In a world of mass-produced interiors, The Blackened Teeth offers something incredibly rare. Artwork for the home that challenges, comforts, and compels. Founded in South Wales by artist, designer, and photographer Rebecca Arnett, the brand stands at the intersection of gothic beauty and human truth.
Rebecca’s vision is rooted in storytelling – superb pieces that acknowledge mortality while celebrating the art of craftsmanship. What began in a garden shed has grown into an internationally adored business, with a team of artisans breathing life into her evocative designs.
In this conversation, we explore what inspired Rebecca to lift the veil between art and the macabre, how her creative process unfolds, and why meaningful décor deserves a place in every home.
Let’s start with an introduction.
I’m Rebecca Arnett, the founder and co-owner of The Blackened Teeth – a Gothic Home Décor brand hailing from South Wales. My mission, through my business, is to make pieces of art for the home that have meaning, that speak to the soul and remind us of our own mortality. I’m the Gothic Homeware Designer, Artist and Photographer for the business. The products that many adorn their home with (now around the world!) have been designed by me and made by the hands of my team of Artisans. I have always found solace in the darker side of art; I was raised by two women (my grandmother and aunt) who had a ‘frankness’ (or realness) about death, and now I run a business that brings these two things together in a beautiful manner.
What inspired you to start The Blackened Teeth?
I began The Blackened Teeth in 2018. I’d moved house and was searching for elevated gothic décor that would sit well in my old home. Alas, all I was greeted with was Halloween décor that didn’t really fit the bill. So, my mission began in a garden shed. As an artist, I knew I had to create what I wanted, because it didn’t exist. Lee assisted me with systems and processes. He’s from the construction industry, so pretty much anything that I designed – he brought to life with his vast knowledge of materials and his love of researching and learning!
Was there a particular piece or a memorable moment that sparked your vision?
I’ve always had an appreciation and adoration for the darker side of art. What others may deem as morbid, I see as beautiful. Beauty is, after all, in the eyes of the beholder. A pivotal and inspiring moment for me must be when I began adorning my home with human bones and skulls, looking at them and thinking, “isn’t it nice that I get to display these, they have a home with me and are loved even in death”. This sparked my vision that I could make these accessible to all by using replica bones as home décor.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
My creative process always begins with feeling inspired or moved by something. Sometimes it’s a specific gothic architectural detail, a mood, a feeling, a saying or a visual like a Victorian motif. Once I have a concept in mind, I sketch out my ideas on my iPad. I use digital drawing tools because they let me experiment freely with shapes, layers, and fine details. This stage is where I figure out the balance between eerie and elevated, which is central to gothic design. From there, I refine the sketches into finalised designs, paying attention to how the piece will be experienced in a home and how it will translate into the production process. This is the part that takes a little more time; there are many factors to consider when you’re bringing a design to actual life, as opposed to leaving it solely as a drawing. The design then goes into the 3D rendering process, followed by a printing process and then moulding. From mould making, it then goes into casting and hits the production floor, where our artisans bring it to life after being shown the vision.
Did you always envision turning your passion for the macabre into a business, or did the idea evolve organically over time?
I knew that if I desired these pieces, others would too! I have previously run other entrepreneurs’ businesses, so I have had many years of hands-on experience running businesses. To be able to combine my passion for designing & art, and my experience in business together was my goal. It’s a very different ball game when you’re running your own business, mind you, no handbook says the words’ you will have no life outside of business!’ So, it’s a good job that I love living and breathing what I do!
What materials and techniques do your team of artisans use to craft your pieces?
Our products are made from resin, ceramic casting plaster and wax. We cast our products from moulds that we design and make in-house. Our Artisans prepare all products by hand (filing/sanding) and then hand-paint and hand-finish them too. The process is very hands-on; the whole process is made by the hands of artisans who put quality and attention to detail as a priority.
What are their favourite materials to use?
Resin is a favourable material for us to work with; it is very durable and translates detailed designs very well. We use a premium quality resin that is made for us in the UK.
How has your team evolved over the years?
The team began with just Lee and me in 2018. Our team now consists of fifteen people in 2025. We now have multiple people in each department of the business. We now have two in-house designers who work alongside me to assist in bringing products to life.
What roles do your artisans play in shaping the brand?
Each piece we create is carefully made by hand, and the artisans bring their skill, attention to detail, and sometimes even creative input to the process. Because gothic décor isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about atmosphere and storytelling, the way something is made matters just as much as the design itself. Our artisans understand that, and their work gives each piece part of that message.
Your designs embrace the macabre beautifully. How do you balance eerie themes with elegance?
Balancing eerie themes with elegance is at the core of what I do. I’ve always been drawn to the beauty within the macabre; the idea that something can be dark but still refined and captivating. Using gold accents when finishing by hand elevates our pieces beautifully. Designing pieces with clean lines and forms, complemented by intricate accents, brings elegance.
What’s the most challenging piece your team have ever created?
Our Skeleton Lamp was the most challenging piece to bring to fruition. It is a very intricate form, with the detailed rib cage. Making this into a functioning lamp took some time indeed! As with a lot of processes, the effort is absolutely worth the reward of being able to make a visually stunning statement piece that adorns the homes of collectors around the world.
Many gothic designers draw from historical themes, Victorian mourning traditions, or occult imagery. What personally draws you to the gothic aesthetic, and in which ways do you feel you make it uniquely your own?
