New Haunts

Neo-Gothic is on fire. This is not your boil-in-the-bag, grab a Goth and slap a bit of black eye shadow on kind of reinterpretation. The best of it means mixing old with a contemporary twist. I suppose you could also call it Neo-Neo Gothic, as technically, when the Victorians took on what we classically think of as Gothic, they were appropriating the architectural style of the middle ages, and that was in itself New. Then Hammer Horror films led the charge in the Sixties and Seventies, bringing back Vampire cool and velvet frocks. In the Eighties, being a Goth meant having coffin furniture and frightening old ladies on buses by wearing too much black lipstick. Today what you see is tasteful, eclectic and, dare I say it, fresh and bold, still with the power to shock, but in a luxe way. I present Fresh:

Using the rather overwrought theme, some surprising design takes have been imagined and created. I'm very enamored of these chairs which would be a show stopper in any home or decor by themselves:

Amazing skull chair that looks like carved jet - 

 The Raven chair, with those beautiful feathers that catch the light in blues and greens:

 Perfect for a stag do:

Gorgeously decadent chair of roses. I lust this.

Clean, crisp lines against a statement timepiece. Simplified Damask design with effective studs. Good furniture is good furniture. These have nice cheekbones.

Elegance with a nod to Gothic. The high back borrows more from classically Gothic dining chairs than it does from couches. The look is lush, set off by exact shades in velvet cushions.  More Gary Oldman than Christopher Lee.

For sure it can still be darkly dramatic but since storm cloud grey and black are the new wall colors, if you throw in a lot of well chosen pieces from the past, somehow it still feels modern. Stylish or what? Catherine the Great reclines on a smart sofa, as she has every right to do.

 Such a clever move to mix in minimalist lighting to this lush lounge. My favorite by far.

But I do love a bit of quirk. A Victorian figurine adds to grey, complemented by a tapestry of gloom. I really admire anyone who has the balls to resist adding white somewhere to this look, to 'safe it up'. Just go for it.

Black can SO highlight great antiques. The leather bound books look incredible against it. Accessory choices are decidedly current.

A tableau worthy of a photo spread. Deliciously still life worthy. 

I can't help thinking that this magnificently wicked chandelier would look brilliant in any of these rooms. 

However, if you've a taste to go there but not the budget, there are some playful pieces that can bring you the look for less. Raven bookends, to hold the Vampire novels:

These delightful Seven Deadly Sins dinner plates, with Greed right at the top:

And on the mantle, a little Jessica Harrison porcelain figure. Gorgeously Gothic!