Decorating As If Henry Tudor Had a Halloween Bash

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Not only do I pick things up over the course of the year at thrift stores and put it away, I find things at stores like Target and Michaels-- on serious discount-- and enhance my Halloween decorating repertoire when I can.

This year, Target went quite "Henry the Eighth" with their theme, and I selected a few things I thought I could use for multiple years ahead, from their ranks. So, I combined the plastic hobnail pieces and tapestry-style chargers they had, with real hobnail, glass and golden chargers I'd picked up years ago for pennies, to create a black, gold and purple tablescape...


I loved in particular the black damask Target did with dragons, thistle and various otherwordly creatures. They printed the same thing on very inexpensive yet fun plastic plates and bowls. Which is plastic and which is glass?-- it's actually very hard to tell!

This centerpiece is simply a Target candle on a dish. When you light the candle, it will run in a red Halloweeny fearful way. I actually like the skull and medieval heraldry detail so much, I probably won't run it this year in order to retain it...
I put a circular mirror from Pat Catan's craft store under it to reflect the scene. I've used this inexpensive mirror so many times, it's become a staple for centerpieces.

The Bela Legosi animated photo is from-- of all places-- the grocery store after Halloween 2007 for just a few dollars... Here love is in the air with Count Dracula...

And here the Count shows his true colors...

And last, I found a few interesting bottles at Michaels on a BIG sale... Like this organic bat brain (herbal, of course!)..

And here's my feathered friend Roderick, of Poe fame, to skwawk out a seasonal "Nevermore!" He was after-season clearance last year...
Lastly, I had quite forgotten I'd gotten some decor off-season at Tuesday Morning. I love how these creepy jack-o-lanterns catch the eye...

That second item says "Trick" and not "Rick," by the way I have no particular Halloween vendetta against some poor, innocent Rick fellow. :)

In addition to all the Halloween decorating you see here, I will soon be unveiling a brand-new fireplace surrroud in my Blue Room. It's still in-process, so I should be showing this to you soon! Your hostess has been a very busy gal (who has many stories to tell you about the process)!! I think you will all approve once it's been completed.


And perhaps I'll see you this Wednesday, with more updates!

Cheers!
-Jenn

11 comments:

crpitt said...

Oh love it, especially the Bela Legosi animated photo.

Were you tempted to go Poe's funeral the other week?

sidenote time: Has the red sofa been placed yet?

Jenn Thorson said...

Claire- Isn't it funny how something so cheap ends up being a favorite?

I would have to drive about 5 hours to get to Poe's funeral event. As much as I admire his work, I just didn't have the time to do it. I did read about it, though.

The red sofa has been placed and I'll take pics soon!! It's lovely and was worth all the chicanery to get it into place!

Anne Lorys said...

Such a cute blog, I've been poking around reading your posts for a bit. I love meeting other gals who love the hunt as much as I do. You have some great treasures!
All the best,
Anne

Down Pillow said...

Love, love, love your hobnail pieces :)

Jenn Thorson said...

Anne- Thanks much for the visit and for checking it out!

DP- Hobnail is such fun. One of those hobnail bottles came from the Goodwill.

Kori said...

Hi Jenn...love it! I see some of my favorite things from Target's Halloween line? Love the blog. Keep up the great work. Take care, Kori xoxo

crpitt said...

I guess 5 hours is a bit much, especially with your absolutely ridonkulous work schedule!

Can't wait to see the sofa :)

Jenn Thorson said...

Kori- Ah, yes indeed! It was very temping this year at Target.

Claire- Yup-- if I could grab a long weekend, it would have been cool. But I wouldn't have had enough time to let folks know in advance.

WickedThrifty said...

i adore this whole thing! but especially the mantel- where did you find that awesome purple skull brocade?!?!

Jenn Thorson said...

Thrifty Stylist- That was a Target purchase-- though it was a velvety throw, and not really meant for a mantle. I've just folded it over a few times to cheat at having a mantle scarf. :)

chyna said...

Target really outdid itself this year didn't it? I was so tempted to have a party just to buy the party ware and other ghastly stuff.