Custom Holiday Decorating

DIY Spotlight: Carries Halloween Spooktacular Dinning Room

Hey peeps! Welcome to the part 2 in the Carrie Pectol Leavitt spot light. This mission is 2 fold. One we will be introduced to her creepy dining room; and second, we will see how said dining room came to be. Let me begin by saying that everything that Carrie touched turns to gold. She could pin a log of poo to her Pinterest board and get a thousand repins. Not to mention, people around the globe would be engaging in fecal crafting. Isn't it interesting how one person can influence our perception of what is right and what is wrong?!? Well, ADHD moment; that is another discussion for another day!

Carrie's dining room did a bit of experimenting in it's day. Get your minds out of the gutter... We all ran the gamut of identities. My friends like to remind me of my fat emo stage... They said I had hair like Rosie O'Donnell! Can you believe that?! Crazy talk! We digress. Carrie's dining room began it's life as a mild-mannered carport. Upon entering puberty so-to-speak, a delightful enclosed garage emerged. The garage sacrificed of it's self to make room for a small mudroom. Carrie got a bee in her bonnet, and a dining room was born.

The furnishings are a mixture of new and refinished finds. The table is new, while the upholstered chairs were purchased at a consignment shop. The wood chairs, once a dated honey oak, received new life with a couple coats of cream paint. The details were brought to life using a little patina. The bench was once a foot board, now converted. The built in cabinetry was purchased unfinished from Habitat for Humanity's, ReStore.

Carrie's new step-down dining room transitions seamlessly into her beautiful kitchen. But you'll have to hold your breath for that one... Her kitchen spot light is still down the road. In addition to this stunning look at dining in style, please re-join us next month for a glimpse at the holiday décor slathered around the rest of her house! Thanks a brazillion Carrie Pectol Leavitt!

Celebrating Our Heroes Gala

Last week we had the privilege and honor to decoration for Heritage Schools " Celebrating Our Heroes" gala.  The purpose of gala was to raise funds for at risk youth in residential treatment center. Many of the items we used were thrifted or second hand as the purpose of this organization is to give youth a second chance. Here are some photos of the space we created. Enjoy.

 Table Settings

 Mason Jar Chandelier

Dropped Book Page Ceiling

Interested in the Grande Design decorating for you next event/wedding. Please contact us at design.grande@gmail.com

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY: And The Winner Is.....!

@Catie-Just shoot us an email to design.grande@gmail.com with your name address and phone number and we will get you your prize asap.

Thanks to everyone who entered we had so many peeps share every day it was amazing! We look forward to our next giveaway, may the odds ever be in your favor!

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 13: Potions Potions Potions!

Today is the last of our Days of Halloween Giveaway. Hope you have enjoyed some of our ideas we have shared. For our final day we just thought we would give you a very quick and easy decorating idea, incase you are still looking for ways to add a little spook to your decor this season. 

All we did was find some old and vintage bottles and add some potion labels (these are easy to find as a printable, or in the scrapbook section of your local craft store.) They create an ominous look with very little work...and suddenly you'll want to be at the Haunted Mansion at Disney! Well I did, but then again I want to be at Disney every day! Don't forget to share for your chance to win. Click HERE for all the dets. Thanks for joining us for our first annual "Days of Halloween Giveaway"! 

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 12: Swanky Swag

Check out this Swanky Swag...  Don't judge my lame photography skills.  This swag is on my second story banister and I'm to chicken to climb on a ladder to take a pic straight on...  I'm 300 lbs; you know the saying the bigger they are the harder they fall...  Oh yeah, fall, that's what inspired this whole thing.  I wanted balance in the room so I off set the lights from the mantle by a small feature on the bridge above and behind.  I had some dollar store leaf garland and a roll of burlap ribbon left over from the mantle.  Using an existing, yet homeless pumpkin wall thingy, and some lights I bought at a Livonia, Michigan CVS drugstore...  Confession, I went through a phase where I would buy a lot of junk from drugs stores cause

I thought it was fun that they didn't just sell drugs...  I was able to work up this little diddy.  Super simple.

Days of Halloween Giveaway Day 11: Shopping Trip!

So...about yesterday, sorry we didn't put up a post. We had a huge event and next thing you know Thursday had come and gone. But have no fear here is one for today and tomorrow for our "Grande Finale" we will post two and announce the winner of our Halloween Giveaway on our Facebook page. So make sure not to miss it.

