My little brother and I have always been complete opposites. As kids I favored pretty, girly Halloween costumes—usually with a tiara—while he preferred chasing other kids around with a toy chainsaw and zombie makeup. Those differences persisted into adulthood: I love decorating and styling, and he works in the film industry on shows like The Walking Dead. Halloween, it seems, has always hinted at what we’d become.
This year I decided to borrow a bit of his spooky aesthetic and blend it with my love for vintage styling. Not full-on horror—my daughter Olivia would be horrified—but a Victorian apothecary vibe that’s slightly eerie and delightfully atmospheric. It’s one of those looks I don’t get to use often, so Halloween is the perfect excuse to go for it.
To help set the scene, I created a set of free printable potion labels and teamed up with Ella Claire Inspired and 35 talented blogger friends for a fall printable blog hop. If you enjoy the apothecary look, you can download the labels and other artwork toward the end of this post.
Earlier in the year I designed delicate apothecary jar labels for spring florals, and the vintage charm of those labels inspired this darker take. I kept the same format but swapped the feminine wording for delightfully ghoulish potion names—perfect for jars, bottles, and vignettes.
I raided my pantry and thrift finds to fill the jars: “mummy powder” (pancake mix), “poison” (pickle juice), “snake scales” (bath salts), and “lizard eyeballs” (pearl onions). A little barbecue sauce became convincing “blood.” The substitutions are inexpensive and safe, but they look perfectly creepy when labeled and grouped together.
I used a small cubby shelf—originally from our bathroom—to hold the jars and assorted props. A skull dictionary print, created from a vintage graphic, anchors the display and adds a classic spooky touch. I also made simple paper bats from black cardstock and taped them to the wall; Olivia absolutely adores those little flyers.
Other thrifted and budget-friendly touches completed the vignette: a thrift-store birdcage filled with inexpensive faux leaves and topped with a plastic crow, painted candlesticks, rolled sheet music tucked into a thrifted clock cover, and a burlap pumpkin from the dollar store. Even small, affordable accents bring depth and character when grouped together.
I arranged the display by our front door so trick-or-treaters can enjoy it on Halloween night. I aimed for atmosphere without being too frightening—just eerie enough to feel festive while still welcoming for little guests. I’m easily spooked myself (I can’t even watch The Sixth Sense without getting nervous), so I kept the overall tone playful rather than terrifying.
If you’d like to recreate this look, the potion label printables and the skull dictionary art are available for download. They’re easy to print and pair well with mason jars, apothecary bottles, and thrifted containers. The labels give an instant vintage, eerie charm to any fall display and are especially fun to mix with simple props from around the house.
For even more fall styling inspiration, I joined a blog hop featuring 35 free fall printables from creative bloggers across the web. Below you’ll find a curated collection of printable artwork and seasonal projects—everything from thankful tree leaves and watercolor landscapes to pumpkin-themed signs and banners. These resources are perfect for layering into your entryway or vignette to create a full, cohesive seasonal display without spending a lot.
I hope this gives you an approachable way to bring a little Victorian apothecary spook to your entryway this fall. Small, inexpensive items combined with a few cleverly named labels can make a memorable display that’s playful and welcoming for guests of all ages. If you download the printables and try this at home, I’d love to hear how your vignette turns out.
