The Steampunk Home

A True Steampunked Home

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:24:00 +0000

If you haven't seen Mr. von Slatt's tour of the Rosenbaum's very steampunked home, go see it. Now.

Ideas from the Ace

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:35:00 +0000

Here's some inspiration from the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, via the LA Times.

I love the canvas covered walls here -- a definite safari vibe. They also use them for draping the modern sliding glass doors onto private patios.

The greatest towel hooks ever. I may do this in my new upstairs bath.

I'm predicting the foundry cart coffee table will become the first cliche of all this industrial nostalgic design -- is it just me or would it really hurt to knock your shin on one of these?

All the Ace Hotels are wonderful -- I'm surprised I haven't featured any of them yet. I will rectify that in the future, however.

Eating on Atoms

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:10:00 +0000

It turns out scientific themed housewares is not a new idea. I found these based on X-ray cccrystallography from the 1950s on An Aesthete's Lament. Clockwise from top left they are Peter Wall's Beryl 8.9 plates for Wedgwood, Hazel Thrumpston and Peter Cave's Aluminum Hydroxide plate for E Brain and Co, and Thrumpston's Festival plate for RH and SL Plant.

In 2008 the Wellcome Collection featured an exhibit called From Atoms to Patterns, and included the following history in it's press release:

The 1951 Festival of Britain provided an extraordinary platform for British ingenuity and creativity in science and the arts. One of the boldest initiatives within the Festival was the Festival Pattern Group, which brought together adventurous manufacturers and forward-looking crystallographers (scientists who analyse atomic structures by taking X-ray photographs of crystalline materials) to create a collection of quirky and influential furnishing designs.

Inspired by the intricate patterns of crystal structures, leading Cambridge crystallographer Dr Helen Megaw came up with the novel idea of using them for textiles. As scientific consultant to the Festival Pattern Group, she collated crystal structure diagrams from eminent colleagues and ensured that they were interpreted in an accurate and authentic way. Spearheaded by the Council of Industrial Design, the Festival Pattern Group enlisted the manufacturers, vetted the designs and organised special displays at the Festival of Britain - notably in the Regatta Restaurant on the South Bank, which was decorated with crystal structure-patterned furnishings, and the Exhibition of Science at South Kensington.

The 2008 exhibit of these works included:

- Rayon dress fabrics and nitrocellulose-coated ‘leathercloth’ printed with the molecular structure of haemoglobin

- Tie silks woven with ball-and-spoke atomic structures of chalk and china clay

- Plastic laminates and wallpapers adorned with intricate insulin motifs

- Lace embroidered with the crystal structures of beryl (emerald) and aluminium hydroxide (hydrargillite)

- Carpets emblazoned with patterns derived from the chemical compound resorcinol

- Relief-patterned window glass evoking the atomic structure of the mineral apophyllite

- Fluid abstract-patterned curtains based on diagrams of afwillite, a hydrated calcium silicate formed during the setting of cement

Two good reviews (with more pictures) of the exhibit are at frieze and the Nature Network. The book about the exhibit is out of print, but you may be able to find a copy if you search around: From Atoms to Patterns: Crystal Structure Designs from the 1951 Festival of Britain

The Christmas List

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Welcome to the Steampunk Home Christmas List, Edition 2009. There's a section of my personal selections, one chock full of Etsy finds, some things for the steampunklets in your life, and some Christmas things.

I tried to keep it relatively economical, so very few things here will be more than $100.

If your recommendation didn't make this list, I tried to add it to the Kaboodle list or bookmark the larger sites for a future post of their own.

My Favorites
This section is my personal gift list -- the things I really want for Christmas!

I can't afford an Eric Freitas clock, but this print of his Mechanical Clock Number 6 fascinates me. $20.

Think Geek's Molecular Gastronomy Kit. Not very Victorian, but these edible chemical experiments in the kitchen would be a lot of fun. $59.99

Dark Nostalgia I cannot wait to read this design book. $29.70 at Amazon.

Zeppelin Tin Toy, $10.98. My zeppelin obsessed steampunklet is *so* getting this. Tin Toy Arcade actually has 4 different zeppelin designs.

The Private House is the prettiest home book I've read all year -- full of antiques, natural materials, and simple yet elegant rooms. Nothing explicitly steampunk here, but if you like my taste you will probably like this book too. $37.50.

Etsy Finds

Behold the Machine Giclee Print by ettadiem, $110.

Bird Skull Drawer Pulls (he has bat skull pulls, too!). $16.