We here at The Grande Design shop! I mean all the time, looking for great deals, checking out sales, online, in stores, retail, wholesale. Maybe we shouldn't call it shopping, its obviously more sophisticated and intense...Its research! You have to gather all the information to get the best result, totally like research! And today we thought we would share some great retail stores where Halloween items are all on sale. 25%-60% off. What a deal! You have probably heard of most these store and thats because they usually have great products.

1 & 2  Pier 1 Imports. Both the table runner and spider candleholder are 25% off. 

3 Yankee Candle. Their entire Halloween collections is 25% off.  Doesn't candy corn smell delicious?!

4 &5 Michaels Art and Craft. Most items are at lest 50% off but some as much as 60%.

In addition these stores also have great deals.

Hobby Lobby- Halloween 40% off

JcPenny- The Martha Stewart Halloween Collection up to 50% off

Target- 25% off Halloween Decorations. 

We hope you find some great items at some great deals. If you do don't forget to comment and let us know about it.

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 10: And The Saga Continues...

To continue our saga...  Here's another pumpkin idea.

Pumpkin 2.  Black craft paint.  Paint brush.  Free handed “B”.  Now all my visitors know a bunch a “B's” live here.  That is if they're not scared off by the screaming that comes from inside.  Don't worry there's not a ghoul; it's just the day in the life of the white trash parent in the neighborhood screaming at their children...  Like the ones you see in (rhymes with) Fal-wart!  No offense to any white trash out there.  You know who you are.

Busy Week

Its a busy week here at The Grande Design. We are working on decorations for a great cause. Check it out! Love working with this organization. Stay tuned and we will let you know how it all turns out! Here is a sneak peak of the venue:

If you have an upcoming event or party, we would love to be apart of it. 

Contact us at design.grande@gmail.com or at 385.204.3099

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 9: Perfect Party Pallet for Halloween!

Having a party this Halloween...create a fun and exciting atmosphere for all ages with slimy green, popping purple, midnight black and pumpkin orange!

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY: Day 8: Yoduhlayheewhooo!

Yoduhlayheewhooo...  You know who you are...  Here's are series of pumpkin ideas.  Lesbihonest, I realize that you've probably seen a gizillion ideas on Pinterest already, but none are as paramount as the one you'll see on thegrandedesign.blogspot.com.  So here we go!

Pumpkin 1! #sexiestpumpkinever; begins with some slinky stockings I found in me skivvy drawer...  Sometimes I parade these around doing high kicks in my living room while listening to “Material Girls,” by Madonna.  How's that for a terrifying Halloween image.  Anywayzz, After cleaning the pumpkin, I slipped into something more comfortable, aka spiderweb sexy pant.  Then I snipped the top,  tied off with ribbon and fashion this beautiful medallion.  Ta-duh!

To continue our saga... for more pumpkin decorating ideas, tune in later this week! The adventure continues!

Days of Halloween Giveaway day 7: Skeletal Support

It is officially half way through our "13 Days of Halloween Giveaway"! Each time you share that days post on Facebook you are entered to win. How awesome is that!? Check out all the dets here!

Now on to some even more fun stuff... Halloween Candle Sticks!

Here is an easy way to re-purpose something this Halloween. Every garage sale and thrift store is full of old brass table lamps. I happened to find a great assortment at our local Restore.  In three easy steps you will have a unique, one of a kind, spooktacular Halloween decoration!

1. Disassemble the old lamp. Most lamps are built pretty much the same way, thank goodness, I'm not sure I could handle the ins and outs of electricity. And lucky for us you can just throw all the electrical bits away for this project!

2. Take the base, the funnel and the and center pipe. Add your Halloween piece. In our case the skull and pumpkin. Secure it all with the nuts and bolts. 

3. Add some spray paint and there you go. An awesomely easy Halloween decoration.

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY! Day 6: Center of Attention

I have always wanted to be one of those people whose house is never out of order. With the dishes always done, the pillows are on the couch, never the floor, and of course the beds are always made...BUT lets be real! Seriously who has time for that. I'm too busy running errands, working, planning and blogging! So when I am having company over, like tomorrow when my family comes for Sunday  dinner, I need something quick and easy for my tablescape. Something that allows conversation. Something that leaves room for the food, (the most important part!). And something that brings in the ambiance of the season. So in preparation I took a decorative cake pan- easy peasy! Placed two candles in it, and garnished it with pumpkins and pine cones. Set that in the center of a table runner and viola dinner just got a little bit better!

