The “Whimsigoth” Aesthetic Isn’t Just for Witches
If you didn’t already worship at the altar of Alice Hoffman, the novelist behind Practical Magic—which was adapted into the film starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock—please be advised: “Whimsigoth” is on the rise. Fans of the 1998 cult classic will recall the darkly romantic Victorian manor filled with dark wood accents, lush velvet textiles, well-worn Persian rugs, and ornate candelabras, all of which are defining characteristics of the whimsigoth trend. (It was dazzling enough that even Barbra Streisand attempted to buy it.) The house was, in fact, a set designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams, but luckily for fans of the New England witches’ enviable aesthetic, whimsigoth manages to capture the opulent magic (pun intended) of this particular design style.
Evan Collins is credited for coining the term “whimsigothic” on Are.na in 2020 to describe the mystical, moody aesthetic, which has since gained significant traction with both design enthusiasts and experts. Missouri-based designer Charlsie Hethershaw notes that the whimsigoth style mixes dark (and sometimes edgy) pieces with items that feel more magical and ethereal. “There’s a definite nod to ’90s style, think Stevie Nicks and Lisa Bonet,” she adds.
Aino Heinäsuo, head of design at Redecor, sees the design style as a reimagining of gothic decor, which tends to be more serious and somber with a cold color palette, whereas whimsigoth offers a warmer, more playful twist. Imagine the warmth and coziness of the dark academia microtrend, minus the surplus of books. “It’s infusing a sense of childlike wonder into a gothic setting,” she insists. For those of us that grew up during the ’90s and early ’00s, there’s a delectable amount of nostalgia infused within the style. “It feels like a nod to the past,” Hethersaw explains. “I hear a lot of people say [that] when they decorate in the whimsigoth aesthetic they are healing their inner child somehow or they enjoy it so much because now they’re grown-ups and can finally do all the things they wanted to do when they were a kid.”
So if you ever wished you could transport yourself into the world of Charmed or Sabrina the Teenage Witch, it might be time to channel the whimsigoth style for your own home. Learn how to incorporate this season’s most enchanting design trend into your own space with these five tips—no joining witch covens required.
link
