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.

• Click here to read about all the painting that's been going on.

• And here to check out the last Treasure Box Wednesday on Rummages and Resale Shops!

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

Cheers!
-Jenn

Treasure Box Wednesday: Rummages and Resale Shops

A little exploring on the weekend brought me to some Treasure Box opportunities I don't ordinarily have-- and which I'll share with you today!

The first was a local church rummage sale. It was a misty gray morning, drizzle dropping down on us as we queued for the sale to open. Neighbors met neighbors. Kids dangled distractedly on their moms necks. And I felt a sense of anticipation. This sale had yielded goodies for me before, in spring...

And fall was no exception. In fact, as we stepped out of the rain into the warmly lit basement, in the very first row, I found a 1930s-ish art deco print for $3...

It's called "The Viking," I learned, when I took the frame apart to clean the very dirty glass. And while it looks quite a bit like an Atkinson Fox print, no name is on the piece. All there is is the title and this publisher's mark...


"Reliance Picture Frame Company-- NY." Looks like when I get some time, I'm going to have to do a little research!

I also uncovered some 60s cookbooks-- one of which I believe I'll be treating you all with in a future post-- and this vintage pottery planter...

At fifty-cents, I figured I couldn't go wrong!

Later in the day, at a resale shop in Bellevue I hadn't been to before, I found this detailed Made in Japan figurine which, thanks to info from a nice reader, is likely based on the nursery rhyme about the cat off to see the Queen...

Anyway, I loved the bisque look and soft colors. The store benefits a local hospice, the prices were great, and it is definitely one I'll visit again.

(I have to get the details to share with you all. I admit, I was so enamored looking around at the merchandise, I forgot to get the contact info! Ah, the price of being an avid treasure hunter-- we get distracted sometimes.)

The other item I bought was this 1950s style carriage-shaped novelty clock. I thought. given the fairy-tale quality the blue room in my house has been taking on, it might fit in well on the mantle I'm assembling.
Lastly, I stopped by the Ohio River Boulevard Antique Mall and came across additional material for a future post... These "Official Detective Stories" magazines...

I love old pulp fiction, and these dramatic, kitschy covers really caught the eye. Plus, at 50% off, how could I say no?

Anyway, that's the Treasure Box for this week, my friends!

• If you missed Sunday's post-- "Painted Lady"-- which talks about how a furniture stash is getting a makeover, click here.

If not, I'll see you on Sunday perhaps, where I should have more progress on some home decorating projects!

Painted Lady

Apologies that my Sunday post is a little late today compared to some days. But I have an excuse I do believe you'll all understand. You see, I've been painting furniture...

And painting furniture...

And painting furniture.

Yes, folks, at my house it's been one of those marathon "Let's Just Get This Done" sessions filled with excited ambition... and which always somehow manages to take four times longer than you initially expect.

The project? Furniture and accessories to be used in my blue sitting room. If you recall the other day, the endtables started out like this and I was about to give them a touch of off-white paint...

And here's the first coat for comparison!...

Ya just don't realize how many sides and fiddly bits there are to a small endtable like this until you have to cover it in three coats of paint, let me tell you! Just when I'd think I'd gotten it all covered, I'd see it from another angle and realize--- oh, NOOOOOO!--- I missed a section.

One of the endtables is pretty much done with the exception of a clear topcoat. The other still has a way to go yet-- and then there's a matching coffetable to tackle.

So while I was... um.. watching paint dry, I started priming this antique fire surround I got at the Construction Junction architectural salvage store...

Some good ol' Rustoleum should keep that rusty section at bay. Then this will get a coat of the off-white paint I'm using on the furniture. I think it will be pretty in the blue room, as part of a makeshift faux fireplace I'm hoping to add in there.

Here you can see it all primed up!


And here's a close-up on the detail. Gotta love those elaborate vines and berries climbing along it...And because I hadn't already gotten myself in enough trouble with painting projects, I ended up painting the black base of a bust I want to use in that room. (Don't worry, the bust was from TJ Maxx, not any priceless antique!) You can see here in the lefthand side of the photo below...

And I also worked over this thrifted lamp...

It's a strange little cherub on it-- I'm guessing it's from the 70s. But I think the antique white paint doesn't look too bad...

This was the first coat. I'll need to do at least one more to even it out. But you can get a sense of how it will be.

Anyway, that's where we stand today. As I get things finished and moved into the room, I'll give you all a little update.

• And if you missed previous posts and want to know which room I'm talking about, you can check out what's been done to date here.

The next Thrift Shop Romantic post will be Wednesday. Oh, and while I remember, I want to thank everyone who has subscribed to the The Thrift Shop Romantic RSS feed. I'm really delighted to have you all share in the thrifting and decorating adventures.