Nothing says come on up to our door and get some candy like two silly little pretend pumpkins. Err, not so much. See last year we were in a bit of a pickle. Mere hours before Halloween we realized our house didn’t look at all ready for the slew of adorable little trick or treaters passing through, and all the real pumpkins left in the bins at the grocery store were busted and rotten. So we went with Plan B and hit up Michael’s in hopes of scoring some spooky holiday decor. We walked away with, you guessed it, two fake pumpkins (for something like two bucks on sale thanks to our last-minute approach to Halloween decor) and popped them on the porch just in time to dish out some sweets.
But this year instead of tossing our corny faux pumpkins (in the name of recycling!) I wondered if a free mini-makeover could take them from geek to chic. Their bright orange tone (although convincing from the curb) clashed with our brick exterior and red front door…
…and white pumpkins are all the rage these days (see ’em here and here). So I just used some leftover exterior paint to turn ’em white (well, cream- white would be too blinding and unconvincing) for a more subtle look that’s still festive enough to say come get yer candy:
Thanks to some super discounted flowers paired with some pretty little ceramic pots in different colors & sizes, we successfully completed Project Pumpkin on the cheap (for less than $10) and in a snap (the pumpkins only needed one coat of paint so I was finished in a flash).
And while we still might snag a few real pumpkins for carving and cooking (we love love love pumpkin seeds!) I think we’ll stick with the white varieties for a cute and clean look that works a lot better with our big red door. What say you guys? Do you have any budget Halloween ideas to share? Are there any items that you like to purchase right before the holidays to score a super deal? Dish the dish.
megan says
Great idea, and your porch looks lovely!
Jessica says
I’m loving white pumpkins this season… and I agree, they look great on your porch! I would have never thought of painting an orange one the cream color. Great idea :)
Becki says
Cute white pumpkins! Here is another option to further the Halloween decor- get some black upholstery tacks and create a monogram with a large script “P”. Here is a link to someone who did something similiar: http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2008/10/more-pretty-little-pumpkins-and-big.html But on your cute cream pumpkins the look will be custom chic and totally unique! Enjoy! Happy fall!
jbhat says
Ooh, spooky white pumpkins are my favorite. What a clever idea.
Tiffany says
I’m lovin’ white pumpkins this year :) This is a very cute, simple and cost-effective idea. Thanks!
Holly says
I love white pumpkins. I have a few on our door step and get quite a few compliments on them since they are not as common.
Carrie says
I love this! How cute:-)
Jackie says
Hi,
Would like to know where to purchase pumpkins?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jackie,
You can usually find these faux pumpkins at craft stores like Michael’s. And of course, in the fall their much easier to find than this time of year.
-John
Tiffany says
Do you have more specifics on the pain you used for your faux pumpkins? I just got the exact same orange pumpkins as a hand-me’-down, but they do not fit with my design scheme like your awesome white ones would! Thanks!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
We just used cream exterior semi gloss paint (applied with a brush). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Alyssa says
Umm, looks like a comment made it past your spam filter! Not that I don’t enjoy his charming comment, haha.
Yes I’m reading through your archives, it’s my nightly bedtime reading! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Alyssa!
xo
s