Nevermore Themed Halloween Table Design

MaryJo Materazo

3 weeks ago

Do you love to entertain in your home, and set a pretty table, and enjoy seasonal festivities? I have the perfect theme for you today to set a wonderfully macabre table setting for Halloween. Edgar Allen Poe’s fabulous literary masterpiece, “The Raven”, is iconic, and a perfect theme for Halloween. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”…

Black birds scattered around the table and literature details ground the theme for this Nevermore themed Halloween table design.

*Affiliate links might be included for your convenience. These affiliate links mean a small commission is earned if you make a purchase using these links at no extra cost to you.?As an Amazon Associate qualifying purchases support this website. For more information: Full Disclosure Policy.

Inspiration for the Nevermore Halloween Themed Table Styling

Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven“

Edgar Allen Poe is an American writer who penned “The Raven“, which was first published in 1845. “The Raven” is a narrative poem known for its musicality with a complex rhythm and meter. The distinct quality of the stylized language and supernatural atmosphere of the poem created a sensation. The Raven is known as the most famous poem of all time.

The custom party pieces created earlier in the season share the fun with you, and guests. All the party paper pieces have been created to be customized and used for your own event. You can find the downloadable printables in the original post here {Halloween Party Printables}. Today I am setting the table to honor all these fabulous party printables.

Halloween Party Printables for a Memorable Spooky Fete which Whispers Nevermore

Enter if you dare as we set a hauntingly macabre tablescape. Queue in Vincent Price…

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door —
Only this and nothing more.” Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven

Details to Setting a Nevermore Halloween Table Design

Black birds are sprinkled throughout the table design from the plate stack at each guests’ place setting to the centerpiece and fluttering over to the sideboard. “The Raven” is the name of the game. The poem also evokes literary notes which are echoed with books and book page scrolls.

Plate Stack

The plate stack is grounded with a black plaid charger, which is an easy DIY project. The plate stack is followed with mixed and matched plates, which are all tied in with the black color palette. Atop all the plates sits a black bird and book page scroll, which brings the theme front and center.

Plaid Chargers {DIY}
Open Kitchen Black Bistro Dinner Plate {Williams-Sonoma}
Royal Stafford Black Transferware Accent Plate {TJ Maxx}
Silver Detailed Accent Plate {thrifted}
Decorative Black Bird {Dollar Tree}
Book Page Scroll {DIY}

Place Setting

The glassware and thrifted silverware is placed in layers to coordinate with the plate stack for a long and leisurely dinner. This way the wonderful macabre atmosphere can be enjoyed fully. The napkin rings are a recent DIY, which is a MacKenzie Childs inspired knock off. All the details to follow in a subsequent post. The courtly check pattern is a nice tie into the plaid chargers and Glen Plaid glassware.

Assorted Silver Plate Silverware {thrifted}
Ralph Lauren Glen Plaid High Ball Glass {wedding registry}
Silver Rimmed Glass Goblet {thrifted}
White Cotton Monogrammed Napkins {inherited}
Courtly Check KO Napkin Ring {DIY}
Nevermore Printable Place Card {DIY}

Centerpiece

The vintage French bread board is piled high with mercury glass pumpkins and more black birds, tying into the theme. Thrifted vintage books are used as risers and further the literary undertones. The candelabras with black candles sticks and the black votives add to the dark and dreary atmosphere.

Vintage embroidered linen table cloth {thrifted}
Vintage French bread board {antique shop}
Mercury Glass Pumpkins {collected & curated}
Assorted Black Birds {Dollar Tree}
Vintage books {thrifted}
Sterling Silver Candelabras {inherited}
Black Glass votives {Whim House}

Extras

The sideboard is also decked out for the occasion. The Nevermore dinner party invitation and menu are framed here as decor and for the guests’ benefit. Originally I was going to include the menu at each place setting, but decided not to crowd the table since there’s plenty going on. Instead I enlarged the menu and used the Halloween gallery frames from last year. A mercury glass vase with branches and more birds ties into the centerpiece plus a silver server ware piece is filled with vintage books..

Tips & Recommendations to Keep In Mind

Amp the Ambience

Use details throughout the event which reinforce the theme and bring it to life. Requesting the guests to wear costumes on the invitation allows everyone to buy in and feel as part of the festivity. Putting together a menu with festive foods and a playlist with appropriate music all adds layers to the celebration, creating a themed ambience for everyone to enjoy.

Ground the Theme

Halloween is a holiday which lends itself to many fun themes. Select a motif, or color scheme or “look” you want to achieve and stay focused to the theme. Setting the table with intention and giving every detail a purpose creates a story and a cohesive table styling.

Use What You Have

I’m a big proponent of shopping your home and looking for decor and pieces you can use in unexpected ways. I did not purchase anything new to pull this table together. I leaned into my Halloween decor and vintage vibes to create the Nevermore look. Invariably, different pieces will work together if you stay true to your style.

Mix & Match

Mixing and matching table top pieces provides freedom to play and removes the pressure to follow any set rules. This allows all the thrifted mismatched pieces to shine and add charm and character to any table styling. You don’t need. to have a matching set of anything to set a thoughtful and pretty table.

Use all the Stuff

Use all the fancy stuff on the daily. I know hand washing china, crystal and silver is not at the top of anyone’s list, but indulge once in awhile. Pulling out the wedding china and all the stuff every so often is fun! Don’t save the good stuff only for holidays. Letting all these special “dishes” simply sit in a cabinet is no fun. If you have grandma Rose’s china, by all means bring it out to play. By using some refinery you immediately elevate the meal and occasion. We all deserve a touch of the special stuff.

Thrifting for the Win

You don’t need to spend a fortune to set a pretty and festive table. You can always find table top pieces at garage sales, thrifts and flea markets. Many of the pieces on this table are thrifted, including the top plates, the assorted silverware, goblets, and books. Next week the new Thrifted Goodies post is scheduled to drop, and I will be talking all about setting a thrifted table. Make sure to drop by, you won’t want to miss it.

Setting a pretty table is a favorite around here. I find the process therapeutic and enjoy all the steps from theme creation to table top selections to execution. If you enjoy the good life and want a reflection of this in your home, please consider joining the Masterpiece community.

Stay up to date

Get all the newest Master”Pieces” of My Life posts directly to your in-box.

Closing Thoughts

Do you enjoy Halloween? If you’re not a Halloween person, I get it, no worries. You can use these ideas and principles for any table styling for different celebrations and seasons. Fall has so many moving parts from early harvest season to the fun Halloween howls to the thankful late fall days. I look forward to all of it and embrace every wonderful moment.

Thanks for stopping by today and hope you were inspired in some way. I look forward to seeing you next time. Au revoir!

Shopping the Halloween NevermoreTable Look

Shopping Note

I included *affiliate links here to some of the items I used or that are very similar for your convenience. If there’s something you are looking for, which you don’t see here, please drop me a note or leave me a comment down below. I’m happy to help.

Don’t forget to Pin It and save for later. You never know when inspiration will strike!

Before You Go

I appreciate your visit, comments and shares here on the blog! I would love it if you would also follow along in my other spaces for all the inspiration, ideas and innovation.

Join Me as We Master the Art of Joie De Vivre. XOXO

Most Recent Posts

“Here I opened wide the door;— Darkness there, and nothing more.”
Edgar Allan Poe

sharing @ between naps on the porch

Nevermore Themed Halloween Table Design