Pretty Up Pumpkins With Paint
Put down the carving knife — we've got a better way to prep your pumpkins for Halloween
To say that my husband does not enjoy carving pumpkins is an understatement. We have a 7-year-old, so Halloween is a big deal in our house, and every year we bring home a carload of bulbous orange beauties from the pumpkin patch. As my son and I happily choose the best ones to turn into jack-o'-lanterns, I can see the look of dread in my husband's eyes. Last year he simply mutinied, handing me the knife and reappearing only after he detected the scent of pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven.
Needless to say, I'm now the designated pumpkin carver in the house by default. But I'm going to mix it up a little and try painting a few of them, which is neater, less tedious and much more child friendly than hacking at them with a chef's knife. Onboard with the idea? Follow my lead and check out these pretty painted pumpkins for inspiration.
Needless to say, I'm now the designated pumpkin carver in the house by default. But I'm going to mix it up a little and try painting a few of them, which is neater, less tedious and much more child friendly than hacking at them with a chef's knife. Onboard with the idea? Follow my lead and check out these pretty painted pumpkins for inspiration.
A mini pumpkin in shimmering gold dresses up a fall place setting and echoes the brass candlesticks.
A ruddy bronze hue and playful polka dots give these pumpkins the look of upside-down toadstools.
Tip: Gently wipe pumpkins with a moist cloth or sponge to remove dirt and dust (you may need to wash them under a faucet or hose if they have caked-on mud). Towel dry or air dry them completely.
Tip: Gently wipe pumpkins with a moist cloth or sponge to remove dirt and dust (you may need to wash them under a faucet or hose if they have caked-on mud). Towel dry or air dry them completely.
Don't hesitate to use unexpected colors. Light blue isn't a shade you usually think of for Halloween, but it makes such a perfect partner for orange that I wonder why we don't see more of it.
Select a color that blends with the scheme of the room to create a sleek effect. In this monochromatic space, white painted pumpkins appear breathtakingly sculptural against the pristine backdrop.
Tip: Before you paint, apply a coat of multipurpose sealer, which helps to preserve the pumpkin and helps the paint to adhere. Allow the sealer to dry completely.
Tip: Before you paint, apply a coat of multipurpose sealer, which helps to preserve the pumpkin and helps the paint to adhere. Allow the sealer to dry completely.
In a similar way, these ghostly pumpkins contrast with spare black branches for a stripped-down grouping that will delight minimalists.
Keep it simple by painting a small design onto each pumpkin rather than covering the whole thing. Letters on this trio spell out a spooky message and play up the black and white palette.
Tip: Spray paint works best if you're painting the pumpkin a single color. If your design is more intricate, brush on acrylic paint for better control.
Tip: Spray paint works best if you're painting the pumpkin a single color. If your design is more intricate, brush on acrylic paint for better control.
Silver pumpkins shine in this cool display, but that's not the only idea here. Try embellishing a painted or unpainted pumpkin with nailheads — used here as a monogram — or dotting it with metal studs. Happy Halloween!
Tip: Keep pumpkins in a cool spot away from strong sunlight to preserve them as long as possible. Depending on your climate and whether you display them indoors or outdoors, they'll last at least two or three weeks, and sometimes much longer.
Tip: Keep pumpkins in a cool spot away from strong sunlight to preserve them as long as possible. Depending on your climate and whether you display them indoors or outdoors, they'll last at least two or three weeks, and sometimes much longer.
Tip: Choose the smoothest, firmest possible pumpkins for painting — dips, soft spots and knobby growths will make it trickier to get an even coat.