Last Minute Halloween Decor, Instant Creepy Bar, and Exterior Decorating Ideas

LOVE THIS SEASON — everything about it — the fall leaves, the cooler weather and of course, Halloween! Thankfully, over the years, I have created DOZENS of Halloween crafts and DIY’s for HGTV and DIY NETWORK and other groups. Here are a few that you can make with items you have lying around the house or in the garage! Have fun! Happy Halloween! Joanne xoxo

Using an old vintage porch post, an antique wood bracket and some wood pieces — and fake crows and spiders from the craft store — I put together this creepy Haunted Hotel Sign. It was so fun to make and loved the kids and parents reactions with they saw it. It would be cool if you have a spot light — to really light it up at night! "

If the Sign Post seems like too much work — then you will love this easy Halloween Craft! I took some old picture frames I picked up at Goodwill and painted them black. I printed out some vintage Halloween images on Vellum paper and glued them to the inside of the frames. I covered them with packing tape (to keep them from getting wet) and then put the frames together with black duck tape — that’s right — I just taped those suckers together! Then in jars with sand half way up — I place a candle — if you feel this is not enough light — do a larger faux candle — or two.

Crafting with kids during Halloween is the best! This simple craft is beyond fun! Go outside with the kids and grab some dead flowers, branches and yard debris. Grab some jars and paint the covers black. Then with some Faux Plastic Spiders and some Cotton Balls and a Marker — and a glue gun — create a mini diorama on the back side of the cover — then screw it into the jar and put on display. Great ideas for a Kids Halloween Party Craft. Or even an adult party — seriously — how much fun!

Usually after Halloween is when I find all sorts of Halloween decor at my local second hand shop or Goodwill. I collect them and save them for fun DIY ideas. Here is one I created with faux pumpkins some spiders and yarn. With push pins and some glue — I created an instant topiary. — for this you may have to cut the tops of the bottom two pumpkins so they sit inside each other. Found the giant spider at Goodwill and added a faux candle inside. This DIY reminds me of the scene in Harry Potter where Ron and Harry meet Aragog, Hargrid’s giant spider friend. :)

I have the funniest story about this cart! I created this cart from a used restaurant metal dolly I picked up at the scrap metal yard — some of my Halloween décor I had around the house and the faux spider web gauze. Then I purchased some creepy Halloween labels and covered the bottles with the labels. Now the FUNNY STORY: After Susan Teare photographed this picture — another friend and I drank the “True Blood” wine — she loved it so much, when she went home to Connecticut she looked everywhere for the “True Blood” wine. She called me to tell me that no-one carried it — I laughed so hard — reminding her that those were Halloween labels covering the real wine label. I can just picture her going into her wine shops, asking for “true blood” wine. Ha Ha :)

All I did was print out an old family photo (some relative from the 1800’s — seriously) and added some faux gray grasses and a faux spider — instant creepy for a fun party display. You can find some old pictures online — black and white would be cool too — and just grab a frame from around the house and spice it up!

Cut out some flames on faux pumpkins, add some faux candles in them (a few for each pumpkin) — through some logs around them — done a FAUX BONFIRE for the front lawn during trick or treating time. Mic drop.

I used an old bicycle tire rim I had in the shed some scraps of fabric and yarn — and painted a Dollie black. Makes for a great wall hanging for the front porch instead of a Halloween wreath.

Old bottles, jars and cans wrapped in yarn I picked up at the second hand shop. Glue on some spiders if you want. Instant party display for table tops. This is also a fun craft idea for kids and adults alike!

MY PUMPKIN — her first year — 23 years before. :) Happy Halloween Everyone! Joanne

FOUND OBJECTS... HOW THEY CAN MAKE YOUR DESIGN STAND OUT.

It has been a while since I’ve done a blog post. Sorry about that. It has been super busy — and frankly, I have been a bit overwhelmed by everything that has been happening in the last year in our country — that I was much too emotional energy to write. But I’m back — excited to start posting fun things again. I’ve been busy with Hospitality and Vacation Rental Designs and creating unique ideas that will help them stand out in a very busy market! Found objects are not just about creating a wow factor — but about bring items with soul and character into your design projects — whether it is your home, business, hotel, motel, inn or vacation rental — it really does add character and warmth to any space.

