How to Create a Sophisticated Halloween Party
Do you feel like the only option you have for a Halloween party are pumpkins, bats and witches? I'm here to show you how you can create something that is much more sophisticated and just as fun for your party!
Here I used skulls that came unfinished and painted them with white and brown paint rub. I've used them as risers for the charcuterie tray with some battery operated lights underneath for that special glow. I couldn't resist placing a rose in the mouth area..olé!
I love keeping my parties casual, so I can enjoy them as well. Appetizers, drinks and desserts are just right for this type of gathering served buffett style.
Signature drink: Chambord over ice, blackberry gingerale and blackberries on a stick stirrer.
I hand out drinks as soon as you enter the party area. It helps to loosen up your guests and creates a conversation starter. I also like to keep the drinks separate from the main buffett. This creates better flow and doesn't saddle your guests with holding everything at once.
Something fun to add to your ice bucket (not to be consumed) are these ice cubes with plastic spiders that I froze days in advance.
It's equally as important to create an atmosphere with your decorations as is the quality of the food. I use a variety of creepy things, like snakes that I glammed up by spray painting gold.
I've used them in unexpected places, in my vase with my flower and on my food trays. I used a snake on my cheese and charcuterie tray as a template for placing my food. Just enough creep factor!
Super creepy to use them in the skulls and even added glow sticks.. would be amazing at night.
My favorite decoration though, was the crow sitting on top of the candelabra. I used gold raffia to create a nest and battery operated lights askew add the extra creep factor.
Just look at him perched there..not even giving a flying fig about anything. #currentstateofmind
I made basic cupcakes with a combination of white and chocolate frosting with black food dye, it makes an interesting and creepy effect. Top with edible gold leaf and a skull made with a mold of cream cheese and sugar and voila, creepy meets sophisticated!
The coup de gras of this whole set up was the addition of dry ice. You can find it at some local grocery stores, or like I did at Airgas, which is a common business all over the United States. Sold in pellets or blocks, you have to bring a cooler and make sure you vent the lid. There will be sublimating going on…a fancy word for off gassing. Also, make sure you crack a window in your car for the C02 to escape. Using hot water works the best, do not touch this ice with bare hands, it will burn you at -135 degrees. I used some cheesecloth and pellets that I tied off with raffia, it made it so easy to drop into the water. The other thing to consider is using a very durable vessel, I used thermal stainless steel cups and they kept the water hot and were durable enough to handle the sudden temperature change.
I put the cup in the ice bucket, cue creep factor. To see this in action head over to my press page for a video of the segment I recently did with NBC30 CTLive
Happy Haunting on Halloween!! Hope it’s as creepy and sophisticated as it gets!! I would love to see your Halloween creations and comments below!!
Xo xo,
Jenn
One Room Challenge: Final Reveal-Fashionably Late, but oh so Fabulous!
It's here, the moment that has been on my mind for 6 weeks!! We have worked so hard on this studio space and now it will have it's debut. Let's revisit the start of this journey....
My son's old bedroom, you can hear me cringing...only 6 weeks ago!
Not exactly an inspiring space...but wait...
Do you remember the Mood/Inspiration Board?
Are you sitting down?? You are going to need to take a deep breath.
The new view!!
A cozy little nook, I had the green artwork previously in my dining room and it fits nicely in this space.
What's that fabulous mural? My daughter is an artist and came up with the design after we discussed the concept and she painted this beauty on my wall.
This mural symbolizes so much, if you look closely you can see the symbols incorporated by my daughter that directly relate to my life:
Koi fish with water-the water implies that the koi is swimming downstream, meaning that I have overcome obstacles.
Mountains on back of Koi with the sun rising-These are the mountains of Peru, where I have traveled and have a personal connection to them. They are also the symbol of abundance.
Feather on the spine-A personal connection with my father and his love of Eagles, we have shared memories between us that have created the backbone of who I am today.
Crossed Arrow-friendship, Circle with spokes on inside (Hogan)-Permanent home, Circle with spokes on outside-Happiness, Connected V's with smaller ones inside (Rattlesnake Jaw)-Strength, Thunderbird-Sacred Bearer of Happiness, Symbol for bird (two triangles, a curved line and a circle)-Carefree and Lighthearted, Two nested V's -Thunderbird tracks: Bright Prospects.
