Cover Take a look at this child-friendly Halloween house
Take a look at this child-friendly Halloween house
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Audrey Pastelero’s house is a Halloween wonderland, spooky but sweet, capturing the season’s spirit without the scares
Every October, Audrey Pastelero turns her family home into a festive Halloween wonderland, one that’s less fright and more delight. A mompreneur with an eye for design and a love for fun, Pastelero’s house brings together colour, humour and heart, making her dwelling a joyful landmark for neighbours and friends.
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A family tradition full of personality
Halloween decorating has become a cherished family tradition in the Pastelero home. From the cheerful jack-o’-lanterns lining the entryway to the skeletons striking poses around the garden, every detail tells a story of creativity and togetherness. The kids help plan and arrange decorations, deciding which pumpkin smiles where, or which skeleton gets to wear the sunglasses this year.
Inside, cosy corners come alive with Halloween spirit: plush pumpkin pillows and candy corn cushions make the living room both festive and comfortable, while the staircase glows at night with softly lit pumpkins nestled among woven baskets. It’s equal parts spooky and homey; exactly the balance Pastelero aims for.
Above Not a body signage
Above Fake skeletons are placed on trees and plants
Not a body signage
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Welcome to the Halloween house
The moment you arrive, you’re greeted by a scene straight out of a storybook. Skeletons perch on the garden wall and dangle from tree branches, their bony limbs caught mid-dance. A cheeky “Not a Body” sign points to a suspiciously wrapped figure being dragged across the lawn, all part of Pastelero’s humour-infused outdoor setup. Overhead, a bright orange “Happy Halloween” banner waves cheerfully between vines and glowing pumpkins. The display is dramatic, funny and, most importantly, welcoming.
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Above Inside the child-friendly Halloween house
Above In the evening, the magic continues
Inside the child-friendly Halloween house
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The spooky-fun facade
As you move toward the house, the theme builds. A massive white spiderweb stretches from the balcony down to the front columns, where a giant furry spider sits proudly; a guardian of sorts. On the balcony above, oversized eyeball lanterns peer playfully out at visitors, each one hand-painted in bright, eerie hues.
At the doorway of the house, a wicker chair cradles a relaxed skeleton, occasionally joined by a plushy in a wizard hat. Around them, rows of jack-o’-lanterns grin widely, glowing in warm amber light after dark.
Above “Boo!” On a grey cotton couch; a contrasting green lamp adds a pop of colour in her sitting room
Above Spiders asymmetrically arranged on an image from an angle that echoes this
“Boo!” On a grey cotton couch; a contrasting green lamp adds a pop of colour in her sitting room
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Stepping inside: from spooky to chic
Inside, Pastelero’s creativity continues, but in a softer, more refined way.
Past the entryway, black paper bats swoop dramatically up the archways and walls, creating a dynamic sense of movement. The neutral living room, anchored by a pale grey sofa, gets a playful Halloween makeover with plush pumpkins, a skull pillow and black “BOO” cushions.
Sunlight filters through white curtains, balancing the décor’s theatrical energy with lightness and calm.
Above Hands coming out of the walls
Above Spooky but elegant hands made with resin
Hands coming out of the walls
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Walls that reach out (literally)
Up the staircase, things take a sculptural turn. Black hands seem to emerge from the wall, holding tiny flickering candles. It’s eerie yet elegant; a statement piece that turns the hallway into a gallery of playful fright.
“The hands were one of my favourite DIYs,” Pastelero shares. “I wanted something unexpected, spooky, but still stylish.”
Above Darkness falls and the home still exudes fun
Above Pumpkins and jack o'lanterns are peppered in the home, at dusk they come to life
Darkness falls and the home still exudes fun
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When night falls
As dusk settles, Pastelero’s outdoor setup transforms the house completely.
Purple and red lights bathe the garden in eerie colour. Skeletons climb trees and hang from branches, while others stand guard near the jack-o’-lanterns below. The glowing web and lanterns give the home a cinematic glow, equal parts playful and theatrical.
“It’s our favourite time,” she says. “The lights come on, the kids in the neighbourhood start walking by—and the whole place feels alive.”
Above A skeleton hangs upside down
Above Skeletons and banners in the garden at night
A skeleton hangs upside down
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The heart behind the Halloween
As a mompreneur, Pastelero brings her design sense and artistic flair into everything she does, and Halloween is her biggest creative outlet of the year. What started as simple pumpkin displays has grown into an annual transformation that neighbours look forward to seeing.
Her home isn’t just decorated; it tells a story of joy, imagination and family. From handmade accents to thoughtful lighting, every corner reflects Pastelero’s belief that celebration lives in the details. Whether it’s a skeleton climbing the fence, a pumpkin glowing on the steps, or a cosy nook filled with candy corn pillows, her Halloween home reminds us that the best kind of spooky is the kind made with love.
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