William Wilson Inexpensive elements, like classic art, can add a creepy effect to any room.

Inexpensive elements, like classic art, can add a creepy effect to any room.

Hitchcock Haute For Halloween decor inspired by the classic Hitchcock films Dial M for Murder and The Birds, this Victorian dining area was accessorized with pieces in the '50s and '60s, then decorated in gray, black and orange tones.



Pick Your Poison Don't toss that empty bottle. Instead make it a portion of your spooky Halloween decor. Collect empty glass bottles throughout the year, particularly people that have interesting shapes. At a well-ventilated place, coat each with two to three coats of flat black spray paint. Check your regional craft shop's scrapbooking area to get blank labels or create your own with card stock and a permanent marker.



The Walls Have Eyes Inexpensive elements tv hanging service . like classic art, can add a creepy effect to any room. Shop your local flea market or thrift store to get a group of pop and portraits art featuring faces. Hang them collectively gallery-style to provide guests the feeling they're being watched.



A Mini Ghost City Create the look of a haunted shrunken town with craft shop birdhouses or inexpensive Christmas village sculptures painted black. Select pieces in different shapes and sizes for the very best look then coat them first with spray primer afterward with two coats of flat black spray paint. Tip: To get a more glam look, use gloss paint rather than flat.



Give Them the Evil Eye Give a devilish look to framed art or family photographs using blacked-out eyes. Simply cut black construction paper to size, then attach it directly to the canvas or glass using double-sided tape. Hint: It is important not to use packing tape, gift-wrap tape or duct tape when attaching eyes to a painted canvas because it can damage the surface.



Black Poisoned Apples Do not worry, these apples are not really mortal -- but they certainly look it. To make them, you will need: apples, twigs that were sanded and washed, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, cinnamon-flavored oil, red food coloring, black food coloring and a candy thermometer. Thoroughly wash each apple, remove the stem and add a twig (you may have to sharpen the finish first). Then stir sugar, corn syrup and water together in a saucepan until the sugar melts. Boil until the syrup reaches 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in jojoba oil and food coloring. To coat the apple dip completely from the syrup and swirl it. Hold the apple above the saucepan so the surplus coating can drain off. Place candied apple on a baking sheet that's been greased or lined to let it cool.



Faux Formaldehyde Add bits of a mad scientist's laboratory to your Halloween decor with apothecary jars and food coloring. To make the vivid green appearance of formaldehyde, mix water with green food coloring, then pour in to clear apothecary jars. Place plastic animals or dried botanicals, like lotus pods, into the jars.



Shackled Napkins Hit the hardware shop to create an unexpected napkin ring. Get a spool of small metal string, luggage padlocks and a lightweight bolt cutter. Cut a section of string that is roughly five to eight inches then wrap it around a folded napkin and fasten with a padlock.



Fastened for Feasting Insert leather belts to ordinary dining chairs to get your guests wondering when they were invited into your house to eat dinner -- or to be dinner. Hint: make certain to turn the buckles into the back to stop guests from leaning against the sharp metallic edges.



Fangs and Names Place plastic vampire teeth to function as clever place-card holders. Simply open them up and pop in a handwritten card. If white doesn't work together with your decor, go glam with metallic spray paint.



Terror-Packed Terrariums DIY terrariums are easy to make, affordable and provide endless ways to create spooky scenes. Pick up wooden bases and glass vases, candleholders or even fishbowls at your local craft store. Fill with twigs, live moss and leaves topped with vinyl insects, snakes or artificial birds.



House of Hitchcock Movie-inspired vignettes are excellent conversation-starters, especially at dinner parties at which guests could possibly be meeting for the first time. Get your guests buzzing with nods to scenes from classic thrillers like this little seating area that's reminiscent of the 1954 Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder.



Afterlife Arrangements Give your dining table a suitably stunning focal point with a dead-branch centerpiece. Just gather a group of large bare branches, cut them to the proper size with a hacksaw or clippers then spray-paint them with a matte black finish. Once dry, put painted branches in a thick urn or planter that has been stuffed with pea gravel or pebbles topped with floral foam. Cover the foam with Spanish moss held in place with hot glue. For a finishing touch, hang Halloweeny objects, such as rubber membranes, snakes or lightweight votive lanterns, from the branches.



Watch Your Head Mannequin heads are a way to add kitschy creepiness to a Halloween decoration. As a nod to our own celebration's midcentury motif, we dressed our dismembered heads in '50s and '60s styles then displayed them close to the cocktails and appetizers.



The Living and the Dead A combination of living plus dead components equals Halloween decor that is chic and dark. This mantel was decorated with natural elements such as moss and twigs while the stuffed fox certainly matches the lifeless invoice. Hint: Taxidermy is often expensive, especially when purchased through designer showrooms or antique shops. Search local flea markets to pick up real or faux taxidermy for a fraction of the retail cost.



Put a Lid On It Located in craft shops and wholesale floral niches, a cloche or bell jar is a tall glass container available in a variety of shapes and sizes that is used primarily to maintain dust off objects. Good options for Halloween bell jar displays include taxidermy, stone bust bookends, antique dolls and toys, and vintage laboratory or surgical equipment.



Casts of Characters Creep out your guests with mummified arms and legs. You'll require a patient and prepared buddy, plaster gauze by a medical supply shop, petroleum jelly and a bucket of warm water. First thoroughly coat any place you plan to cover with petroleum jelly then dip gauze in warm water and coating strips around a friend's arms or legs. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the gauze to completely dry. Once it has hardened, cut it off slowly straight up the fundamental rear part of the throw with round-edge scissors.



Head of the Table Brave souls eager to take mummified decor up a notch can try their hand at casting faces. Locate a non-claustrophobic friend eager to sit still and upright for 30 to 45 minutes. Make sure you thoroughly coat their entire neck and face from petroleum jelly and pull their hair securely back so it doesn't get trapped in the plaster. Afterward, layer plaster gauze strips around their neck and face, ensuring that you depart unobstructed nostril holes for breathing. When the gauze has hardened, gradually remove the throw and wash skin thoroughly.



Jarred Parts Apothecary jars are an excellent way to turn just about anything into a displayed object, particularly compact body parts such as cast hands, feet and forearms.



Bats from the Branches Add some overhead interest to your dinner table along with bats suspended out of branches that are empty. All you will need are rubber bats from the craft store and clear fishing line. Before attaching the bats, make sure that the chosen branch is sufficiently strong to support the weight.



Orange You Currently? While black and orange has been the go-to Halloween color scheme for decades, it is seldom regarded as sophisticated. To decorate your Halloween dinner celebration in this palette with a posh twist, consider incorporating the orange firmly through accents, then layering grey and brown tones with the black.