I’ve always been drawn to the gothic aesthetic because of its depth – emotionally, visually, and historically. There’s something powerful about how it embraces darkness, decay, and beauty all at once. I find a lot of inspiration in Victorian mourning traditions, Gothic architecture and the human anatomy. As an artist, I place immense value on the impermanence of life, meaning that a lot of my designs speak of death. Our homes, which are our ‘living resting places’, should embrace this impermanence and remind us of it – to fuel us in living wholeheartedly and meaningfully. I always aim to incorporate a message of memento mori, either subtly or boldly, in my works. So, what makes my home décor designs differ from many others out there is that I aim to provoke a feeling or message to the viewer that will reside in their home with them.
What do you hope people feel when they bring your pieces into their homes?
When someone brings one of my pieces into their home, I want them to feel something – not just see a decorative object but connect with a deeper message. My work is rooted in the idea that home décor can be more than just aesthetic; it can be symbolic and have meaning as well as purpose/functionality. A lot of my pieces are inspired by memento mori – the reminder that life is fleeting and nothing is permanent. That might sound dark at first, but it’s powerful. It’s about honouring time, embracing imperfection, and living wholeheartedly. I hope my work encourages people to fully live their lives, knowing that the end is nigh. My pieces are meant to provoke, to comfort, and to remind us that beauty and mortality can exist side by side.
The Blackened Teeth develop Gothic interiors that can feel opulent yet intimate. How do your designers balance grandeur with comfort in everyday living spaces?
Comfort, for me, comes from emotional resonance. We want people to feel something when they walk into a room – a sense of mystery, nostalgia, or beauty – but also feel at home. It’s that careful balance between theatrical and personal that defines our work.
Gothic design naturally leans toward the grand, with its dramatic shapes and historical references, so we relay this into our designs.
You use your own home and the home of Kim, your social media managers’ renovated church with her very own graveyard to help promote the brand and products across social media. Has this helped to authenticate your mission statement?
Yes, we have been using my home to showcase our products since 2018. It gives people a lot of vision and inspiration, showing them how they could choose to style and adorn their home.
In your personal opinion, which symbolic elements are the most powerful in gothic interiors?
For me, some of the most powerful symbolic elements in gothic interiors are those that speak to time, mortality, and mystery – the core themes that give the gothic style its emotional weight. I’m especially drawn to symbols like arches and pointed windows, which evoke cathedrals and sacred spaces, creating an almost spiritual stillness in a room.
Memento mori imagery – like skulls, hourglasses, or wilting flowers holds deep meaning for me as well. These symbols remind us of the impermanence of life, and I think incorporating them thoughtfully into interiors adds a layer of introspection and emotional depth. They’re not just decorative when they carry a message.
As the brand owner, does gothic design provide an emotional escape or a form of self-expression for you?
For me, gothic design is absolutely a form of self-expression, but it’s also an emotional escape, a way of creating space for thoughts and feelings that don’t always have a place in everyday life. I’ve always been drawn to the beauty in darkness, the quiet symbolism, and the emotional weight that gothic aesthetics carry. Designing in this style allows me to explore themes like memory, mortality, and transformation in a visual, almost meditative way. Creating this brand has given me a space to tell stories through objects and to connect with others who feel something similar. In that sense, it’s deeply personal, and also deeply freeing.
Do you see gothic interiors evolving in response to modern design trends? For instance, is there a fusion between gothic and futuristic aesthetics?
In my view, gothic interiors are less about following trends and more about preserving a certain timelessness. While other design styles often evolve quickly in response to modern influences, gothic décor tends to resist that. It’s deeply rooted in history, symbolism, and emotion – things that don’t really go out of style. Rather than fusing with futuristic aesthetics, I see gothic design growing differently – through a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling, and atmosphere. People are craving interiors with soul, and gothic décor offers that in a way that sleek, trend-driven styles often don’t. That said, modern tools and materials might change how we make things, like digital modelling or new casting techniques, but the essence stays the same. It’s still about creating spaces that feel meaningful, dramatic, and speak to the homeowner’s soul. I think gothic design will continue to attract people who want to surround themselves with beauty that speaks to something deeper than surface-level trends.
Gothic design has deep roots worldwide, but trends certainly do evolve. How do you stay ahead of shifting aesthetics while keeping your signature style intact?
While gothic design has deep historical roots and a timeless core, I do keep an eye on broader shifts in aesthetics and lifestyle to ensure my work stays relevant and resonant. I stay inspired by exploring contemporary art, fashion, and culture – subtle elements like new colour palettes, textures, or materials can be woven into my designs without compromising their gothic essence. At the same time, my signature style is really about mood, symbolism, and craftsmanship, so I’m careful not to chase trends at the expense of what makes the brand unique. Instead, I focus on evolving thoughtfully – adding modern touches that feel natural and authentic rather than forced. Because ultimately, it’s about honouring the spirit of gothic design while inviting fresh perspectives, so my pieces continue to feel both timeless and personal for the people who connect with them.
What’s next for The Blackened Teeth? Are there any upcoming collections or collaborations you’re excited about?
2025 is a very exciting year for us, we are currently in the process of moving to new premises! The new premises will give us much-needed space to expand our production to keep up with demand. This is something that has been in the pipeline for well over a year. It will mean we can reinstate ‘The Parlour’ (our showroom that is open to the public) and expand our collection offerings. We’ll be having our grand opening in September!
This is your space to sign off with a message.
Thank you for stepping into the shadows with me. The world of gothic interiors isn’t just about dark beauty; it’s about depth, emotion, and finding meaning in the things others often overlook. My hope is that every piece we create at The Blackened Teeth serves as a quiet reminder: that impermanence can be beautiful, that darkness can be comforting, and that our spaces should reflect the parts of ourselves we don’t always show.
Whether you’re just discovering gothic design or have always felt at home with the macabre, I’m so glad you’re here – Till death should part us, Rebecca.
https://www.theblackenedteeth.com
