A Haunting Celebration of American Literature
Get Inspired
Although I would definitely consider myself a “planner,” my thematic seasonal tablescapes are rarely designed too far in advance. More often than not, they begin while I’m pushing a shopping cart down a freshly stocked holiday aisle and one unexpected piece sparks the entire idea.
For this room, it was a $3.99 raven plate sitting on the bottom shelf at HomeGoods. I immediately thought back to my years spent teaching Edgar Allan Poe each fall and began imagining a space inspired by his life and literature…a room that could both educate and entertain. Sometimes the best decorating ideas begin with one small, inexpensive find.
Brainstorm the Old Fashioned Way
Much like we were taught in school, the first step in my creative process is often a simple brainstorming session…with an actual piece of paper and a pencil.
When planning all things Edgar Allan Poe, I wrote down everything I remembered about his life, his work and the imagery associated with both: The Raven, Annabel Lee, his difficult childhood, his mysterious stories, his career as a writer and the melancholy atmosphere that seems to follow so much of his work. That list became my decorating roadmap.
Rather than simply shopping for “Halloween décor,” I started looking for objects that visually represented Poe and his stories. Ravens were an obvious starting point, and any raven plate can become the inspiration for an entire setting.
Utilize Color Theory
To create a room that felt eerie without becoming overly theatrical, I leaned into the principles of color theory…the way color can influence mood, perception and emotion.
Using the raven plate as my guide, I kept the palette primarily black, white and gray. Those muted tones immediately gave the room a somber, slightly haunting quality.
I did, however, want a little warmth. Small touches of amber, rust and pumpkin tones softened the darkness and seemed especially fitting, a visual reminder of Poe’s creative brilliance within an otherwise shadowy world. For a budget-friendly interpretation of the look, paper raven plates can create a similar effect.
Find Your Focal Point
Every memorable holiday display needs one element that immediately captures your attention. For my ghostly representation of Poe, I created a literary haunted tree using a fallen tree branch from our yard. I spray-painted the branch black, secured it inside a Christmas tree stand and suspended torn pages and sections of old books from its limbs with twine.
The finished tree felt somewhere between an abandoned library and an enchanted forest. Of course, Poe himself needed to make an appearance. I pulled an old skeleton from the attic and dressed him in a top hat and Poe-inspired neck scarf, giving our honored guest an appropriately dramatic place at the table.
Coordinate the Creepy
Once you establish your main design elements, repeat them throughout the space. To keep the room cohesive, I added white pumpkins adorned with ravens along with ominous black birds placed throughout the table and surrounding décor.
Repeating the same imagery in different places helps a themed room feel intentional instead of simply decorated. This is also where that original brainstorming list becomes especially helpful. Look back at the words, symbols and ideas associated with your theme and find subtle ways to weave them throughout the room.
Highlight the Tools of the Trade
What would a room honoring one of America’s most recognizable writers be without a nod to the writing process itself? I originally went searching for an antique typewriter at a local flea market. When I couldn’t find one, I eventually spotted this wonderfully eerie typewriter tucked among Halloween décor at HomeGoods.
It became one of my favorite details in the room. Adding objects associated with the person or story you’re celebrating makes a themed space feel more thoughtful and layered. In Poe’s case, the typewriter became a symbolic celebration of the words and stories that have outlived him by generations.
Remember: It’s All in the Details
The smallest styling details are often what make a tablescape feel finished. To continue the idea of the tortured, frustrated writer, I scattered ripped, torn and crumpled book pages between the place settings.
The pages added texture while filling some of the empty space across the table, but more importantly, they reinforced the literary theme. They looked almost as though discarded drafts from a writer’s desk had been swept across the dining room.
Light It Up
Lighting can completely transform a room, particularly when creating a Halloween atmosphere. Candlelight is one of my favorite ways to add warmth to a seasonal table, but for this space I wanted the glow to feel a little mysterious.
Thinking of Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado and its descent through the dark Italian catacombs, I chose a more dimly lit lantern. Inside, battery-operated flicker-flame candles created an atmospheric glow without the worry of an open flame.
The 19th-century-inspired lantern brought just enough light to the table while maintaining that sense of ominous, old-world mystery.
Let Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Few symbols are more closely associated with Edgar Allan Poe than the raven.
Much like the bird's symbolism in The Raven, the flock scattered throughout this room helped establish its dark and mysterious mood. A $16 feathered wreath from Amazon added texture to the mirrors, while black birds perched along the table, light fixtures and haunted trees.
There is also an interesting connection between Poe and Baltimore. The NFL's Baltimore Ravens were named in honor of Poe's famous poem, and Poe is buried in Baltimore, a city closely associated with his legacy.
Having spent time in Baltimore as the wife of a Baltimore Orioles player, and having toured Poe-related historic sites there, I've always loved the connection between the city's history and his work. His life and literature continue to be celebrated through museums and historic landmarks, including the Poe Museum.
Add Fall's Golden Glow
Although the room was intentionally dark and supernatural, I didn't want the table to feel completely devoid of warmth. I added amber goblets to introduce a beautiful fall glow against the black, gray and neutral palette.
Amber is one of my favorite colors for autumn decorating because it works beautifully with darker neutrals like charcoal, taupe and brown, while also pairing easily with the reds, oranges and golds used in more traditional fall décor.
A few strategically placed amber accents can instantly soften a moody Halloween table.
Celebrate the Educational Experience
My favorite part of this entire room wasn't actually the table, the haunted tree or even our skeleton version of Poe. It was watching design become an opportunity to teach.
Beyond the fun of creating a dramatic Halloween display, this Edgar Allan Poe-inspired room introduced my children to one of America's most influential writers and to the mysterious literary world he helped shape.
The room sparked conversations about poetry, storytelling, history and what life might have looked like for a writer living in the 1800s. Years later, when they eventually encounter Poe's work in a classroom, The Raven, Annabel Lee or one of his famous short stories may already feel strangely familiar.
A beautiful room can entertain us for an evening, but a room that inspires curiosity can stay with us much longer. When design and education come together, that is truly something worth celebrating.
For more family-friendly decorating and seasonal design ideas, follow stylist and mother of seven @JennyReimold on Instagram.
