Good morning sweet friends and readers!
I hope everyone has been having a wonderful fall so far – I know that it is many people’s favorite season. This year, fall has sadly been marred by the heart-breaking devastation caused by hurricane Helene in the southeast US. Living inland here in Calgary, we don’t really have any experience with hurricanes but the pictures from the news about Helene were both horrific and incomprehensible. And now there is hurricane Milton on the way, threatening yet more devastation in Florida. My thoughts and prayers are with the many who suffered losses from Helene and for those who will be impacted by Milton.
We are moving towards Halloween and today I am joining 16 other very talented stylists in a Halloween blog hop hosted by the lovely Rita from Panoply. Thank you Rita! And doesn’t she make the most amazing graphics? Just look at those pumpkins on the salad plate below! The links to the other stylists’ tables can be found at the end of this post. Be sure to check them out for some fabulous Halloween inspiration!
For this Halloween blog hop, I had envisioned a dark tablescape in my mind and I brought up some pieces from the basement in the hopes that they might spark some inspiration. A lot of my tabletop stuff is still in storage, so I was starting with what I had on hand. I wasn’t sure that this table runner was going to satisfy my dark tablescape vision, but the ivory background was a good match with the dishes and I wanted to see if I could make it work. I ended up not using the spider web placemats as beautiful as they were lol.
I thought I would use the skulls in the centerpiece along with some black hydrangeas from my stash. But my black hydrangeas were no where to be found. Most likely still in the storage. Hmmm. Purchase new ones (way easier) or spend some time going to storage and rooting around in boxes and bags? I decided to check out Michael’s first, and while almost everything Halloween was on sale, their black hydrangeas were not. And at $12.99 per stem and a need for at least six of them for the table… well, there was no way I was paying that price. On a whim, we popped into HomeSense after and there to greet me in the flower aisle were some purple and black butterfly stems. Potentially great solution and perhaps even better than black hydrangeas for my dark table. The added bonus was that I still had some money left on a gift card from my retirement party; I think I ended up paying $2.48 for them out of pocket. I brought them home, made the centerpiece, set the table, and waited for it to get dark outside.
Nice and spooky with a little bit of a dark vibe.
Expectedly spooky you might even say.
But then a funny thing happened. When I came down to the kitchen the next morning, the sun was streaming in the windows, and oh my gosh, the juxtaposition of the black and white and the skellies and purple butterflies with the sunlight on the table was just so jarring. In an almost eerie kind of way. Or maybe it’s just me… In any event, I ended up re-photographing the table in varying degrees of sunlight.
Table details:
The plate stack started with Mrs. Skellie and her pup on a background of I don’t know what – script?
You can read some of the writing in places, mostly the months of the year. The rest not so much. I see the word Anno just above her hat so maybe it’s Latin or something.
The salad plate sits on another skellie plate – ‘Til death do us part and beyond is what I’m calling it. The dinner plate can certainly be set by itself, but in this case, the black border made a nice frame for the salads. Plus, my guests have two skellie plates to enjoy during dinner.🦴🦴
A close-up of the loving couple.
Favorite Halloween black and white flatware sits on botanical print napkins. Depending on how you fold the napkins, each one can look a little different.
Skellie wine glasses completed the place settings.
The centerpiece was pretty easy to put together. I simply laid four of the branches down, butterflies towards the ends, and added some black candle holders with white candles. The most fun feature of the butterfly branches is that the butterfly wings have skulls on them. Of course I had to place a couple of skulls at the ends of the arrangement.
Such a delightful smile.
Our one cat, Georgie Girl, was fascinated with the butterflies. I think I lifted her off the table about half a dozen times before shutting her in the bedroom so I could finish photographing the table. I even caught Potpurri (below) lying on the butterflies one morning. She is the cat who never does anything wrong. Or, at least the cat who has never before been caught doing anything wrong…
Table resources:
Table runner (used here and here), skellie plates, skellie wine glasses (used here), and flatware (used here and here) all several years ago: HomeSense
Butterfly branches: New this year from HomeSense
Napkins (used here) several years ago: Williams Sonoma
Skulls, charger plates, and candles: Dollar store and Dollar Tree
Candle holders: Amazon
With candles lit.
Happy Halloween everyone! Please check out the other stylists’ tables at the links below. You will not be disappointed!
And doesn’t Rita make the most amazing graphics? Just check out the pumpkins on the salad plates below. Shiver…
Addendum: There may have been some slight difficulties with commenting. If you’ve left a comment and it’s not showing please let me know. Thanks!
Home is Where the Boat Is – Pink, Eek and Ghostly Sweets
Hyacinths for the Soul – Tartan Spice is Very Nice!
