Photo featured in the October 2024 issue of At Home in Arkansas. Photo by Rett Peek.

As Halloween approached, we had the perfect opportunity to channel the dark romance and eerie allure of Edgar Allan Poe through a styled gathering. This unique tablescape, crafted in partnership with At Home in Arkansas for their October “spooky month” issue, brought together literary inspiration and Gothic sophistication to create a space worthy of Poe’s haunting legacy. Each element was designed with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the timeless beauty and mysterious atmosphere that define Poe’s work. Here’s a look at how each contributor added their special touch to this enchanting setting.

Inspired by a Literary Circle Gathering

This event was designed as a nod to the tradition of literary circles, gatherings where intellectuals, writers, and artists meet to discuss literature, philosophy, and the latest ideas of their time. Rooted in the spirit of camaraderie and creativity, literary circles are spaces for passionate debates, storytelling, and an exchange of inspired thoughts. These gatherings foster community and encourage artists to push boundaries…much like Poe did with his tales of mystery and the macabre.

For our Poe-inspired tablescape, we wanted to capture that same sense of intimate, intellectual gathering, imagining a setting where guests might be discussing poetry, prose, and the art of storytelling over candlelight and curated dishes. From the dark florals to the dessert cart filled with “Dream Within a Dream Tartlets” and poetic petit fours, each detail invited guests to immerse themselves in an experience where every element told a story. This gathering, steeped in literary inspiration, was an homage to those who dare to dream and create, even in the most hauntingly beautiful ways.

Behind-the-scenes photo snapped by Leah Seale from the Vibrant Occasions Team.

Setting the Scene with an Elegant Interior

Jessica Humerick with Citizen’s Den Interior had the perfect setting thanks to her exquisite interior styling in one of her client’s Park Hill Historic District homes in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Her vision for a space layered in rich textures and vintage touches grounded the design, bringing warmth to the Gothic-inspired elements. One of the standout pieces, a coffee and dessert cart styled beneath a vintage mirror, embodied the moody elegance we wanted, with black vintage books and a collection of coffee essentials adding to the story.

Romantic Floral Elegance Meets Dark Drama

The floral arrangements, created by Althea Wiles of Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio, added an ethereal touch to the tablescape. To complement the moody atmosphere, Althea Wiles of Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio crafted a centerpiece of three stunning arrangements. Each arrangement featured wispy plumosa fern, dried hydrangeas, and yarrow, paired with lush roses in shades of ivory, champagne, and peach. This choice of florals brought a softness to the tablescape, with the delicate, warm-toned blooms providing a beautiful contrast against the deep black of the place settings. The effect was an alluring combination of romantic elegance and dark drama that perfectly suited our Poe-inspired gathering.

Culinary Creations That Tell a Story

Vibrant Occasions Catering crafted a menu that was as inspired as the setting, with each dish paying homage to Poe in name and presentation. A highlight was the “Annabel Lee Beet Salad,” an earthy, layered creation that perfectly matched the somber elegance of the scene. Dream Within a Dream Tartlets, featuring a silky Japanese purple sweet potato mousse, brought a pop of rich color to the dessert cart. The tartlets, in their purple hues, were reminiscent of the mystery and depth often associated with Poe’s tales, making them an ideal choice.

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Velvet Crumb Cakery added a magical touch to the dessert display with intricately designed petit fours. Each one was decorated with motifs inspired by Poe’s work, some resembling old-timey wax-drip candles, others topped with miniature ravens and books. This dessert collection brought an artistic and delicious addition to the tablescape, adding an air of mystery and whimsy.

The Final Touches: Books, Candles, and More

Each place setting was layered with Gothic-inspired elements, including black velvet placemats, ornate black chargers, and hammered pottery dishes, all accented by gold flatware. At each seat, a linen menu wrapped in vellum with a ebony wax seal and sprig of dried gypsophila lay delicately over a copy of Classic Tales of Horror by Poe, tied with black satin ribbon. These details not only elevated the aesthetic but also allowed each guest to feel like part of the story.

To complete the look, beige candlesticks and vintage black books were placed strategically around the table, casting a soft, warm glow over the tablescape as evening approached. This setting was designed not only as a nod to Poe’s work but also as an invitation for guests to lose themselves in an atmosphere of mystery, romance, and literary inspiration.

To add an inviting touch that felt true to a literary gathering, we opted for a coffee and dessert cart rather than a traditional bar setup. Imagining guests in an Edgar Allan Poe-inspired circle, we pictured them sipping coffee as they discussed his darker themes, a fitting choice for the mood of the shoot. The cart was styled with black vintage books, all coffee essentials, and decadent desserts, including “Dream Within a Dream” tartlets by Vibrant Occasions and artful petit fours by Velvet Crumb Cakery. A unique face vase filled with flowers added an artistic element, echoing the thoughtful, reflective expressions that Poe’s work often inspires.

Capturing the Magic on Film

On the morning of the shoot, Brian Weaver of Weaver Films arrived to capture the setup and creative process in action, ensuring each vendor’s artistry would be showcased in dynamic, visually stimulating reels. His filming highlighted the unique contributions of every participant, from the gorgeous floral arrangements to the placement of intricate desserts, allowing each creative detail to shine on social media. Having video content, in addition to photographs, was crucial, not only for documenting the artistry but also for sharing the full, immersive experience of the shoot with our audiences. Video adds a rich layer to visual storytelling, capturing movement, textures, and the overall ambiance in a way that complements and elevates the still images. Brian’s reels have provided us with engaging content that gives a lasting look at the artistry behind our Poe-inspired gathering.

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See More in At Home in Arkansas

This collaboration with At Home in Arkansas and their amazing photographer Rett Peek brought together a team of talented vendors whose combined creativity transformed a vision into reality. For more on this shoot and to see additional photos, preview the October issue of At Home in Arkansas. A special thank you to all the incredible vendors who made this hauntingly beautiful tablescape possible:

Event Planner & Designer: Meredith Events, @meredithevents

Home Interior Designer: Jessica Humerick with Citizen’s Den Interior, @citizensden

Culinary Creations: Vibrant Occasions Catering, @vibrantoccasionscatering

Floral Designer: Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio, @roseofsharonfloral

Petit Fours: Velvet Crumb Cakery, @velvetcrumbcakery

Private Residence: Andi Chappell, @andi_k_chappell

Makeup Artist: Jessica Humerick, @jessicahumerick

Hair Stylist: Jamie Lynn Jones, @jamie.lynn.jones

Videography: Weaver Films, @weaverfilms