Halloween is right around the corner and I am still not overlooking all the pretty decorations. I personally love mantel decor the best and love the simplicity in tone-on-tone colors. Jenny and I met on Instagram and I think she has fabulous style. It is clean and modern yet has a little rustic feel to it. I like that she likes to glam it up here and there without going too over the top. Jenny is a photographer and really knows how to create amazing vignettes. Please read on for more tips and hints on how Jenny decorated this beautiful space.
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Quick Glance
- Tone-on-tone color palettes create a cohesive, polished Halloween look that doesn’t feel overdone.
- Most impactful decorations can be sourced from items you already own or found at budget-friendly retailers like Target.
- A chalkboard wall or surface serves as a flexible, reusable holiday display that works across every season.
- Mixing old and new pieces, including a glitter pumpkin alongside a hand-lettered faux pumpkin, adds visual depth without spending a lot.
- Photography skills and an eye for vignettes matter more than the number of items you put out.
- Typography and neutral tones are design anchors that keep holiday decor feeling intentional rather than chaotic.
My design aesthetic I would say is old mixed with new. A little rustic and a little glam. I love neutrals and you’ll find it rare to find any bit of color in my home. I also really love typography.
I love to decorate for holidays to make them really special for my family. We do a lot of holiday-related activities and love to celebrate. Most of the items I had from years past: a glitter pumpkin picked up last year at Target, a DIY $4.00 Chalkboard Pumpkin, and then I simply picked up a gold Sharpie to write “Boo” on an old black faux pumpkin that I had.
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Things to Know
- Tone-on-tone styling, using shades of the same color family, reads as sophisticated and avoids the visual noise of too many competing hues.
- A gold or metallic Sharpie is one of the highest-value, lowest-cost tools in any holiday decorator’s kit.
- Using a projector to trace chalkboard designs is a legitimate technique used by artists and decorators; there’s no need to feel like it’s cheating.
- Reusing holiday decorations across multiple years is both budget-smart and environmentally responsible; resist the pressure to buy new every season.
- Shopping your own home before buying anything new often reveals pieces you’ve forgotten that fit perfectly with the season you’re decorating for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start a Halloween home tour style decorating project if you have no existing pieces?
Start with one anchor piece in a neutral tone, such as a black or cream faux pumpkin, and build from there. Choose a simple color palette first, then add a few pieces that complement your existing style.
What is the easiest DIY Halloween decoration to make at home?
A chalkboard pumpkin is one of the simplest DIY options, requiring only a faux pumpkin, black chalkboard paint, and a chalk pen or marker. It costs very little to make and can be customized with different words or designs each year.
How do you create a Halloween mantel display that doesn’t look overcrowded?
Limit your mantel grouping to three to five pieces, vary their heights, and leave generous negative space around the arrangement. Mixing matte, glossy, and textured finishes adds visual interest without making the mantel feel cluttered.
Can a chalkboard wall work for Halloween if you’re not artistic?
Yes, using a projector to trace a purchased design removes the need for freehand drawing skills entirely. Project the design onto your wall, trace it with chalk, and fill in the details for a polished result.
How do you keep Halloween decor feeling cohesive with the rest of your home’s style?
Choose Halloween pieces that share the same color temperature and finish style as your existing decor rather than defaulting to traditional orange and green. For a neutral or modern home, black, gold, cream, and matte finishes can blend naturally with your existing style.
We built a new home this year and one of my must-haves was a chalkboard wall. I love to dress it up for each holiday and simply used my projector to draw a print I had purchased from Modern Moments Design.
To visit more of Jenny’s home and her gorgeous photography.
For more Halloween decorating ideas visit our Pinterest Board!
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