A hauntingly beautiful Halloween party by Gwen and David Martin at their Sewickley Heights home includes a surprising, no-costume theme. The crimson and black theme came from local author Heather Terrell’s The Personal Librarian. Completed by stunning and delicious food by The Merrie Chef, a vampire-themed cocktail by Kingfly Spirits, a book signing, and a wonderful group of guests, it was a night to remember.
Hosting a Halloween Party Inspired by a Novel
Heather Terrell and Gwen Martin attended Upper St. Clair High School in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But, neither knew what careers they would pursue or that one day, through their children, they would become friends. Martin pursued several other avenues before becoming a floral designer and owner of Sewickley’s Sugar Flowers and Leaves. Benedict worked as a corporate lawyer for a decade and now is a best-selling author who writes historical fiction under the pen name Marie Benedict.
Benedict’s novel, The Personal Librarian, was the inspiration for a spirited Halloween party at Gwen and David Martin’s historic Sewickley farmhouse. The color scheme was not typical orange and black but crimson and black. It references a chapter in Benedict’s novel about Belle de costa Greene, a black woman passing as a white person of Portuguese heritage. She was also hired in 1906 as the first curator of the renowned J. Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City. Greene became Morgan’s close confident. It was she who ultimately convinced Morgan’s son to make the library public in 1924.
A Red and Black Theme
In the chapter that sparked the Martins’ party, Greene, who fears her true identity will be discovered, gains confidence when she attends a party given by famous art dealer, Joseph Duveen. Here, all the guests are wearing red. She chats comfortably with Arabella Duval Huntington, the richest woman in New York. Then, she meets writer and art historian, Bernard Berenson, who becomes her lover.
David Martin loves Halloween. When he and Gwen lived in China from 2013-2015, they celebrated the holiday faithfully because the Chinese didn’t. They have had only one party since returning, therefore it was time. Gwen explains, “I had just read about the crimson party in Heather’s book and wanted to try to modernize the whole thing.”
Bringing Local Businesses to the Table
She recruited her friend Merrie O’Donnell of The Merrie Chef, a personal chef, caterer and film food stylist, to help plan an evening that would seem, “old fashioned and dark—a little gothic,” Gwen says. They shopped together, sourcing everything locally.
For the party, the round dining room table became a giant charcuterie board topped with dark, tasty treats such as purple and red grapes, brie with roasted cherry tomatoes, eggplant spread, candied bacon and chocolate torte with raspberries. Gwen’s floral arrangements, which featured red roses along with dahlias from Isaac Porter’s Pond Hill Farm vegetable and flower fields near Kittanning reflected the 1920s. This was known as “The Golden Age of Dahlia Breeding.” The dark, moody look was reminiscent of a Dutch still-life painting.
“I don’t think everyone likes to find a Halloween costume, but they were totally on board with a themed party.”
Complementing the food was wine—red of course—along with Kingfly Spirits’ special beet-infused Vampire Problems cocktail. This paid tribute to a popular, “Vampire” concoction of champagne, vodka and raspberry spirits that was fashionable in J.P. Morgan’s day. “People loved it—especially the men,” Gwen says.
Including a Spooky Twist
While sipping cocktails, the guests, including Heather Benedict Terrell, and her husband, James, toured Gwen’s attic. Here her grandmother’s three-hundred-year-old, vintage, Madame Alexander dolls were on display. Some looking spooky with missing arms, legs, and antiquated glass eyes. Others in full form. “Creepy babydolls everywhere,” Gwen says.
Guests took home signed copies of The Personal Librarian, along with a feel for what their early 20th century counterparts reveled in. Complicated party planning led to a simple conclusion, “It was a lot of fun,” says Gwen.
Story by Susan Fleming Morgans / Photography by Laura Petrilla / Flowers by Sugar Flowers and Leaves / Dahlias by Pond Hill Farm / Food by The Merrie Chef / Cocktail by Kingfly Spirits
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