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the ultimate halloween decorating trick

More of a treat than a trick, a brightly coloured front door is an easy diy project that can really add character to your house.

And orange is a colour that’s often overlooked.

This woman went for a sunny tangerine and it totally livens up the front of her house.

But not just the exterior - look at the amazing affect the colour has when opened into the front hall…

Of course, an orange front door looks amazing at Halloween (and you still have a week to do it!).

But it works beautifully in the winter too…

Even in the summer…

Orange works particularly well with colours that can use a little warming up, like soft greys…

Blues…

Charcoal (wow - beautiful!)…

Orange can open up a ton of possibilities.

whether traditional…

Or modern…

If you think an orange door would work at your house - I’ve chosen a few shades to consider. They’re all Benjamin Moore and the best part is, one small can will do it!

For a sunny tangerine shade, I would try TANGELO 2017-30

For an earthier terra-cotta orange, try PRAIRIE LILY CC-98

For a beautiful burnt orange, I like ABANDON R-9916

And for a deep, true orange, I would go for RUMBA ORANGE 2014-20

Have fun and don’t forget to welcome guests with…”orange you glad I painted the front door?”

not your average jack-o-lantern

Tired of that same ol’ jack-o-lantern staring back at you with those silly triangle eyes? Why don’t you and your pumpkin spice things up this year?

But don’t scare him….

He may want to stay incognito this year…

Or even try full costume for a change…

Here’s an idea if you have an artist in the family - otherwise it might be a bit of a …. reach…..

My carving skills wouldn’t hold a candle to these lanterns….

This one would take some talent too - I call it: Carve a pumpkin - Save a tree ….

For those who are ‘carving adverse’ perhaps the colour is all you need along with a peppering of black accents…

Or maybe all ‘ol’ triangle eyes’ needs is a new hair-do …

But if ‘pumpkin mumkins’ aren’t your style - don’t despair, here are two cheater-cheater-pumpkin-creatures that will do the trick this year:

Or just go all tasteful on us and do up a taste of orange on the table…

Whatever you decide to do this year - don’t be a zombie and get to work!

Oh - I almost forgot to mention - but take a break to watch the Steven & Chris Halloween special on CBC, this Friday October 29th at 2:00pm.
I’ll be there painting the town orange with more pumpkin ideas!

decorating trick that’s a treat

This Halloween decorating trick is a so easy, it’s scaaarry.

Have a boo….

My friend, Maureen found a great little gadget at Homesense called a Candle Carver. Since it isn’t always easy to find seasonal things there, we also sourced it on-line at The Great Canadian Gift Company. At $14.99, it isn’t cheap but it’s Made in Canada of stainless steel so it isn’t going to break after one use which makes it worth it to me.

I think there are lots of holidays I would use this little sucker ~ not just halloween ~ imagine a row of Asian pears at Christmas…lemons and limes in the summer….

Another idea it’s got me dreaming of is individual desserts. I haven’t tried this but I think it would be yummy: Make holes in enough apples for each guest to have one and fill with warm butterscotch sauce. Serve on a pretty dessert plate or saucer with more apple wedges for dipping. Does anyone have time to try this and let us know how it goes? mmmm…..

The other good thing about this little carver is that it’s a small item to keep in a drawer with your votives between parties. The rest of the centrepiece can be eaten or composted after use.

Have a Wicked Halloween!

ps/ If you want to do this without the carver, try stamping the pumpkin with an empty aluminum holder from a votive candle (like using a cookie cutter) then use a paring knife to cut out the hole. Might not be as neat but it will work too. Be sure to use a vegetable with a flat bottom! We don’t want any rolling pumpkins….