My Elegantly Spooky Halloween Decor

*This post is sponsored by Balsam Hill. 

Every year, on Halloween Night, we have a party. My kids' friends and their parents gather in our home for dinner, drinks and Trick or Treating. It's one of our favorite days of the year, so I usually go "all out" when it comes to decorations.  I got a head start this year thanks to my friends at Balsam Hill who invited me to join their Tricks and Treats Blog Hop.  




This year, my goal was to keep the look fun and whimsical and to capture the spooky essence of the season. But, I wanted to do it in an enchanting and elegant way. I wanted my Halloween decor to complement our everyday home decor. In other words, I was going for a look that appealed to me as much as it does the kids. "Elegantly Spooky" is what I call this years' theme. I brought in some beautiful foliage, candles and decor from Balsam Hill to capture this look in a few areas of my home. 


On the Mantel...





I began in the Living Room on the mantel. I often joke that ever since I painted my fireplace black, it lives for Halloween decor. The Halloween Night Wreath and Swag from Balsam Hill's new line of foliage was the perfect adornment and proved this theory true. This lightly flocked, blossoming foliage features large, black, dahlias and magnolias against dark needles and twigs. Entwined throughout the swag and the wreath are warm, glowing, orange, battery operated lights that create a magical ambience at night. The lights happen to be my kids favorite feature. 






To hold the swag in place while our house is rocking with 30+ kids, I anchored it with some antler stocking holders from my Christmas stash. Antlers are often found around here in the fall, so I figured they "worked" with my theme and also lent a little whimsy. I loved the way the white antlers popped against the black foliage so much that I took the look a little further and added some white pumpkins. To soften the high contrast palette and to give the mantle some of that "pretty factor", I added a large bow and loops made from decorators wire ribbon to the swag and the wreath. The gray tone of the ribbon picks up on the gray leaves found in the swag and wreath. The graphic pattern complements my living room rug and other room decor.






I removed the glass globes and white candles that usually rest on my iron sconces and replaced them with Halloween Night Candle Rings from Balsam Hill that coordinate with the Swag and Wreath. I finished the look off with chalky, black, Balsam Hill Miracle Flame LED Wax Fall Candles. 






In addition to being the perfect companions to the black foliage, these candles feature a no-worry, battery operated LED flame. This will allow us to enjoy the warm glow and flicker of candles without the worry of having real flames so close to the pretty foliage. 








On the Coffee Table...






During our annual party, we use the coffee table to serve snacks to our guests. I thought it would be nice to add something pretty here, but didn't want to take up any valuable serving space. When I saw these Halloween Glitter Globes, I knew they'd be perfect. Nothing says "Elegantly Spooky" like a black cat, a haunted house and a raven being swirled in black glitter. These globes are pretty enough to be in the center of the room, tall enough to command attention, but slim enough that they still leave plenty of room for a big bowl of cheese puffs. 










In the Breakfast Nook...





Speaking of snacks, we have a tradition in our home during the Halloween season of making our favorite Peanut Butter Cupcakes and keeping them by the dozens in the freezer (I'll be sharing the recipe with you in just a moment). This year these yummy treats are moving up in ranks, they're coming out of the freezer to be featured in a table centerpiece. 







I'm placing the cupcakes on a pretty cake plate covered with a vintage bird cage along with a stack party supplies and Balsam Hill Miracle Flame Fall Candles surrounded by their Halloween Nights Candle Rings on the table top.






These Miracle Flam LED Candles have become a family favorite in our home. My kids love them, because they look so real, it gives them a chance to fake out their friends. My husband loves them because they come with a remote control (which is extremely handy, I must also admit). The remote allows you to control the brightness and flicker speed of the flame! You certainly can't do that with a real candle. I love them mostly because they give me freedom to decorate with candles wherever I want, whenever I want, with no worries. 













Skeleton cupcake foils gave our Peanut Butter Cupcakes whimsical Halloween flavor, while my transfer ware dishes, carved wooden chargers and pretty table linens will keep the table styling classy and sophisticated. 






I love the way the candle and candle ring look perched on the gray cake plate next to my bird cage cupcake centerpiece. One of my favorite things to collect are cake plates and serving pieces. Not only do they come in handy while entertaining, but they are also fun to decorate with. I find a lot of cake plates at thrift shops and discount home stores. I keep them stacked in my ladder shelf where they are easily accessible. 









In The Powder Room...





 In our Powder Room, the paint color is dark which naturally gives it a moody feel. I'm playing that up this year by turning off the lights and adding a warm, dark, enchanting glow with candles placed inside these Black Pumpkin Halloween Luminaries. These luminaries work great outside, as well as indoors. I placed some on our Front Porch steps as well as here, in our Powder Room.  









