We are the family that often runs from frightening outdoor Halloween displays. We are also the family whose children cover skeletons with blankets to make them less scary. In decorating my main living space for Halloween this year, I wanted to create a whimsical room that children run TOWARDS and not away from…so I added a bold pop of PINK and some sugary treats for a SWEET AND SPOOKY style sure to please!

As I do with many of my over-the-top tables, I created a festive, no-sew tablecloth from holiday fabric and layered that on top of a solid black tablecloth. After arranging Glitterville paper mache garland in the center of the table, I then placed two MacKenzie-Childs pedestal platters on the table, from their classic Courtly Check collection,. I styled the larger stand with a smiling pumpkin from Glitterville, a Knoxville based décor and gift company started by costume designer, Stephen Brown. (Brown has worked with Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey; his talent for creating one of a kind, hand crafted, holiday décor is why I continue to add new pieces to my holiday collection each year.) Local boutique bakery, Sugar Drop, created a gorgeous Halloween drip cake from their signature vanilla cake, watercolor buttercream and dark chocolate ganache. A buttercream crown and custom sprinkle mix added to the beauty of this custom confection … almost too pretty to eat but one that my husband and children lined up to taste.

After layering brightly colored placemats and shiplap chargers on the table, I topped each one with checked, black and white enamel dishes from MacKenzie-Childs. I turned their classic tea pot and witch cauldron into serving pieces by styling color coordinated cake pops and themed cookies by local baker, Michelle Wilson, @sipstosugars, into each one. I crafted my own napkins by cutting two, 16”x!6” squares from craft store fabric and then layered those with rhinestone, spider napkin rings.

For another twist on tablescape displays, I flipped MacKenzie-Childs’ coordinating everyday bowl upside down to highlight the hand-poured chocolate tea cups, filled with buttercream, created by Sugar Drop. Fondant ice cream cones with fresh cotton candy and hot pink chocolate dipped apples, displayed on vintage, upside down bowls, add a playful touch to the table. Finding new ways to purpose traditional dishware adds a bit of a whimsy to an otherwise ordinary table. Spooktacular MacKenzie-Childs Halloween crows and a hand-carved, “Sweet and Spooky” sign from Little Lulu Bee on Etsy, welcome little guests to our family table.

For one last whimsical display for the season, I styled a small, coordinating Halloween tree in the corner of our kitchen lounge. Using my “shove and stuff” method, I simply layered craft store sprigs and picks, alternating colors of ribbon, polka dot lantern lights and Grim Grinning Goodies’ garland throughout the tree. (You could also use pumpkin lantern lights.) I then stuffed wooden signs and festive felines from HomeGoods into empty spaces and filled in the remaining holes with fringed tissue paper that my children cut.

Break out of the traditional orange and black Halloween theme by adding bold pops of color for a whimsical twist on the season’s spookiest holiday! Follow me, @jennyreimold, on Instagram for more design, lifestyle and parenting content.

Shop my Sweet and Spooky table

Photos by Evin Photography

Styling Assistant Sara Brigman

For another twist on tablescape displays, I flipped the coordinating everyday bowl upside down to highlight the hand-poured chocolate tea cups, filled with buttercream and topped with signature sprinkles, created by Sugar Drop. Finding new ways to purpose traditional dishware adds a bit of a whimsy to an otherwise ordinary table. Spooktacular MacKenzie-Childs Halloween crows and a hand-carved, “Sweet and Spooky” sign from Little Lulu Bee on Etsy, welcome little guests to our family table.

For one last whimsical touch of the season, I styled a small, coordinating Halloween tree in the corner of our kitchen lounge. Using my “shove and stuff” method, I simply layered craft store sprigs and picks, alternating colors of ribbon, polka dot lantern lights and Grim Grinning Goodies’ garland throughout the tree. I then stuffed wooden signs and festive felines from HomeGoods into empty spaces and filled in the remaining holes with fringed tissue paper that my children cut.

Break out of the traditional orange and black Halloween theme by adding bold pops of color for a whimsical twist on the season’s spookiest holiday!