shadows curation: dark decor
Spooky season is upon us, the perfect time to infuse your autumn decor with a touch of the shadows. The artifacts highlighted here evoke a timeless dark academia and gothic charm, sophisticated enough to display in your home all year long (forget the basic plastic skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns). Here are some of my favorite moody aesthetic accents to transform your space.
4 min read
Spooky season is upon us, the perfect time to infuse your autumn decor with a touch of the shadows. The artifacts highlighted here evoke a timeless dark academia and gothic charm, sophisticated enough to display in your home all year long (forget the basic plastic skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns). Here are some of my favorite moody aesthetic accents to transform your space.
Halloween decor
Amazon, YeeJu, Halloween throw pillow covers, set of four, 18” x 18”
I have a version of these pillow covers and absolutely love them. They’re Halloween-y but not cheesy, with a dark, vintage feel.
Amazon, Renbuzhu, Halloween vintage look paper lanterns
These would give a charming vintage look to a party. Currently discounted by checking coupon box.
Moody botanicals
Amazon, Neo L’Artes, rust orange fall berry garland
These pretty small berries would be at home on a mantel or draped over a doorway.
Amazon, Generic, mixed berry fall garland
This is a beautiful autumnal berry garland in earth tones. This one is similar but with a bit more brown.
Amazon, Daynight, faux plum cimicifuga leaf stems, 6 count
These dark plum toned leaves add a lovely moody gothic feel to seasonal vase arrangements, as does this burgundy baby’s breath. Leaf stems currently 50% off; baby’s breath currently 6% off.
Whimsical accents and ideas
Amazon, Foimas, feathered ravens
I have these feathered ravens perched around my home to add a gothic seasonal touch. Keep them away from your cats, as they’re made with real/simulated feathers.
Amazon, Prstincol, potion labels
Turn any plain glass bottles or jars into poisonous decor with these vintage look labels. You also can stick them on a laptop or other items, or use them for scrapbooking.
Temu, Poisons and Antidotes pill/storage box
Use this charmingly dark little storage box for your medications or any other small items.
Temu, brass vintage look insect accents, set of six
Add these small insect statues anywhere you’d like a touch of dark academia whimsy.
Amazon, ornate gold based glass cloche
Cloches with more plain wooden bases are widely available to place plants, faux moss, and any dark academic items or scenes in — see the small sculptures listed above. This is an ornate gold base option in keeping with a dark academic aesthetic. And here is a beautiful set of two with an even more ornate gold metal base.
Temu, gothic metal tea/coffee spoons
These little spoons offer an antique look for serving potions or tinctures.
Temu, resin raven skulls
Place these in any seasonal cloche or around your home for a spooky accent.
Temu, round raven throw pillow
This charming “nevermore” accent pillow comes in 16” x 16” or 18” x 18” sizes.
Etsy, Cosycore Atelier, Library of Poisonous Plants book storage box
I have several vintage book storage boxes that I adore. This one is made of wood rather than cardboard. Here’s a Ouija board option as well.
Amazon, gothic Victorian black metal taper candle holders
I prefer vintage candle holders and candelabras from sources like antique stores and eBay. But this set of two Victorian look candlesticks is a good alternative option and looks both delicately detailed and sturdy. I also like this distressed black gothic pillar candle holder set and this whimsical raven claw foot candle holder set.
Wayfair, Warm Home Designs, Sharon purple gothic lace shower curtain
I missed this option in my shower curtain edition, but this purple lace shower curtain would add a gothic touch to the bath year round.
Etsy, Phoenix Potion Parlor, Witchy Snail Mail Club
I so love the idea of this. This seller monthly sends subscribers “The Green Grimoire,” a little envelope filled with seasonal, beautifully crafted treasures illustrating folklore, herbalism, seasonal magic, woodland creatures, moonlit rituals, and old forgotten (witchy) traditions, that subscribers can read and keep. Letter options include printed or handwritten.
Dark wall decor
Etsy, TimelessPrints4You, Raven wall art print
If you have a good printer and gothic frame, printable art like this raven couple in the moonlight can be an inexpensive option. Currently 30% off.
Etsy, The Brighton Archives, Baroque raven on typewriter or Raven and skull mini framed portrait
You can place this mini framed artwork even in small spaces.
Etsy, Shadow House Prints, Raven on books vintage dictionary page print
I love prints on vintage dictionary pages; this is a whimsical option. Currently 20% off.
Etsy, ReImagination Prints, Dances with Death vintage dictionary page print
This is a lovely macabre painting on a vintage dictionary page.
Etsy, Lona Gifts Studio, Cicada taxidermy in framed shadowbox
This shop in Vietnam offers taxidermied insects of various types in framed shadowboxes. Other options include this pretty leopard lacewing and jungle queen butterflies, all a bit macabre but lovely. All currently 50% off.
Etsy, Lalabloom Gifts, Death head moth in a coffin framed shadowbox
This is the ultimate dark but creepily beautiful dark academia decor. Currently 55% off. Here’s another option in a glass globe. Currently 15% off.
Etsy, Storm Come, butterfly taxidermy in wood frame
These are just gorgeous shadowbox framed taxidermied butterflies on a pretty background. Currently 50% off.
Etsy, Titan 89 Co., Gothic moth specimen canvas print wall art
If real taxidermied moths leave you cold, this canvas print of moths in a beautifully detailed gothic frame is just perfect, as is this butterfly print. Both currently 45% off.
Etsy, Kraft Things Art, black cat and crow Ouija board wooden sign
This is not a working Ouija board but can add an eerie touch to your wall decor. Currently 51% off.
Etsy, Spring City Wood Art, Gothic skull lily of the valley framed wall art
Tongue in cheek menacing art you can hang on your wall year round, and see if visitors notice the subtle skull detail. Currently 40% off.
Etsy, Lemonade and Daizies, Belladonna sign
Add a hint of menace with this sign in a seasonal display.
Etsy, The Wayside Violet, Moon garden pressed flower wall art
I always love the artisan look of pressed flower art, and these are pretty options that include a moon background.
Amazon, Fayellee, small vintage mushroom print in ornate bronze frame
This is a charming little framed print; another mushroom design as well as other woodland designs are available.
Etsy, Happy Host Print Co., dark academia botanical print set of three
I’m a fan of dark botanical prints, and this set of three looks particularly moody. Currently 20% off.
Depop, black Victorian death head moth framed etching
This seller has several of these moody etchings available. Currently 5% off.
Diveros, mystical Tarot moon canvas wall art
I like the La Lune design in black/dark navy. Currently on sale.
Wayfair, Oliver Gal Prints, Tarot the Star etched look print
This dark toned Tarot card wrapped canvas (always a high quality look) is offered in a variety of sizes and price points, and other Tarot card designs are available. Currently 22% off.
Etsy, Arlesia Designs, Gothic cathedral wall frame
This dark wall frame stands ready to embrace any dark art you wish to place in it. Currently 40% off.
Etsy, Layer Wave 3D, Gothic cathedral wall shelf with hooks
This offers perfect dark gothic lines in a wall shelf. Currently 25% off.
As the autumn shadows lengthen, give your seasonal decor a darker twist with enchanting, moody artifacts that convey a gothic, dark academia aesthetic and cast spells in your home all year round.
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