Have you ever designed your haunt a round one prop?

Focusing in on one theme, prop, creating a story about it, can be responsible for giving one a very rewarding feeling of accomplishment. Sort of like making a painting, showing off all of those small choices and decisions that add up to make something showing your personal thinking. Something possibly unique.
My single theme with my entire house might be either --"This is Jim's artwork and ides on display." --Along with--" What is it like to live in a Haunted House?"
I often entertain people here with just numerous funny stories concerning people's reactions here over 27 years (OPEN almost every night)
Following my own ideas has made a group of house-fans that keep me from needing to seek other employment!

Back in the day when I only had one prop yes? Couldn't do it today, but I could probably get away with picking a theme that would work for most of my props.

That is how we decided on our theme for our 2014 party. I ordered this animated clown on a bike...from that and looking around on here we decided to go with the CarnEvil theme. We knew we wanted to do that as a theme even before our 2013 party. I think not having something that stuck out is what made our decision harder for our 2015 theme. Now we have themes for the next 5 years. lol

I think picking a favorite prop is a great way to approach halloween. When something matters to you I think you feel more motivated to make magic happen around it.

A friend built me a rotisserie this year and It heavily influenced my display. I started charging my plan of building a cemetery into a tavern within a cemetary. Next year I'm thinking of expanding the idea even further.

very cool pics!!

Love hearing everyone's approach on doing there approach this way.

Terra I just so love all your work amazing. Look forward to seeing what next years is .

I

Defenestrator said:

I sure do!

As a matter of fact, it often starts before that. It often begins with an image that takes hold, and just won't let go.

In 2013, I saw this image, and it dictated the theme:

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So, that image set the tone, as well as ultimately becoming a prop unto itself:

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Now a new one has gotten my attention, and I do believe that much of 2015 is going to revolve around this:

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Ok I love what u crested from that first pic,
I can see how that second pic Cought your eye love it that I can see so many great ideas coming from look forward to seeing what you do

UnOrthodOx said:

I like to have a similar approach, but it tends to be a little more 'loose'. I'm rarely working on one prop at a time, but like to pick one idea and work to it. Sometimes that's one particular prop, sometimes not.

Field of skulls, while not "one prop" was really one project in my mind as I was learning to mold and cast skulls.

Similarly, the whole "Harvest themes are boring" challenge in 2010 was one project to me.

Then, there are years where one prop dominates.

Chimera (in my mind a natural follow up to the whole harvest theme challenge, SOMETHING had to be harvesting that field)

Trevor (really a departure from my normal style, kids wanted a graveyard.)

The Barghest.

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again amazing what you created .

What I didn't include in the nth edit I finally got posted was that originally I had planned on doing a HM inspired display with the hitchhiking ghosts and the caretaker. But then I found the Chiller mask and really wanted it, but couldn't justify the purchase with my HM theme. Then I found the Phantom Manor, switched Disney mansions, and bought the Chiller mask! So really our whole display was so that I could use that one mask.