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The Makerista

I'm Gwen, a modern traditionalist who isn't afraid of color. Kansas City.

A Spooky Supper Setting

Happy Friday and welcome to those of you joining me from DesignPost Interiors!  I know for many people fall decorating is all about autumnal colors, plaids, pumpkins and leaves.  While I like those things and have used them in the past, when I think of fall I get excited about moody shades, eery objects and spooky skulls.


Growing up, Halloween was my favorite.  I’ve always been kind of into fantasy majoring in music in college allowed me to play all kinds of different people and I think that’s what I love about Halloween. It’s not so much the idea of being someone else that excites me, it’s the idea of being somewhere else that I love: a different country, a different time period, a different world.

When I was little my mom would let us put light-up eyes in the dining room window and DIY tombstones in the front yard.  She allowed us to get creative, and I hope I will give my kids that space to play too.  But until they’re asking for blow up lawn ornaments I’ll be using the season to get creative in a more grown up way.


Seasonal decorating can be kind of exhausting you put it up just to turn around and take it down! but I think I’ve found a method to my madness.  I’m usually an all or none kind of gal, so focusing efforts on one room and really making it shine works best for me.  Our dark dining room already lends itself to spook, and it’s big bay window allows anyone on the street to see inside I’m addressing that in the coming weeks so I felt like I was getting a “two-for” by focusing on this space.  We get to enjoy it from the inside and passer-bys and trick-or-treaters get to enjoy it from the out.

The florals by my wonderful friend, Emily, definitely steal the show.  When I first saw this headless statue, I knew an arrangement spilling out of her neck would be stunning, and Emily delivered beyond what I was expecting.  The blood red is so perfect!  You can head to her blog for the recipe to recreate these gorgeous blooms, and if you’re local you should check out her workshops – they are so fun AND informative!

To create scary chic, you need to think simple.  This room is full of flowers, bones, birds and spiders but the color palette is pretty tight.  Even the most gruesome things can be beautiful when they are done in a simple way.

Flatware | Placemat | Crackle Plate | Spiders | Bones

 
 
 
Don’t forget that food adds to or distracts from your decor.  I’ve learned color is important – you want the spread to highlight the mood you’re trying to set, so keep that in mind when menu planning.  I brought this outdoor console inside to add to the ambiance, and it’s perfect for serving a few apps or drinks.  
Who wants to come over for dinner now?  The truth is, after all the planning, setting up and photographing I was too tired to cook that night.  Whoops.  The sad truth of blogging.  I’ll be back next week with some more details, including how I put together the bone runner, but in the meantime, be sure to head to Cassie’s blog for a look inside her home for fall.  
To see all of the tours from the week, you can start at Lindsay’s blog here.  Be sure to visit the other homes sharing their fall decor today: DesignPost Interiors, Primitive & Proper, Swoon Worthy, Dimples and Tangles, Simple Stylings and My Fabuless Life.  
       
*Thank you to Frontgate and Grandin Road for providing many of the items in this post.  I handpicked pieces and all opinions are 100% my own.  
Keep on reading...
DIY Star Headbands
Making it Work: The Design Domino Effect
Backyard Progress: All the Heavy Things

Comments

  7. tnic says

    Your table and buffet look awesome! I really like the buffet with the black on top of it and the white on the table, it really brings the 2 pieces together without (of course) being matchy!

  8. Lindsay says

    I LOVE how you styled this Gwen! So happy to have you on the tour. This is too fun! I usually don't do a lot for Halloween, but now that we have Rosie (even though she's little), I'm so excited to add in a little fun spookiness!

  9. Haley says

    Love it! The statue is such a nice, elegant touch. One of these days I will have my very own skeleton.

    This look would be very simple to change up for Thanksgiving, and Christmas since the candles and greenery work for any holiday.

  13. Amanda @ Warm Fuzzy Home says

    Creepy! I like the idea of keeping it manageable by just doing one room all out.
    I've been blogging a series of recipes recently and my hubs gets so annoyed standing there waiting to eat while I take pictures of the food. haha. Blogging takes precedence over dinner, right?!

  19. Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says

    The florals really do steal the show here – gorgeous! I love all the moody candlelight too. The bone runner is crazy and kind of awesome – I would LOVE to see dinner guests' faces when they came upon it! You are a little bit of a freak, in the best way possible 🙂

  21. Alex - The Interior DIYer says

    I literally can't even.

    I have died and gone to heaven.

    I just found your blog via Kimberly of Swoonworthy's recent blog post and I can't even sentence. Your dining room is my dream. Dark, romantic, and perfectly spooky for Halloween. Dare I say, all year round? I just can't. It's incredible. You have absolutely incredible taste.

  23. Whitney Shortt says

    Love that you majored in music! I did as well and now heading the blogging route, which is one of the things I've always dreamed of doing.

    Whitney
    whitneydonae.com

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