Turning to the dark side as we build up for Halloween

As we head towards Halloween, I start to feel a real association with rich and vibrant colours –  that only the month of October and the celebration of Halloween can bring. I  find I use more accessories, with throws and candles being an absolute must.

For this table setting I focused on my ever-growing love of our hedgerows, drawing inspiration from all the ferns that are starting to turn from their wonderful lush green, to their rusty, earthy ambers. This design is not rich with flowers and instead consists of potted ferns, grasses and a few dried hydrangeas. I wanted to match that woodland type look, to create a seasonal and a little moody (in a good way) feel to the table. It’s very simple but I love how this simplicity still creates just as much of an impact.

How I created this look

Hiding the mechanics

The first step was to hide the mechanics. What I mean by this is to cover the pot of the ferns, to create a natural look. I purchased these ferns from my local garden centre and the beauty of creating an arrangement like this, is that you can then plant them in your garden afterwards.

There are a couple of ways to ‘disguise the pot’. The first is using chicken wire and moss and the second is by using jute. I’ve opted for the jute method as it’s a lot faster and I love the natural look it creates, plus it’s biodegradable.

Let’s get started
Once covered, you are now ready to start laying the table. Adding the ferns is definitely the first step and I would recommend putting the placemeats you are using (if using them) on the table at this stage. It’s quite a full centre piece and what you don’t want to do is to create a wonderful arrangement and then realise you don’t have room to add anything else.

Use natural materials

As this is channelling our hedgerows/woodlands, I would recommend using natural materials where possible. I’ve opted for rattan placements along with wooden serving bowls to create a lovely, earthy feel. I’ve also opted for a mixture of clear bud vases and brown tinted ones – again to channel that natural, earthy look.

Think about colour

Don’t forget about those finishing touches such as candles. The colour of the candlestick for example could completely change the overall look. I opted for black candlesticks as I felt it was the perfect colour. Red felt too Christmassy and green (for me) wouldn’t have created a contrast, getting lost within the ferns.

Not a pumpkin in sight! yet, but a few scattered down the centre would work perfectly, if you fancy using this look for a Halloween party.  I’m hoping to get my hands on a few mini white pumpkins next week to show you how to create mini floral arrangements. They would also work well put on the napkin, as a discreet nod to halloween. In fact – I may even give this a go. Watch this space.

With love and stay safe, Flowers and Lifestyle by Margot – www.instagram.com/flowersandlifestylebymargot/