c/o Simon-Wallace Design
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A beloved Upper West Side brownstone has once again transformed into one of the neighborhood’s most spectacular seasonal displays. The townhouse at 153 West 82nd Street (between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues)—owned by interior designer Hillary Wallace, owner of Simon-Wallace Design—has become a local landmark of sorts, with elaborate seasonal installations that draw crowds year after year.
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“I’m calling this ‘Someone is Always Watching You,’ and it’s this mystical, New Orleans potion theme,” Wallace told the NY Post about her new Halloween installation.The brownstone has been decked out with oversized, hand-painted eyeballs guarding the front door and hundreds of pumpkins arranged along the brownstone’s steps. Wallace reportedly spent about $4,000 on this year’s décor, much of it on seven pallets of pumpkins sourced from Pennsylvania. Many of the gourds are unusually shaped or molded to resemble faces, adding to the installation’s eerie charm.
Rather than relying on traditional Halloween props, the design showcases Wallace’s signature attention to detail — every bug, rat, and accent piece carefully positioned to create a cohesive, artful scene. The result is an elegant twist on spooky season, offering something between a fine art installation and a neighborhood celebration.
The house, which dates back roughly 135 years, has become a popular stop for both residents and visitors, with many pausing to admire and photograph the display. Children from a nearby school have been known to count the decorations aloud, and locals often note that the changing seasonal designs have become a cheerful marker of the neighborhood’s creative spirit. Here’s a look at previous displays Wallace designed for St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
Wallace, who has owned the property for eight years, told the Post that she’s already working on her next concept — a holiday display called “Candyland with a Twist” — ensuring that her West 82nd Street stoop will continue to be one of the city’s most delightful sights through the end of the year.
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