It’s not just cool because it’s trendy — it’s cool because it’s inspirational.
Like being Goth without scaring your parents.... Whereas steampunks are — what? Weirdoes who take pocket-watches too seriously? What are they gonna do, vehemently tell you what time it is?
And the whole reason I'm quoting this:
[I]n practice, writers and artists and filmmakers and musicians are all starting with this basic aesthetic and then mixing in some fantasy, some horror, some superheroics. We’re seeing steampunk pirates, steampunk faeries, steampunk Wonder Woman, steampunk Cthulhu cultists.
Steampunk Pirates? Really? (cackle) Just the excuse I needed to get these ideas on pirate decor posted.... I don't really think they are steampunk, but I enjoy them and hope you do as well.
Let's start with options for a kid's room.
Beds! I was astounded at how many different types of children's pirate beds were available!
This one at Rooms To Go was my favorite
For adults, there's some pirate looking pieces like the Taka Trunk coffee table at Crate and Barrel:
Or use this barrel bedside table from Rooms To Go as a side table.
There's even a Cavalier door available -- a house in my neighborhood has this one, and it works surprisingly well on a apanish style ranch house.
The key thing to remember here is to "avoid kitsch" -- your goal is not to fill your home with pictures of pirates, but to project what a pirate of taste would surround him or herself with to remind them of their adventures... What do you think? Can pirates be steampunk?
They most definitely can! I am very much in favor of steam pirates. I don't know about faeries, though..
ReplyDeleteI think pirates and steampunk interior design are certainly compatible when done right.
ReplyDeleteSteampunk pirates may as often be found sailing on zeppelins as on the seas, of course. But much of the gear you'd find on a pirate's airship would be recognizably piratey. They'll want the comforts of a regular steampunk home, and they've been decorating with things they found when pillaging and capturing trading ships. So you'd be looking for a blend of nautical, steampunk-opulent, and danger. And make sure you've got a jolly roger flag around somewhere.
The things you suggested are quite spiffy. Antique maps would lend themselves to the theme, or if you want to get fancy with the DIY, this kind of design translated into a wall piece would be a dead giveaway that a pirate dwells here. Fix up the label on a bottle of rum or three to appear appropriately vintage, perhaps?
You could add a sextant, telescope or ship telegraph to your shelves from someplace like brassbell.com. For a seafaring pirate, a strategically placed wooden rigging pulley or rope ladder could lend a ship-like feel, which you can find at places like brassbinnacle.com.
I believe Abney Park has something to say on the subject of Steampunk Pirates.
ReplyDeleteActually, I've been thinking about writing about steampunk pirates and their clashes over territory/economic advantage with the flashier aviators....
ReplyDelete-goes off to noodle some more-
I'm game for steampunk pirates if only because I like the idea of the fusion decor/fashion which could go with it. Too fun!
ReplyDeleteNiiiiice! I could definitely see myself using some of these!
ReplyDeleteLong live the steampunk pirates!
Here's some sky pirates: http://voyagesofdrfabre.blogspot.com/2007/08/steampunk-culture-sky-pirates.html
ReplyDeleteSome self-styled Steampunk Pirates: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drhaggis/1507789566/
SteamFashion has a "pirates" tag for their entries. All entries tagged "pirates": http://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/tag/pirates
There's a whole lot out there that looks piratey, but it's hard to find because it's mostly not labeled "pirate". It's also harder to find anything house-related.... This blog is just about the only place that really talks about steampunk decor.
True Pirates (not modern ones)
ReplyDeletelast known attack was in the 1830s.
SteamPunk is what you make it, too me yes, it is SteamPunk, for you maybe not.
for home decor, steam pirate furnishings it would got great in coastal or island homes!
"A pirates life for me" ;)