Who says you have to be a kid to enjoy Halloween? With the right decorations, it’s possible to set a mood that is both festive and sophisticated—even on a night that’s typically devoted to creepiness and kitsch.

One of the most important elements of the evening is illumination. By dimming all of the lights in the room and relying heavily on candles, you instantly create a mysterious atmosphere.

When it comes to assembling a fabulous tablescape like the one pictured here, Amen always starts with the dishes. Once he has chosen those, he begins to build around them with the tablecloth, napkins and so forth. While it’s important to pick a theme to anchor your table, don’t be afraid to mix it up with different textures and unexpected accessories like these faux alligator-skin candles (see detail: forth picture on right).

Over the years, Amen has amassed a large personal collection of Halloween decorations. But every year, there is something new that catches his eye and finds its way onto the table. Amen advises that if you see something you love, best to snap it up right then because it’s likely to be unavailable next year. Case in point: these skeletons that served as the guests of horror, er, honor, for this party (see detail: last picture on right). Spotting a great conversation piece, he bought them a few years ago, and now they’re extremely hard to come by. Carpe Diem!

Please click through the photos (on right) to get more details about Amen’s party and decorations.