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Practical Magic interiors: 10 magical ways to incorporate the whimsical look at home
Forget plastic pumpkins and novelty cobwebs – this autumn, we’re taking our decorating cues from a rather more stylish school of witchcraft.
With Practical Magic 2 bringing the Owens sisters (and one of cinema’s loveliest kitchens) back to our screens, we’re ready to fall under the spell of its romantic, wonderfully lived-in interiors all over again.
The beloved Owens house is one of the most referenced film houses and has been popularised by film lovers thanks to its ‘whimsigoth’ and romantic interiors.
In fact, ‘whimsigoth’ received 43k searches in the past month alone, and “Practical Magic” searches rose +413%.
“What’s always captivated me about Practical Magic is that its magic feels utterly believable,” explains Abigail Ahern, interior designer and founder Abigail Ahern.
“It isn’t about cobwebs, pumpkins or obvious Halloween references but instead it’s romantic, atmospheric and rooted in a home that feels beautifully lived in.
“Right now, when we’re all craving rooms with more soul and personality, that wonderfully layered, imperfect look feels incredibly seductive.”
To capture a little bit of that whimsical magic Abigail suggests leaning into celestial motifs, pools of candlelight, and a darker, earthier palette.
“Bring in vintage furniture, worn-in finishes and objects that look as like they’ve been collected over years rather than bought all at once,” she continues.
“Botanicals are also essential, from tumbling greenery, sculptural branches, dried seed heads and abundant herbs, they all introduce a sense of wildness and nature.”
The key, however, is being subtle.
“You’re creating a home that feels enchanting and just a little mysterious, so less Halloween and more romantic magic,” Abigail adds.
The trick (no pun intended) is borrowing the mood rather than turning your home into a film set.
From embracing vintage pieces and beautiful botanical details to making your kitchen the heart of the home, here’s how to work a little practical magic of your own.
Embrace a home that evolves over time
The Owens house is the opposite of a pristine show home and that’s totally part of its charm.
Rather than hiding away books, collections and everyday treasures, find joy in the slightly imperfect layers that make a room feel as though the decor has developed naturally over time.
“What I love about the Practical Magic house is that it feels as though it has evolved with the people who have lived there,” explains Caroline Montague, interior designer and owner of Villa Sartiano.
“Nothing appears to have been chosen simply because it belongs to a particular scheme.”
Caroline says some of the best interiors are those that are never really complete, but continue to evolve as tastes and needs change.
“A home becomes interesting through the books, artwork, photographs and slightly eccentric objects collected over time, particularly those that say something about the people who live there,” she continues.
“That sense of character is very difficult to manufacture.
“Rather than trying to recreate a particular aesthetic all at once, I would allow a room to develop gradually and fill it with things you genuinely want to live with.”
Don’t be afraid of signs of age
Before you reach for the Brasso, remember that a little tarnish can be a good thing when it comes to your home decor.
Aged brass, oxidised copper, worn timber and faded finishes all help recreate the romantic, timeworn feel of the Practical Magic house.
“The signs of age and imperfection throughout the Practical Magic house give it a real sense of depth and history,” explains Caroline.
“I have always been drawn to furniture that shows evidence of use, or an antique piece that immediately catches your eye.”
Caroline says wear and patina can tell us that something has actually been used and loved, rather than selected purely for decorative purposes.
“Introducing one or two older pieces, whether that is a worn wooden table, a faded textile or an antique mirror, amongst contemporary furniture can add individuality without making it feel old-fashioned,” she adds.
Chloe Barrow, head of creative interiors at Laura James advises looking out for furniture that is un-lacquered.
“Lacquered brass has a clear coating over the top, so it never actually ages and instead chips after a few years,” she explains.
“Materials like un-lacquered brass and copper tend to darken around the edges where hands touch them most, and that’s what gives it that time-capsule look and feel.”
She suggests swapping in brass handles on a kitchen sideboard or displaying copper cookware on a marbled countertop.
“These materials do the work for you over time,” she adds.
Bring botanicals into everyday space
Plants play a starring role in the Owens home, from pressed flowers and botanical illustrations to the gloriously overgrown solarium.
Follow suit by introducing your own leafy houseplants, herbs, floral prints and botanical artwork, no greenhouse or potion knowledge required.
“Nature is woven throughout the Practical Magic house, and I love how naturally it sits within the interiors rather than appearing as an occasional decorative flourish,” explains Caroline.
“I like bringing natural elements into rooms in ways that make sense for the space; that might be pots of rosemary, thyme and sage along a kitchen windowsill, or seasonal flowers and foliage brought in from the garden for a dining table or sitting room.”
“Botanicals do not need to be elaborate to make an impact.
Often, a few branches in an old jug or herbs that you will use for cooking can feel far more personal than an arrangement chosen purely for decoration.”
Use light and scent to create a little seasonal magic
Candlelight is one of the easiest ways to create that slightly magical atmosphere.
“I love a candle with a warm, woody scent, particularly in the darker months, when it can make a room feel instantly more intimate and inviting,” explains Caroline.
