hunting for haunting decor

October 15, 2010

Halloween is a big event at the market. We love to decorate like mad!

Now is a good time to keep an eye out for interesting little things to help you to create a splendidly spooky scene on

All Hallow’s Eve.

I found a visit to Trader Joe’s over the weekend to be MOST fruitful and inspiring.

The movie Monsoon Wedding confirmed my major-love for marigolds (aka Tagetes, or Asteraceae). There is something about their true, intense color and their odd scent that has always appealed to me. Then, when I saw the garlands of marigolds in the movie, a traditional decorations for Indian weddings, I was even more entranced by this “common” and often misunderstood flower.

Though, I’ve never figured out a way to incorporate marigolds into my garden.

SO, when I saw stems of pumpkin orange marigolds at TJ’s, I was thrilled.

For now, their beautiful, deep color brings a warm touch of autumn indoors.

I trimmed the stems and packed them into silver cups, trophies and creamers, with established patinas, which have been collected at estate sales over the years.

By All Hallow’s Eve — the blossoms will be a ghastly golden brown, and perfect for the graveyard!

I think the most inspiring thing I found on my trip to TJ’s, were these healthy specimens of Cobra Lillies (darlingtonia californica), a carnivorous plant.

This sent me on an entirely new tangent for living decor in the market.

The fluttery edge which top the tubes of these plants look attractive enough, and make for a soft landing.

Once onboard, insects are attracted to the scent of the liquid deep inside these long, elegant tunnels. They drop in for a drink….but they never leave…

wah-ha-ha-ha-ha!

The Cobra Lillies come in these handy colored tins. At this stage, I’m not sure if I will leave the plants in these tins, go to something more appropriately botanical, or incorporate them into a bigger display.

After I started thinking about the display possibilities of the Cobra Lillies, I was thrilled to come across these hungry Venus Fly Traps at my local grocery store (QFC, local splendid readers).

Like Cobra Lillies, Venus Fly Traps naturally grow in a humid swamp (though humidity is more important to the Venus Fly Traps than the Cobra Lillies). To keep their surrounding humidity high — I placed them in a nest of moss inside a vase that is just taller than the plants.

Both plants (fly traps and Cobra Lillies) should be “swamped” daily, preferably with distilled water.