Because of my penchant for goth fashion and my craving for all things macabre, many people assume my home is dark and quirky, like the Addams Family mansion, but visitors are surprised to learn that I live in a modern, minimalist space decorated mostly in bright colors.
While I love the idea of black damask wallpaper and rococo furniture, these design choices would make my tiny apartment feel like a coffin. Instead, I express my gothic tendencies with a selection of high-end furniture with a morbid aesthetic. When my guests look closely at my décor, they'll notice the skull paintings on the walls and the handmade mugs emblazoned with a goat's head. Here are some tips for adding a touch of elegant darkness without turning your home into a vampire den.
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Invest in quality macabre cookware and tableware
Every fall, home improvement stores release limited edition Halloween collections. Visit retailers like West Elm and Pottery Barn to stock up on well-made dining items you can use year-round. I found a pumpkin-shaped cutting board and a crow spatula at Crate and Barrel that I've kept in my kitchen ever since. I also collect tarot cards, Ouija planchettes, and coasters that look like pentagrams. For handmade mugs and cruelty-free candles, head to Satanic Temple, whose home goods feature satanic artwork, including some by co-founder Lucien Greaves. Proceeds go to campaigns for pluralism and reproductive rights.
The Sun Tarot Card Pint Glass
Look for Gothic furniture in bright colors and modern materials
While black and bright red vintage furniture is the epitome of Gothic, these decorative pieces can feel oppressive in a small apartment. Instead, look for edgier pieces in lighter colors and sleek silhouettes. For example, DeadRockers makes coffin-shaped bookcases and crescent-shaped hanging shelves. Order the coffin units in white or natural wood, and choose the backless option for a lighter look. Similarly, look for chairs that have a centuries-old feel but are made for the modern era. The Magis Proust chair is one of my favorites. Designer Alessandro Mendini molds the baroque throne from space-age polyethylene and can be customized in a variety of colors, including rainbows.
Check out these versatile gothic decor pieces
Rather than cluttering your home with plastic Halloween decorations, spotlight some well-made gothic pieces. Decorate your mantel with Alexander Girard's Wooden Little Devil, a cheeky red devil first introduced by Herman Miller in 1952. I like to display dark mementos I find on my travels, like a horned devil mask from Japan or hand-painted sugar skulls from Mexico. To keep my living space clutter-free, I look for designs that serve two purposes. For example, MoMA's skull table lamp brightens the room through its laser-cut skeleton head.
Girard Wooden Little Devil
Invest in a unique piece of dark art
As a teenager, I covered my bedroom walls with posters of Japanese goth rock bands. Now I've bought a few original paintings by underground artists and had them professionally framed. In my living room, I have a large watercolor skull painted by Jon Semundur of Dead Gallery. The Icelandic painter creates one-of-a-kind pieces depicting imagery of death, and he offers them at a range of price points. By purchasing unique pieces, you can find art that not only speaks to you directly, but also fits your space.