I keep running across references to this lamp based on Marcel Dzama’s Saddest Ghost painting (I’d have to say “loosely based”). Everyone coos how perfect it would be for a child’s room and how inexpensive it is. Perfect it may be, but they are apparently using a very different scale for “inexpensive” than the one used here at Shadow Manor because the cheapest I’ve found it is $150. I don’t plan to give Shadowboy décor worth $150 until two years after his shoe size stops changing.

For something a little cheaper, try the Mathmos Ghost, a softly-glowing lamp that “morphs” through several colors ($50), or the adorable Spöka from Ikea ($14.99).

You can also get crafty and paint or decoupage a regular lampshade with ghostly images, either for your baby bat’s room or as a decorative table lamp anywhere.

Artist Julia Lohmann works in the somewhat unusual medium of animal parts. The lamp shown here is made of a preserved sheep’s stomach, which she says “triggers feelings oscillating between attraction and disgust.”

There’s no information about how the stomachs are preserved, although I’d suspect some form of plastination. There’s also no information on how to obtain one of your very own; they may be only available at her art exhibits.

Anyway, I think it’s pretty.

Link (via Everlasting Blort)

Roylco is a paper die cut company that has lots of art and educational products. Their new “science” line includes X-ray images of humans and animals printed on heavy-duty plastic. They’re meant to be used in the classroom, but these would be fun to hang on the refrigerator or use as living-room art.

Link (via CRAFT)

This knife block made its debut a year or so ago, but it wasn’t available outside of Italy until more recently. I’m amused to see that now there’s a similar toothpick holder, which ought to unnerve dinner guests.

In a similar vein (har!) check out this pen holder. I think I need one of these on my desk at work. The rubber iguana and the stress ball shaped like a human heart are beginning to lose their impact.

Artist Jon Sasaki created the “Evil Decoder” by adding a Ouija planchette to a DJ’s large subwoofer.

A modified subwoofer which vibrates a Ouiji Pointer over Ouiji letters, spelling out the sinister directives that have been encoded in all popular music as subliminal messages.

This would be an entertaining addition to stereo speaker, although you’d have to use very lightweight materials for the vibrations to move the planchette around.

Link (via CRAFT)

If nothing else, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have been a boon by making skulls mainstream. They’re everywhere these days.

Z Gallerie has a nice collection of skull-themed items, including this set of dinnerware. They’ve also got wall clocks, cocktail shakers, and quite a bit else.

I like these because they look like anatomical drawings and are creepy rather than kitschy. The dinnerware is a little expensive but not outrageously so, and many of the other items are pretty reasonable. If you’re looking for some nice-quality spooky housewares, this collection might be for you.

Curses! Where were these guys when I lived in California? Located in Placerville, they’ve got a gorgeous collection of dark decorative elements and curiosities, from mortuary photos to garden statuary. Some of their smaller items are available for sale online, but all of the big stuff is reserved for locals. They even offer interior decorating services.

I really love the brooding, haunted atmosphere their pieces suggest. Dig around their site for all sorts of decorating inspiration.

Link (via Witches Caldron [sic])

Boo Davis of Quiltsrÿche combines traditional quilting techniques with a rock sensibility to create “modern heirloom quilts that look like they were made by your metal-loving, half-blind Grandma.” She will personalize your quilt with silkscreening or fragments of your old rock T-shirts.

The skull shown here is a tweaked log cabin design. This would be really gorgeous done in luxe fabrics like satin or brocade, too.

Link (via CRAFT)

Copro Nason Gallery in Santa Monica is hosting the “Talking Board Show,” an exhibit of ouija boards and ouija-inspired work by more than a dozen Pop Surrealist artists.

For those of us nowhere near Santa Monica, the artwork is all available online. I love this raven-skull planchette from the “Quoth the Raven” set.

Link (via BoingBoing)

Here’s a lightning-fast way to add tons of opulence, decadence, and many other words that end with -ence to a room without spending a lot of time or losing your damage deposit.

Gossamer is a lightweight, sheer, gauzy fabric that can be purchased cheaply in large bolts. It drapes and swags beautifully, and makes wonderful flowing bows. You can layer it for deeper, more opaque colors, or use a single layer for a sheer, wispy look.

Wrap it around columns, chairs, and banisters. Swag it from an inexpensive curtain rod for an interesting window treatment. Hot-glue it over plain white lampshades. It can also be hung from walls or ceilings: Britta transforms her entire house into a castle every Halloween with the help of gossamer.

Look for it at fabric stores, party supply stores and prom suppliers. You should be able to find deals after prom season and after Halloween.