Ideas for a More Sophisticated Halloween Decor

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Getting a little tired of the same old orange and black decorations for Halloween? Sara McLean, blogger and color expert at Dunn-Edwards Paints, has compiled seven theme ideas for distinctive, sophisticated Halloween decor, and color palettes that will work throughout the fall.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131008/PH93898-a)

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131008/PH93898LOGO-b)

Her ideas emerge from trends in Halloween costumes, pop culture and design trends. "For example, there is a rise in the popularity of taxidermy and entomology. As either a hobby or profession, we see insect collections displayed as a decor element," she said. So the Buggin' Out theme incorporates bugs ensnared in spider webs, metallic flies and insects trapped in scientific experiments and globes, exaggerated insects such as centipedes and caterpillars, and half-bug, half-human hybrids. Insect colors are brought to life with DEC756 Weathered Brown and DE5208 Harvest Time in the Buggin' Out color palette.

Sherlock Holmes, I presume? With the popularity of CSI-type crime shows, try a theme that incorporates fingerprints, incriminating blood splatter, crime scene tape, body outlines and magnifying glasses in the decor. Cameras, police line-ups and CSI-styled accoutrement provide a wealth of ideas to dot the party landscape. DEA150 Scarlet Past and DE5195 Bright Mango are bright spots in the Sherlock Holmes, I presume? color palette.

The Witching Hour – Witches don't have to be old hags. Think modern glamour, with long black evening gowns and opera gloves paired with opulent diamonds and glittery stones. For decor, look to intricate lace patterns in black; ornately covered witches' hats; and luxury finishes such as satin, sequins and silk. Pumpkins show off in glitter or lacquer. Feminine hues like DE5138 Orangeville and DE5024 Violet Kiss make up The Witching Hour color palette.

Super-sized World – Florals, mushrooms and other garden wonders grow to otherworldly sizes and, with a touch of glow-in-the-dark illumination, become eerie worlds in the nighttime. DE5559 Chive and DE5292 Acorn Squash express luminescence in the Super-sized World color palette.

She's Crafty – Thanks to Pinterest and Etsy, the DIY door has opened wide on Halloween and fall creativity. Halloween is entering every room in the home with product introductions such as bath soaps shaped like Halloween treats. Homemade decor, such as wreaths, scarecrows and ornately carved pumpkins pair with homemade treats such as haunted gingerbread houses and caramel apples, are flecked with brilliant colors like DE5062 Rosy Cheeks and DEA124 Lime Twist.

Who's Afraid of the Dark? Dress the home like an alleyway in the dark, and the mean streets of the big city come to life. Shadows, graffiti, metal bars and skulls dot the landscape, creating a spooky and frightening effect. DE5782 By the Bayou and DE5648 Vineyard perk up shadows in the Who's Afraid of the Dark color palette.

A Jazz-age Skeleton theme features Gatsby-era spirits and skeletons roaming the halls and workplace hue. Ghost writers set up at typewriters and clothed in Roaring '20s garb set this Halloween mood. Dapper tinges of DEC766 Steveareno Beige and DE6343 Salem Black make up the Jazz-age Skeleton color palette.

She adds that trends for 2013 Halloween costumes, much like past years, tend to follow pop culture. "Expect to see plenty of camouflage as homage to Duck Dynasty and zombie characters from the television show Walking Dead," she says. "Plus outfits of tags bringing to life Macklemore's popular song Thrift Shop and its famous tagline … I'm gonna pop some tags."

View all the theme ideas, color palettes and photos here.  
(http://specsspaces.com/Category/DesignTrends/Article/HalloweenandFall2013Trends.aspx)

About Dunn-Edwards Corporation
Dunn-Edwards has produced and sold premium paint products for more than 85 years throughout the Southwest. With 113 company stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, and 35 authorized dealers throughout the Southwest, Dunn-Edwards is one of the nation's largest independent manufacturers and distributors of architectural paints and paint supplies. Dunn-Edwards' international presence includes authorized dealers in China, Guam, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico and Philippines. The company is dedicated to a greener by design® philosophy and produces its coatings in the world's first LEED® Gold-certified manufacturing plant. Based in Southern California, the company is composed of approximately 1,400 employees. www.dunnedwards.com. Its award-winning specs + spaces blog can be found at www.specsspaces.com.

Media Contacts:
Phelps 310-752-4400
Judy Lynes, ext. 124
Judy at phelpsagency dot com

Roxana Janka, ext. 116
Roxana at phelpsagency dot com

Read more news from Dunn-Edwards Corporation.

SOURCE Dunn-Edwards