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Oh Wow Kim!! I LOVE this!! The dramatic difference from evening to morning is stunning and I love both versions!! You have such a good eye for finding just the right accent – those butterflies are perfect, especially with the little skulls on them. They look so pretty, but the closer look reveals the surprise. SO cool! You always inspire me! Hope you have a fine Halloween my friend!
Thanks so much for your sweet comments Barbara. Turns out that Michaels was selling similar butterfly stems online only in all black. I missed you this round but I know you’re super busy. Have fun with your new course and I hope you have a wonderful Halloween to my friend!!
Ohhh I love moody black and white tables for Halloween. They add a layer of sophistication to extraordinary spooky decor. The purple butterflies create an unexpected vibe — who knew butterflies could be frightful?! All the candles lit the black touches with the right amount of flickering emphasis., especially the skeleton stemware. I so enjoyed hopping with you!
HI Sandra. Yes, indeed, who know that butterflies could be so creepy – I was absolutely delighted to have found them lol. I discovered after that they had some in Michaels too, although I didn’t notice them when I was there. I loved your table as well – so delectably spooky! Thanks for your comments and for stopping by. It was great hopping with you too!
It absolutely all works! This is a wonderful table, Kim! Oh, and I’m in love with Georgie Girl!!!
The Mrs. Skellie and her pup set the stage for a sophisticated table in my mind, and all the black and white details are perfection. Well done! Happy Halloween!
Loved seeing your table and always fun to hop with you.
Thanks so much for your lovely comments Sarah and I loved seeing your table too! These kitties definitely keep us on our toes, especially Georgie Girl. I’m sorry you had so much trouble commenting but thank you for letting me know. This was a fabulous hop and there was so much inspiration and creativity everywhere. It was fun hopping with you too and Happy Halloween!
Kim your table is perfect for a Halloween bash. All your elements flow together nicely. I did try to go to a few of the links but got a 404 error message on each one. ?? Your choice of centerpiece is quite lovely. The kitties are doing what I dislike the most by getting atop tables and countertops. I LOVE kitties and have had many over the years but have never been able to train them NOT to get atop furniture…I am sure you have discouraged yours…I guess it is because I know where their feet have been…LOL. When we lived in the mountains of N.M., we had about a dozen ranch and barn cats and I adored them…outside. As we speak, my daughter is trying to give me a adorable black and white kitty (8 weeks old)…still thinking about it. LOL Always a pleasure to table hop with you.
Kari, I’m sorry to hear about the 404 errors- I wonder what happened? I know what you mean about kitties on tables and countertops lol. That’s so funny that your daughter is trying to give you a kitten – good luck with that decision. Kari, I am so glad you are okay and I hope your house it too. I absolutely adored you picnic tablescape. Great hopping with you too!
Such a great moody tablecape in black and white. I love your plates! Those are creepy keepers for sure. Your flatware is awesome mixed with the black and white napkins. Everything really flows perfectly. I am amazed at how different it looked with the light streaming in. So cool!
Thanks Karin – I really liked the table with the sunlight on it too – better than in the dark with the candles. I love me a little creepy at Halloween lol. It was such a great hop with so many fabulous ideas an inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Halloween to you!
Ooh, yes, the light from day on the table almost looks as though Miss SKellie pulled back the curtain from the night before – spooktacular! Perhaps the table cast its spell on Potpourri and Georgie Girl? It certainly does me. I love this look, and the florals you chose work very well with the plates and the wine glasses. Tastefully terrifying with the floral napkins and flatware to round it all out. Thank you so much for joining this Halloween fun, and fun it truly is. I LOVE seeing all the variety in the inspiration!
Hi Rita! Thanks for your comments and having me along. I love that “tastefully terrifying” I don’t know what it was about those butterflies but both cats were fascinated with them. It really was a great hop with so many interesting and creative tables and thanks as always for your fabulous organizing efforts. Happy October and happy Halloween to you!
Kim, very spooky table. Love the plate stack with the skellies. The lady skelly with her pet is eye catching. They look fab-boo-lous on the spider web placemats. Even the skelly goblets tie in wonderfully. The purple skull butterflies are a nice addition. You have captured a dramatic look for a Halloween. The cat looks quite content sitting on your table. Congrats on your retirement.
Thanks Linda! Yes, Potpurri looks much too content for her own good lol. This was a fun table to set and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the congrats and Happy October to you!
Spooktacular Kim! This the perfect table for my skeleton crew! 💀 It’s like those butterfly stems with the skull faces were waiting for you to find them at Homesense…definitely spooky! I love the sunlight highlighting your table and the eerie glow on your skellie goblets. I have two of the same salad plates. I’ve tried to make out the writing and can only discern September, October and November.
