How to Decorate for Halloween

Screen Shot 2014-10-28 at 8.20.17 PM When I was 8 months pregnant (I forgot how swollen I was- yikes), Jimmy and I bought a new house in Garden Hills.  It is our dream home.  Every single day we walk in and think how lucky we are to live here.  Everything about it is perfect for us.  There is a "grown up" kitchen, fenced in backyard, 2 fireplaces, and a master bedroom that's better than any hotel where I have ever stayed.

2690 RR Front 2002

Before we lived in Garden Hills, we lived in a house in Ridgewood Heights (see our old house in the photo above).  Even though I was VERY ready for a fenced backyard and more storage space, I was a little sad to leave because I loved our neighbors so much.  The twins that lived two doors down were in our wedding, and my good friend lived across the street.  But hands down the BEST thing about our neighborhood was Halloween.  I've always loved Halloween.  When I was little Ben and I would practice Trick or Treating for weeks before the big day, ringing our own doorbell and asking for candy.  Carving the pumpkin was a major event every year, and we would work together making eyebrows or missing teeth.  That love for Halloween continued into adulthood.  The first year I ever lived in that house I made a massive deal about having the scariest house in the neighborhood.  I had dry ice, a welcome mat that screamed, and friends who jumped out at the kids.  Every year after that the kids would call my house "the scary house," which was a title I worked to uphold.

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SEVERAL weeks ago we broke out the decorations at the new house - I have a statement to make.  halloween065

We have a full graveyard, a string of bloody knives running from the driveway to the lantern, numerous ghosts hanging from trees, three pumpkins, and a few bloody arms on the lawn.

Driving in and out of the neighborhood I've noticed that some of the neighbors really go all out on the decorations.  Yesterday I borrowed a new lens from my uncle, and Oliver and I started out on foot to try out the new lens and scope out the competition.  Let me tell you, these people are serious!

halloween001Oliver was not 100% certain about going on this adventure but agreed reluctantly.

halloween002We started in out own yard where I tried to blur out the fact that I have not been watering those planters enough by focusing on the very scary bird!

halloween003Oliver's first pumpkins with his initials.

halloween004Scary ghost hanging in front of our entryway.

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Our graveyard.

We started walking...

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halloween009This pumpkin pops open and closed.

halloween012I've always liked this modern house, and they really went all out!  I love the cobwebs everywhere.  We don't tend to do a lot of cobwebs, but that's only because I'm lazy about taking them down post Halloween.

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The sign that marks Halloween central.

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These people totally out graveyarded us!halloween016I'm so jealous!

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Sometimes Mother Nature has the best decorations.halloween018

So many pumpkins, and if you look closely you will see the screaming face looking out the window!!  That took me a minute.halloween019Close up of the doorway.  I love the skull in the planter.

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Better shot of the face!halloween021I love how simple this is... just  a big old spider hanging from a doorknob.

halloween022And excellent carving skills.

halloween023This is right out of a magazine, and their planters are perfect.

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I like how they used the skulls next to the door and the pumpkins going up the stairs.halloween026

Super creepy!!halloween027

At this point Oliver was sort of over the exercise, but we pressed on anyway.halloween028

Jimmy hates anything having to do with the circus, so this jester would probably make it the scariest house for him.  Those cobwebs are perfection.halloween029

Love this originality! halloween031Here is a more simple southern kid-friendly door :) halloween032

Don't miss the collection of witches on the right side.

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There is something so simple and classy about white pumpkins. halloween035

But also something wonderful about a mulit-colored skull surrounded by bats.halloween036

I fell in love with little casper here.halloween037

Amazing! halloween038

This was the single best decoration I saw.  An army of skeletons carrying a casket!  What's not to love?halloween039

I love this doorway as well.  I've never seen that color of pumpkin before, but maybe that's because its a gourd?  halloween041

This spider got his web all tangled in the bushes. halloween042

halloween043

halloween040There is something so simple about this one- a nice American flag and a grim reaper.  Perfect.

halloween044Next year I'm going to have to get a huge spider and maybe a skeleton in a top hat.

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Ghost tree.halloween046

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Frightening skull in front of a beautifully decorated door with mums. halloween049 halloween050The bones can't quite get out of the grave because of the cobwebs.

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UGA pride.halloween052

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Just a little ghost trio.halloween054

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I love this hurst!halloween057

This is one of my favorite houses in the neighborhood, and of course their pumpkins look perfect!halloween058

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A perfectly placed Halloween wreath. halloween060

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And finally we made it back home.halloween063

"Get me outta this stroller mom, I'm hungry!"

