Nefarious News: Grandin Road’s Halloween Haven 2017 Release

I’m certain everyone here has assumed I’m dead. I’m happy to report I am not… If I am, I’m blissfully unaware and can vouch  that the afterlife is identical to waking life!

I sure have missed Vespertine House and talking to all of my “House Mates” here! I’m pushing myself to get back to casual writing as I’m hoping to incorporate more creative writing into my schedule as well.

Lots of verbiage on my plate.

And I like it. 🙂

In more important news! Today was a truly amazing day as Grandin Road released their 2017 Halloween Haven collection! I got the email and spent the whole day filling my cart and lurking every single item in their range of new decor.

This year the theme is a cross between “The Faces of Halloween” and “Cirque”. There were a lot of stunning circus/carnival themed items. Many are a lovely little nod to the classic sideshow acts of days of yore. Or you know.. the stuff you see at the super shady carnival that rolls through town on a whim. Either way! Bring on the entertainment, baby!

Grandin Road is known for beautiful home decor and offers stylish and unique options for decorating your favorite rooms in the house. They’re a little bit on the pricey side but, girl, they have a store card and, and, and that… that… makes it okay… right?

Moving on! The following are some of my favorite items that are absolute MUST-HAVES for your haunted home this season!

Victorian Busts

So, last year I made my first purchase with Grandin Road and bought the set of masquerade masks complete with pedestals for year-round enjoyment. I wasn’t expecting much really as I figured they would be run-of-the-mill items that would just be a good addition to my ahem, interesting home decor.

Girl.

I was wrong.

These masks were jaw-dropping. They not only sit around two feet high, but the quality is high enough that I feel like I might get in trouble with some parental figure every time I touch them!

I want to say that the Victorian Busts are probably this year’s version of the masks in the sense that they’re best purchased as a pair even though you buy them separately.

This suffices to say that I think these are so adorable and just creepy enough to keep me interested without feeling uncomfortable when making inadvertent eye contact in passing.

Margaret and Willem are made of sculpted resin and feature intricate details including the fanciest of ribbons ever to be fathomed by man and soft woolen hair.

Talk about blueblood…

Each bust is $79 which may pop your wallet a little, but snatching up something like this would be a 365 investment (aka decor you can display all year round)!

The Skellierina

I have a love for music boxes, add a little goth and you’ve got my new favorite thing.

Admittedly, when I saw this particular item I let out an audible “Ooooh…” and proceeded to gawk before adding it to my cart.

This Skellierina (get it?!) music box is a subtle nod to this year’s Cirque theme that stays true to the classiness of Grandin Road’s finer Halloween Haven decor. Skellierina rotates atop her black pedestal as green lights emanate from beneath her. According to the description, she plays music and is activated with the poke of a button. Which song she plays and how long she plays for is a mystery that only her new owners can solve!

She’ll set you back just a few bucks at $29. Again, this is another item you can keep around the entire year. What better way to commemorate Halloween all 12 months than with a little “tribute to thee” perched upon your mantle?

“Palm Reader” Neon Sign

As someone who’s into everything obscure and strange, it goes without saying that this particular item would be a staple for my haunt this year.

The “Palm Reader” Neon Sign gives off that mysterious back-alley-psychic vibe.

You know… Like the gypsy shop that our hapless protagonist stumbles into from the rain one dark night only to have his fate change forever!

…Or at least until the second movie comes out.

This little beauty screams “come hither” to all your neighbors and will guarantee you the most mystical house on the block.

Pick this up for $79 and call it a day with your decorating this year. Although… you might want to put a few more decor items out just so you don’t get any desperados knocking on your door after hours asking for advice.

Unless you’re into that sort of thing…

If so, I just helped you found your new Psychic Consulting business and on a budget too!

You’re welcome.

Animated Haunted Movie Projector

Every year I watch for the game-changing items debuting this season. I have to say that I was so impressed by this little guy…

The Animated Movie Projector is one of the more unique items I’ve seen in recent years. This animated projector’s reels roll as it projects an eerie vintage scene of a skeleton dancing to The Entertainer.

Girl.

I can get behind this.

I have yet to see this one in action which makes me a tiny bit hesitant to purchase on release day. I reached out to Grandin Road on Facebook about seeing a product video of this only to find that they currently don’t have that available. I’m hopeful it’ll be added shortly, but if not, I can’t feel too terrible about this prop as it costs a mild $39.

For a truly unique item that brings in a little vintage, whimsy, and horror, definitely pick this up!

 

Six Arm Lady Shadow Box

This is the final item on my list and maybe my favorite.

This goes back to the whole vintage cirque thing Grandin Road is running with this year. And this displays it in a perfectly macabre way!

The Six Arm Lady Shadow Box displays a beautiful dancing shadow of a Medusaesque figure gently swaying her six arms up and down. This animatronic is downright hypnotic! Grandin Road thankfully added a product video of this item that I love more and more every time I watch it.

If you’re not sold with the projector as a unique Halloween prop, then this one might be the final nail in the coffin for you instead.

This old girl is a bit pricey, and is the most costly item on this list at $149. Fortunately, we can reference the whole store credit card thing again and justify it entirely because… Halloween. 🙂

Every item here counts as everyday decor… at least for yours truly.

Probably why I have no visitors.

Don’t be fooled- this is not the entirety of Grandin Road’s Halloween collection, there are numerous items that I loved and left out. I wanted to share my must-haves and grab your attention enough for you to at least browse their collection. If anything, you’ll be struck with inspiration to create your own little Halloween haven. 🙂

So, spill your guts- what did you think of these items? Which were your faves and which were the knaves? I want to know. I miss you. 🙂

-Sarah