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Text by Kim Ratcliff
The Curtis house is a must on the neighborhood Halloween trick-or-treating
circuit. Not only does Sara Curtis go all out decorating the porch of the
100-year-old Arts and Crafts-style structure, she also screens spooky movies on
the garage door and hands out candy eyeballs that ooze fake blood. “I have
boys!” she explains with a laugh.
But October 31st isn’t the only time the
Curtis porch sees action. Kids in this St. Louis neighborhood gather year round
for spirited games of Capture the Flag on the lawn, followed by pizza delivered
straight to the verandah. “Ours is not a primpy porch. It’s a great, fun
extension of our house.”
(a) Sara Curtis amasses a huge collection of pumpkins each year—“The wartier, the
better!” Her dog, Scout, makes sure none get smashed. Layered strands of lights
and paper jack-o’-lanterns create a festive arched entryway.
(b) and (c) Retro-hinged jack-o’-lantern ornaments, add pumpkin pizzazz to a
dried honeysuckle vine wreath embellished with Japanese lantern pods and a
welcoming bat. (d) Snacks and goodie bags (on a table layered with striped
runners and an Indian sari) beckon trick-or-treaters.
(e) Vintage rattan furniture topped with comfy cushions is the perfect
spot to kick back and watch the parade of Power Rangers and fairy princesses. To
camouflage cords and create a dark and spooky ceiling effect, Sara doubled
3-foot strips of black tulle and slip knotted them between lantern lights. (f)
Perched behind a porch swing, Blackie awaits midnight
mischief. (g) In an ode to Hitchcock, Sara tricked out the trellis of a funky 1950s
bamboo planter with a poseable crow, bird silhouettes printed on yellow vellum
paper, and a vintage-inspired Halloween banner. (h) Black cat brownies look almost
too cute to eat.
Originally published in the October/November 2007 issue
Hallowed Hotspots page
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