spooky stairs

Although the house is still not completely decorated for Halloween there are a few more areas of the house that are taking on the holiday spirit.

Here is our banister...

I used essentially the same elements that I used on my mantle but with a couple additions.  I added a garland of black silk leaves.  I believe I found it at Michael's or Big Lots - where I purchase most of my decorating supplies (as well as Thrift stores and garage sales)  Decorating does not have to be expensive.

I also added extremely cheap black garland that already had orange lights running through it.  I want to say I paid like 3 or 4 dollars for the stuff and it is the super cheesy garland - black, shiny and puffy but it works because I layer it with so many other elements.  It adds bulk to the garland that in turn makes the garland look substantial AND expensive.  I have gotten lots of compliments on the garland and questions like where I bought it - if I bought it as is it would be expensive but layering all the inexpensive elements gives me the look of spending money on decor at a fraction of the cost.

It is hard to photograph all the black so lots of the garland is lost but hopefully you get some idea.
Excuse the knight that is hiding in the picture - he has not been prepped yet for the holiday. He just got taken from his Halloween box with no where to go yet.

The urns are plastic and were discounted a few years back after the holiday.  I added some black flocked twigs and leaves and threw some pumpkins on top.  
The effect at night with the glow of the lights and jack-a-lanterns is awesome.  I love to have my house all aglow with Halloween spirit.