fashioning your own tablescape, check out this past blog post first, then read on for a roundup of some of my picks for an elegant—and just macabre enough—Halloween table.

This runner sets a creepy tone with delicate lace that, upon closer look, reveals an intricate cobweb design.

Lace Web Table Runner, $10 at Target

This garland echos the eerie look of autumn’s bare trees that we have all come to associate with Halloween.

LED Light Willow Garland, $27 at Illuminated Garden

These candelabras add height and visual interest to the table (and are giving me some major haunted mansion vibes)!

Black Metal Taper Candelabras, $25 - $30 at World Market

Add in some hurricanes that are spooky enough for Halloween but neutral enough to be used year-round.

Brayton Metal Hurricanes, $13 - $40 at Crate & Barrel

How cute are these little guys? They put a smile on my face, which is reason enough to include them!

Handmand Ceramic Ghost Tea Light Holder, $53 on Etsy

A pumpkin, but make it fashion! I’m swooning over this black and gold version of the veritable symbol of Halloween.

Painted Gold Nailhead Decorative Pumpkin, $9 at Target

I can’t get enough of these guys! Who doesn’t need some skeletons doing yoga in their lives?!? Yeah, that’s what I thought!

Set of 3 Antique Gold Yoga Skeletons, $24 at World Market

Halloween dinner calls for dramatic dinner plates in glossy black with a gothic feel.

Set of 4 Midnight Dinner Plates, $30 at Grandin Road

The plates pair nicely with these slightly creepy (yet somehow…chic?) napkins!

Set of 4 Skellie Toile Napkins, $40 at Williams Sonoma

Finish off your place settings with lovely brushed gold flatware that not only fits the theme but may just end up replacing your old (definitely not as attractive) set.

20 Piece Fortessa Ashton Gold Flatware Set, $200 at Williams Sonoma

As the shenanigans of the day wind down, enjoy a libation in this festive stemless glass! After all, it’s 2020 and you’ve certainly earned it.

Set of 4 Gold Skull Stemless Wine Glasses, $41 at Grandin Road

What are you doing this year to celebrate? I’d love to see photos of your costumes, decor, and other devilish delights—tag me on Instagram at @blissful_interiors. Wishing you and your families more treats than tricks, and a safe and happy Halloween!

~Carolyn & Team Bliss

Hop to it! Time to get your table set for Easter

Hello and welcome to The Blissful Life, a space where I will share my favorite tips and tricks for making your home your favorite place to be! I’m so excited that Boston is finally starting to thaw out after a long winter and I can’t wait to celebrate all things SPRING. I feel like Valentine’s Day just passed but somehow Easter is right around the corner–how did that happen?!?–and putting together this gorgeous tablescape for one of my favorite clients definitely has me in the mood for the holiday!

If you’re planning to host a beautiful dinner for friends and family this spring but are daunted by the prospect of putting together a table that will set the mood and impress your guests, I’m here to help!

The first step of designing any of sort of tablescape is to consider the room in which you’re working. You want your table to enhance what is already going on in the room, not compete with or overshadow it. My client and I had previously selected an amazing trellis-patterned wallpaper for her dining room, and I wanted to pull the indigo blue into the color scheme.

I found this incredible watercolor floral runner at Crate & Barrel, and that set a lovely pastel color scheme for the tablescape. If you’re still having trouble getting started with your own design, you can also see what items you already have and want to feature on your table. This can be a great jumping-off point for picking the direction you are going to take!

After adding a grass runner from Pottery Barn underneath the floral one for some texture, it was time to consider focal objects for the table. This table is relatively long, so I wanted at least three items (five would have worked as well–it should always be an odd number). A fruit bowl (from HomeGoods) is an easy, inexpensive alternative to flowers, and glass hurricanes (I found these at Pier 1) always add an elegant touch!

After the three main pieces were set, it was time to have some fun! I went shopping for pieces in varying heights that could be filler throughout the rest of the design.

The adorable bunnies (from HomeGoods), candlestick holders (from the Dollar Tree), and floral pots and small vases (from Target) scattered among the three focal objects offer visual interest on your table. A quick tip–before hitting the stores, you might want to shop your own home first! Items from throughout the house can easily be repurposed for a special occasion–these vases were already in my client’s living room!

When I began shopping for the dinnerware, I knew I wanted to bring some more of that soft Easter pink into the mix and found these simple but pretty bowls at Pier 1 and added plain white plates so we wouldn’t overwhelm with color. The woven placemats (from HomeGoods) brought in some additional texture.

When it came time to shop for napkins, I wanted to avoid a matchy-matchy floral print – it’s just too predictable! This napkin (from Pier 1) in a large-scale stripe complemented the runner while still allowing it to take center stage and shine.

Finally, it was time for the finishing touches! I added seasonal flowers and simple white taper candles–don’t forget that this is a great time to ask for help from the little ones in your life! They will love being part of a special occasion and will be so proud of the finished product. Sweet Cecily was a wonderful little assistant!

Ta-da! Our table is beautifully set and ready for Easter dinner. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I’d love to help you put together your own picture-perfect tablescape. You can always get in touch with me at carolyn@blissfulinteriordesign.com for any of your design needs! Happy Easter!