Some of you might cringe at the thought of decorating your home for Halloween. What's even scarier than Halloween itself are those tacky dollar-store decorations.  Fake blood, cobwebs and plastic severed limbs are enough to give you nightmares that will last long after October 31st!

But Halloween décor doesn't have to be cheap, cheesy or gory.  When done right, a home can celebrate the spirit of Halloween while still being elegant, sophisticated and glamorous.  

Read on to explore my Halloween home tour and my 4 tips for elegant Halloween decorating.

Fall is my absolute favourite season!  The changing leaves, the cooler weather, the harvest; it gives me such a sense of comfort and coziness.  As a decorator, I look forward to changing up my décor for each season and holiday.  This season I wanted to have my home reflect those comforts of fall that I love, while keeping the look polished and elegant.

Below are some tips on how I achieved my fall look:

Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays!  Firstly, it takes place during my absolute favourite season...Autumn! The cool air, the harvest, the amazing colours of the changing leaves; it's one of the things that makes Thanksgiving feel so comforting and homey, Secondly, it's a holiday centered on celebrating with a meal, which means that my two favourite creative pastimes get to come together at one table: cooking and decorating.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to set an elegant table.  It makes my guests feel special and welcome.  Also, the designer in me gets so excited thinking up new colour combinations, place setting styles and centerpiece ideas. This year I challenged myself to design a tablescape that did not include the traditional fall orange, but that still created a feeling of comfort, coziness and welcome that is typical of a Thanksgiving table.

Below are my tips and instructions on how to replicate this look.

Your front porch is the first thing that anyone sees when visiting your house.  As a first impression, it sets the tone for what your guests can expect once they cross through your threshold and enter your home.  Since fall is a season that celebrates the outdoors (the changing leaves, the harvest, the crisp air), it is only natural that your fall décor starts outside on your front porch.

Below, I have collected ten beautiful fall porches that are sure fill you with ideas and inspiration for  getting your home fall-ready.

You can never go wrong with a traditional fall porch!  Here, a scarecrow welcomes you at the door, and symmetrical grouping of pumpkins, hay bales, corn stalks, and bushels of seasonal mums celebrate the classic comforts of fall.

Here, the classic orange and black colour combination allows this front entrance to transition seamlessly from Thanksgiving to Halloween.  The black crows add a spooky touch without being kitschy.

Easter marks the beginning of spring and is the perfect opportunity to insert fresh, bright and happy spring colours into your décor.  The first place to start is with your Easter table setting.  Setting an inviting Easter table with the colours of spring is easy!  The trick is to avoid using a rainbow of colours, which can look busy and unfocused.  Instead, limit your colour choice to one prominent accent colour with other colours used either as a backdrop or in subtle little details.  And finally, pair your accent colour with white for a crisp contrast.  Using white will help brighten up your table and allow your accent colour to pop.  Read on for 7 colour schemes that are sure to make a welcoming Easter table.

Is there a colour more cheery than yellow?  Yellow just works so well for Easter décor (it is, after all, the colour of baby chicks).  In this tablescape, a blue-and-white polka-dot tablecloth is used as the backdrop.  Crisp white napkins and charger plates allow the bright yellow to really pop.  Continue using yellow items and accessories throughout the tablescape  for continuity, like the dinner plate, napkin ring, seating card trim, gift box and fresh daffodils used here.

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, we are exploring home décor styles that will make you "green" with envy.  From bold emeralds, to bright limes, to soft mints, here are 7 ways to incorporate green into your home décor with style.

What better way is there to make a first impression than with a bold door colour?  This striking emerald paint colour highlights the beautiful carved details of this ornate set of doors.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Is your home ready? Forget the cheesy Hallmark cut-outs and heart-shaped doilies; this week's blog post celebrates love with Valentine's Day inspired décor that is fresh, modern and feminine.

Nothing says Valentine's Day like pink! The soft pink of the upholstered bench seat, pillows and lamps bring some modern playfulness to the traditional formality of this antique furniture. 

Holiday season is soon approaching and it's time to transform your home into a welcoming winter wonderland of twinkling lights, shiny ornaments and fresh scented evergreen.  However, with so many beautiful holiday decorating styles to choose from, finding one that's right for you may seem like an overwhelming and daunting task.  Each holiday decorating style has something special to offer but how do you decide which one's perfect for your home?  Your holiday decorations should do two things: 1) reflect your individual style & personality and 2) tie in with the existing décor & furniture in your home.

Let it Reflect your Individual Style and Personality
How do you enjoy spending your holidays?  If your ideal approach to the holiday season is to layer on cozy knitted sweaters, bury yourself under warm blankets and sit by the fire sipping hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies, then the Classic Christmas holiday style might be right for you.  However, if you can't wait to throw on that holiday party dress, heels and sparkling jewelry, or if your perfect holiday get-together includes holding a martini glass and chatting over background music, then you might consider going Glam for the holidays.  Just know yourself and stay within your comfort zone.

Keep with the Existing Décor of your Home
It's also important to tie in your Christmas decorations with the overall look, colour scheme and décor of your home.  If your home celebrates natural and organic materials, if your dining room features a large distressed harvest table and a sliding barn door, then Rustic Christmas might be your thing.  If your look is modern and quirky with bright splashes of colour and bold artwork, then consider Whimsical Christmas décor.  The important thing is not to compete with the existing style that already works well in your home.

Below are seven featured holiday decorating styles to help you find inspiration as you prepare to make your home Christmas-ready! 

It only seems natural that I start by featuring the Classic Christmas decorating style. Classic Christmas has a traditional colour scheme of cranberry red and deep green. It's all about warmth and comfort: a crackling wood fire, a tartan patterned throw and thick cable knit Christmas stockings. It features plush wreaths and garlands of fresh evergreen and bright red berries. Nothing says cozy like Classic Christmas!