These Anatomical Soaps by the Steam Bath Factory would make a great hostess gift, assuming your hostess has a taste for the odd. $15

Reading Lamp by WardenClyffe Wares, $60.

Winona Cookie has a large selection on Etsy -- but I also like getting twelve different works with this calendar compedium of her collages she's made available on Zazzle, $24.50.

Steam Pipes Audio Speakers by Ikyaudio Studio. $275.

Red Pumpkin Studio's Journal/Sketchbook, $30

This small magnet by Libby Bulloff would make a great stocking stuffer. $4.

For the Steampunklets

World of Inventors: Alexander Graham Bell. Build your own intercom system! $21.95

World of Inventors: Thomas Edison. (sorry, no Tesla!) Build your own Kinetoscope model. $21.95

Just for Christmas

Holiday Cards by Mercantile Home, $6 for 5.

Clockwork Robin Christmas Print by by Hazel Fisher, $9.50.

Mad Hatter Copper Ornament, by Jewel Street. $32.

The cutest Cthulhu Santa, by Pirates Alibi. $25.

Disclaimer: Since someone seems to be worried that bloggers are making too much money flogging products (Ha! I don't think I've ever broken three figures), I need to let you know that no one is paying me for recommending any of these things, but that the Amazon links do provide a small referral fee.

Porthole Tub

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:53:00 +0000

Leslie Clagett sent me this lovely:

Real holes!

From The Water Monopoly.

Apotheke

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Laurie commented that Dark Nostalgia featured a bar in New York called Apotheke -- she wants to move in. I don't blame her.

It's designed to look like a 19th century Austrian royal apothecary. Designer Christopher Tierney took inspiration from researching old European apothecaries, absinthe dens, and the Biedermeier design era.

The space is anchored by a 30-foot performance bar made from imported carrera marble. The hand-carved back bar is filled with hundreds of antique medicine bottles that were collected from around the world.

I love the wood floors, with tile inset corners.

I can't tell what the ceiling is made of, can you?

Tierney also fabricated wall sconces and a chandelier from chemistry glassware...

Chemistry graffitti -- how clever!

Wallpaper from vintage apothecary adverts.

Call for Finds -- SPH Christmas List

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:05:00 +0000

I'd like to put together a gift list of Steampunk Home style items for you to send your loved ones with a "hint, hint." If you have your eye on anything in particular (or are the purveyor of such), please add it in the comments to this post and I'll take it all into consideration.

I'll only things that can fall into the "home" category -- books, home decor, cooking, furniture, etc. I'll also include some ideas for steampunklets. No jewelry or clothing, please.

Thanks!

Image from Cyborg Necromancer on DeviantArt.

Dark Nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Dark Nostalgia is a design book featuring 26 of the darkest, most old fashioned homes, restaurants, and hotels.

From the Introduction:

The projects that follow show that we have become nostalgic for a time that never existed. They demonstrate, through this re-creation of history's

deep colors, polished woods, velvets, furs, leather, and burnished metals, that we would rather live by creating our present through an

imagination of our past. We love these dark materials for their ability to evoke emotions and moods, for their warmth and acceptance of the

somber sides of life. We are re-creating our own history and embracing the darkness that comes with it.

More pictures here, here, and here. And an interview with the author.

Anthropologie-cal Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Alissa pointed out some cool things at Anthropologie, with the comment "Did this become popular when I wasn't looking?" (I suspect the answer is "yes" -- not straight steampunk, but a lot of the industrial antique style that we like definitely did.)

I'm not including plain product pics here, because the genius of Anthropologie is their really incredible stylists -- so let's see what we can learn from them.

Standing Magnifying Glass, Coral Sculpture, Penny Candy Jar (I'd use this by the kitchen sink to
hold sponges and stuff), Experimental Cylinder and Experimental Flask, backed by a decrepit plaster wall.

Mechanic Beacon Light, Redsmith Dining Chair (the only chair of this style I've seen with a copper finish!), and the Decker Console Table. The floors and brick wall here are incredible, and the dressmaker's dummy appears to be gazing out the window...

Galvanized Pedastal Table, Blacksmith Blossom Chair, topped with a cluster of the Mariner's Globe Pendants.

What do you think of Anthropologie's interpretation? And does the trendiness scare you off or please you?

Empire State Building's Mural

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:07:00 +0000

To continue on the mural theme, David sent me a link to an article about the restoration of the Empire State Building's lobby at ShelterPop. It's mostly about the ceiling mural, which depicts a 1920s spin on a celestial sky with sunbursts and stars that resemble the industrial gears, cogs and wheels of the Machine Age.

