Happy Halloween! I normally don’t give much thought to this particular fall “holiday” (other than a few years ago when I over indulged with a Venetian Masquerade Fête). But a trip down to our wine cellar inspired me to try something new. First, let me say up front that this is absolutely not a gazillion dollar space worthy of a feature in “Wine Spectator;” it is intimate and cozy…and dresses up well. Given that the 31st falls on a Thursday this year, of course it became a candidate for a blog post.
The low vaulted ceiling adds a bit of romance to the overall scheme and is an architectural accent I’m now glad I wouldn’t be talked out of when we were building the house. Other details on my “party ready” checklist: A Scottish plaid blanket for the cloth on the old trestle table, vintage plates recently discovered in a Newport antique shop (which I now think I’ll be using for Thanksgiving).
An over-sized arrangement of fall leaves in one corner with my favorite fall soup, roasted butternut squash, for a first course…
Our go-to fave for easy nibbles that pair well with wines (and the sliced and crumbled cheeses are so much easier for guests to pick up as they’re chattering away; no trying to spread cheese on a cracker that keeps breaking).
This Halloween supper also presented a wonderful opportunity to use the copper pot (surprise) gift from hubby for hearty fare that can hold its own with Bordeaux, Cabs and Merlots.
Add old painted wooden chairs, and real candles in the iron chandelier (a romantic splurge I can’t resist)…
And finish with some cobwebs for a tongue-in-cheek nod to Halloween.
A Big Boo to You!
Love your intimate Halloween table, Bettie–dishes are so pretty, and the iron chandelier is a perfect compliment to the theme. It’s raining here today, so we probably won’t get too many little ones tonight. Happy haunting!
Thank you, Bobbi, it was the new vintage dishes that really got me inspired!! Happy Trick or Treat (quiet though it may be). xB
Bettie:
I can practically hear the haunting refrains of “Phantom of the Opera” in the background!
Thank you, Ross, great minds thinking alike. B.
I love that you saved the cages from the champagne bottles. I once saved some and made little place card holders from them. My guests actually thought they were quite whimsical and fun, and some even took them home with them. If you have some time on your hands Bettie, (and not many people do these days), there are tutorials posted on the internet by many creative and imaginative people on how to do this.
Lisa, you have keen eyes! Glad to meet someone who loves those cages as much as I…but I’d been thinking Christmas ornaments. Love your idea of placecards; thank you for giving me a push towards one of my cherished “to dos” that’s never made it to realization. Happy Halloween! xB
As the Ever the visionary theme/dream hostess, Bettie, all I can say is hope the party is a “howling” success!👻💀🎃🤡
As will be London!!
Happy Boo to you as well!! A very scary table and wine cellars setting is perfect for a Bootiful evening with great wine…. and the characters will arrive donning their spooky attire, with or without Venetian Masks…. Fun loving adults become fun kids again in costume on Halloween, esp. With some fine wine tastings.
I will be there in spirit… Boo
Have a world class spooky private NEWPORT Halloween suare’.🎃🙋👻💝🍍🎃🎉🍷🎂🎭