The Home Page | Haunted Houses and Halloween Happenings
This edition of The Home Page was originally emailed to subscribers on March 31, 2024. To receive Sarah Sinclair’s real estate newsletter in your inbox each Sunday, sign up at independent.com/newsletter
We’ve been gathering spooky ideas to create your own haunted home all month, and it’s not too late to get in the spirit! The spooky backyard idea above is from The Little House on Chestnut, a k a interior designer Kara Williams. She’s got recipe ideas, a Halloween backyard movie-night setup, plus this super witchy party table inspiration. Dig into her Instagram account for all sorts of fun ideas. As you decorate for the holiday, take heed: Our reader Susan D. reminds us to “encourage people not to use the fibrous-looking plastic stuff that looks like spider webs. It can cause harm or death to birds who may get trapped in it.” Let’s take care of our feathered friends.
Our Great House Detective Betsy J. Green shared a collection of spooky house experiences in an article we published here. The scariest of these tales is the local haunted-house story of “Lord Harry” Hawcroft and his posthumous appearances at the house at 519 Brinkerhoff Avenue. Read it in a spooky voice this weekend — if you dare! It just might be scarier than any other costumed capers seen this Halloween.
Montecito will be hopping on Halloween this Tuesday. Thank you to Dianne & Brianna Johnson of Village Properties for sharing a sneak peek at the tempting treats that will be offered to the boys and ghouls who stop by their office from 3-6 p.m. on “Ghost” Village Road. Expect a crowd of well-dressed skeletons, princesses, firefighters, and more!
In downtown Santa Barbara, my neighborhood is getting spooktacularly scary! One of my favorite houses at the corner of Bath and Anapamu streets is sporting this magnificent creature. I’ve only walked past in daylight, but I have a feeling it’s even more imposing after dark.
Tucked to the side in the same front yard — behind a line of past-their-prime sunflowers, appropriately shriveled for the season — is this marigold-lined altar, reminding us that Día de los Muertos falls right after Halloween.
Last but not least … it’s not too late to grab a couple of pumpkins and carve your own. There’s no better way to get into the spirit of the Halloween holiday than to slice, scoop, and create your masterpiece. Here’s some inspiration from Better Homes & Gardens with ideas, stencils, and super-cute examples. Their pro tip: Put Vaseline on the carved area of your pumpkin to make it last longer. I can smell those pumpkin seeds baking while you admire your ghastly gourd!
If you’re looking for entertainment ideas to round out your weekend, this week’s issue has “Falloween” events galore, plus real estate news and open houses to treat yourself with today. Thanks for reading and have fun!
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