Why haven't I ever been to the Empire State Building?

Is That an Octopus in your Garage?

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Decorative Painter Lynne Rutter created this mural of a steampunk aquarium

It's.. sort of unusual for me to paint a mural on a garage door , but actually that's a great place for a mural. My client is a friend, who shares my interest in Victoriana and curiosities... She's also a scuba diver, and wanted for a giant purple octopus. So I came up with a Jules Verne-inspired "aquarium" to house this giant creature!

You don't realize what an incredible job this was until you see the "before" picture:

I love how Lynn incorporated the building, the decorative corners, and the crossbars into her design.

See more details on Lynn's blog, The Ornamentalist.

The Creekmore's Dining Room

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:46:00 +0000

This is David Creekmore's dining room. The centerpiece is the Edison Chandelier from Pottery Barn.

David says of the light:
Installation was tricky, but fun. They don't supply you with a pattern for placing the the cords and lights. It takes some trial-and-effort work to make it look balanced, but not symmetrical. You might end up with a few holes in the ceiling that need to be patched.

There's lots more information in his blog post on the room, but this is the highlight to me:

In the end, we have a dramatic, attention-getting space that excites people when they enter the house. Every evening, when I pass by on my way to bed, the lights glow softly and I smile. It was definitely worth it.

Shouldn't your home make you smile?

Back in Black

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I'm trying to get it back together. In the meantime, here's a great round up of black rooms via Habitually Chic.

Devices & Contraptions Extraordinaire

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Art Donovan is at it again -- no, not a new steampunk light, but another Steampunk Exhibit. This one is at Oxford, at the Museum of the History of Science, and is happening October 13th through February 21, 2010.

From the press release:
This exhibition marks the very first time that the new genre of Steampunk art is to be featured in a major museum. Located in the original Oxford Ashmolean building (the oldest museum building in the Western World), the MHS houses the most comprehensive collection of important, historic scientific objects in the academic world.

For this special museum exhibition, Mr. Donovan brings together the twelve most world-renown artists of the Steampunk genre-representing The United States, The United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands and Australia. These artists will be displaying never-before–seen sculptural art and inventions inspired by the evocative creations of the historic Victorian scientists and authors. Many works in this show were created exclusively for this special exhibition and it is arguably the most ambitious collection of Steampunk Art assembled in one venue.

The Museum Director, Dr. Jim Bennett states: “The Museum of the History of Science in Oxford is delighted to be hosting the Steampunk exhibition. We have many of the kinds of object that inspire the Steampunk artists and excite the Steampunk enthusiasts of today, so it is exciting to see characteristics and qualities of the original designs reformed into objects for living in the 21st century.”

What is is going to include? Many, many of the makers and creators of our quirky little world, from all around the world... it's a truly impressive list.

Stephane Halleux- Belgium

Tom Banwell- U.S.

Molly "Porkshanks" Friedrich- U.S.

Datamancer- U.S.

Doctor Grymm- U.S.

Daniel Proulx- Canada

Eric Freitas- U.S.

Haruo Suekichi- Japan

Herr Doktor- U.K.

Thomas D. Willeford- U.S.

Amanda Scrivener- U.K.

James Richardson Brown- U.K.

Jesse Newhouse- U.S.

Jos De Vink- Netherlands

Kris Kuksi- U.S.

Mad Uncle Cliff- Australia

Vianney Halter- Switzerland

Art Donovan- U.S.

So -- if you are in the vicinity, definitely go see it. If you aren't in the vicinity -- well, I'd try to get yourself there--you've got four months to make your travel arrangements.

Win it! Art was kind enough to send me the last two t-shirts from the first Steampunk Exhibit (sizes M & L). Tell me your favorite steampunk artist (part of the exhibit or not) and which one you'd prefer, and I'll randomly pick a winner for each size on Saturday morning.

New! Steampunk Home Image Stream

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I've been playing with a new visual bookmarking tool called vi.sualize.us, and I think it's going to be a great complement to the more formal content here at The Steampunk Home.

When I run across a picture I think might appeal to Steampunk Home readers, I can simply add it to my vi.sualize.us stream with a tag of "steampunkhome." You can view the pictures by following this link, viewing the badge on the left at The Steampunk Home, or subscribing using this rss feed.

I won't promise everything will be straight up steampunk (whatever that is), but whatever I find worthwhile -- inspiring pictures with ideas you might, or might not, like to adopt. Some of those pictures may get reworked into full posts, but many won't.

Let me know what you think!

More Penny Tiles

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:58:00 +0000

You liked the floor of the Standard enough that I have to do a follow up post...