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One thing is for sure, even if my yard is not the best in the neighborhood, I'll certainly have the cutest pumpkin on Halloween night!

-Blayne Macauley

P.S. would you all please take a moment to like this blog on Facebook?  I would really appreciate it.  Thank you!

Farms are cool. So is Widespread Panic.

I've always fancied myself a little farm-ie... Screen Shot 2012-02-01 at 3.29.52 PM

Here I am in college with my rabbit, Napoleon.  I bought this little guy without telling my mom...  not smart.  Then he grew to be like 8 lbs and would chew up all the wires/hardwoods in my apartment.  I really loved him and was able to tolerate it, but as soon as I moved back in with my mom on Habersham we had to find Napoleon a new home.  Bummer.

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Here I am holding a goat.  Classic.  If I had a back yard big enough you better believe I would have my own goat.  How cute is he??

And who could forget the great chicken experiment of 2010?

I got 8 of these little fellows... and 5 of them were... well, fellows.  That left me with three of the meanest hens you've ever met.

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See, she's plotting to peck my eyes out.  Kidding... kind of.  It turns out chickens don't really love being raised in the city on a concerte slab.  They would much rather be out in the country...  like me.

If I had my own farm I could own all the crazy animals I wanted, thus I was THRILLED when Nan Haverty asked me to go shoot her new farm near Serenbe.  (Hey, you never know when the opportunity might present itself and you just NEED to buy a farm.)

front

8275 Chochan Mill was exactly what I was looking for in a farm property.  I love that wide front porch!

Barn outside 3

Here is the barn, which is located just steps from the main house.

Barn

Of course I had to get a peak inside.  Don't hate me, but I am not a huge fan of horses.  I had a scary experience riding one once when I was little and have never really had any desire to climb aboard...  that being said I do think they are beautiful and love watching them... from afar. BTW, there is an artist studio in the attic space of this barn, so go ahead and sign me up for spending time in there!

property 2

There are acres and acres of horse paddocks behind the house.  We walked back so you could see the home, barn and garage/guest house.  The homeowner told me that every night she pours herself a glass of wine and walks around the property checking the fences.  I'm sorry, but how pleasant does that sound?

I was really impressed by the inside of the house.  It was so bright and comfortable!

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Isn't that great?

master with fireplace

Digging this fireplace in the master!

kitchen 1

This is the perfect place to cook meals for your family while they are out tending the pigs!

porch 2

My favorite part of the house is the huge back poch overlooking the fields.  I would love to sit out here at night with a glass of wine.  Apparently when I move to the country I am also going to start drinking a lot of wine.  :)

I asked Jim-Bo if he could ever see himself moving to the country.  He didn't answer... but he did buy me a nice little ticket to Widespread Panic at the Tabernacle last weekend (wood tour, for those of you in the know).  

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City Mouse + Country Mouse = Two very in love little mice.

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Photographer Angela West's Personal Home: Before and After

Front

Famed photographer Angela West and her husband were the buyers.  Angela and her husband have decided to sell the home, and they listed it with Glennis once again.  I went to shoot the home last week!  I was so excited.  I have always loved this house....

Angela West got a BA from UGA and an MFA from Yale.  I've seen a lot of her pieces at Jackson Fine Art.

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Screen Shot 2012-01-17 at 2.48.51 PM

Since my main two loves are photography and houses, I was so excited to see the changes she had made to the home.  How did her skills as a photographer influence the choices she made in the house?  Lucky for you guys I have the before pictures (I know, I spoil you), so you can see for yourselves how skilled Angela is not only at photography, but also at transforming a home!  Before the home was done very traditionally.  I loved it then, but I am really enjoying Angela's modern approach to the home.

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Here is the kitchen before..

kitchen

And here is is now.  I never get tired of seeing how fresh paint can change a room.  I love the bare walls and that simple green vase on top of the cabinets.

Breakfast Area

The before breakfast area...

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I love the paint color and new pillows.  Did you see the chairs?  The different fabrics on the front and back are really cool.  The table is perfect as well.  It's much lighter.

DiningRoom

Here is the dining room before.  It's very Traditional with the Oriental rug and furniture.

Dining room 2

Here it is now.  Obvious changes: wallpaper, curtains, chandelier, larger table, rug removal, de-cluttering.  I am usually a fan of rugs, but these hardwoods are so beautiful I am glad we can see them.  I believe Angela and her husband had all the floors refinished.

