HALLOWEEN DECORATING

I love a good lawn full of inflatables and plastic skeletons — but if you're looking for something a little different, Halloween can also be chic, spooky, whimsical, and entirely your own.

For the past few years I've had the pleasure of contributing to our neighbors' Thanksgiving table. The first arrangement came together with the help of the Chappaqua Garden Club's annual workshop.

The following year I took inspiration from Brittany Watson Jepsen at The House That Lars Built and recreated the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as a centerpiece. I drew buildings from along the parade route, printed and mounted them on foamcore stands, and for the finishing touch — LEGO figures as balloon wranglers.

I'm fortunate to have a home surrounded by evergreens, which means the holidays come with a built-in resource. Every garland and swag shown here was cut fresh from my own yard — for my home and for our neighborhood sign. There's something really special about bringing fresh, piney greens indoors for the season. It's simple, it's fragrant, and it makes a house feel like a home.