Vampire theme for 2015

10474 Views 69 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Mogwai, Nov 3, 2015

Mogwai

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2015

This will be our third Halloween party and second time doing a theme. Last year was zombies, this year is vampires.

We're going to be decorating the garage, back yard, lounge, kitchen / dining, hallway and bathroom. So far, we've decided to make some big red gothic windows (to go over the actual windows) and most likely a cemetery with some big gates for outside. Those are the big projects we're working on, but there's still a lot to think about and plan for. It's not particularly easy getting props here in Western Australia and postage from overseas is stupidly expensive, so we'll be DIYing the bulk of the decorations. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We're going for an elegant gothic vibe, and want it to be scary as well.

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AussieBoo

· #2 · Apr 13, 2015

Hey Mogwai. i look forward to watching your progress.

Yep I totally agree with the props issue. There are sooo many awesome props overseas that we just can't get because the postage costs more than the actual prop. While Halloween props are becoming more available here with Lombard and other party shops, the props aren't exactly high quality stuff yet some can be quite effective and I have found some awesome props especially from Lombard. However, some I purchase and rework it to give it a higher quality look. lol.

I'm doing my first proper theme this year (Haunted Hotel) so I'm extremely excited about it. So good to see another Aussie on here that's just as crazy as me. lol.

Hilda

· #3 · Apr 14, 2015

Here is a Vampire theme thread some of us added to last year. There may be some ideas for you on here.

http://www.halloweenforum.com/hallo...-lair-seeking-inspirational-photos-ideas.html

There are also other threads linked there, and some links to member's Vampire theme pinterest boards!

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booswife02

· #4 · Apr 14, 2015

Here is my Vampire Pinterest Board. I hope it offers some inspiration
http://pinterest.com/berniceeast/vampire-castle/

thenightmarefamily

· #5 · Apr 14, 2015

You guy's going classic elegant Dracula vampires, or 30 Day's of Night - Blade Vampires?

a_granger

· #6 · Apr 14, 2015

This thread got me thinking vampire decor obviously, and the idea of vampire family photos popped into my head. But of course you wouldn't find any thing that normal so I thought how about along a hallway mounting or hanging small jar of ash and the fangs of lost family members... Uncle Archer DeMont 1234-2003. Just a thought.

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ooojen

· #7 · Apr 14, 2015

Jumping on so I can keep up with the thread. I love the theme! I've been a Dracula fan since I was a little kid.

Mogwai

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 14, 2015

AussieBoo: nice seeing another Australian on here

It can be helpful to get the perspective of someone that understands the struggle to get Halloween stuff here, haha. I'll have to check out that shop. Like you said, even if a prop doesn't look great to begin with, you can still work with it sometimes. Love your theme, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

NightmareFamily: we're going for an elegant gothic look. So more Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, etc.

Love everyone's suggestions and advice so far. I picked up some red and silver Halloween goblets and a bag of plastic rats yesterday at the dollar store. It's a start

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ooojen

· #9 · Apr 14, 2015

I like lots of candles, LED if there's a chance of them being tipped over. Candelabra are great-- bigger the better. If you can find some at flea markets or on AU ebay, you might get a deal. Also if you have or can find a tall spindle you can transform a table candleabrum into a floor-standing one.
Draping fabric is good. Sometimes you can find tablecloths or satiny sheets on sale, and get the fabric cheaper per yard than you'd get at fabric store. I've never gone fabric shopping in Australia, but here in the US it tends to be pretty expensive.
You probably have at least a bathroom mirror, maybe more. Last Halloween I had an unsuccessful go at covering mirrored closet doors with a frosted plastic film (like Contact Paper, but not that brand) with a ghostly figure behind it, but in the past it has worked with smaller mirrors.

a_granger- thanks for that tip! I have it down on my Halloween "to do" document, along with your name to give you credit if I wind up posting pictures

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Hilda

· #10 · Apr 14, 2015

ooojen, I still need to figure out how to make standing candelabras. The ones in the Halloween stores are so expensive and rather cheap looking for the price.

A_Granger's suggestion about photos reminded me. A forum member, Kelloween, altered some vintage photos so the people look like vampires. They are breathtaking. I used some and I altered a photo album for on my coffin table to look like a Vampire family photo album.

Photograph Picture frame Art Stock photography Illustration

If you want the link to Kelloween's album, I can provide you with same. You could upload photos and put them in black or silver frames. That would be gorgeous!

