Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • October 17, 2012
(ARA) - While displaying ghosts and goblins is great for the kids and the standard for Halloween décor, try getting into the spirit with a bit more sophistication this year. If you are throwing a Halloween party for those adults who are kids at heart, a spooky holiday theme can still be part of the festivities, but with a touch of panache. There are many ways to take this decoration theme. Certainly there are the colors of black and orange that can be integrated into the décor, and the use of pumpkins or candles, which still scream Halloween, but can be displayed elegantly. Gary LaVasser, academic director in set and exhibit design at The Art Institute of California - Hollywood, a campus of Argosy University, said that while everyone thinks of orange and black, the combination of dark red and black is worth considering. At Halloween, any time black is used it represents scariness and the dark red can be symbolic of blood. “For a more sophisticated look, combine dark red arrangements of roses, cover them in black hat veiling so that you see the roses through the veil, and tie them together with black satin ribbon,” he suggested. “If you want to go a little further, place the arrangement on an inexpensive black placemat and drip dark red nail polish from a few rose petals onto the placemat. It will look like the roses are bleeding.”
Sophisticated tricks for updated Halloween décor
LaVasser also has these tips for alternative, but sophisticated Halloween décor: Use vintage Halloween toys from the 1930s, ‘40s, or ‘50s as part of the design. If the toys are worn, they have more character. Combine them with garlands of silk fall leaves available at most craft stores, tree branches, or wheat and place them on mantels or dining tables. Paint objects black. For example, spray paint a jack-o-lantern or some real flowers. To make the effect more interesting, use a variety of black paints, such as matte, glitter, satin, gloss, and metallic. The colors of fall are rich earth tones, and these colors are also associated with Halloween. Add a little “punch” by using a deep purple, which can be an interesting contrast to oranges and gold tones. Also consider using metallic gold, copper, and pewter colors. You can also paint leaves or pumpkins with these shades. LaVasser added that one can look for inspiration among different cultures and how they celebrate certain
holidays or Halloween. A Latino tradition is Day of the Dead, observed on Nov. 1 and 2, which celebrates family and friends who have passed. “Day of the Dead décor includes folk art, candles, colorful flowers, and bright ribbons together with skeletons,” LaVasser noted. “This theme offers great options for Halloween.”