“Something with notes of leather and oud would be particularly lovely here, as those deeper, smoky scents work beautifully alongside old wood, aged brass, books and other pieces with a sense of history.”
Caroline says a candle burning on a mantelpiece alongside the ticking of an old clock can create a wonderful atmosphere and bring that little touch of autumn/winter magic into an otherwise everyday room.
Lighting itself can also play a big part in creating the Practical Magic mood.
“Lantern-inspired, domed and curved silhouettes feel particularly at home within this aesthetic, especially when paired with warm, dimmed light or smoky glass,” advises Mara Miller, founder of Industville.
Lean into moody jewel tones
While the Owens house has plenty of neutral colours, particularly in the kitchen, fully embracing a whimsical aesthetic means looking beyond minimalist white, cream and grey colour schemes, and also experimenting with deeper, moodier shades.
“Your colour palette should be filled with darker jewel tones, such as petrol blue, emerald green, burgundy or plum purple,” advises Kris Manalo, head of design at Atkin and Thyme.
“Don’t be afraid to be creative and mix these colours too.
“The romantic magic theme is not about being subtle; colour should be used to add depth and drama to the space, creating a contrast between the hues that feels beautifully enchanting.”
Chloe also suggests introducing texture via jewel-tones too.
“Mixing velvets in colours such as burgundy, aubergine and forest green with washed linen can prevent the dark interiors from feeling too heavy, especially when working with a darker colour scheme throughout your entire home.”
Make the kitchen the heart of the home
Spells, sisterly heart-to-hearts and, of course, midnight margaritas – plenty of Practical Magic’s best moments happen in the kitchen.
“Practical Magic captures that lovely feeling of a kitchen being much more than a place to cook,” explains Kate Duckworth, head of brand for Kutchenhaus.
“It’s somewhere to gather, share food and spend time together, and that sense of connection is something we can bring into our own homes.”
Kate says we’re seeing people move towards kitchens with a more collected, lived-in feel, from freestanding-style furniture and open shelving, to the growing ‘witch’s pantry’ trend, with jars, herbs and ingredients becoming part of the story.
“Adding something as simple as an island or seating area can encourage people to linger, creating a kitchen that feels warm and full of life,” she adds.
Embrace dark wood accents
For an easy way to channel the darker side of the Practical Magic aesthetic, introduce rich wood tones through furniture, frames and smaller accessories to add instant depth and old-world character.
“Decor should feel mysterious, collected and inviting,” advises Kris.
“There is something really grounding about dark wood accents in the home, such as oak, acacia and mango wood.
“They all have a warm, honeyed finish which feels luxurious yet welcoming.”
Kris suggests pairing dark wood accents with aged metallics such as brass or copper and tinted glass to create a truly enchanting feel.
Find magic in metallics
A great way to capture Practical Magic’s whimsical gothic, 1990s bohemian aesthetic is to embrace materials that feel aged, tactile and collected over time.
“Softly patinated brass, aged bronze and textured metals bring warmth and depth while adding the handcrafted, slightly mysterious quality that makes the film’s interiors so distinctive,” explains Mara.
“Repeating these finishes throughout a room helps create a cohesive scheme, while the gentle reflection of metallic surfaces adds to the atmospheric feel.
“Look for sculptural, vintage-inspired pieces that feel as though they have a story to tell, rather than overly polished or contemporary designs.”
Step away from the steamer
The Practical Magic house has a sense of organised chaos to it, which means leaning into crumpled materials.
“I highly doubt the aunts would spend hours painstakingly steaming the bedding,” explains James Montgomery-Castle, bedding expert and buyer at Soak&Sleep.
“With natural textures like linen and cotton you can forgo the iron or steamer.
“In fact, the freshly-laundered, straight-off-the-line look can feel incredibly inviting and looks more authentic to the film than an overly polished look.
“French linen with its relaxed, rumpled charm is a great option here for that effortless but still appealing look.”
Hint at magic rather than forcing a theme
You don’t need to turn your home into a replica of the Owens house to fall under its spell. Instead, emulate the mood with a few subtle nods to its romantic, timeworn and slightly mystical style.
“What I would avoid is trying to recreate the Practical Magic aesthetic too literally,” advises Caroline.
“You do not need to fill a room with obvious celestial motifs or overtly ‘witchy’ accessories to capture the atmosphere of the film.”
Instead Caroline recommends introducing one or two more unusual details, whether that is a vintage celestial print, an old brass candlestick, a darker piece of artwork or a beautifully aged object.
“These pieces can suggest a sense of mystery without making the room feel themed,” she advises.
“A good test is whether you would still want the piece in your home once October has passed.
“The aim should be to borrow from the atmosphere of Practical Magic while still creating a home that feels entirely your own.”
Want more inspiration? Read: Greek chic: 10 ways to get The Odyssey look at home and The Gentlemen is back! 11 ways to steal its country-house style. And check out Back-to-school interiors: 11 ways to reset your home for the new term
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