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Meadowlark skull with bow pendant. Photo / Babiche Martens

I love vampires. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Kiefer Sutherland in 80s film The Lost Boys. 1970s cult erotic horror film Vampyros Lesbos (for the clothes). Kirsten Dunst kissing Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire. The Muppets' Count von Count. Karen Walker's new eyewear campaign. Which is why I thought I'd adore teenage love-fest Twilight.

Instead, I walked out of the theatre thinking that Edward, the vampire who makes girls and women the world over swoon, was a major creep and Bella, the movie's heroine, was a simpering twit. Really, what self-respecting vampire family would live in a modern home with ceiling-to-floor windows, natural timber and countless pieces of art? Vampires should live in beautiful, gothic-inspired castles on hills, with skulls, bats, lots of black, sumptuous fabrics and all things dark and moody.

Any of the pieces on this page would help with the dark romance theme, from Moooi's Smoke armchair to the many skull motifs. While your own home may not be a vampire lair on a hilltop, it's still a theme easily brought into the most humble suburban abode. The look is gothic and opulent, and reflects the dark romance trend that seems to have taken over the runways and magazine shoots recently.

Think black lace, dark ruffles, floor-length gowns and lots of black, with a bit of white and some jewel tones thrown in for good measure. Take inspiration from this, and make like Dracula, minus the bloodsucking - but none of this modern, minimalist vampire nonsense, please.