Halloween doesn't have to mean a slew of tacky decorations. Skip the trick-or-treating and master a scarily stylish tablescape come Halloween
With its plastic spiders and glossy pumpkins, Halloween is the undisputed season of kitsch. But what if you want to create an eerie atmosphere without going full-blown tack? Turns out there is a way to keep the spooky season stylish and to marry a haunting ambiance with a less-is-more mood.
The first step is simple – defining the purpose. “Ask yourself what kind of dinner you want to have. Perhaps it’s just a segue into a party or spooky gathering with friends,” says Gustav Broström, visual creator and tablescape aficionado. “With this cleared up, you can set the bar, high or low," he says.
And here's how to do exactly that with a sleek-yet-spooky tablescape.
The table decor
Curating a neat Halloween tablescape doesn't mean removing all spooky traces. Trine Kjær, tablescaper and co-founder of A Table Story, suggests switching all your focus on the canvas: “The black tablecloth is a winner, I always bring mine out for Halloween. It simply does the trick.”
As for table decor, the secret lies in the colours, adding unexpected shades to seasonal staples. “The devil is in the details,” says Broström, “let the pumpkins go in non-traditional colours, like black, white, or neutrals.” For sophisticated results, think tactile. “Sticking to simple colour schemes makes it easier to stay modern and sleek. For instance, you can give all black porcelain a go, but mix matte with glossy,” he says.
Photo: Gustav Broström
Photo: Gustav Broström
Photo: Gustav Broström
The tableware
When sourcing suitable tableware, consider giving the pre-loved section a look. For second-hand aficionado Broström, thrifting timeless pieces is a no-brainer: “Halloween has been around for a while, meaning that the second-hand stores will have a plenty of decorations.” Invest in timeless glass pieces, suitable for any festive tablescape. “Do check out Swedish brand BOBOs Bistro's glassware. They are mouth blown in crystal with a delicate feel, perfect for a spooky yet elegant evening," he recommends.
For a stronger sense of Halloween, opt for playful touches; fold your napkins like bats or make placement cards shaped like ghosts. And when it comes to spooky light sources, he suggests adopting a more sustainable approach with candles suitable for any season. “This time of the year, I’m all in on candles. I love black candles. They have an unfairly bad reputation. Black candles clear the air of negativity, while combining spooky with stylish," says Broström.
Known for her colourful installations, vibrant glass designer Helle Mardahl opts for personalised décor. Invest in different sized pumpkins, then bring out the paint. “I love to paint them, the result is quite cool and the best part is that it’s easy," she says. But if you want to skip carving and painting entirely, Kjær recommends keeping the pumpkin au naturel: “Pumpkins are naturally haunting. When you’re ready to purchase, source the weird-looking ones in odd shapes. Buy a few in different sizes to spread across your table for subtle detailing.”
To top it off, complement the pumpkins with just a dash of seasonal blooms and branches. “I like playing around with nature, it’s simple and not too empowering. For Halloween, amaranth and soft moss are my best picks,” she suggests.
The food
When it comes to the creepy culinary selection, it all boils down to a similar sense of simplicity. For Mardahl, this means elevating already existing household favourites: “Luckily, my boys' favourite soup is a pumpkin soup. For Halloween, I just garnish with blood orange syrup to make it look like blood, finishing off with an edible black flower on top.”
For desserts and drinks, opt for straightforward rather than overdone. “I serve lady fingers dipped in red icing, followed by Negronis,” says Mardahl. “Add some ice cubes filled with a black olive and orange peel.”
