How to Build a Haunted Journal Page
There’s something irresistible about a journal page that looks like it wandered out of a Victorian ghost story — candlelight, black lace, a woman in mourning silk with a raven at her side. If you love layering vintage ephemera into something that feels a little haunted and a lot romantic, this tutorial is for you.
Using pieces from our Haunted Manor Collection, here’s how to build a gothic Victorian journal page in three simple layers.
1. Layer Vintage Papers
Start with your base. Choose two or three vintage-style papers — think aged ledger sheets, faded script, and a muted castle silhouette — and layer them with slightly offset edges so the worn paper texture peeks through. This creates depth before you’ve added a single embellishment, and it gives the page that “found in an old attic” feel that anchors the whole spread.
Tip: Tear or deckle the edges of at least one paper for a more organic, aged look.
2. Add a Victorian Witch
Now bring in your focal image. A central figure — like our Victorian witch with her raven — gives the page a story to tell. Position her slightly off-center so there’s room around her for journaling boxes, quote cards, and other ephemera. The moon and rose elements in the background help tie her into the same moody, romantic palette as your base papers.
Tip: Keep your focal image large enough to anchor the page — it should be the first thing the eye lands on.
3. Finish with Lace & Labels
Finally, layer in the details that make the page feel finished: black lace trim, a wax seal, dried florals, a small brass key or charm, and one or two labeled journaling tags. A short handwritten-style quote — something like “Still I collect beautiful shadows” — adds a personal, storytelling touch that ties the whole page together.
Tip: Cluster your embellishments in one or two corners rather than scattering them evenly — it reads as more intentional and less cluttered.
Love this gothic Victorian look? Follow along on Pinterest for more haunted junk journal inspiration.
