A Halloween Party In Warrenton, Virginia

If your pumpkins are already monogrammed, trimmed in ric rac, or filled with flowers, what about a classic pumpkin carving party to spook up the house for Halloween?

For a shoot I did with photographer Laura Moss back at House Beautiful, my friends Barry Dixon and Michael Schmidt hosted a great one at their place in Warrenton, Virginia. Barry's a super talented interior designer with a great new book out, so the house he and his partner Michael share is pretty amazing. It's an old, stone mansion with gorgeous grounds that go on forever.

Here's a view out to the back patio. Come right in! Love all the architectural details too. And that pedestal table piled high with pumpkins is so simple and pretty, don't you think?

When we first arrived, the grounds crew had been doing some work around the house, and this shot I thought was great as is. There was something so spooky and beautiful about the branches in morning mist.  

Here's a beautiful bowl of apples together with pumpkins grown right on the property! With all the kids coming to carve pumpkins, how perfect were these for...

you guessed it...Caramel Apples! Our little Ninja Turtle for the day was loving the branch sticks. They're such a simple and sophisticated way to bring a rustic touch to a classic fall treat, don't you think? 

For the parents, there was plenty of food too. Check out the pumpkin soup tureen I made! What an easy way to dress up a holiday buffet. I love doing spoons this way too; I think it adds an elegant touch. And finally, the garden statuary brought a little something ghoulish to the mix, don't you think?

If you're having people over this weekend and butternut squash soup is on the menu, what about miniature southern ham biscuits to serve alongside? Martha makes a great ham for Costco I love. The vintage linen cocktail napkin is part of a set of twelve, each with a different fall leaf. This one I found down in Virginia, but ebay has similar ones that are just as cute!

Check out the party crowd! How much fun were they having? It totally makes me want to go back, only this time I want to carve pumpkins! Those corn stalks were such an easy way to set the mood too. Just tie them to a pair of columns for instant drama.

And so, if you're thinking about throwing a little party anytime soon, pumpkin carving or otherwise, check out the new column with all the entertaining tips! And if you have any more to add, be sure to comment! Happy Pumpkin Carving, everyone!

Comments

[Holly Kim]

Just beautiful photos, I live very near warrenton and I just love the VA countryside! It is our own little "Angland"
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[Tardevil]

What a gorgeous freakin house! Love those pumpkins on the table outside...just eye candy.

[adcfan]

What a great blog - glad I found it. So when's that book coming out, Eddie? Such clever ideas, you have a good eye and promote good taste on a budget.

The Washington Post did an article on these designers and their beautiful home a couple of yrs. ago in the Home section. They have a real showpiece.

[spicy news]

love the pumpkin pic .. great one there

[Johanna]

It would be so great if Halloween could be as big as it is in the U.S. here in Sweden. But unfortunately we just put candles at our relatives graves. That's about it :/ (sadly enough).

I'm so exaited to get the magazine that you're in next week. I'm glad that my sis. is in Boston so that she can buy it and send it all the way to me in little Sweden ;).

With love!

[Warrentoninan]

I can't believe that you were in Warrenton! My friend's mother lives next door this this place. This house always looks amazing from the outside, and I've alwyas wondered what the inside looks like.

[Pam]

Eddie, I wish I lived in this house. It's absolutely gorgeous! I live in Fredericsburg, Virginia, not that far from Warrenton. I think I'll check out Warrenton, seems like some creative people live there.

[Ali]

What inspiring shots for the season. Terrific blog.

[nancy]

I LOVE this post! I just found this blog, and it's incredible!
I am a designer, and I always think that the best creatives are people who are just themselves, and it's so true about this blogger. Your true self jumps out with every image and suggestion - and it's all so beautiful and quirky ( in the best way), so individual too.
I also love the simplicity of some of the suggestions - like Martha's ham with biscuits! You aren't telling us that we need to spend oodles of time in a kitchen in order to entertain, you are helping us make it easy and fun! how modern, how thoughtful and fabulous.
Thanks so much!!

[Mimilee]

What delightful ideas, EDDIE! Congrats on another great post!!!

[sandra/tx]

All great ideas, Eddie. Thanks for the inspiration!

[beachbungalow8]

i die. these shots are beautiful.

[LindsB]

That party looks like so much fun...but that house, OMG I'm in love! I want to move in like now :)

[milly]

I dont know if you had a frost in NYC, but we had our first here in RI this morning. All my MUMs are turning brown. :( OH, monogramming pumpkins - sounds like a terrific idea!

[Suzanne Fall]

I am going to MAKE you write an entertaining book! When Martha is ready to retire ..you've got my vote! Have a great weekend-

[Judy]

What a fun party. I love your tureen, what a great idea. I agree with you on Martha's ham. They are delich! Have fun and enjoy!!

[Agnes]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the soup tureen!
I'm having a pumpkin carving party Halloween night. For decorating I use this simple ideas:

I buy the small, mini orange and white pumpkins, carve them out and put votives in them. very pretty, creative and simple.

I buy bags of asorted ghords at the supermarket and I use them to fill hurricane lanps I have that are clear glass from Crate & Barrel, also makes a nice centerpiece.

[Agnes]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the soup tureen!
I'm having a pumpkin carving party Halloween night. For decorating I use this simple ideas:

I buy the small, mini orange and white pumpkins, carve them out and put votives in them. very pretty, creative and simple.

I buy bags of asorted ghords at the supermarket and I use them to fill hurricane lanps I have that are clear glass from Crate & Barrel, also makes a nice centerpiece.