Steampunk (Industrial Modern) design has caught the imagination of not only today’s top designers, but is fast becoming fodder for the repurposing movement so popular with the do-it-yourself crowd.
The term steampunk, refers to a sub-genre of science fiction that envisions steam-driven 19th century machinery in futuristic form. Applied to interior design, it incorporates the elements of travel, industrial machinery and bizarre random forms, or as I like to think of it… Jules Verne goes junkin’!
If you are a novice to this style of decor I have three words for you . . . think rusty metal! The inner works of clocks, old plumbing fixtures, copper tubing and the small mechanical machines are the key components of Steampunk design. To get started visit one of the salvage facilities around town. My personal favorites include; Reclaimed Vintage Industrial (24 S. Shelby), Audrey’s Place (3228 E. 10th) and Another Fine Mess (2901 E. 10th) all in Indy, and Smalltown Salvage (291 E. Two Cent Rd.) in Bargersville.
Lay down a foundation for your room with quality furniture. Tables should be heavy dark wood or smoked glass with iron. Add a leather sofa for comfort and elegance and watch for chairs made of suede, heavy brocades and velvet. Shopping on a budget? Quality furniture is readily available at resale shops and auctions that specialize in estate liquidation.
Incorporate a touch of whimsy to your room with an original piece of Steampunk art. Typical works will incorporate scraps of steel, iron and copper along with wood leather, glass and gears and cogs. Sculptures and framed work by established artists can run you in the thousands. However, there are highly talented unknown artists and their works often run in the $200-$500 range.
The elements of travel are best represented by the use of maps and globes. Framed for hanging, decoupaged to the top of a table, or used to paper a wall, maps are an easy find at garage sales and antique shops. Give your room a focal point with a well-worn terrestrial globe. The larger, the better and find one mounted on a stand if possible. This may set you back a few dollars, but it will fascinate your guests and make your room truly Steampunk.
Accent pieces are fun to shop for and add a personal touch. Brass telescopes, hourglasses and barometers are popular Steampunk collectibles, as are old books and typewriters. Vintage suitcases and trunks offer an alternative to occasional tables. And if you are a plant lover, large hanging ferns and terrariums filled with greenery fall with in this genre of decor and add texture and depth.
With all of the heavy elements of leather, wood and metals, proper lighting is essential to warm your rooms and enhances your metal accessories and art work. Let in as much natural light as possible by keeping your window treatments minimal. Salvage yards are a great source for authentic lighting fixtures. Watch for pendant lights from warehouses and factories which can be used individually or in clusters. If you know a good electrician, old machine parts can be assembled to make a table lamp that is truly one-of-a-kind. Take a moment to visit machineagelamps.com. But be warned, the pricing on this website is in the $800-$2,500 range. So, shop if you dare, or do as I did and use their incredible pieces as a guideline to create your own lamp.
Now, curl up on your leather sofa, grab a copy of your favorite H.G. Wells novel and enjoy “What the past would have looked like, if the future had happened sooner.” Until next time….Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-429-7887 or lkennett@indy.rr.com