Ditch the big box Halloween decor and visit a vintage store for some stylish scary finds.
Haunted Hanging: A vintage chandelier stuns year-round, but can set the tone for your Halloween display. Cover in cobwebs or plastic crows or rats for added awfulness. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Creepy Dolls: Oh, the ubiquitous headless dolls, well worn from play, finally have a use. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Old Book Base: Create platforms and levels out of old books. When in doubt, add plastic rats. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Who are we having for dinner?: Plastic skulls sure look nice inside traditional silver serve-ware. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Paper Props: More old books to add old character. And yellowing sheet music, with gross prints on them, make wonderfully eerie pictures. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Skeleton Keys: Again, vintage style, in the context of Halloween, evokes a haunted mansion, which might be entered by one of these keys. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Pretty Placement: An ornamental concrete planter is a simple and stylish spot for fairy tale pumpkin. Summer Cottage Antiques, 153 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-776-2873, summercottageantiques.com
Simply Old School: Reuse what already exists and embrace your nostalgic side with vintage pieces. Yankee Girl Antiques, 127 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-762-0200, facebook.com/YankeeGirlAntiques
Refreshed Favorites: Vintage cutouts have been matted against fabric and framed. Yankee Girl Antiques, 127 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-762-0200, facebook.com/YankeeGirlAntiques.
Set the Stage: Use candle holders, gauzy drapes and masks to create a display. Alphabet Soup Thrift Stores, 203 Western Ave, Petaluma, 707-778-4818
More Nostalgia: Another vintage piece in great condition. From those days when 2-D Halloween decor was good enough. Yankee Girl Antiques, 127 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707-762-0200, facebook.com/YankeeGirlAntiques
Don’t let your Halloween decor have a trend-to-trash lifespan. Forgo the big box pre-fab wares that don’t wear well from year to year, and visit a vintage store for some unique resale finds. The antique look lends itself nicely to Halloween decor with the haunted mansion vibe it evokes. Petaluma’s great antique stores always deliver in the resale realm—click through the above gallery for details.
