A Dramatic Touch

Create ombre depth by painting faux pumpkins black with silver highlights, evoking moonlight.

Materials and Tools

• Orange foam pumpkins

• Flat black chalky-finish craft paint • Small craft brush

• Spray bottle with mist option • Silver metallic-finish spray paint

Instructions

1. Paint the pumpkins black, using a brush to apply two coats for good coverage. It’s OK to be less accurate with the stem area, as that will be spray-painted later. Let dry.

2. Arrange the pumpkins, stem up, outside or on a drop cloth on ground level. Hold a spray bottle filled with water directly over each pumpkin and press the trigger several times to mist the top of the pumpkin with water, stopping once droplets form and begin to run down the sides.

3. To achieve a two-tone effect, immediately apply the silver spray paint to the wet top halves of the pumpkins. Take aim from above and spray in bursts while moving your arm in a side-to-side motion. The paint should fall very lightly just on the tops of the pumpkins. The water gives the paint a slightly speckled effect and prevents it from being solid silver.

4. Let dry and then add to your tabletop vignette and cabinet display.

Silver-kissed pumpkins shine in a centerpiece softened by fall flowers and pip berries. The berries are on small wreaths tucked around the silver candleholders.