GOLD NOTES: Urban Outfitters

29 October 2009

Halloween Special: 13 Scary-Cool Home Decorations

It's that time of year again... Kids become costumed candy panhandlers and homes morph into graveyards and haunted mansions. I'm burying my inner-Halloween Scrooge this week to bring you 13 (natch!) scary-cool decorative items that you can bring out every year to frighten and delight guests. A few of them are nice enough to keep out all year, maximizing your investment.

Get your holiday started on the right foot

with CB2's Black Crow Doormat

Illuminate your trick-or-treaters with these nifty candle-holders and candles

This Glass and Metal Tabletop Lantern comes from Target

This Hanging Glass Pillar Holder comes from the Sundance Catalogue

This beautiful 20-Taper Tabletop Candelabrum is also from Sundance,
and stylish enough to use all-year-round!

I spotted these Crow Candles yesterday when I was indulging in some retail therapy at Pottery Barn. Aren't they neat-looking?

Creepy but cute

This Paper Mache Pumpkin Basket from Wisteria will hold all your Halloween trick-or-treat loot

Here's a unique party decoration that will have guests shaking their heads

It's Urban Outfitters' Doll Parts Faux Chandelier...
Have guests come in black and they'll wonder who died for your decor.

Here's another unique decorative or gift item, inspired by Dia de los Muertos

It's a Day of the Dead Shadowbox with Married Couple from the usually-light and bright Wisteria

My latest crush

Pottery Barn's Glitter Skull. Don't know why I'm drawn to this dude, but it was all I could do not to take him home!

Here's an all-year-rounder that can hold candy at your Halloween bash and bath supplies the rest of the year

They're Jonathan Adler's divinely-dramatic Druggist Jars

These can hold Halloween cider or treats for tricksters

You can use these Pumpkin Servers from Williams-Sonoma throughout the season.

Here's another year-rounder that can hold dramatic orange Halloween flowers at your party

And look great the rest of the year in your home. These are also from CB2

Wish you had a crystal ball? Play the wizard at your Halloween fest with these!

Williams-Sonoma Home brings you style throughout the year with their Spheres on Pedestals

18 August 2009

Color Notes: Orange Crush

Welcome to the latest Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme. One of my colleagues - the talented and lovely Nikki Harmon - is planning colors for her new apartment, so I asked her whether she'd prefer to see Orange or Green noted next. Her answer was a resounding "Orange," so here you go!

Why orange?

Orange blends the warmth of red and yellow, the two primary colors that come together to create it. So you can pretty much use it in the same rooms you'd use either of those shades - e.g., kitchens, dining rooms, home office, study, laundry room.

A deep pumpkin will enhance a library or study. A bright citrus can add a kick to a teen's room or a man cave.

Where not to go orange

I'd avoid orange in a bedroom, as its red tones might cause sleeplessness. I'd also avoid it in a bath or study intended for relaxation. I also wouldn't pair orange with mid-tone woods like golden oak, as the look will just go muddy.

I love orange with...

Pink and purple