HALLOWEEN SCENE

To commemorate fall, as well as give a nod to the first of its notable celebrations, René included several black and orange accessories in her vignette to emphasize Halloween without being too eerie. For this double-duty table display, she first chose items that would stay in place throughout the entire season. She selected a natural burlap table runner, a shorter quilted table runner in orange, and a long wooden box for her centerpiece foundation.

The box, key to this design, is very simply constructed. Consider making your own to fit your space perfectly. Whether you build a box or purchase one, customize it with a stenciled motif—choose a word that denotes a season or perhaps a family name.

René set candleholders of varying heights and two different finishes in the box, enjoying how the tone of the silver candlesticks played off the black wooden pillar candleholders. As filler foliage, René wound a leaf garland around the candleholders and tucked it deep into the box. She used a mix of faux decor—earthtoned peonies, yellow sunflowers and orange pumpkins—to top off the box. (Floral foam is unnecessary if you plan to tuck plenty of blooms, foliage and decor into the box.)

To add Halloween spirit to the autumn centerpiece, René amped up the drama by incorporating green leaves spray-painted black and silvery black metallic pumpkins. (Turn to page 10 for instructions on how to create these pumpkins.) Orange pillar candles and yellow-hued twisted tapers underscore the fall-meetsHalloween theme.

At each place setting, she positioned other pieces that will remain on the table throughout the season, including the round wicker place mats and orange chargers.

In the nearby cabinet, she chose pewter tableware, foam pumpkins and a long basket adorned with fall fare as her foundation pieces.

She also included another metallic pumpkin, black-and-white striped bowls, and vintage Pfaltzgraff dishware that coordinates with the blue hues in the striped napkins.