If you're still racking your brain for a sophisticated centerpiece come Halloween, look no further!
Using 99 cent skulls from the dollar store and a few other basics, I'll show you how to create a creepy centerpiece that’s chic enough to take center stage at your next ghastly gathering. It’s inexpensive, reusable, and eerily easy!
Before getting started, I gathered these materials: seven black Styrofoam skulls and one foam ring (about 10-12 inches in diameter), both from the dollar store; then, from any craft store, black glitter, faux black roses, wire cutters, glue gun, and spray adhesive.
First, I sprayed the adhesive on the foam ring, then coated it thoroughly with black glitter. Make sure you create a solid, glittery black base on which to affix the skulls.
Then, using a hot glue gun, I attached each skull to the foam ring at the back of its jaw. Don’t forget to pay attention to the angle and spacing of each skull—you want them positioned uniformly around the ring, with enough room for one black rose in between.
With wire cutters, I shortened the stems of my black roses, then attached one flower between each skull. (Depending on the fullness of your flowers or the size of your ring, you may need to add more than one flower.) Drive each stem into the foam carefully and securely so that the flower sits flush against the ring.
And since Halloween is always creepier by candlelight, I put a cylinder hurricane and black pillar candle in the middle. This one, by the way, is smokeless, dripless, and solid color to the core! For a final touch of ghoulish glam, I elevated my centerpiece on an old hotel silver cake pedestal. Just make sure that if you put yours heads-above the rest of the table (no pun intended!), its height doesn’t interfere with conversation among your guests. There’s nothing worse that having to lean around hollow-eyed skulls to make eye-contact with company!
With my centerpiece complete, I’m ready to set the table for a sophisticated sit-down dinner! Now I’ve always thought that when it comes to Halloween décor, a restrained palette of classic colors works best, so I chose shades of black, gray, and cream. To add depth and give the table a more polished look, I layered a dark gray runner (simply fold a piece of fabric and trim it with ric rac) on top of a light gray tablecloth. The flatware is vintage black Bakelite with a gothic insignia and the ivory damask napkins, with their creepy shawl fringe, are topped with plastic spiders. It's the devilish details that make all the difference!
These antique amethyst black “end of day” glass salad plates (so named because glass manufacturers produced them by mixing all the colors that were leftover at the end of the day) are perfect for a first course of wilted greens with blood-orange vinaigrette. To serve the main course—blackened rack of baby lamb in a red wine reduction sauce, ghostly mashed potatoes with blue cheese, and rot-roasted root vegetables—I’ll use these octagonal antique ironstone dinner plates, shaped like coffins.
Finally, for high drama, I’ve got a carafe that’s full of “blood water” and crawling with creepy spiders. (The spider is affixed with floral clay, and you can make your own blood water with just a drop of red food coloring.) The champagne flutes are vintage with a sophisticated swirl reminiscent of the ric rac. (Just remember that if you’re going to trick your guests with blood water, then it’s only right to treat them with something sweet at the end of the night!) I went with these devilishly delightful hard candies from Hammond's. Their black and white stripes and bone-shaped curves are a frightful finish to a ghoulish feast.
Speaking of ghoulish feasts, what are your Halloween plans this year? I'd love to hear about them!
Ghoulishly delicous!
I love this idea! Love the way you set the table too.
I’m kicking myself now though because I found some great wine glasses with the black bottoms at a thrift store. I had them in my cart and then put them back. They would have been perfect!
Darn.
Hugs,
Joanne
That’s heads above anything I have seen. I actually saw the skulls at my local $$ tree; they were used for placecaed holders / take home treats for my guests. Love the heads will roll wreath though!! That’s using the ol’ noggin!
L
Such a great centerpiece!! I love how you attached the skulls and then put flowers in the middle- so creative yet again, and super spooky!!
Oh that is fantastic – the bakelite flatware is perfect!
love it all. i’m such a whore for glitter…
LOVE this, Eddie! Goulish glamour to the hilt. Awesome. Mmm,mmm,mmm.
Brilliant!! I had the chance to view your HGTV Halloween special and it’s so much better than any holiday special they’ve ever had. The bar has been raised big time…
Now that’s just spook’a’lesis…hehe
This is so cool!!! and easy
You have a serious gift. Thank you for sharing it with us. Youre amazing!!!
Aaack – creepy!! Love it!!
how fun! you are amazing! and whats also amazing is how much tableware you own! wow! love it!
THANKS Eddie and Jathan…I’ll be making that for my Junior League Board Meeting! Your festive…SPOOKY….delights are wonderful. Have a great weekend and thanks from Yakima, Washington! :0)
that looks great Eddie! love it!
Eddie
I wanted to let you know something funny. I was looking at some of your old posts, when I saw a sofa you recovered for a friend. You mentioned a web site taht makes custom slipcovers, so I went on it and ordered one in the sage green. I cant wait to see it. I do have a wuestion. I have a nice collection from many years ago of brass candlesticks, but they are shiny. Still ok ot use?? Any suggestions?? Thanks Gina T any chance you’ll be in the Seatlle area??
Congrats on the post on Apartment Therapy, well deserved. The table setting is beautiful.
XOXOXO
Not a day goes by that you don’t have another fabulous idea. You should work on a book. Love the idea, going to check my dollar store today.
Shelbylynn
http://www.shopshelbylynn.blogspot.com
Wow! You are so creative! It looks so good!
spiders and skulls oh my, what’s a “ghoul” to do without Eddie?
You always make everything look so much less scary to do.
pve
Fantastic! Sophisticated and creepy. I love all the details.
coolest thing – EVER!!!! Seriously. You’re the best!
Ghostly good! I love how the red of the bloody drink reflects in the knife blade.
All so genius!
We will run in the neighborhood with the kids and later have a little neighborhood party, all dressed up. It’s going to be fun!
Oh how I wish we were having our annual Halloween party this year! Such great ideas!
How wonderfully creepy. Great post and I’ll be keeping this Halloween wreath hanging in the closet, to come out and play with a permanent place to stay.
Bette
Oh Eddie! I heart you so!! Fantabulous per the usual!
Love it!…where is your TV show? DANG!
This really is too fantastic!
what a FAB idea!
Love the centerpiece! I bought the white skulls, and they’re in a silver platter with some moss. We have a ghastly gathering here every year at Opulent Cottage. I decorate every inch of the house, we replace every single light bulb we have with black light, and I cook for two days for the horde of teens that come over. And this year I’ll be making your spider web cupcakes – the kids will love them!
Whoa…that is fantastic! Thanks so much for this, I’ll be linking.
I’m thinking of a Goth themed Halloween party and this centerpiece would be perfect!