Such a beautiful and personal meaning for this mural. I think incorporating things like these in a space, adds a wonderful feeling that carries you throughout the day.
The green shelves are very useful lined up underneath the inspiration/cork board with lights. The board also hides the cords, because they are plug ins.
The lights were to be four, but unfortunately only three arrived and I'm still waiting on the Fourth. It ended up being fine, because with the placement of the mural, I only could really fit three across the inspiration board. Which by the way is just a piece of foam insulation (the kind you get at your local home improvement store) and fabric stapled on it with thumbtacks.
The curtain panels, turned out wonderfully with the help of my seamstress.
Another great place to sit and work in this space. I tried to create some seating areas to vary the view during the day.
The bookcases were given a coat of green lacquer paint, just like the low bookcases on the other side.
I'm really thrilled with how this space turned out!
Here's a quick recap of the work we did on this space:
~ Removed carpeting, painted floors and sealed with Poly
~ Painted: Walls, trim, bookcases, small pieces of furniture
~ Had window treatments and pillows made
~ Made Inspiration/MoodBoard
~ Added lighting around perimeter
~ Commissioned artist (daughter) to design and paint mural
Most of the items in this studio were orginal to my old work space. I reused mainly all my furniture. The only new purchases were the lighting, material for curtains, pillows and paint. All in all, it was more labor than money.
The work was heavy, the outcome was amazing and now I have a wonderful space to work in! Thanks so much to my husband, who without, I wouldn't have been able to complete this space, as well as my wonderful daughter, Madison, who really put some great personality into the studio with her custom mural! Thank you One Room Challenge and House Beautiful for this challenge that was truly a wonderful way to complete a space in my own home in 6 short weeks. Check out the other final reveals on the One Room Challenge Website.
XoXo,
Jenn
One Room Challenge - Week 3: The Big Cram
Okay week 3, you kicked my butt. Work has me crazy and leaves little time for anything other than sleeping and eating! I felt like I was in school again and crammed for the exam the night before....
Hey now, that's me, cramming in my painting on a Wednesday night at 9 pm...coffee in hand! I didn't put that paint brush down until 1:00 am ish.
I wasn't alone, I had my trusty handyman aka husband helping me out. I'm so glad he agreed to this late night painting party. Some couples have date nights that involve a wonderful dinner and drinks. But we have something special...
She's fresh, fresh, exciting...My walls and trim have arrived! They are walking in the room with popped collars.
The room now has a great feeling, It's much like a loft now. We still have some touch ups, but I'm very pleased with the initial results. I need to decide on the doors, should they stay the wood color or be painted black? The lighting is in, the pillow cases are in and I have decided on the seaweed green as it goes nicely with the pillows.
This speaks to me, it says, Jennifer....you're on the right track.
About the lighting, it's beautiful, but I think i may paint the brass on the wall lamps more of a gold so it matches the hanging pendant. The floor hasn't been touched but will be a chevron pattern. I need to decide on the width of the lines and would like to put a chunky border around the room. So what's in store for next week?
1) Painting/modifying the swing arm lamps
2) Taping the floor off and painting
3) Designing a little nook for the cushions
4) Sourcing cork boards for the wall under the swing arm lamps
Follow along with me and the other participants. We are starting to show amazing progress!
XoXo,
Jennifer
One Room Challenge: Week 2 - Congratulations, It's A Hardwood Floor!
Here we are, week 2. I'm happy that there is progress, as in bye bye black carpet!
That's my willing victim...I mean husband, helping me tear up the carpet.
Not the most flattering picture of our newly revealed hardwood floors, but, I'm beginning to get a little giddy at the prospect of the possibilities!
After 3 hours of hard labor, we have hardwood floors!! A little scratched, beaten and bruised, no fault of our own, it is now all ours. I've assessed the situation...not too bad, and no time to refinish or desire to do so.
So my options are to paint all or paint a little? Below are ideas for the floor finish/style.
Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest
Go all in, or half way? I'm still deciding and will reveal the outcome next week.
Next Decision: Wall color and trim...