Such a pretty kitty! Cats have a sixth sense about laying where they shouldn’t. We were a 3 cat family years ago and I was forever removing them from kitchen counters and tabletops. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy October! 🧹🎃 👻🕸️💀
Thanks for your lovely comments Mary. I’m not sure what language those plates are but I can also make out January near the top. You have described Georgie Girl to a tee – constantly on the countertops, the table, in the dishwasher, on the china cabinet and the list goes on lol. She keeps us on our toes, that’s for sure. It’s a treat to join you at the table as well and I hope you are able to indulge in some more Halloween fun before its over. Happy October!
The butterflies stems with that wonderful touch of purple that shines in the sun is perfect for this table. It really provides a lovely spot for your wonderful cat. Loved the black and white Kellie plates. They look great and are just a little bit spooky. the flatware and napkins pair beautifully with the table runner and tie everything together. the skulls and candles add to the spooky factor. Have a great Halloween.
Lynne
Thank you so much Lynne! Yes, the cat who is not supposed to be there lol. I loved your table as well and wishing you a great Halloween too!
Hello Kim. I did not realize that you had already retired. Congratulations!! Now you have some time to play with dishes (lol). I love your black and white table, it is scary but not too much! The centerpiece is fabulous with the purple and black butterfly. The Skellie dinner and salad plates are perfect for your spooky table. The Skellie couple are quite fetching, he with his top hat and she with her dancing dress! Both the flatware and the wine glasses go perfectly with your theme. I do love the sunlight dancing across the centerpiece, it is magical! Enjoy your October days 🍂🧡🍂
It is always fun to hop with you and I enjoy your creative style!
Hi Pam. I officially retired in July and it lasted all of 3 weeks. My replacement couldn’t start until November so they asked if I would come back and help until then and I agreed. So I went back to work August 1 and will/should be done the 2nd week of November. Then I can say I’m retired lol. Thanks for your lovely comments on the table and I agree that the skellie couple are quite fetching – if one must have skellies on the table. I hope you have a wonderful October and enjoy your favorite month!
Scary! I love your plates, and the ones with the skeletal woman walking her skeletal wee beastie is so much fun. Your table’s centerpiece is perfect, too. It is nice to have something fun to look forward to when it seems like the world is falling apart around us. Thanks for putting this scary tablescape together. It’s perfect for the season. Happy Halloween!
Thanks so much Ricki Jill and I adored your table as well. I agree that its nice to have something fun to look forward to with all the very scary weather events that have been happening in your neck of the woods. Happy Halloween to you too!
Kim, pairing the butterflies and skeletons is such a creative idea and I love the whimsical plates–pinned! Have a lovely October, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks so much Cecilia! I loved your Boo-tiful Buffet and I hope you have a lovely October too!
Hi Kim! Very spooky!! The plates are extra creepy!! I love your black skeleton wine glasses, and the whole black and white theme. I love love your flatware too. I know it is frustrating not to be able to find things, I hide things from myself all the time 🙂 The butterflies with skellies are quite the find and you’re right, the table looks great at night with the candlelight, but in the morning the sunlight did give it an eerie feeling! That is so funny about your cat!
Hi Jenna! I am so glad that I am not the only one who hides things from myself lol! I’m also glad that you caught the eerie vibe in the morning photos. Yes, the kitties were fascinated with the butterflies and all they wanted to do is lie on them. No idea why. Thanks for commenting and stopping by and I hope your beach house made it through Milton!
You made it work and inspired me!
Rhonda, thanks so much! I’m glad you were inspired and thanks for visiting. Take care!
I adore this table! I especially noticed the flatware (may I ask where you found it?). The center of your table is fabulous!! Well done!
Thanks so much Patti for your sweet comments! I pulled out the box of flatware, and all it says is Coco and Lola Premium Collection. No name of the set or anything else. They came from HomeSense (your HomeGoods) many years ago. I did try and google them but nothing came up. Maybe you will have better luck than I did if you decide to pursue. Thanks for stopping by and happy October to you!
You hit the ball out of the park, dear friend…on this spook-tacular table setting! Firstly, congratulations on your retirement – everyday is now Saturday!! Having dealt with a Cat 2 hurricane here….I cannot imagine the devastation & loss in the US – my cousin in NC has been affected. Simply heartbreaking!
So, firstly I adore the spider web placemats!! So fitting…and the Skellies are as adorable as only Skellies can be.
The kittys are an added bonus..lol. The morning photos add an eerie feel to the table as well!
Great job…thoroughly enjoyed your table….and great job getting the hydrangeas!! Have an awesome week!!
Thanks so much for the sweet comments Charlotte and I’m really glad you enjoyed the table – you are a Halloween enthusiast! Glad you liked the morning photos. And yes, I remember when Fiona hit PEI and all the damage she did and it is truly heart-breaking to see first Helene and then Milton in the US. Thanks for stopping by and take care over there my friend!
Fabulous job
Thanks so much Rebecca – I’m so glad you enjoyed the table. Take care!