Create an elegant Halloween in black and white

What’s black and white and loved all over? Black and white home décor.

From room-sized rugs to tiny taper candles, black and white is a timeless color pairing that works on anything in any room during any time of the year, even amid the opulent shades of fall, said Lori Woods, owner of 5B&Co. Candlemakers in Brookside.

“Traditionally, we tend to think of the autumn landscape and all its colors and warmth, and we tend to decorate using ambers, rusts, plums, oranges and olives,” said Woods, who welcomes fall in her shop with whimsical window displays and candles in fragrances such as cinnamon, apple and musk. “Using black and white can be a great alternative, as it is such a classic, contrasting color combination.”

Black and white is iconic in fashion, film, photography, jail and on and on. The distinct shades stand separately or together in almost any medium to create looks that range from stoic and nostalgic to contemporary and clean. In a home, the complex neutrals are so versatile that they serve as a setting for furnishings and decor of almost any color.

“Black and white never gets tired, in our wardrobes, in the movies, in our homes,” said Amanda Tholen, co-owner of Mash Handmade in Westport. “It’s always chic, always fresh, always fun.”

Black and white are also often aligned with all things evil and paranormal in October, smack in the middle of the fall season.

For some, the idea of a midseason switch in home décor to accommodate Halloween is an afterthought as faux leaves, pinecones and acorns have already taken their places. For others, midnight black cats and stark white skeletons make mystical appearances and are easily tucked away in the attic to make way for the remainder of fall and Thanksgiving.

According to Woods, the stress about swapping out seasonal décor can be avoided by creating a background of black and white.

“When decorating with black and white, you can choose to be playful and show off your personality a little more during the Halloween season,” she said. “After Halloween passes, you can make a few simple changes to give your room a more sophisticated and elegant look through the Thanksgiving and holiday season.”

Woods suggested comparing seasonal décor to the items in your closet to simplify the choice of what to select in black and white versus what to select in color.

“The black and white pieces you choose should act much like the staples or mainstays in your closet. Those could be black or white urns, candlestick holders, tapers, hurricane vases (for candles or floral stems), wired cages, pillar candle pedestals, picture frames, etc.,” she said. “Then add in the bit of whimsy and character with some fun seasonal holiday pieces.”

At 5B&Co. Candlemakers, Woods and her staff inserted black raven candles, skull lanterns, apothecary jars of faux bones, torn cloths and pumpkins amid their mainstay décor to conjure Halloween. At Mash Handmade in Westport, some décor typically associated with Halloween is a hit all year, Tholen said.

“Skulls and bones are always popular!” said Tholen who stocks her shop with a favorite line of dishware from Folded Pigs featuring sections of the skeleton. “We have several customers that collect items with body parts on them, whether it be skulls or ribs or brains. I’ve never seen a rule book that forbids skulls in the home during non-spooky times of the year.”

Some folks may not want china with crossbones to cross with their turkey bones this Thanksgiving, but most folks can agree to being attracted to items that glitter and shine, according to Woods.

“Just as we are attracted to diamonds … everyone loves a little sparkle,” Woods said. “Whether it be a silver mercury glass or a glittery spider, it helps to break up a pattern that may be taking place on a table top or mantel.”

For color enthusiasts, black and white may seem lackluster in a room. To add a hint of tint, insert colorful accessories in a cookies and cream environment, said Woods, who suggests switching accessories each season while leaving black and white décor as a base.

“Color can be interjected during the different seasons with the change of a throw pillow, your candlesticks, your table centerpieces, your inserts for your lanterns or hurricanes,” she said.

“Take away the spooky pieces from Halloween, and add a few stalks of wheat, a few mercury votive cups and a gourd or two to be ready for Thanksgiving. Then, add white lights, fresh greenery and a splash of red through garlands, candles and candle cups/holders for Christmas.”

This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Create an elegant Halloween in black and white."