The gallery walls in the newly renovated rooms at Basin Harbor Resort, a historic hotel, resort, inn, on the shores of Lake Champlain. The found objects, artwork, original oil paintings, vintage art pieces and décor, we found at look antique shops, second hand locations and flea markets. We also added the shiplap wall to add character and depth to the rooms.

Shadow boxed vintage nautical flags is an easy way to give a lakefront room some character. These flags are all different in the Champlain House building at Basin Harbor Resort.

This bedroom styling project for Yankee Barn Home and Cottages and Bungalows Magazine was a fun one because I could show with a search at your favorite antique shop, you can create a whole room with found objects. These lovely antiques are from Vermont Antiques Mall in Woodstock, Vermont.

An old wicker table that was once dark brown got a paint job — this bold green really makes the piece pop in the room, giving it a more contemporary feel to the farmhouse.

This live edge headboard is created from found piece at a lumber yard. Many lumber yards are given trees from urban projects or felled trees from a storm or even under water. These reclaimed pieces of wood can really add character to any space — as a headboard, table or even wall art. The rooms at Main and Mountain Bar and Motel, are all unique thanks to these special pieces of found wood.

Sometimes a found object is something as simple as cabinet doors. We renovated this entire house to become a fun vacation rental (check out the cool story about the kitchen on Domino) and reused the old cabinet doors we took out of the closet and painted them gray and created a headboard. Other fun found objects here are the second hand side tables, vase, wall art and pillow made from an old skirt.

Giving an old dresser a contemporary look, just took some black stain and new knobs. I love turning old dressers into vanities and for this barn- turned vacation home — was not different. This home was futured in Country Home Magazine, Dwell, and Yankee Magazine.

This old kitchen cabinet was turned on its side — literally — and given some stripes and feet. Instant coffee table. This is just one of the many DIY’s featured in my book, Salvage Secrets Design and Décor. Found at a Rebuild Center for only a few dollars, it transforms this room into a more modern and hip space to be in. .

The ways to use found objects are endless. From porch posts cut in half and used as part of the lobby bar to a vintage wooden box for décor… get creative with found things. You will have a blast.

Four Easy Ways to Add Charm + Character with Vintage + Salvage Finds

Whether it’s reclaimed, repurposed, recycled, vintage, or antique, I’m seriously, over the moon, excited about it. I hope that through my website, blog and books, I’ll change the way you think old stuff.  One-of-a-kind, DIYs, found or recycled items stand-out and give personality and charm to any space. Here are some ways that will guide you on your journey to create, locate and decorate a stylish look that combines distinctive objects and materials with today’s comforts. I hope you create your own unique approach to blending the old with the new and creating striking spaces that tell a story. xoxo Joanne

1. ADD A VINTAGE PIECE

Instantly bring character and charm to any space by simply adding a vintage piece — whether it be furniture or something you turn into a fixture.

Finding a dining table and chairs from your local antique shop is not only fun but it is a great way to add some juxposition to a modern home. Interior Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Susan Teare

The counter cabinet, found at an architectural salvage shop was once brown. Painted white it fits in beautiful in this modern industrial style kitchen renovation. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Susan Teare

The double-drainboard and double bowl vintage cast iron is perfectly suited for this old world charm kitchen. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Picture: Lindsay Selin

A vintage dresser stained black, gives this bathroom tons of character and warmth. Design: Joanne Palmisano After Pic: Lindsay Selin

An old industrial cart found at an antique shop turned into a instant kitchen island. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo Lindsay Selin. Old carts also make great instant bars.

2. WORK WITH NEW PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIAL.

New product made from old materials. There are many tiles, metals and other products that are made with a fair amount of recycled material in them. They are easy to find and use.

