A Formal Halloween

This Halloween tablescape was quite different in a few ways. First of all, I had another surgery last week (honestly, this better be my last one for a long time!).  Recovery is going well, but I have quite a few restrictions. A couple of those restrictions include NO lifting of over 5 pounds and limited bending.  Well, fellow tablescapers know that those restrictions make our hobby virtually impossible (just carting a stack of dishes from my dish closet breaks the first restriction; and, then emptying accent pieces and flatware and linens from their hidden corners and shelves totally breaks the second restriction!).  However, I had really been looking forward to participating in the Halloween Tablescape Link Party, so I enlisted the help of my sweet Hubby, who is not only nursing me through yet another post-op recovery, but agreed to be my design assistant and dig into my tablescaping stash and haul everything I needed to complete my table! The next difference in this table is that I wanted a more formal look to my Halloween table this year. In the past, I have had smiling witches and owls, reflecting the whimsical side of the holiday.  This year, I wanted to produce a different kind of table. I wanted to highlight the color combination of black, orange and white (so very striking!), and make a space for a more elegant Halloween Dinner than guests might expect.

This Is The Table I Created:

This Is How The Table Was Created:

I started with one of my favorite tablecloths. I love the orange, white and black plaid, highlighted with silver strands.

Just for fun, I added an orange and black placemat that I found at HomeGoods last year. I knew I wanted to use it for this Halloween, but I just couldn't ignore my favorite orange and black plaid tablecloth I always use. So, I just used both!

I accented the silver in the cloth by starting my dish stack with one of my silver chargers.

Next came a black dinner plate that is a staple in my tablescaping stash. I love its pebbly border.

To reflect the Halloween colors, I then added my orange ironstone plate. Surprisingly, I found this pretty plate in a Rite Aid pharmacy one Halloween!

I next added a plate I don't get to use very often, but it is one who pattern I absolutely love. I found this plate at Macy's at one of their sales, and haven't had much chance to use it. It's part of the Martha Stewart Collection and is perfect for Halloween: kind of reminiscent of the lace one might find on the table and windows of a haunted mansion; or, maybe of the shape of the mirrors one might find in the same house!

I topped the dish stack with an appetizer plate from Pier One labeled Sul.  

I completed the place setting with black napkins wrapped in silver sheaths (to reflect a formal feeling); wrought iron napkin rings from World Market (if straightened out, they could look like a witches' broomstick!); my late mother-in-law's Rogers silver plate in the Heritage pattern; my Mikasa wine glasses; and, last, but certainly not least, my precious witch glasses that I won in a giveaway at www.thepaintedapron.com. Many thanks, Jenna! I love the expression on these darling witches' faces on these glasses!

My centerpiece started with two raised glass cake plates that I stacked upon each other to produce some height. I then covered the plates with a black cheesecloth scarf that I spread across the table. I added a lighted grapevine pumpkin I found at Michael's last year. And, completed the centerpiece with my crystal candleholders (both wedding gifts!) and two straw owls I just purchased from CVS!

I'm looking forward to linking up to the Halloween Tablescape Link Party. The hostesses are Christine at www.rustic-refined.com, Sheila at www.mykentuckylivingblog.com, Jenna at www.thepaintedapron.com and Linda at  www.lifeandlinda.com. It will be so much fun seeing everyone else's tables for Halloween! Be sure and take some time to check out these terrific blogs!  I'll also be joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net and Christine's Dishing It! and Digging It! at www.rustic-refined.com.  Thanks to all the hostesses who have so generously opened up their blogs to these fun link parties!

Happy Halloween to everyone!! And many thanks to my sweet Hubby for all his help in producing this tablescape!