Here’s a fairly new blog with a lot of promise. The Obscure Hollow is devoted to “the love of haunted film decor.”

A work in progress now for over 6 years and now a blog of darker aesthetics. This is a mature gathering of refinement, Old film Design, music, vintage, beauty, art, culinary, theatre, films, books, obscure history, interior design, architecture etc.. all at a darker level.

It features screencaps and commentary about all sorts of atmospheric movies. If you’re looking to create a spooky decorating scheme or interested in creepy fashions, this might be an excellent resource for little details.

Link

The holidays are coming! Everybody duck!

If you’ve got someone with morbid tendencies on your gift list and would like to branch out beyond “it’s got a bat on it, wrap it up” approach to gift-giving, here are a few ideas for dark yet tasteful items.

Absinthe and its related paraphernalia is always welcome, if only for the ambiance. I previously blogged about purchasing the real deal here, although since restrictions in the U.S. have recently been relaxed it might now be possible to buy it from domestic vendors. Spoons, glasses, and accessory “starter kits” are all pretty easy to find, and there’s even a brewing kit for making your own. You could also give a framed vintage poster, one of the many history books, or Absinthe-scented shaving cream or perfume.

Jewelry is another good option. Over at Coffin Gems, artist Mordaunte offers semiprecious stones cut like toe-pincher coffins. She has a wide variety of items for both men and women, and I like the subtlety of the designs; you don’t really notice that they’re coffins until you look closely. Pushin’ Daisies also has some nice-quality items, including skull cufflinks and crossbone buttons. A particularly nice item, especially for those interested in Victoriana, is jewelry made of Whitby jet. The Whitby Jet Heritage Center and Whitby Jet Jewellery (sic) both have some lovely pieces.

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I’m trying to figure out how to write this post without making it sound like the plot of a Fellini film, but that may not be possible.

Okay, Doomies are little garden “gnomes” (their word, not mine) that look like the grim reaper and also can be used as incense smokers. Makes…perfect sense.

From the very scant information on their site, I suspect that they’re based in the Netherlands. They sell handmade ceramic Doomies in three sizes ranging from 11-28 € (about $13-35) but there’s no information about whether they ship internationally.

Still, I’m rather taken with the idea of a miniature reaper stalking around my garden and scowling at chipmunks.

Their other product is Rebirdy, a birdhouse shaped like a skull. The birds enter and leave through the eye holes. That’s sort of awesome too.

Okay, it’s December 1, which means it’s officially time to freak out about whatever winter holiday you celebrate. (Unless you’re proactive like me; I’ve been freaking out for weeks now.)

So here’s one less thing to worry about: Non-cutesy greeting cards. Cards such as this Holiday Well Wisher and Very Important Gift are available at Amalthea’s Attic, and they’re just adorable. For, um, very specific values of “adorable.” They’re nicely refined and Gorey-esque, so they should let your personality shine through without upsetting any relative too badly.

I’m rather taken with their Gothic Gift Wrap, too.