Fireclay is a company that uses recycled materials to create their new tiles. This tile is from their Debris Series, with over 80% recycled content, including old sinks and toilets. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo by: Susan Teare

Interface and FLOR have amazing carpet tile lines that are made with recycled materials. These pieces have over 75% recycled material in them. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo by: Lindsay Selin

Even fabric on cubicles can be made from recycled material. More carpeting with a high recycled content is placed in this office as well.

3. Create Affordable Custom Pieces

Make it with reclaimed material and have the piece be uniquely yours in size, shape and color.

A custom entranceway bathroom vanity made from 200 year old wood gives a dramatic flair to the ultra modern marble sink. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

Custom countertop made from old schoolhouse slate chalkboards and a reclaimed wood wrapped stove vent hood are just two of the many reclaimed and custom made pieces in this farmhouse style kitchen. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

Open closet made from left-over paneling from another build project (which we painted green) and left over pieces from the reclaimed live edge headboards that serves as a bench, show how simple it is to find and use reclaimed wood. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Lindsay Selin

Old cabinet doors, no longer needed in a closet turned bathroom, but are perfect to make an instant headboard. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Lindsay Selin

Get the stone counter look without the stone counter price. Left-over stone tiles or pieces (2 x 2) are perfect to use to create your own look. You can look from them at your local tile shop, rebuild center or stone yard. Scrap pieces of stone can be cut to size (just make sure they are the same thickness).

4. Add Depth and Texture to Your Walls

Whether it is an accent wall, or adding character to a simple structure with very little character, you can add some features that will really change the look of your space.

It is as simple is grabbing some dimensional lumber from your local Rebuild Center, painting them black and creating a stunning custom bookcase wall. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

In this townhouse project, we added salvaged wood — given a white wash — to the walls to give them texture which really add an exceptionally amount of depth without a lot of cost. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

Finding a handful of left-over tiles on a local marketplace website, such as Craigslist or Front Porch Forum, was easy. Keeping the vanity, painting it, and adding a backwall of tile gives this bathroom a ton of character.

Rustic, modern, country, farmhouse, chic… a wood wall can be any style you want, depending on how you finish it — leave it natural, white wash, or paint solid. Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

Mix and Match, recycle, reclaimed and reused! :) Have Fun! Joanne

Design: Joanne Palmisano Photo: Susan Teare

Wood...n't You Know! Beautiful Ways to Use Reclaimed Wood in Design

Hello! I’m so excited to chat about Reclaimed, Repurposed, Salvaged, Recycled and Urban Salvaged Wood and how you can incorporate these materials in your design — and why it is so important. I recently watched a show, hosted by broadcaster, David Attenborough, A Life on Our Plant, a MUST WATCH! So good and important. And one of the topics was trees and how important they are to the health of our planet and to us! So with that in mind, I decided it was time for a blog post about reclaimed wood — since I talk about it in all three of my Salvage Design books and use it constantly in my interior design work, whether it is my residential projects or hospitality and commercial ones. :)

The back wall of this townhouse was given gorgeous texture and depth by reclaimed wood found at the local non-profit, ReBuild Center, dark and covered in dirt. I cleaned them (with a scrub brush and a mixture of soap, water and bleach), let dry well, and then I whitewashed them for the builders, who applied it to the wall in a chevron pattern. The farmhouse table was also made from reclaimed wood found at the local Salvage Shop, including the old porch posts, that were used as the legs. The mismatched chairs were found at Habitat for Humanity. Photo by Susan Teare

Don’t Judge a Book by It’s Cover

Many times reclaimed old wood that you see at a salvage yard, recycle center or lumber yard is very dark due to oxidation, dirty and dust. Remember, that it will be either sanded well or planed so the natural color will shine through. So bring a piece of sandpaper and a bottle of water with you — to test the wood colors (sand a little area and then pour water on it — which will give you an idea of what the wood will look like with a sealer on it — such as polyurethane, wax or Osmo.)