Dining Room

Here is another view of the dining room where you can see Angela's beautiful photograph on the back wall!

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The living room is where you can see the biggest difference.  Here is the before picture.  I remember being amazed with how large this room was the first time I shot the house.

Here is an additional before picture form the other direction.

Hab 1

Ready to see it now?

Living room 2

Doesn't that look great?  I love the style of this room now, and the painted beams almost seem to disappear.  The room is light and airy.  They added custom fireplace screens and a built-in bar in the second enclave.  Also, isn't that chandelier beautiful?

Living detail

I wanted you to see Angela's photography above the fireplace.  Those are the same pieces highlighted above on the Jackson Fine Art website.

living room sitting area

Here is a better view of the bar they added.

Looking down into living room

And I include this overview so you can see how large the room really is, and how functional the room is with this furniture layout.  Didn't she do a great job?

To see more of the amazing rooms in the house, including these...

library 2
half bath
master 2

... and to see the gardens...

back garden

... and the guest house...

Guest house main room

NEW ART, an update on your favorite house, and a quick favor (please).

Hey kids.  How is your Thursday going?  I for one am ready to kick it into high gear with this Holiday Party thing.  Bring on the egg nog (which I've never actually tasted, but is sounds Christmas-ie).

Love the holiday parties.  Two years ago I wore this dress (detail of dress in above photo) to the Christmas party, and it was glorious. :)  Tonight I am going to my dad's company party and am trying to decide on an outfit...  To see what I choose become a fan of this blog on The Facebook and I'll post a picture tonight.  duh.

I'm thinking I am going to wear this hot little number I got from Urban Outfitters.  I spied it in the window when we were in Chicago and then waited for it to go on sale on the website for like 70% off...  it came Monday.  #cheap.  The only problem is it's a little short and creates a bit of a middrift issue...  so we'll see what happens.  #gametimedecision

Changing the subject...

As a little Christmas present to me, I was hoping you guys would take these two quick polls.  I am trying to reshape the focus of this blog.  I would assume most of you come here to read about houses, but I'm not quite sure.  Recently I have been trying to broden the focus of the blog a little bit and include more community happenings, things about my personal life, and fashion.  I just want a little feedback.  Maybe you love knowing what is going on with me... or maybe you're like, "shut up Blayne and show me more houses."  Who knows?  Oh... that's right.... you do.  Please please take a quick moment to answer these questions so I can taylor the blog to what you want.  Let's be honest, if you guys don't like the content why am I even writing this?  If you have more you would like me to know (please) you can email me at blayne@beacham.com or leave me a comment at the bottom or this post.  There is also a place where you can fill out your own answers, and I am always looking for laughs, so feel free to be as funny as you want.  (You can choose multiple answers as well)

[polldaddy poll=5741684]

[polldaddy poll=5741695]

Thanks so much for doing that guys!

Moving right along...

Remember this house?  I wrote about it here in what I called a "Once in a Lifetime Post."  Sold by Linda Williams and Neno Schildgen of Beacham & Company in 2010.  Architecture by Neel Reid and Duane Stone.

Interiors by Margaux Interiors Limited

Best bedroom I've ever seen in any house anywhere....  now that's saying something!

This is the only home in Atlanta I can actually say this blog helped sell.  The owner loved the post I wrote about the house (to read that post click here) that she ended up buying it!  Go This Photographer's Life!!  It was one of my proudest blog moments.

Through the blog I met the new owner of the home.  We became fast friends.  Apparently she is a fan of my art...  yippie!  She is working with Margaret Bosbyshell and Clary Bosbyshell of Margaux Interiors Limited to redesign the interior of the home.  I had the privilege of getting a sneak peak into the new interiors, and they are unbelievable!  According to the homeowner, "Margaret's experience and talent paired with Clary's edge and fashion-forward approach is the one-two punch that is perfect!"I am so excited to see how they improve something I thought was perfect in the first place!!

The new homeowner actually commissioned me to take photographs of her husband's plane.  I am so honored to have some work hanging in MY FAVORITE house in Atlanta!  I am also so honored that Margaret and Clary said it was ok to use my art.  They have amazing taste.

I love commission work.  It's always so interesting to be presented with an idea but allowed to put your own spin on it.  (If you are interested in commissioning your own art from me, please contact me at blayne@beacham.com)  She took me out to the hanger, showed me the plane, and said I could do whatever I wanted.  Here are the pieces I came up with...

What do you think?  I hope you all have a nice Thursday :)

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