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 5: Birds of a Feather

Hey everyone!  Here's another easy peasy Halloween/fall project!  Don't hesitate to “take a risk” or “go out on a limb” or “lay it all in the line” for this bird on a wire art project.  Birds on a wire aren't inherently creep in the Halloween sense.  However, break it down further...  Russian roulette, unhealthy risk, mild signs of suicidal ideation.  There you go.  Creepy, right?!  

Tool/materials: Burlap canvas.  I found these in a variety of sizes from a store that rhymes with Fal-wart.  Next, a pencil, black craft paint, and a small paint brush.  Finally, HI CHEWS!  I can't function without them; thank you Jesus for the big bag at Costco...  Only $6.49 a bag!!!

Step 1: Set up your work space; paint tray, cup of water, and all other supplies.

Step 2: Lightly trace your design using the pencil.  Tip, a soft lead pencil will show up better on the burlap.
 
Step 3: Fill in with black paint...  Or any other color for that matter.  Burlap is neutral and natural so it will work in a variety of spaces and schemes.  Painting this silhouette in red, turquoise, sunny yellow, would also look amazing. 

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 4: Poetic Antiqued Frames

Today's post will be short and sweet, 

but postable none the less. 

Take a frame, one antiqued

For design without the mess.

Quotes, poems, or sayings that spook

will create a look not a chook

Now you have something unique

And it took only 5 minutes or less.

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 3: Small and Simple Halloween Porch

Some of us are not blessed with gorgeous wrap around porches that go on for miles and have porch swings and bay windows. Some of us have front stoops instead...Some of us don't have pillars, and grand front doors 14 feet high, or glamorous chandeliers on our front porch. Some of us just have cement...BUT I say we can all have a warm and inviting space to welcome guest! And Halloween brings many-a-guest to ones abode... So here is a way to create a space leaving people saying "who wouldn't want to trick or treat here?!"

Some tips if your porch falls closer to a stoop side:

1. Don't think symmetry, think balance. Create one vignette on one side opposite an architectural aspect of your porch. It could be a window, a ledge, an off center door or in this case a support pole. Take a step back, assess and then create. 

2. Work vertical. Stacking items in a triangle allows you to work up and not out and is a very pleasing shape for the eye. In this vignette, simply turning a crate vertical allowed us to create that triangle affect.

3. Color. Make that porch POP! Color, color,color. Rich colors via flowers, plants, decorations will make everyone driving by, walking by or biking by want to stop and take a second glance.

Days of Halloween Giveaway Day 2: Halloween Mantle

 Trick or treat, smell my feet you guys...  In a good way!  Welcome to “Transitioning you Mantle For Fall/Halloween.” I may or may not be a little obsessed with my mantle.  Because of my hoarding potential, I may or may not quite know when to quit...  You decide.  You may remember my mantle from a previous post in the easy living section. Feel free to check it out if you're just dying for a full fledged before; otherwise, bare with me. 

 

Step 1: Begin with a blank canvas.  This allows you to work without distraction.  Unless you have ADHD, then who the heck cares.

Step 2: Start adding larger element. Doing so gives a jumping off point and they will be beneficial during step 3.

Step 3: Dangle...  I hate that word...  Dangle lights and leaf garland. I wrap the lights and garland around the larger objects, as well as tuck them under.Doing this holds lights and garland in     place and prevents them from pulling everything down.

Step 4: Fill in with smaller elements; creating vignettes.

Step 5: To soften the harshness of the cords and wire from the lights and garland, tuck ribbon into the display. I used burlap ribbon because of it's “earthen” quality.  It also adds a vintage hue to ground the flashiness of the orange twinkle lights and glitter...  Yes, straight men are allowed to like glitter, don't over generalize.

Days of Halloween GIVEAWAY Day 1: Trends we Love: Halloween Party Decor

Halloween is such a fun holiday to decorate for. There are so many ways to be creative and really there are no boundaries. Plus, October is full of Halloween parties and get-to-gethers. If you are planning a party this season, before you go out and buy tons of new merchandise, take a look around your home. Many heirlooms, antiques, glass, frames and nick-nacks you already have can create that spooky and eery feel you are going for. Vintage is in and this is a great way to incorporate that trend in your decorating this Halloween. Top it off with some spider webbing, candles and pumpkins and you will have created a great ambiance to party in, just need to add the treats!