In this townhouse vacation rental, we added character to the fireplace wall by creating a bookshelf surrounding it. We used reclaimed dimensional lumber and painted it black. The books we found at our local library used book sale. Photo by Susan Teare

Types of Reclaimed Wood

We all naturally think of old wood from factory floors, or old buildings that are being deconstructed — and that is great — but there are so many more types of wood you can use that are from second hand sources. There is dimensional lumber (you know, 2 x 4’s, plywood, etc.) that are usually found at Rebuild centers, or online on your local forums. There is also Urban Salvage wood — which is wood that has to be cut down from a local city or town due to disease or construction — these are usually gorgeous old tree species that are very hard to find today. There are companies that work with the city’s and town’s to help them with these — so they don’t go into the chipper (shudder). And of course, let’s not forget all the amazing second hand wood furniture pieces out there.

This table was custom made using reclaimed wood from a barn that was deconstructed by the local architectural salvage store. The wood pieces, which I handpicked, where gorgeous pieces. From a late 1700’s barn to a modern farmhouse table, filled with gorgeous character, it is a looker! It only given a light gray stain before it was sealed so you can still see all the grain lines and other natural character through it. This modern style farmhouse table, fits perfectly in this contemporary lake house. Photo by Susan Teare

When I’m Looking for Wood

Depending on what I need, will inform where I go first. If I’m looking for dimensional lumber to paint black and create bookshelves, I’ll go to my local ReBuild center. If I’m looking for gorgeous old urban salvaged wood for a solid table top, I go to the lumber mill that takes those in. If I’m looking for old wood for paneling, flooring, or barn doors, then I head directly to my Salvage Store — such as an Architectural Salvage Shop or a place like Salvage Works, who basically have a grocery store for reclaimed wood. Many times, when I’m working on a renovation project, I ask the clients and builder to set aside all the wood from the demo — and then we reincorporate it back into the project. Heck, even reclaimed Urban Lumber has a network that you can search your town for on it.

When a client calls me, they usually know my passion for using reclaimed and local materials. Here in this gorgeous lakefront home, the fireplace is local slate and the owners created the exterior of the building using old wood bleacher seats from the local university. I was thrilled to see the owner’s son create a gorgeous coffee table out of reclaimed live edge wood. Even just considering reclaimed wood in your furnishings is a step in the right direction. Photo by Susan Teare

What to Consider

It is always good to get your wood from a place to really understands it. If you are looking for reclaimed wood that is for a structural purpose (such as beams in a home), then get them from a place that can help with weigh bearing issues, loads, and much more. Also, budget will play a factor in your choices. Every location measures wood differently — some charge by the linear foot and others by the square foot. Drying, cleaning and caring for the wood is important before it is used — so consider if it is worth paying extra for the perfect salvage yard wood — or are you going to do that yourself? The character, strength, depth of wood is so vast that I recommend that you go and look at it and see what all your options are.

This interior design project was tons of fun — hard to believe this room used to be a storage room. One of the wood walls we cut open to allow the dining room and the kitchen to be integrated and the piece of wood that was cut out, we set aside which became the kitchen’s island table. Reusing what you already have is always the best choice. The wood corner cabinet the homeowner found at her local architectural salvage shop. It was brown but she painted it white to blend in with the white subway tile wall. Photo by Susan Teare

Why Use Reclaimed Wood

Because the beauty and soul it brings to your design project is immeasurable. But even more important then that, it helps us reuse what we already have, save exotic and old growth trees from being cut down, and it creates jobs. Yes, it may seem be a little bit more work to educate yourself on the best choices, to but if you go to the right places, they will make it simple for you.

This old 1800’s barn was converted into a camp, then converted into a family home. One of my favorite bathrooms I have designed is this updated bathroom with local slate tile, a vintage wood dresser turned vanity and the wood from the exterior of the building that was removed for bigger windows, used as the sliding barn door to the room. Proving that you can have a modern look using salvaged materials. The dresser, once brown and scuffed up, got a beautiful coat of black stain. I love using old furniture and converting them into bathroom vanities. Character, style and texture are added when you bring in pieces with history and soul. Photo by Lindsay Selin

From here to there. Read all about it…

Hope you get a chance to read my books… Here is the cover of my latest Salvage Design book, Styling with Salvage, by Joanne Palmisano, Photos by Susan Teare. This yummy photo by Carey Nershi.

