I believe that Steampunk is more than just brass and watchparts. It's finding a way to combine the past and the future in an aesthetic pleasing yet still punkish way. It's living a life that looks old-fashioned, yet speaks to the future. It's taking the detritus of our modern technological society and remaking it into useful things. Join me as I search for items for my house that combine the scientific romanticism of the Victorians with our real present and imagined future.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Maps as Wallpaper
I've got a map urge today -- it's never very far away frankly, and it's one of those design elements my husband Ben will also go for (as opposed to skulls, for instance). I found these two rooms via Design Crisis.
Lovely.
I've had these images from a very old issue of Martha Stewart in my inspiration file for a long time.
For an especially affordable set of large maps, check out the USGS maps of your locale. For $8, you can order maps of any location that are around 6 square feet.
I think if my current house was one I wanted to live in for awhile, I'd have a room with map paper. That just looks spiffy!
ReplyDeleteAnother option is views of cities available at Historic Urban Plans (http://historicurbanplans.com). Some are quite large. The image of Paris in 1739, for instance, 38" x 49". There's a world map from 1816 that comes in four sheets and measures 44" x 62". They also have quite a few Victorian era city views. And most are around $10, which is very affordable.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! I love maps too! Especially old ones.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love that!
ReplyDeleteWhy, what a simply charming concept! I do believe my wunderkammer might soon be getting a new ceiling treatment. I am tired of looking at that horrid spray-on drywall material they use on semi-newer homes. Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteCartographically,
Prof. J. Odderwall Costom
Love this! Thanks AEC for the great resource, I see this in a future client's home;)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jaime
Love your blog and love this idea! I've slowly been turning my longest hallway into a map gallery, but this is really wonderful!
ReplyDeletemap wallpaper looks rather wonderful I must say !
ReplyDeletebest wishes
~simon
The ceiling one is really neat! I love the look, just don't want the work, ha.
ReplyDeleteMaya @ http://completely-coastal.com
I've always loved maps as wallpapers :)
ReplyDeleteBefore we could afford tiles in our kitchen, I papered under the cabinets with old British OS maps of Shropshire (where we live). Now I've seen your blog, I think I should go back to the maps and ditch the tiles.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I wish we had as many sources for buying wonderful items here in the UK as you do.
Hi,
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