This HGTV Halloween special featured three families competing for the best decorations on the block. Led by designers Eddie Ross, Michael Russo and Kelley Moore, these families displayed some of the most spectacular Halloween creations I have ever seen, or even ever thought of.

Designer Eddie Ross headed up the Halloween transformation for the John family. Using the Headless Horseman as their theme, the team came up with some truly amazing ideas. The inside of the house was transformed into a cemetery with accents of tombstone wainscoting, spider web covered furniture, spooky window cornices and various displays of gourds, moss, carved pumpkins, hay and black candles.

My favorite display by this team was the lifelike Headless Horseman that greeted guests on the front lawn. With a lighted jack o’lantern head and a long black cape that blew in the wind, actually by a hidden fan, the Horseman looked as if he were riding the streets of Sleepy Hollow looking for his next victim.

Lifestyle expert Kelley Moore headed up the designs for the Peterson family. This team chose to recreate a gingerbread house. Covered in pink floral sheeting with accents of wrapped pieces of colorful, sugary candy, this house was every sweet lover’s dream. The inside of the house wasn’t so inviting, however,  as the team did a magnificent job of turning it into a frightening, realistic witch’s cottage. With a faux stone covered wall, mummified  pieces of furniture, a smoky mirror, a cage for unsuspecting children and a bar dedicated to the witch’s potion, this room was the epitome of pure evil. A great added touch by this team was a UNICEF giving tree planted on the front lawn of this recreated Hansel and Gretel tale.

The Boscovich family was led by the very capable designer, Michael Russo. The family’s Victorian style home was the perfect setting for a classic haunted mansion. Going with an adult party theme, the inside of the house was decorated with panels of black toile hanging with huge creepy spiders. A ghostly photo of a woman was the perfect touch for one of the haunted living room walls. One of HGTV’s talented carpenters created the perfect bar, covered with faux brick material, great for serving bloody drinks enjoyed by the guests. Along with the drinks, the guests  enjoyed some creepy treats including appetizing eyeballs  and bat embellished sushi. My favorite design from this team was the mummified corpse constructed from crumpled newspaper covered with cheese cloth and webbing. The living statue, a daring, made-up neighbor, standing watch on the front lawn was also a great touch for this ghoulish mansion.

I really enjoyed watching this HGTV Halloween special and was grateful for all the brilliant holiday ideas.  I know I could never pull off the Halloween transformations that these families did, with the help of some very capable designers, but I think I will do a pretty good job of incorporating some of these projects into my own holiday plans. HGTV offers additional holiday tips on their website, as well as more information on this Halloween special.