And don't you say you don't see the difference in the white/off white colors! Undertones, people...
I tried 4 white/off white colors in the space and monitored it in the light during the day they were from the top:
1) Benjamin Moore-Decorator's White OC-149
2) Benjamin Moore-Chantilly Lace OC-65
3) Benjamin Moore-Cloud Cover OC-25
4) Benjamin Moore-Super White OC-152
I made my decision quickly and swiftly, I'm in love in with #3, Cloud Cover. It's the right tone, day and night. The slight tan undertone keeps it warm and not stark. I picked 2 blacks, both from Benjamin Moore, Black Beauty 2128-10 and Soot 2129-20. I picked the Soot as it had some blue in it that made it more vibrant and paired nicely with Cloud Cover. The wild card is the green, I have several to choose from....waiting on the pillow covers to determine the final call. But, I'm really liking Seaweed from Benjamin Moore 2035-10.
I'm feeling a little pumpkin vibe right now....the favored green is on the right next to the wall color and trim choice.
Lighting is up next, the space has no overhead lights and needs a creative solution that doesn't require hardwiring. I found some pretty awesome arm wall sconces from Lampsplus . As well as a cool industrial chic pendant and artwork lights.
Ok, so we are cooking!! What's in store for next week? Paint!! I'm painting the walls, floors, ceiling, and anything that doesn't move (beware sleeping dog or husband).
Be sure to check out the other participants and guest bloggers at One Room Challenge!
Until we meet again,
xoxo Jenn
One Room Challenge: Week 1 - The Studio Transformation
Hello everyone, I'm writing you this from my very space that will be transformed with a final reveal May 10th for the One Room Challenge. You're probably wondering what I'm talking about, The One Room Challenge is something that Linda Weinstein from Calling It Home created years ago and has gained so much traction in the Design blogging world that it is sponsored by House Beautiful. It happens twice a year, in the fall and the spring. 20 invited design bloggers transform a room and blog about it for 6 weeks for a final reveal at that time. Pretty challenging and exciting all at once! There are also guest participants, enter me! My first time designing a room on a tight timeline in my own home for all the world to see....my space-The Studio.
My current studio view..I really wish that was wine, nope, it's ginger-ale.
The space that I'm redoing is my son's old room, yes the one that I let him pick the colors at the ripe age of 12. So, forgive the choices, and the Halloween esque vibe. There is a lot to do in here before I can deem it my official work studio. I'm moving on up(stairs)...cue music, my previous work space was the beautiful sun room right off our dining area. Although I love it, I need more elbow room to meet with more than one person. I'm embarrassingly attaching more pictures of the current situation. This is in hopes I will knock your socks off in the final reveal.
Hmm....my dog always steals the show, the best thing in the picture now. A little hint on the final reveal with a makeshift daybed.
Should I add another?? Are you looking away in horror?
I really don't know if I'm keeping the lockers...they are pretty cool (You're thinking-Yes, for a school.) Ok, I'll consider removing them.
Just when you thought it was safe to look again.....
I think I'm done torturing you, let's do this!
Ok, now you've seen my deepest darkest designer secret....and you're still here reading, whew!! It's time to change this space, I have big plans my friends.
This is what I want to do:
1) Paint, paint and paint some more!! Walls, window frames...maybe even floor.
2) Create a wall with inspiration boards.
3) A mural...perhaps? No, not an uncool birds and butterflies, but a chic, sleek, fashion forward, graphic one.
4) A station to collaborate and design or meet.
5) A daybed area to accommodate an occasional overnight guest (mainly my daughter).
6) An area to photograph product.
These are my main goals, my inspiration or vibe is contained in the moodboard that follows:
I'm completely struck by the idea of an invigorating office/work area. So I've added emerald green to black and white and it suits me just fine.
The main design style is an upbeat, Parisian loft influenced studio. I have a love affair with the color green, particularly emerald green. I'm undecided on pattern on floor, if any...may just paint that a solid color. Like any design project, once I start,things evolve. Follow along and see where this goes!
Please take the time to support the other design bloggers who are participating in this event, it's quite the undertaking and I'm happy to be in company to these talented designers. Check my blog next week to see progress!!
xoxo,
Jenn