Gothic Decor: Buyer Turn-Off or Enticement?

Ms. Koy, who calls herself a “professional muse,” bought her property two years ago. It was once a firehouse and more recently home to custom-made leather goods company Capitol Saddlery. Ms. Koy converted the building into a 5,476-square-foot residence with three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. The design, she says, was inspired by Venetian architecture, particularly by the Palazzo Fortuny, which Mariano Fortuny, a Spanish fashion designer, used as a studio for photography, textile-design and painting. Using fabrics from Venice and unique light fixtures, including one from a Las Vegas casino, Ms. Koy has transformed the space into a lavish Gothic haunt with flowing red curtains, colorful walls and leopard-print chairs.

Looks great from what I can see.

Do you think it will be on the market for a long time like The Wall Street Journal does?

It is lovely, and while it's Gothic in the antique/Victorian sense, there's not a whole lot of classically Goth black details. So in that sense, I don't think it would be a turnoff at all, but of course it's going to depend on the market. And that market may well have a number of Victorian history buffs/closeted Goths. Nothing against black; I love it, but I hear it scares some people.

Also: I want to be a professional muse. Wonder what that pays?

As much as I love gothic decor (and if I were buying a home, I would definitely be too quick to buy a gothiclly decorated home), I do realize that such decor would be a major turn off for the regular buyer. I would just take down the more gothic decor or paint the walls white *shudders*.

I love that house! That's the look I'm going for in my place, though I tend to prefer lighter colors for walls, as it opens everything up. I also have a penchant for pink. But honestly, the decor in that house is most definitely NOT Goth. Though it does have some Victorian influences, it also has a hodge podge of other things going on.

Of course it'll be on the market for a while. The housing market sucks in the whole country! When I was apartment shopping a while ago I turned down several places with wall paper. La Diva does not do wall paper. Do you know how hard it is to remove wallpaper?!

The asking price is $4.4 million with the furniture not included but as they put it "negotionable." I don't see it getting bought up too awlfully quick either, but all it takes is one multimillionaire that takes a liking to it regardless of how they've listed it. So I don't know.

Just by looking at the one room's picture it gives off, to me, a rather Steampunk feel. I think it would take less work and money to go in that direction than with any other Goth haunt style. That has a lot to do with personal tastes though and if one has the money to buy it you'd assume money isn't a concern.

I wonder if they left the fireman's pole intact? I think that would add more to the novelty and interest to it. Ehh.. I see the owner going through with renting it as a place for receptions or out for other business unless she reduces the price.

I don't think it'd be a major turnoff...but that price sure would be! and It doesn't really have a goth feel, but more victorian, or so i think, but it is quite lovely and i would buy it in a heartbeat if I could!

I dont see it as particularly gothic, definitely Victorian and quite lovely though.

I think it will be on the market for a looooong time - believe me, the housing market is stagnant

Absolutely NOT Gothic at all, but very artsy (which is often mistaken for Gothic - depending on the look) and eclectic...which I like.