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Mogwai

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 14, 2015

ooojen: Fabric is very expensive here. More so than in the US, I believe. I'm counting on being able to find cheap curtains and tablecloths second hand. Can usually pick up a lot of lace / net curtains, so that could be useful.

Hilda: How would you go about altering the photos in order to make them look like vampires? I was thinking about getting some of those holographic type changing portraits, but so far I've only seen very small ones so I'm not sure how effective it'd be. So perhaps making my own pictures is the way to go.

I'm going thrift shopping tomorrow. I'll be on the lookout for candelabras, ornaments, fabric and anything else that looks suitable.

Hilda

· #12 · Apr 14, 2015

Mogwai said:
Hilda: How would you go about altering the photos in order to make them look like vampires? I was thinking about getting some of those holographic type changing portraits, but so far I've only seen very small ones so I'm not sure how effective it'd be. So perhaps making my own pictures is the way to go.

Mogwai ~ Welcome to Halloween Forum by the way!!

I don't alter photographs myself. I was inspired by some really neat photographs my talented friend Kelloween did. She was gracious enough to share them here in an album. (I provide link to album below.) I printed them out the size I wanted, and you can use photo paper, but I used glossy modpodge painted over them to give them an old glossy, slightly smeared, look to them.

You can print them and slip them into tabletop frame or hanging frame. Instant 'vampire' feeling in your room.

http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/kelloween-albums-creepy-photos-i-altered-.html

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a_granger

· #13 · Apr 15, 2015

Just a little inspiration!

Skull Photography Still life Smoking Jaw

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AussieBoo

· #14 · Apr 15, 2015

Mogwai said:
AussieBoo: nice seeing another Australian on here It can be helpful to get the perspective of someone that understands the struggle to get Halloween stuff here, haha. I'll have to check out that shop. Like you said, even if a prop doesn't look great to begin with, you can still work with it sometimes. Love your theme, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

NightmareFamily: we're going for an elegant gothic look. So more Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, etc.

Love everyone's suggestions and advice so far. I picked up some red and silver Halloween goblets and a bag of plastic rats yesterday at the dollar store. It's a start

Thanks Mogwai - you can check my progress under the thread name "Edenhope Hotel".

Yes Lombard is a good one for Halloween. They put out their Halloween stuff in October so it's not a year round thing however they can have left overs from last year in the back of the shop so would be good for you to pop into one and check it. I believe you have a Lombard store in WA. You can also purchase any left over items online if that helps but keep an eye out beginning of October online and in store

There's also some good online Oz costume/party shops that have increased with Halloween items over the years. I'll post some links on here for you shortly.

Mogwai

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 17, 2015

So I went thrift shopping a couple of days ago and came home with quite a lot of good stuff.

Automotive tire Auto part Tableware

Clothing Dress White Gown Day dress

Clothing White Dress Day dress Silk

These were $3 each. I'm going to use the big dress for my costume, and the other most likely to dress a prop figure.

Doll Hair Barbie Toy Blond

I'm going to try to make these into haunted busts. Any ideas for that? I was thinking of styling the hair, then painting the whole things light grey and maybe adding some blood to the eyes or making vampire bites on the necks. Not sure on that one yet.

I also got a whole bunch of net curtains and one of those net canopies that usually hangs above a bed. Definitely a lot to think about.

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ooojen

· #16 · Apr 17, 2015

You found some excellent stuff! Looks like you're off to a great start all around!

Mogwai

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 17, 2015

Thanks, ooojen

I'll be collecting more stuff all the time and working on what I already have, so I'll keep posting in this thread whenever I have something new. I've been checking back almost every day to see everyone's great ideas as well.

ooojen

· #18 · Apr 18, 2015

I have an area I decorate as Dracula's suite. Feel free to browse the album if you like.
http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/ooojen-albums-dracula-s-room-first-year-2014-a.html
I have a few additional items for him now-- a floor candleabrum, fabric to drape behind the bed's headboard, a bat mask to rig up outside the (upstairs) window, and I'm working on a fake wolfskin rug.

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Mogwai

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 18, 2015

I love what you did for Dracula's suite. It's so convincing. We've had an antique mantle in storage for years and we were planning to get it out for Halloween to make a false fireplace. Hopefully it'll look good. Great work

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ooojen

· #20 · Apr 18, 2015

Thanks, Mogwai! I had fun putting it together! I didn't put too much money into it, but instead tried to use smaller items to dress up items I already had. I also concentrated the bat and dragon stuff that I had into that area.
Your mantle sounds like it will be great! I hope you'll share pictures when you get it in place.

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