It’s that time of year again. Pumpkins on doorsteps, the smell of bonfires in the air, and me finding any excuse to decorate a surface. I’ve always loved decorating for the seasons, and Halloween gives me the perfect chance to get a little theatrical.
Speaking of theatre, let’s talk tablescapes.
It’s just a fancy word for a beautifully dressed table, but calling it a “tablescape” makes it sound a bit more artistic and clever 😆
I love a good tablescape. It’s a chance to bring out the nice plates and the fancy linens that don’t see the light of day nearly often enough.
Now that our dining room is painted a very eye catching green and is right at the front of the house, and since we haven’t yet decided on whether we want blinds or fluttery net curtains – at the moment, anyone walking past can look straight in….and they do! And well, that’s all the excuse I need to make it look a bit dramatic in there. I like to think it adds to the neighbourhood ambience (or at least gives the dog walkers something to talk about) – you’re very welcome everyone 😆
This Halloween’s table was inspired by my beloved Royal Stafford dinner service. I bought it years ago when we were still a family of four. Since then, little Thomas has joined the team and devastatingly, Royal Stafford is no more. That means no extra place setting for him, and if we break a plate, it’ll be tears and tantrums…. from me Sad times indeed – I’m gutted that we’ce lost another heritage British brand.
The centrepiece is a bit of playfullness. I’ve used branches from a friend’s corkscrew hazel (thank you, Sarah!), mixed with angelica and honesty seed heads from our own garden. A few sprigs of dried gypsophila finish it off, adding that delicate, ghostly texture that feels perfectly spooky without veering into haunted-house territory – you know I don’t like Halloween decorations to be too spooky. Although I did give the family a bit of a scare with this hazel. I’d left it outside for a while and was worried it might be a bit to wildlifey to put on the dining table. So I bathed it. Yes you read that right, I put it in the bath with some dog shampoo and lovingly cleaned it. I left it in their to dry and Sarah had been so generous that it filled the room haha! Quite the scene to walk in to when all you want is a hot shower.
Nestled amongst it all are two skulls, one plastic from Wilkinsons (RIP Wilko, you’re missed too), and one absolutely stunning carved piece that I think Infound in TKMaxx. I really wish I’d bought two of these.
Among the tangle of branches I’ve dotted vintage glass and crystal candlesticks, each one holding a candle that “bleeds” red wax as it melts. I’ve collected these candlesticks very cheaply from charity shops over the past 20 years. They get a surprising amount of use and when theyre not being fabulous on the table, they’re looking pretty, reflecting light in the cabinet. I think the overall eeffect with the candles is wonderfully dramatic – a bit gothic, a bit glamorous. There’s also a fine string of microlights woven through the centrepiece, which twinkle softly once the sun sets and make everything feel just that little bit enchanted.
Underneath it all sits a black linen runner – practical, because it protects the table, but also ideal for adding depth and darkness. The place settings themselves are finished with gold-tone cutlery, which brings warmth to the otherwise fairly monochrome palette. It’s amazing what a hint of gold can do; it lifts the whole thing from gloomy to glowing. These ones are from Viners and they’re our ‘special’ knives and forks that come out for proper dinners and are absolutely not to be taken out of the house in lunch boxes, lest they risk being lost forever!
I’m honestly a bit in love with this year’s table. It’s got that perfect mix of magic and elegance, with just enough whimsy to keep it fun. Natural textures, soft candlelight, and a few subtle nods to the macabre, it’s everything I adore about Halloween.
To tie the whole room together, I echoed the centrepiece in a smaller arrangement above the dresser, the same hazel twigs and dried florals. It’s just to add a bit of balance and draw your eye up to the floating witch’s hats above.
Creating this tablescape took very little time and most of the effort went in to sourcing the natural elements, but it makes even every day meals feel a little more magical. We sat here last night and ate take away pizza and it felt like such a treat. Magic mealtimes? Well, that’s reason enough for me!
Do you decorate your table for the seasons too, or am I the only one setting up a full-on display? I’d love to know what sort of Halloween décor you like – spooky, terrifying, elegant, or something else? Please tag me on Instagram if you’ve created your own tablescape this year. Let’s share the spooky sparkle!
Love Rachel 🎃
