Tablesetting keep me awake at night way more than spooky movies. I literally lay in bed at night and think of other ways to set the table…or repurpose things for the perfect place setting…or how I should have bought that ___________(insert any item here) at Goodwill for the centerpiece. So it should come as no big shock that I did up our dining room table for Halloween.
I was completely inspired by this discount orange and black fabric I found at Hobby Lobby. It ended up being only $1 for the yard. I love how it looks a little vintage…a little simple…while not being too simple…and totally Halloween without the graphic pumpkins or a picture of zombies.
After I laid out the 1 yard of plaid goodness, I decided that we also needed a runner. I like layering fabrics in different directions – it gives the illusion of a fully clothed table. I used cheese cloth for the runner…and didn’t even worry about cutting it evenly or keeping it pristine. Actually I would pull and poke my finger over the whole thing so that it looked a little more like mummy wrappings.
Then of course I had to get a group of pumpkins out: One fake glittered black pumpkin. One regular ole’ midsized pumpkin from the local church pumpkin patch. And then five mini ‘kins…some were white-ish and some just normal.
The glittered pumpkin was placed on the spraypainted urn that I picked up at Goodwill. Remember it? And I just layered some leaves beneath the glittered gourd for a little natural flavah.
The candleabra & the black menu pinboard was reused from our Halloween arrangement from last year and I picked up the black lanterns from TJMaxx a while ago. Pottery Barn carries similar ones and used them in their October catalog…and I LOVE them like babies like to pass gas. They put a huge smile on my face.
Groupin the black all in the back helps give the illusion of depth, I think. And the black with the orange in the front provides a high contrast.
Oh and can I tell you how much I love that little ghost tealight holder? I don’t generally like ghosts or goblins (I know…this is coming from someone who is watching scary movies…) but this little guy is so cute to me. Maybe because it’s ceramic. Maybe because it’s white. Maybe because it was only $2. Walmart. More than I would usually pay but it wooed me. Literally. Look at it’s little mouth…it’s saying “wwooooo!”
As for the placesetting, I went with a plain white plate and a orange napkin. For the napkin ring, I grabbed a couple clip curtain holders. I just slipped one over each napkin and then clipped it to the name tag. It’s like a place card and napkin ring combo. And yes, for a little extra mood-setting, I burned the edges of the paper.
So there you have it folks, one semi spookilicious setting. And just in time for our Halloween dinner.
So did you set the table for Halloween? Are you like me and dream about placesettings? Or perhaps you liked my urn-redo? Or how bout those lanterns? Are they worth $7? I love TJMaxx…I’m totally a Maxxinista. Maybe that should be my costume for Halloween 🙂
This all looks so fun and festive!! And I am in love with the pinboard idea!
I love it! And those lanterns! What a great find!
I love the tablescape! And I think I’ve decided from your pictures that lanterns are a must-have and can be used anywhere. I’m officially on the look-out now 🙂
Love the drapery ring as a napkin ring/ place card holder! Smart idea!
You stay up at night thinking about place settings? That’s a scary thought, indeed!
Hi Katie
Long time stalker, first time commenter (I think). Love your blog and rarely miss a day. Your an amazing photographer and I’m green with envy. Also love all your decos and DIYs. Never ever seen a room like Will’s, it’s the best looking nursery ever!
Enough of the gooey stuff. My heart skipped a beat a little when I saw your ghost in your table setting. I just stumbled upon a site with warnings and recalls for certain products. Your ghost isn’t on it but one that is extremely similar. I just wanted to ask you to be careful if you intend to put candles in it. Just in case. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04023.html
Keep up the good work! /Anna
Hi Katie,
I Love your centerpiece! I am green with envy, mostly because I have a 17 month old son who simply will not let me have ANYTHING, ANYWHERE without him picking it up and running around the house with it! Do you have any plans for how you will continue to decorate when Will is more mobile and “grabby” in a few months? I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Also, I have to ask… where do you “house” all of your decor when it is not out and looking beautiful??
Keep up the good everything!
Arell
Love your tablescape! I was wwoooo-ed by the $2.00 Walmart ghost too and bought it a couple weeks back 🙂
Your tablescapes are always stunning! The cheesecloth added some yummy spooky texture – great job! It’s always so inspiring!
I love that little ghosty, I used him too! Couldn’t believe he was only $2
beautiful setting! i’m always eager to hear your sources.. so inspiring! today i’m putting away the jack-o-lanterns and pulling out the turkeys (many things from tj maxx!) happy november.
Hi Arell,
I have soo much stuff. Too much. In fact, we constantly are cycling through stuff. We buy it and then sell it at our annual yardsale for the price we paid…that way we aren’t losing money 🙂 As for our storage, we have a basement.
xo – kb
Whoa Anna…thanks for the warning! I haven’t lit him up yet so I will have to remember that in the future!
xo – kb
I love it so and it makes me jealous that mine is not more spirited!