No, this isn't my Halloween tablescape for home, but these accessories made by moi did make the VIP area at the Gentlemen of the Gardens Devil's Night bash quite festive without being too kitch. A new component to the annual party that was held on Friday, Oct.30th at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach was the VIP space which I graciously accepted the offer to decorate as part of my committee contribution. I knew there would be several people crammed into the spaces that people were allowed access to, as well as cumbersome costumes, therefore, the overall look for the space was begging for chic, festive, and simple elements. The Ann Norton house which has various artists' works (paintings, sculpture, etc.) on display year round as well as tours of the garden , was just recently updated by some very talented local designers a couple of years ago during the Red Cross Designers' Showhouse. From what I had to work with (great bones for starters!), and a very limited budget (read: my own bank account!), and a little help from my friends, I think we pulled this space together quite nicely as well as achieved a sophisticated atmosphere sans bats, cobwebs, spiders and other devilish decor.
Contemporary white leather sofas facing each other provide comfortable seating groups along with bales of golden straw as cocktail tables. After rummaging through the house, I found these silver trays that could've used some polishing but thought their patina complemented the roughness of the straw and were great for stabilizing cocktails!
I also found this amazing acrylic bar cart that I couldn't resist using somewhere! I adore the frosted plinth used for displaying real scuptures in lieu of foam skulls! And since burning candles are not allowed inside the house, I had to resort to battery operated LED tea lights and the like. Not a personal favorite, but it did the trick!
Subdued gothic accessories create a nice grouping on this small, antique table. Cage-like vase was spray painted black and I added various feathers in place of flowers.
Another arrangement of black roses, black eucalyptus leaves, and black & white feathers adorned this wooden tray table.
Probably my favorite arrangement is this one made of spray painted black twigs, peacock feathers and placed inside this glorious silver pitcher! What a find!
I thought the pitcher of twigs looked smashing atop this beautiful antique secretary!
Well, now that Halloween is over (it's a holiday that no one really talks about long afterwards like Thanksgiving and Christmas), the decorations are dismantled, and straw is still appearing everywhere...I now look forward to my next event to design, wherever that may be! -BH
