My aim was to craft a striking LED moon for Halloween that could serve as a centerpiece in a larger display or stand alone as a captivating piece of décor. To achieve this, I decided to use acrylic for its durability and light-diffusing properties, paired with LED strips to create a realistic, glowing effect. The project began with an image of the moon's surface details, which I then traced onto a large acrylic sheet. I applied a frosted coating to one side of the acrylic to enhance the diffusion of the LED light. Next, I cut a hole in insulation foam board and affixed the LED strips around the perimeter’s back edges, ensuring even light distribution. After assembling the components, I tested the LED lighting in a dark room to ensure the desired glow was achieved.

My goal was to create an ominous LED cloud wall for Halloween, designed to cover a garage and feature interchangeable centerpieces that could change with each season. The project involved using foam insulation boards, LED light strips, polyfil, and paint to craft a dynamic display that could change colors and evoke a windswept, moonlit atmosphere. I started by measuring and cutting foam panels to fit the garage door, assembling them into folding pairs with a space left for a central sign. After painting the panels black, I laid out the LED light strips in a zigzag pattern within designated cloud areas, ensuring the power source was neatly routed behind. The light strips were then covered with polyfil, applied in a way that mimicked the natural flow of clouds. After fine-tuning the cloud coverage and lighting, I moved the completed wall outside, secured it to the garage, and added the removable sign. The final piece not only transformed the space but also created an engaging photo opportunity for the community.

My aim was to create flexible, paintable faux vines for Halloween that were easy to make without the mess and time-consuming methods often found online. I wanted the vines to have a natural, organic look with varied thicknesses and branching sections, enhancing their creepy, realistic appearance. To achieve this, I chose insulation spray foam, which, once dried, provided the flexibility and texture I desired. I laid out a plastic drop cloth and spontaneously crafted the vines, starting from a thick base and extending into smaller branches. After drying, I spray-painted them gloss black for a sci-fi aesthetic, though they could easily be customized with earthy tones or even a gory color palette for different effects. Finally, I used black panel nails to hang the vines, wrapping them around the nails to achieve the desired look.

My goal was to create a Halloween-themed faux neon sign inspired by the aesthetics of a popular Sci-Fi TV series, with the versatility to be part of a larger garage-sized display or function independently. The project involved designing the sign in Adobe Illustrator, cutting the shape from foam insulation board, and painting it for a sleek, black background. I meticulously planned the placement of El wire, routing it through holes in the board to achieve a realistic neon effect. After cutting and painting, I carefully attached the wire, ensuring each section was secure and touched up the final piece for a polished look.

I wanted to find a way to use affordable materials to save thousands of dollars compared to similar canopy beds and challenge myself to design one that struck a balance between masculine and refined, without professional knowledge or expensive equipment. I wanted to think outside of typical furniture construction and improvise with unconventional hardware intended for a different use while creating a functional rationale for the structure, add innovative features, and find a connection between with my personal appreciation for rock and metal music.

My vision was finding a balance between a sophisticated interior design aesthetic, exterior Halloween decor, innovation, and the potential larger blue-sky idea of eventually converting my house to a medieval cathedral in annual increments.