Would you like a Halloween display that is more original and maybe a little less predictable than the props you find in stores? Shop your house first for accessories and supplies. Keep in mind the purpose of your decorations. How long will the decorations need to last? Indoors, outdoors or both? How many people will your space accommodate before decorations are added? Will people be moving around or will they be more stationary such as at a dinner party? The answers will help determine the type and placement of your decorations.

For accessories and props think about possible colors, shapes and textures. High contrasts such as dark and murky colors, metallics and fabrics with texture and sheen make interesting combinations. Dark candlesticks with cream colored candles that have been distressed or aged with soot are classic. Unpolished silver or brass candle sticks are complimented by black, purple or marbleized dark candles. Use webbing sparingly and be careful not to use it around open flames.

Stark floral arrangements will also add to the atmosphere. You might use up old florals by spraying them with black and gray paint and dusting them with powder. Gnarled and twisted branches, bronze colored silk plants like onion grass or hydrangeas, and feathers like pheasant or turkey can be used in "creepy" arrangements now and regular fall floral arrangements later.

Don't forget lighting! Layers of lighting will help set the mood and allow your guests to see your decor. Experiment with colored lights. Keep in mind the effects that the lights may have on the appearance of any food to be served. Unappetizing and disturbing is not the presentation you want to project with your refreshments!

Once you have shopped your house you will have a better idea of what you need to complete your display. As with most designs, less is more. Need more help? Call me-we can create the perfect look to suit your style.~ Pam

Shriveled plants, weeds, overgrown bushes, peeling paint, or a cracked driveway are problems that sellers must often fix before their house goes on the market. But what if these problems apply to their neighbors' homes?

Most sellers know to groom their homes for the best sale, but it's difficult to counteract the effect of distressed-looking homes that are in close proximity to their property. The cummulative effect of neglected landscapes or homes can give the neighborhood a run down look.

How embarrased was I when a neighbor several houses away recently put her house on the market? A storm had just ripped off one of our shutters and replacements were backordered for weeks. The phone company's lawn reseeding, following extensive digging, and subsequent weed extermination had left a random pattern of brown patches in our yard. The weather wasn't cooperating for new grass growth either!

Why should I care-and why should you? Hopefully you like your neighborhood and neighbors and want them to get a good price for their house. Keeping on top of the appearance and maintenance of your property will help them and help protect your most important investment. After all, you'll want to get a good price when you want to sell.

Stand at the curb and look at the front of your house and survey the property from the perspective of a buyer. Would they want to move in next door? Or would your home frighten them off? Make a list of the most obvious things and tend to them before the cold weather sets in. Hopefully our shutters and new grass will be in by then too! ~ Pam

My thanks to all who were able to attend the Home Show at the Dulles Expo Center last Saturday and came by for the presentations, including mine on Holiday Tablescaping and Decor.

A special thank you to the store, Places in The Heart, located in Leesburg, for the loan of some of their wonderful holiday decorations to round out my display. For more on their store, click on the link below.

More presentations will be offered in the future. Look for additional information in a separate email and in next month's newsletter. To be sure to get an invitation, please email me with your name and email address.

You may have noticed the new logo. Now you are invited to visit the newly redesigned FaulknerHouse.com with more photos, more information and a totally new look. Come back often as there will be more additions including Sources, a page of helpful links to products, supplies and suppliers, shops, and more. If you would like to suggest a source, please call or email me at 703-689-9886 or pam.faulkner@faulknerhouse.com or click on the link below.

As always, we value your comments so let us know what you think about the new site.~ Pam

Is there a room in your home that nobody uses; one that has accumulated a frightful assortment of stuff? Maybe it has the best furniture in the house and it's so rigidly perfect that everyone is afraid to go in there. These are signs of an UN-LIVING ROOM.

An un-living room is a waste of prime real estate! Every inch of valuable square footage should be used to the fullest potential.

Banish the ghosts of clutter! My favorite saying is "You can't organize clutter!", nor would you want to. If it hasn't been used in six months, if it doesn't fit you or your lifestyle now, if it's broken, worn out or out-of-style eliminate it! Though it may be scary to do this, but there comes a time when you have to clear away the cobwebs.

How you use the room will dictate how it is furnished. Remember- function first! There are many attractive fabrics to choose from that are durable and stain resistant as well as furniture that is made to withstand strange stains and scratches that appear out of nowhere.

Don't be nervous about using beautiful things in the room with young children. Select items that are unbreakable, nonpoisonous, can't be swallowed, and do not have hard or sharp edges. Don't under estimate the reach of creepy, crawly fingers.

Break the spell over your un-living room. It can be done in as little as a day. For more about room makeover magic contact your interior redesigner.

~ Lori Brasseur, LB Designs

The Bradley Farm Haunted Hotel returns after a disappearance of many years!

Almost 18 years ago I created the Haunted Hotel as a social event for the Bradley Farm Community. Because of its popularity it was opened it to the public the following year and continued for eight more years. Funds raised went toward social events and to upgrade the decorations and props.

Turning the community's pool house into a haunted house where visitors view and interact with the "guests" and "employees" of the establishment was and is the most unusual interior redesign I have ever done.

The Bradley Farm swim team, The Wave, has recently taken on the challenge of reopening the Haunted Hotel to raise funds for next year's season. I will be working with Chairmen Sarah Bermingham and Lisa Kelly to create the grand reopening of the Haunted Hotel on October 26th and 27th.

If you want scary thrills and chills and eerie entertainment then this is the place to be! No gore, violence or gruesome displays here! There will be a mild children's version early in the day on Saturday, but the full blown industrial strength version is planned for the remaining hours of operation. The event has been very popular as entertainment for parties and other groups because of its $2 per person admission fee. Be sure to get in line early! For more information please click on the link below:

This month, learn how to create atmospheric, fun, eerie or elegant Halloween displays by repurposing everyday items in innovative ways. You'll also pick up entertaining tips and recipes to go along with your theme.

How can you get "in the know"? Call or email me now for information about attending or hosting a Redesign Party at 703-689-9886, FaulknerRedesign@aol.com or pam.faulkner@faulknerhouse.com

The Redesigner's Notebook includes contributions from a group of members of the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists association, I.R.I.S., listed below.

If you have an interest or question that you would like to see addressed, or a community event that you would like to see included that relates to our subjects of decorating, real estate staging, entertaining and organizing please contact me. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign