INDhome

Monster Mash

by Amanda Bedgood

It's all in the details. Just ask Deanna Head, who presides over a spooky dinner party.

Haunt the house for Halloween with creative décor.

Monday, Oct. 1, 2012

It's all in the details. Just ask Deanna Head. It's why she places little plastic spiders atop her skull and cross bone plates and why there's a vulture peering from her cobweb-covered chandelier looming over a spooky dinner party. In attendance at this spooky dinner fete are the headless horseman, a werewolf, a rock 'n' roll Frankenstein and at the heads of the table sit Mr. and Mrs. Dracula.

The elaborate set up in Head's dining room is just one vignette she's created for one of her favorite holidays. At her fireplace are two witches having a chat. In the entryway are two of her newest additions (and an easy DIY) - giant Day of the Dead topiaries. In a nod to her multitude of Christmas trees that will arrive in mere weeks is a spooky tree topped with a witch's hat. And on the banister for the staircase is a clever "invisible witch" set up. She has a hat and arms. In the upstairs bedroom are Frankenstein and his bride tucked under the covers with a wily black cat and more of those little spiders. Head, you quickly realize, likes to create a scene. Her decorations are more than merely décor, they are their own sort of little story.

"I like to have fun," Head says with a laugh.

Her collection is fast becoming legendary with new additions each year. She stores these (and other holiday decor) in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse. And she has so much spooky decor that she uses her own pieces to decorate for the Vampire's Ball she's throwing to benefit the Children's Shelters Oct. 20 at The Victorian.

"I like whimsical things and Halloween. The ball has allowed me to be creative," she says.
Sounds like an excuse to us. - Amanda Bedgood