Gothic Luxe | Embracing the Dark Side

Dark & moody gothic style from Webb & Gray

Much as we love colour at Webb & Gray, we are also fond of the darker side and, as it’s Halloween we thought it would be fun to put together a special round-up of our most gothic pieces, past and present!

The Colour Purple

Back when I was an interior designer working in a London desgin practice I proposed a scheme for a hotel interior in which the feature colour was purple. It was immediately shot down by my design director because, in his words, ‘purple is the colour of death!’ I had to completely change my scheme. How incredible that a colour can be completely ruled out because of its associations and connotations.Happily, I am now free to use purple whenever and wherever I choose! To me it’s a rich, beautiful and luxurious colour.

From The Archive

A look at some of the dark and moody pieces in our back catalogue. These pieces have been sold but if you would like to discuss a bespoke commission please get in touch!

Nightshade

Nightshade is one of my favourite ever pieces – though I can say that now the pain of making it has faded! It was a challenging project, full of new processes and problems caused by the age and condition of the cabinet. I’d found an old display unit with two broken doors and decided to replace them with long, black silky fringing, like you’d see on a lampshade. I also discovered a beautiful Witch and Watchman wallpaper that perfectly suited the gothic mood I wanted.

The frame was finished in Athenian Black chalk paint and sealed with black wax for a velvety surface. The wallpapered back features magpies, ravens, and vivid forest plants, while the cascading fringe adds mystery and drama. The piece can be styled with the curtain closed, tied back, or half open, and the purple-gilded ball-and-claw feet complete the look.

Titania & Oberon

Titania and Oberon are a pair of cabinets that reflect my love of dark colour and drama. Although I often work with bright tones, I’m always drawn back to black — it has a depth and calm that feels especially right for a bedroom. With these pieces, I wanted to create something magical and theatrical.

Named after the fairy king and queen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, they’re wrapped in a beautiful wallpaper of dragonflies, bold florals, and twinkling stars. The cabriole legs and tops are gilded with black metal leaf and finished in a glossy varnish, while the recesses glow with deep purple metal leaf, softly lit by concealed LEDs that double as a night light. The handles are finished in the same purple leaf for the perfect final touch — rich, moody, and just a little bit enchanted.

Gothic Christmas

While I’m known for my love of colour, I’m equally drawn to the richness of a darker palette — especially at Christmas. There’s something about deep tones, candlelight, and a hint of gothic drama that feels both luxurious and a little mysterious. This year’s marbled baubles fit perfectly with that mood. The Purple Nightshade baubles bring inky purples with flashes of silver and black, while Bleak Midwinter captures the softness of frost and shadow in swirling whites and greys. Together, they create a look that feels darkly romantic yet quietly refined — echoing the same gothic-luxe spirit as Nightshade and Oberon & Titania.

Whether it’s the mysterious, theatrical feel of Nightshade, the magical mood of Oberon and Titania, or the gothic romance of a Bleak Midwinter Christmas, these pieces all share a love of drama, depth, and dark beauty.