Accessories for the Gothic home

Some people actually equate victorian design with "creepy" or morbid feelings or images. I happen to love victorian, edwardian and other turn of the century design so much I have chosen to decorate this way. I think the victorian look is common in "Scary" old mansions because of hollywood's image they've portryed to us. here are some good examples of how to accessorize resulting in a clean yet antique look. these images are taken from martha's halloween section of her website; a source of inspiration for my own gothic home. The trick for using these ideas is not to let it scream "halloween!!" I think there's a very very find line.
remove the faux spiders and webs and all you have are some pretty antique candle holders, a few beautiful convex mirrors; a simple mantle vignette. to really goth it up you could add a silhouette of a family member, some taxidermy (one of my favorite accessories) or some Spanish moss draping over the side for effect.

Here again, a very simple victorian/edwardian mantle, remove whatever is under those cloche's that Martha thinks are "halloween-y" and add some pots with moss, maybe a crocodile head taxidermy, or some other preserved piece of nature and you've cleaned it up. the silhouettes? so cute cute cute.

 I love this (martha again, folks. she just rocks). remove the halloween candles and add whichever color you prefer, I like solid black. the bat diagram on the wall here is so cool, I love checking out ebay for vintage scientific or medical charts, they all have that wonderful aged color to them and are done by talented artists of the time.

Try adding a splash of goth into your home, don't be afraid :)

Federal Mirrors

I know, I know, federal mirrors aren't gothic, or neo-victorian that much, but hear me out.

Mid-Century Sunburst mirrors of the last few years have given way to this new trend in wall decor. It's so versatile and beautiful, lending itself to a range of Decor styles: neo-victorian, gothic, colonial, and traditional American.

They can be rectangular, with or without eagles, or even this shield style which I am totally loving. This appears to be an original antique which can costs bucket loads, but are totally worth the investment. This one was featured on AntiqueStyle.blogspot.com.

In my opinion, when you think of a federal mirror, it needs certain elements. I look for the eagle, the circle shape, the convex mirror,  and not sure what they're called, but we'll say the round knobby thingys (help me out here...) around the mirror.
Here in Lauren Liess's bedroom (purestylehome.blogspot.com) she uses it in an unexpected way, as a bedside mirror. Some would put it over the mantle, she uses it here. Love. (also, if you have not checked out her blog, you are totally missing out on one of the best up and coming designers out there)

Here's a white one in a kids room, no eagle, but still has the other elements (round knobby thingys and circular shape) now if I can just have a little girl to make this room in my home. (honey? are you listening... hello?) Also, the creamy white and creamy pink, are you kidding me? gorge.

Another white example. I think this would be an excellent DIY, you can find replica's on eBay made from plastic with the mirror in them for pretty cheap. Get yourself some spray paint and spray the heck out of it. This room was featured in Oprah Home magazine, and I just love all the brown and white. Its clean and modern but adds some vintage/antique gems thrown in for good measure.

Finally, my favorite use. In Anthony Malat and Jamie Isaia's home. Of course, this marries my two favorite mirror trends right now, mirror groupings and federals. This home is worth a tour, check it out at TheSelby.com, it may just be my favorite website.

Here is my own interpretation. On my living room wall with a collection of black and gilt frames, I added a G for our last name, since the mirror had been damaged in shipment. It's an antique(maybe as early as turn of the century and no younger than 1930s) however, not an orignal federal.