Amanda pointed out this Apartment Therapy post with instruction on how to do it yourself. This particular floor used about $35 worth of pennies -- cheap from a materials point of view, if not for labor. Scroll down to a long comment by "teeze" for the how-to.

And Cheetah Velour sent this from the New York Times of a bar covered completely in pennies.

Surprises at CB2

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:29:00 +0000

I'm always surprised at the vintage industrial style pieces CB2 -- purveyor of extremely modern style -- offers. Their most recent catalog had a couple that piqued my fancy:

Gear Tealights, $6.95 each

Firefly Pendant Lamp, $199 (But only with Edison bulbs!)

Miner Side Table-Stool, $149
A bit too modern for my taste, but could be used to add some edge to a traditional room with a lot of wood and leather.

A bamboo model of the Chrysler Building in New York, $29.95
I love the idea of architectural models, but the bamboo seems to make this a bit too "light"--both in color and visual weight--for most of my rooms. I'm tempted to get this and spray paint it black.

Killer Robot Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Killer Robot Designs makes custom furniture and lighting from reclaimed materials.

The Cluster Bomb Hanging Light, assembled from 16 old lamp fixtures.

Coffee Table from Vintage Samsonite Luggage.

Faux Bookshelves

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Love the "walls of books" look, but don't have enough books (or enough room) to pull it off? Here's a clever idea -- paper one or more of your library walls with bookshelf wallpaper.

The owner and designer (Lynda Gardner) says: these photos are from the library which was once a horrible tiny bedroom which barely fit a single bed……it now has a wall filled with real books alongside a wall of Deborah Bowness wallpaper,…this room also has a couple of leather 1930s chairs, a star light handed down as a family heirloom and a cow skin hide….a cosy place to sit opposite an open fire on the opposite wall.

This is from Design*Sponge, and I strongly recommend the entire post featuring the house of Lynda Gardner -- it is incredible in every way.

(quick tip: Do a google search for "bookcase wallpaper" "book wallpaper" and "bookshelf wallpaper" for lots of different styles and price points.)

Etsy Finds: Airship Lamps

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:53:00 +0000

RiverOtterWidet is an etsy seller with some inspired lamps. They come with backstories on their use on the Royal Fleet's Airships (or submersibles...)

Glowing Liquid Airship Relic

Blue Airship Tracking Light

The squidbot lamp.

Child Development Lab

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:43:00 +0000

This is an awesome concept for a nursery -- the execution is a bit too modern for my taste, but I love all the science. Parents Paul and Pam Costa created it for their son Edison (!!).

Backlit lab galssware, exposed edison bulb, and a "formulaic" blackboard.

And a vintage Cray supercomputer for seating!

via Coochicoos

Copper Flooring

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Can you tell what this floor is made of?

That's right. Pennies!

How awesome is that? This is the floor of the Standard Grill, in the Standard Hotel in New York. And why does it not surprise me that it's by my favorite designers in the world Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch at Roman and Williams?

via NotCot

Study in Black

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Here's a striking black study, courtesy of Apartment Therapy and From House to Home UK. I'm surprised at how good the lighter colored woods look against the dark background. I also suspect that the great natural light is part of what keeps this from feeling oppresive.

Black (and other dark colors) are great choices for rooms that are glimpsed from other rooms -- the dark color draws the eye in, making the whole space look deeper and more layered.

Pressed Ferns

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:42:00 +0000

When was the last time you've pressed plants? Me, that would be 7th grade. Here's a great "how-to" for botanical specimens my sister found on Design*Sponge that made me want to rectify that. The instructions are super easy -- and they would make a great gift. Used "aged" paper, like the example above, for the steampunk naturalist look.

The Hook Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Sara) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Curly Brass Plant Hook

Kelley was kind enough to share this find with me -- The Hook Lady, a store selling (mostly) hooks, of various kinds, styles, and sizes, all at affordable prices.

I'm not sure what you'd do with it (display it on a mantel?), but I liked this Victorian hand.

These are shelf brackets, repurposed to frame a window --- what a clever idea. You could do this to define and separate spaces in the same room, too. (Say an entryway and a dining room.)

Amusing, if a bit risque, signs!

The best finds are the hooks, however. Big ones, little ones, ones that swivel, brass ones, horse ones, mermaid ones.... There are so many, you'd surely be able to find something that suits. I'm contemplating using some for towel hooks in the new upstairs bathroom.

Brass School Hook

Brass Arts and Crafts Coat and Hat Hook

Brass Folding Hat and Coat Rack