Woman's Day October 2016

 It’s October, and my thoughts turn to Halloween… and zombies. I am a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead, a TV show about a group of survivors in a postapocalyptic society populated by the undead. It allows me this luxury: For an hour I can enter a world that’s a whole lot worse than the real one (these days that means sneering politicians, ugly public discourse and me before my morning coffee). My favorite character is Carol, a gray-haired (yes!) badass zombie slayer. Some 18 million people watch the show, which may help explain why Halloween is America’s hands-down favorite holiday. October 31 is the only night of the year when we can safely act out what truly scares us. To celebrate, WD created 11 pages of…

 CASE IN POINT 3 winners will receive an Eden Rue Bookcase in Coral from Sauder. Standing 66½" tall, the five-shelf organizer adds a light, airy touch to your walls. Value, $179.99.  IN STITCHES 10 winners will receive a Crewel Diamond Shape (right) or Circle Lattice Pillow Cover in Citrus Yellow from West Elm. Value, $39. GORGEOUS GOURDS 10 winners will receive a Pioneer Woman Harvest Collection 4-quart Gourd Dutch Oven from Walmart. Value, $44.26.  FRESH PRINTS 10 winners can pick two of the three unframed 8" x 10" leaf paintings by artist Elena Ray from art.com shown below. Value, $36.  ORANGE YOU GLAD 1 winner will receive a Rockwell Accent Chair from overstock.com. The bold hue and midcentury modern design bring a fun retro vibe to any home. Value, $299.99.…

 ENTER IF YOU DARE Create a creepy graveyard gate out of a metal garden arbor flanked by foam-kickboard gravestones. A DIY friendly ghost plus a skulking store-bought skeleton cat ($29.99; spirithalloween.com), skeleton arms (from $4.95; halloweenfxprops.com) and rubber bats ($7.99 for 28; partycity.com) complete the scene. FALL INTO AUTUMN This pretty display sets the tone for a harvest-style holiday. Stenciled, halved Fun-Kins (from $18; funkins.com) anchor a cascade of maple leaf garlands ($15.99; joann.com). Add potted mums in apple baskets (from $5.99; save-on-crafts.com) and sugar pumpkins striped with dried corn husks for a front door that will last into Thanksgiving. FAST FIX These decorations are amazingly quick. Hang a sign, set out a bowl, or stick in an undead lawn ornament. Done! THICK SKULLS Suspend a trio of these haunted…

 DON'T FORGET SHADES When combined with curtains, wood blinds or Roman shades provide extra privacy. EASY HANGING TIPS 1 LOOK UP To make ceilings appear taller, mount curtain rods anywhere from 3" to 10" above the top of the window molding (but at least 2" below the ceiling). 2 SPREAD OUT Use two curtain panels on either side to balance a wide window or thick molding. Position them just outside the panes of glass to let the most daylight in. ADJUST THE LENGTH For a modern look, let curtains hang slightly above the floor. You can use iron-on hem tape (available at drugstores) to shorten panels as needed.…

Make a Woman’s Day! Helping readers transform their lives THIS MONTH: HOME Diane Boylan HOMETOWN: Huntington, NY “My kitchen is almost 25 years old and things were starting to break,” says Diane. She replaced a few key appliances, covered cracked tiles with rugs, and stored servingware in other rooms instead of completely redoing the space.  With lots of family (including four grandkids) close by, Diane Boylan’s house is a gathering spot for playdates and meals many days of the week. “Everyone always ends up in my kitchen,” says Diane, “so it needs to be attractive and functional.” WD worked with Home Depot’s director of trend and design, Sarah Fishburne, and The Home Depot Services Team to create a modern design plan for Diane, which includes smart storage features that better…

@andrianaverdi PULL UP A SEAT When I found this LexMod C24 Wishbone Chair ($169; amazon.com)— named for its curved, split back—I was excited by the low price (they’re often $600 or more!) and that it comes in seven colors. The shape looks great at a traditional dining table or in a modern home office. A BETTER BOUQUET Make the most of fresh-cut flowers with tips from interior designer Vern Yip’s new book. Choose the right vase. A colorful vessel brightens an arrangement of white or light flowers, while a neutral style balances bold blooms. Cut to size. Stems should be no longer than 1½ times the height of the vase—otherwise, the arrangement can look top-heavy. Create shape. To achieve a full, round centerpiece, hold a single stem in one hand,…