What do films like Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Great Gatsby (2013) have in common? Beyond the opulence and on-screen love affairs, much of that connective tissue is costume designer Catherine Martin. A multi-hyphenate creative with a mantel full of Oscars, she’s now conjuring a Halloween collection for Anthropologie that feels as cinematic as one of her sets.
Like her film work, this theatrical Halloween decoration lineup is rich in storytelling. ‘The dark beauty of nineteenth-century scientific illustrations,’ says Catherine, was a guiding reference. Specifically, moths – ‘the butterflies’ nocturnal counterpart’ – offered the ‘perfect invocations of dark elegance,’ she tells Homes & Gardens.
‘For my Anthropologie Collection, I wanted to find an inspiration that was broader than the normal Halloween tropes,' shares Catherine. 'I feel homewares need to have a bigger life in this day of imminent disposability; objects need to become part of someone’s ongoing story not just something to be enjoyed once a year.’
Although the mood of the Anthropologie collection skews more sophisticated than typical holiday fare, the vibe doesn't just appeal to adults. Halloween, after all, is a holiday with cross-generational appeal. Common creepy-crawling suspects, such as spiders, scorpions, and crows, all make an appearance across the home accessories, grounded by a moody palette of deep red and inky black.
‘Basically, the fundamentals of any great party are good company, good food, good lighting, and good wine,’ shares Catherine of her perfect spooky soirée. ‘For me, it is just as important to have pumpkin carving and black crow feather crafts for the children as it is to have an elegant buffet set up so that everyone feels special and looked after.’
‘A tidy, clean space is the blank canvas,' she adds. 'Then switch off or dim the overhead lighting, use table lights and candles to create a mood. Everyone and everything looks better in a candlelit glow.’
According to Catherine, the best Halloween table ideas are all about the drama. Flowers (even dead), layered heights, and improvisation: ‘One can create height using cake stands but also more simply and cheaply using bowls and drinking glasses, plates and trays. As long as the balancing act is stable, go for it!’
You don't need to be overly precious: your Halloween table simply needs to fit a singular palette – which, in this case, is muted and macabre. ‘Everything doesn’t match exactly, it just needs to fit the colorscape,' notes the designer.
As for food, Catherine recommends restraint: don’t overdo it, don’t under-season it, and don’t frighten yourself by trying to concoct a 16-dish spread. The rest of the scene-setting ingredients – the vibe, the oddities, the sparkle – can be found in the Anthropologie Halloween collection below.
Come November 1, the impulse is universal: time to pack up the pumpkins. But are Halloween decorations really out so fast? According to Catherine, the answer is no – at least, not when it comes to this collection. ‘There’s no reason why you couldn’t use the black wine glass for New Year’s Eve or the red champagne coupe at Christmas time,’ she notes.
Bling, for your beverage. 'These quirky little charms hopefully will help each guest to remember which glass is theirs, particularly when you are using glass that needs to be handwashed,’ says Catherine. (Read: fewer hosting duties for you.)
Decorative dessert plates are the easiest Halloween decorating idea in the book – simply layer them over your everyday dinnerware. Whether you choose the black-spider or red-moth colorway combo, even plain white plates start to feel frightening (in a good way).
Even the most well-appointed host likely doesn’t own a dish towel designed to resemble a moth. Inspired by 19th-century anatomical illustrations, it’s part art, part oddity, and ideal for prepping whatever macabre menu you’ve got planned.
Those who favor subtle Halloween decor ideas will appreciate this brass-finished cocktail shaker, which whispers to the theme. The moth motif is there, but is low-key enough to be used in spring.
