Spooky Old Portrait Mirrors
Mirror magic and divination were central to early Halloween traditions, with young people believing they could see their future beloved’s face in a mirror on Halloween night. You can tap into this romantic, eerie folklore by incorporating antique mirrors into your decor. Look for mirrors with heavy, ornate plaster frames that have aged, darkened, or spotted glass (often called “foxing”). The natural decay of old mirror silvering has a beautiful, ghostly quality that is perfect for the season.
To enhance the spooky factor, you can use glass frosting spray and a stencil to create a faint, ghostly silhouette of a figure appearing in the corner of the glass, or write a cryptic message like “Is that you?” in faux-dust lettering. Hang the mirror at the end of a dimly lit hallway or above a console table. Surround it with dripping black taper candles and trailing ivy to create a hauntingly beautiful focal point that feels straight out of a classic gothic novel.