On The Porch...


The last stop in my "Elegantly Spooky" Halloween tour is our front porch. I wanted to show how cool these Pumpkin Luminaries look at night...





These guys look so cool with the warm glow of a real candle or an LED battery operated candle. The outside is black and the inside is orange, the contrast is amplified once they are lit. 







What I really love about them is they are nice and substantial. They are much more practical than a light weight, paper bag luminary. They can withstand the elements on our Michigan porch much better. The only one in our home who is a little unsure of these is Murphie. He keeps a good eye on them. 






Now, as promised, I'm going to share our top secret cupcake recipe. First, I need to warn you that these cupcakes may be the most amazing thing you've ever tasted. I came about this recipe years ago, completely by experimentation one day while baking with my young nephew.  Ever since that magical day, we've kept this recipe close to the chest. I decided after many years of keeping it a secret that I should share it here on the blog so you can enjoy these little pieces of Heaven also. 



Here's what you will need:

1 Yellow Box Cake Mix
1 Can of Vanilla Frosting
Smooth Peanut Butter

The first step is to prepare the cake mix as directed on the box. Before pouring the batter into your cupcake tins, add a blog glop of Creamy Peanut Butter to the batter and mix well. (We determined a "big glop" is approximately the equivalent of 1/3 cup). Bake the Cupcakes as directed on the cake mix packaging and allow them to cool in the pan. Before frosting them, add a medium glop of Peanut Butter to the can of frosting and stir well. (A "medium glop" is approximately 1/4 cup).





 Once you have the cupcakes frosted, place the entire pan of cupcakes into the freezer and allow them to sit for a few hours, until frozen. Once they have hardened, you can then remove them from the pan and toss them in a freezer zip lock bag where you will be storing them in the freezer until it's time to enjoy them.

The reason for freezing these cupcakes is two fold. First, the obvious, freezing them allows you to plan way ahead. You can make them when you have time, keep them fresh in the freezer and pull them out just before a party. The second reason I freeze these cupcakes is to make them stiff enough to toss in my kids lunch bag. By the time lunch rolls around, they are thawed out perfectly for eating, but not so soft that they've been smooshed in their backpacks. 


Thanks for stopping by today. For more elegantly spooky decor ideas shown in "real home" settings, (using gorgeous Balsam Hill decor), check out French Country Cottage, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Simply Designing and The Balsam Hill Blog. 







For gorgeous Holiday Decor ideas for any season, be sure to stop by the Balsam Hill Blog. 
You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 



We currently have openings for new Online Design Projects (E-Design). If you're interested in getting started on a room makeover in your home, please click here to make your reservation.

*This post is sponsored by Balsam Hill. 




38 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE your design style - the spooky elegance is brilliant! My favorite Halloween tradition is seeing my nephews light up when they come out into the room all decked out in their costumes. They get so excited for the day and I just remember that as a kid. I always dress up, something work appropriate, and show up to see them and they love it!

    Karly - kg9587@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the decor! We always have dinner with my in laws - then all the cousins get dressed in their costumes and trick or treat together.
    Markandjennyv@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your designs! I've tried to copy some. My favorite Halloween tradition was going to see my kids in their school Halloween parade.
    Toni - toni@kansasgrain.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love all of your elegant Halloween decor!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your elegantly spooky Halloween home looks lovely! I really love the luminaries and that spider candy bowl.

    ReplyDelete
  6. At Halloween one of the things we do is take the kids to the pumpkin patch and everyone picks out their own pumpkins and then we decorate them! Stephanie Phelps gmom2paisley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your home looks amazing without looking kitchy. Elegant is right!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We've been slowing changing up our traditions for Halloween, but one that never changes is costume preparation procrastination! :) We are always waiting until the day before or the day of Halloween to figure out a costume. And it always comes together. So I guess it works for us! lol
    h.faesy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the Halloween decor (and Murphy peeking out the window!)! We have family and friends come to our neighborhood for trick-or-treating. It's always fun to gather beforehand at our house for hallo-weinies. Deborah - djordan@pres.ua.edu

