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

It's beginning to look a lot like...

For as long as I can remember, the holiday season has been my very favorite time of year. The time spent with loved ones, excitement of giving and receiving gifts, and magical feeling in the air have always made it a treasured occasion, and now that my wedding anniversary and both sons’ birthdays fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas…well, let’s just say that I am feeling downright jolly these days!

I suppose it goes without saying, then, that helping clients get their homes ready for holiday celebrations is an absolute joy for me. Maybe it’s all the glitter and sparkle, maybe it’s the happy memories of helping my mom decorate my childhood home, maybe it’s the looks on the faces of a family seeing their home lit up with the soft glow of twinkling lights! Whatever it is, I get so much enjoyment out of holiday decor and truly believe that even without a professional decorator, anyone can put together a truly beautiful space to enjoy throughout the season.

Choosing a decor scheme can definitely feel overwhelming when the stores are brimming with garlands, ornaments, lights, bows…etc. etc. etc.! I always advise my clients to narrow things down by choosing an overall color and/or material they love and building from there. For example, the family whose lovely home is shown in these photos wanted a preppy, New England vibe to match their personal style. Together we selected this red and black plaid fabric and pearls to guide our decor scheme.

Christmas decor is largely centered around lovely greenery, so selecting a tree and style of garland that you love will set the tone for the rest of your decor. If you are able to invest in high-quality garland, I definitely recommend doing so! Your family will enjoy it for years, and it will make everything else you choose seem more expensive. The one here on the banister and the one over the mantle both have battery-powered LED lights built in, so it adds that magical twinkling glow without extra cords and clutter. And, as with all design, it’s all about the layering and textures here! We used the ribbon, pinecones, and red magnolia stems to create a look with depth.

You can see how the same plaid ribbon makes an appearance throughout the decor scheme for a consistent look. I especially love adding ribbon on a Christmas tree. This allows you to hang all of the special ornaments that your kids made or were passed down to you and still maintain a cohesive feel by keeping the look tied together throughout the home.

I also love to leave some room for fresh greenery whenever possible! There’s nothing like the aroma of pine filling your home to really put everyone in the holiday spirit. Here, I added it to the chandelier for a simple but special touch.

One important thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want your year-round decor to compete with your special holiday items. Definitely plan to temporarily store any of your usual accessories that don’t coordinate with the rest of your scheme.

And, on the flip side, anything that does work can absolutely be included. My client had various books in her holiday color scheme around her home so we decided to use them to display some of her favorite holiday pieces!

Seeing as Christmas is the coziest of holidays, you should absolutely plan to include your cozy blankets and candles into your holiday decor! I love swapping out pillows for fun seasonal ones, and this family’s faux fur throw happened to integrate perfectly into the overall look.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to helping you with your design needs in the new year!

XOXO,

Carolyn