Book Tables

There's a new steampunklet in my life and home, so it's been a bit hectic and sleep deprived around here. Just ran across these I thought you all would like, however.


The counter at Brunswick Bound bookstore, designed by architect Christie Petsini. via.

"Layers" by designer Richard Hutten. via.


Desk at the Library Bibliotheek TU Delft. via.

Coffee table, available from etsy seller Tytie. via.

End tables, also by Tytie. via.

Bustin' Out

Josie sent me this image from Cote de Texas, commenting that using light colors was easier for renters and husbands... Me, I immediately focused on the bust -- I'm not sure what it is about busts (perhaps the pretentious classical education references?), but they are immensely appealing right now.


Here's a bust of David from Restoration Hardware:


And here's my interpretation -- a slightly shabby thrift store find, painted black (I like that it keeps it from being too pretentious), combined with brass and gold pieces:


Embarrassingly, I have no idea who my bust is of.

Too classical for you? You can always top a bust with your favorite pair of goggles or a bowler to tweak it up.

Castle "Punked" episode

This might be fun:



Castle -- an ABC cop show -- has an episode featuring a "steampunk secret society" and a 200 year old bullet on next Monday. Looks like some good gadgets, but I couldn't get a read on the sets from the preview. But best of all, Castle stars Nathan Fillion -- I've had a soft spot in my heart for him since Firefly (my gateway drug into Steampunk, I have to admit... even if the Old West + Spaceships isn't quite what we call steampunk these days).

A black and gold kitchen

I had torn this kitchen out of Elle Decor a few years back -- it seems to be from September 2008(!) -- because I was going through a "paint the kitchen cabinets black" phase. I like how the cabinets are glossy black, with gold molding. I was surprised at how well mixing the gold and stainless steel worked, too. The pink backsplash (Benjamin Moore Pink Mix) was surprisingly but warms up a room that could otherwise be cold and stark.

Do you want to Journey to the Center of the Earth?

Peter Montgomery is hoping to build a "Journey to the Center of the Earth" style drill as an art installation/halloween decoration.

The problem? Lack of funds. If you'd like to support his endeavor, throw him some spare change over on Kickstarter.

For more on Peter's past Halloween displays (he's legit), check out this post.

Kickstarter works in a pretty neat way: The rules are really simple: If you make or exceed your funding goal by the specified deadline, you get the money. If you don't make the goal, you get nothing. In my case, my deadline is October 14, so there are 21 days to raise the money. Also, people get gifts to thank them for pitching in.

It's not very often you get to help out on something this cool.

Hanging On...

The post on ways to hang pictures generated a lot of comments -- many people pointed out ways to upgrade the "pants hanger" -- darker wood, painting the metal, adding metal decorations to the wood, etc. The best idea, however, came from an email from Jen, who suggested using Victorian spring clips. You can see what they are and how Jen uses them above.


You can buy them at Lee Valley Hardware, where they come in 2 different styles. The drilled hole in the back lets you hang them on a nail.


Victorian Spring Clip. 4" long overall and 2-1/2" wide at the tip, it weighs about 7 oz. They are $6.20 for one, $4.49 if you buy 6 or more.



Cast Steel Spring Clip. The cast steel is a bit bigger at 4-1/4" long overall and 2-1/2" wide at the tip, it weighs about 6 oz. $8.80 for one, $7.10 for 6 or more.

For my purposes I think two at the corners of a large print (and perhaps two more at the bottom? I think I'll have to experiment...) would be as cheap as a poster frame, and walk the casual vs Victorian style line that I want my office to have.

Surprising Chandeliers from Bicycles

Carolina Fontoura Alzaga makes chandeliers out of recycled bicycle parts. These are not just your run of the mill recycled lighting (although we love those too!). These are grand statements fit for your entry hall or ballroom. I love how they mimic the look of traditional crystal chandeliers, but with a lot more edge.


From her artist's statement:

This body of work draws inspiration from Victorian chandeliers, DIY and bike culture, and the use of unartistic materials....

These subversive objects challenge the aesthetics of wealth by visually contrasting the classic elegance of the candelabrum with the newfound elegance of discarded, mechanical bicycle parts.


Don't have a ballroom or a grand staircase? How about some smaller scale sconces for a hallway?

Carolina emailed me, but I had already seen her work thanks to a feature on Treehugger that Michael pointed out to me.