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your blog! Also love that you are from Michigan! You have GREAT style!
    Thank you!
    Christina
    xgirl91@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your blog & your style! Thank you! Also love that you are from Michigan!!
    clgomes99@gmail.com
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love your blog & your style! Thank you! Also love that you are from Michigan!!
    clgomes99@gmail.com
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
  14. I absolutely LOVE your black birdcage idea! It is so unique! My husband and I just celebrated our 2nd anniversary last week. I waited a really long time to get married (I was 46 and getting married for the first time!), so we want to make Halloween, our favorite holiday, special. That being said, we began having an annual Halloween party and Haunted Garage. This will be our 2nd one, and that spider candy bowl sure would add some wonderfully scary charm to the decor. My email is nancybjohnson@hotmail.com. Thanks and have a great day! Happy Halloween!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW, even your Halloween decorating is amazing!! Because my mom died when I was 12 my favourite memories are of her taking me out trick or treating every year even though it either snowed or rained she was always there until I was done for the night she never complained or rushed me, she just enjoyed watching me have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Our Family Loves Celebrating Halloween, Love to Decorate inside the House and Outside also!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The grandkids would love all the decorations, not to mention all the sweets.

    ReplyDelete
  18. One of our daughters has a birthday on the day before Halloween. It was always fun celebrating her birthday along with Halloween.
    deb.adams129@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is so cute! You have the best decor btw. A favorite memory of mine is we always would have pizza with our neighbors before trick or treating :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. The place looks great! I love the Halloween glitter globes and your dishes. What a wonderful place to host a party. I so enjoy reading your blog. A few years ago, I attended a Weekend in the Country. You were there showing us how to decorate our Christmas trees. I use your tips every year. Thanks and keep up the great work! Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love it all!! Your Style = My Style. I look forward to every blog post. Thank you for sharing!!
    Every Halloween, I make chili and cornbread. My grown kids have already asked to make sure I will be making them again. And of course, trunk or treating is a favorite. We always decorate our car to coordinate with our costumes. Happy Halloween!!
    Joey - jiginolfi@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. In love with the black & white & orange tones in your home for Halloween - very inspiring and certainly sets the mood in a classy, fun way. When I was raised in Australia & NZ we didn't celebrate Halloween so it started when I moved to America. Once I had children dressing them up & going with them door to door (making sure they used their manners) was fun & memorable.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My favorite Halloween memory is when my grandparents held a harvest party in their barn! I had more fun with that than trick-or-treating our neighborhood any year! lindseywifey@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is so cute! My favorite Halloween memories include the yearly candy carnival that we attended every year as a family. NicoleSherry88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love how you decorated! Nice cupcake hack;)! I remember dressing up and parading at school with all my class.

    ReplyDelete
  26. My favorite Halloween memory as a kid is when my dad would really get into the Halloween spirit and decorate our whole house. Our house was the favorite one on the block. He even had the spooky music and the fog machine to go with it. So fun.

    Mgeckle777@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Our family tradition is to carve pumpkins! We go to a pumpkin patch and we each pick out one that we like the most! My twins have so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your recipe sounds delicious..I like the bird cage and flo bes a lot!
    I come from the time where Halloween was fun and safe..many many memories of going to neighborhoods! Hard to pick one..I remember going into strangers home..to do tricks for a treat..having water thrown in us from a balcony...so many fun times...my favorite has to be mom sewing our costumes every year..very detailed..hard work..usually a McCall pattern or vogue..love her so!

    ReplyDelete
  29. We've always been THE House that have always had a halloween party! My kids and their friends still talk about all the FUN parties.

    ReplyDelete
  30. My favorite memory was having a haunted house in my basement!

    ReplyDelete
  31. When it rained on Halloween my mom would cut head and arm holes in a trash bag and slip it over our costumes hahaha! and we live in Oregon, it rained often on Halloween. I plan on torturing my son in the same manner lol. We also love to go to the local pumpkin patch.
    Brenda Haines crazy4bassets25@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Our family tradition is to take the kids to the pumpkin patch every year!

    ReplyDelete
  33. We love going trick or treating from store to store in our little town :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. We go to our little towns trick or treat parade downtown. It a fantastic and fun community affair! xoxo
    Happy Autumn!

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. We would do trunk-or-treating at the church!

    ReplyDelete
  36. when the kids were little, we would pull them and their friends around the neighborhood to trick or treat in the tractor's wagon, while the parents walked alongside. Fun nights with friends!
    dandskeefe at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. My tradition is eating grilled cheese and tomato soup before trick or treating then when we get home drink hot chocolate with Carmel apples. When we were out trick or treating whoever got to the house first got to ring or knock and me and my sisters would run to try and be first. Amanda Hoffman 28amandahoffman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. My tradition is to buy way more candy than I actually need to justify having it on hand to eat!! We also do a trick or treat event at our church, one at the local mall, and if the weather permits, we walk our neighborhood. emailoftim@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
SITE DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS