Out of Africa Decor

Living in: Out of Africa for all you who like the explorer steampunk style.



A great post of home furnishings inspired by the movie, from DesignSponge. Thanks Mikki!

Steampunk Feature on "More Ways to Waste Time"

I know Steampunk is my favorite way to waste time -- perhaps I'm not the only one? Leah at More Ways to Waste Time has a very thorough, pretty, feature on Steampunk in Home Decor and a previous post featuring Restoration Hardware's many Steampunk items. (I was going to do that post. Really!)

You know it's well researched when she finds "steampunk home" things that surprise even me -- like the work of artist David Trautrimas or decorator Will Wick (those I will do posts on -- they are too good not to!).

The Treasure Trove at RadioGuy

Radio-guy Steve Erenberg is the real thing. Before I even knew what steampunk was, I had stumbled across his website and spent hours pouring over his wild and wonderful collection. Although I mentioned him recently in the post on scissor lamps, I thought he and his collection deserved a post all to themselves.

What does this collection entail? "Oddball and scary scientific stuff, globes, industrial masks and helmets, motors, contraptions, classroom demonstration models, tools, nautical, medical, lighting, early advertising, electrostatic devices, telephones, telegraphs, planeteria, patent and design models, steam engines, microscopes, salesman samples, anatomical, x-ray tubes, artist mannequins, microphones, and early radio equipment." Whew -- a little bit of everything, all of it different and wonderful.

Here's three of my favorites, but you should definitely visit his entire site and waste an enjoyable hour of your day exploring it.

A static electricity generator (could it be from the 1700s, as the filename implies?)
A granite and brass reostat.

And a microscope lamp:



Housewise, most of these are great collections, accessories, etc., if you could find similar things through eBay or antiques dealers. The lighting section, however, is full of great ideas for functional antique industrial lights for your home.

p.s. The masks and mortician models in the museum section are not to be missed if you have a taste for the slightly macabre.

Cabinet of Wonders: The Places We Make For Ourselves

Heather, over at Cabinet of Wonders, has a splendid post entitled "The Places We Make For Ourselves". Not particularly steampunk, but a wonderful catalog of the sorts of abodes you can create with a little imagination and a incredible amount of persistence.

Links for the week of July 1

Scientific Collectables -- Original scientific devices!

Japonaiserie from the Voyages of a Steampunk Physician. I've neglected the Asian influence on Steampunk...here is the good doctor's remedy.

Cascade Coil Drapery via Apartment Therapy. Although you usually see it in silver/chrome colors, this chainmail style metallic drapery also comes in brass.

Brass Caning for Windows and Glass at HGTV -- an interesting way to "upgrade" your windows into a more formal appearance. I wonder if you could design some decidely steampunk motifs into windows? Gears? Cogs? Pipes?

Steve's Wierd House via Grow a Brain.

Johnny Swing and his amazing nickel couch. Thanks commenter Sara!