If you’re new around here, you might be surprised to know I love Halloween. It’s nostalgic, fun, and a good excuse to play a part and decorate a room. Every year I try to do something a bit different (from curiosities, to bones, to creepy chic). In the past it’s mainly been about channeling a look, but this year I had something specific in mind: Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens Great Expectations.
It was actually one of you who gave me the idea on Instagram one day, and I forgot how much I enjoyed that story. A few years ago there was a BBC adaptation on PBS, and Miss Havisham and her home were beautifully sad. As a jilted bride she decides to freeze time, keeping her home and herself looking exactly as they did the day she was left at the alter. The problem is the years have not been kind to her bitter heart and unkept home. Finding all of the right elements was a fun challenge.
This chair from Grandin Road was a perfect fit. What looks soft is actually hard: petrified over time…rather like Miss Havisham herself.
Cobwebs were a must. They are one of my favorite decor items for Halloween. A little goes a long way, and you could cover your whole home for a few dollars!
Every good wedding has flowers, but florals that have sat around for decades after the ceremony never happened take some more thought. I didn’t want to pay for flowers just for them to die, so I reached out to my local florist and asked if I could have some of the flowers they can’t use in arrangements. They were happy to oblige and collected the less-than-perfect blooms for me for a week. I tied them up and hung bunches of them upside down until they were dry. Then I put together some arrangements.
The cake was another collaborative effort. Bakeries often have display cakes in their case windows, but upon inspecting our local bakery there wasn’t anything that felt just right. When I talked with the owner she took me to the back where she had several styrofoam rounds and some bags of plastic column risers from the 90s. She laughed at how “ugly” they were, and I marveled at how beautiful! I created a cheap frosting with some Crisco, powdered sugar, and water and iced the cakes. After it hardened I topped it with some decaying roses, spiderwebs, and a perfectly placed spider.
Candle light is such an important element in setting a mood. Miss Havisham certainly didn’t have electricity. The tapers from Creative Candles are 18” tall and a beautiful Boudreaux color. I love how long lasting they are (up to 15 hours!) and the fact that they don’t drip means no messy clean up! The pillars are so good too.
The dress and veil had to be amazing. I looked for something secondhand to buy, but everything on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist was too modern and stark white. Miss Havisham’s dress “had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow.” I rented this one. Renting from a costume shop allows you to get a great quality costume without having to store it later. And they will usually alter it to fit you too!
This was such a fun shoot to put together! I’ve been out of town the last two weeks, but this is the week I really start decorating the rest of the house. I’m hosting my bunko group for October, so I’m doing more decor than ever before! Can’t wait to share the rest soon. Do you decorate for Halloween?
My favorite Halloween decor for 2020.
More decor for my bunko group October gathering, check here.
*Photos by Justin Salem Meyer and styling help by Sam Kuykendall. Thank you to the following partners for providing for the shoot: Grandin Road, Creative Candles, Simply Frosted, and Village Gardens.
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You had me at Miss Havisham. I was so intrigued by her character when I read it in high school 58 years ago. Taking her as your inspiration is such a great idea. I know the effort that goes into what you have created and I applaud you for carrying this out so beautifully and in such detail. Although it isn’t something that you will enjoy for years, it’s a moment in time that feeds the creative soul. I think of this when I arrange a table for a special meal and take extra time to make food that demands being photographed. It’s brief, but the joy of creating is lasting.
Thank you so much, Tricia! It really was so much fun! This comment meant so much to me!
Gwyndolynn you are so talented and do it so easily. I love the shadows from candlelight …is Micah with you? He has to love his exciting household and the famous Miss Havisham ! You are the best!
Ha, I would say he puts up with my wild ideas. 😉
My goodness you are amazing and look so beautiful! Thanks for letting us take a peek!
Thank you, Joyce!
Seriously fabulous!! I adore literary Halloween inspiration.
Thank you, it’s the best kind I think!
wow…this is so fun…I hope you host a party or two to show off your hard work.
I did and it was a blast, thank you!
Brilliantly done!!
Thanks, Elle!
Stop it Gwen! Seriously… I love Halloween and this is amazing
Thanks, Julia, it was fun!
Gorgeous!!! So creative and inspiring. I am not a halloween fan, but this shoot has swayed me!
Thank you, I love hearing that!
Oh my goodness. This is so incredible… you thought of everything!!!!
Thank you, it was a lot of fun!
This is beautiful and so creative! Love Halloween and you have made it so much fun!
It is fun!
Oh My Gosh !!! This is amazing. Can’t wait to see what else you do.
Thanks, Wenda!
This reminds me of the year I went as a Vampire Bride (all in black of course) with a black veil, black penciled lips and a bouquet of dead roses. Miss Haversham would be her still living sister. You’ve given me inspiration for the future.
Sounds beautiful!
I am not a fan of Halloween but you did a fabulous job! This post is amazing.
Thank you, it was a lot of fun!
My God, you are good! Can’t imagine the work and time to vacuum it all up when you are done. You might want to consider writing an article for a decorating magazine with your pictures about Halloween for next year’s October issues. People would love to see this. You are quite creative and continue to impress me.
This is too kind, it was a lot of fun to obsess over. 😉
I live for your Halloween decor! I seriously look forward to it every year.
So nice, thanks Norma!
You must wear that dress and makeup when you host your group!!! Great décor.
I went with black for a witch, as I unfortunately rented this…but wish I owned it!
Ugh.. I LOVE this. Gorgeous.
Thanks!
WOW! I love the drama and creativity. Happy Halloween when it arrives:)
Thank you, you too!