Grab your vintage wooden bowl full of popcorn and go watch the movie, A LIFE on OUR PLANET. :) Great for the whole family.

XOXO Joanne

5 BEFORE + AFTER -- INEXPENSIVE DESIGN UPDATES FOR YOUR HOME + VACATION RENTAL

My last post was in April. So much has changed in the world. Many of it for the better. We have learned to pivot, understand our limits and our levels of compassion and understanding. We have learned to make do — and do better. I ready to make changes for the better. I hope moving forward I can play my role in that.

As I find myself getting a ton of calls about small renovation projects, updates for vacation rentals from all states (virtual design is now a new reality), I realize that folks are craving ways they can physically make changes to their homes, boutique hospitality locations and businesses. We all need something we feel we have control over — and if it is a small DIY Home Improvement project — then so be it.

I thought I’d share a few before and afters of things I’ve designed and have featured in my latest book, Rock Your Rental (I wrote with my twin sister, Rosanne) to inspire you. I’m thinking of you all and looking forward to the time we can all be together again soon. xoxo Joanne

BEFORE

AFTER - CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE THE ENTIRE PROJECT

AT BEAR MOUNTAIN INN, MAINE. There were so many transformations at this lovely inn, you need to see them to believe. It was a fun project and many of the rooms required only cosmetic changes to make them stand out as a modern, yet keep the charm of this lake region Maine Inn. From a reclaimed wood panel wall to a painted headboard, walls and floors. To adding beadboard ceiling and new light fixtures… These changes have truly made this room inviting and welcoming. After Pic: Molly + Victoria Photography

BEFORE

This PROJECT HOUSE 2019 for magazines, Cottages and Bungalows and American Farmhouse Style, was a fun project. I was asked to be one of the three designers for this project — I choose the three bedrooms. I did these almost entirely virtually (even before COVID) except for the one day install and styling of all three bedroom. I picked out the peel and stick wallpaper from Wall Flora online, the Ethincraft Bed, Parachute Bedding, then headed to The Vermont Antique Mall to grab all the amazing vintage pieces that we added to the rooms. To see another one of my rooms I designed check out the pages of the magazine at the Yankee Barn Homes link. Photo by Ridge Light Studios

BEFORE

AFTER

Sometimes you just can’t see the forest through the trees. I find myself walking into a vacation rental design project or home renovation project and realizing that the owners just can’t see the whole picture because they are too close to it. This vacation rental redo (check out all the pics here) was fun because it was all about adding some character — through built-in shelving, updated furnishings, rearranging layout and adding some styling — we totally transformed the space. This transformation has dramatically increased the rental rate and booking rate of this townhouse. Look around your space — can you arrange things differently, can you add some texture — like shelving, beadboard, shiplap, or gorgeous flooring, that will bring comfort and enjoyment to you and your guests.

BEFORE

AFTER

Who has a room in their house or vacation rental that they really would love to take from awkward to awe-inspiring. Here is your chance. In this vacation rental transformation I did in Michigan with owners, we took a small angled-ceiling bedroom and created built-in twin beds. There was no way that this room would ever accommodate a double bed comfortable — so why force it. Not only did we take advantage of the angled wall, but now there is more room to move around, store stuff and enjoy. Check out the rest of this Victorian Home turned Vacation Rental Transformation.

BEFORE

AFTER

Open shelving, new cabinets, farmhouse sink, wood hood vent, custom vintage island, these seem like big changes, but taken one at a time, they can easily be done. This budget vacation rental home transformation took a small cramped space and transformed it into an inviting, charming lakefront cottage style kitchen. The beadboard behind the salvaged wood shelving are panels from the hardware store and the island is an vintage table with a salvaged piece of butcher block. Ikea cabinets and sink, and budget friendly glass pendant lights.

Rosanne and I wrote this book to help boutique hospitality locations like Inns, B&B’s, Motels, Boutique Vacation Rentals, make simple design and marketing changes without breaking the bank, but what we have found that homeowners who want to do simple renovations are loving it as well. We are thrilled the book has received all 5-star reviews! :) We hope you will check it out!

My best, Joanne