So in design school I was actually tested and graded on knowing all of the different design styles. Rococo, Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, etc. And since I’ve been working as an interior designer for almost a dozen years, I figured I had a least HEARD of most of the mainline styles. But recently I stumbled across a design style I had never heard of before: The Steampunk. It actually is a genre of fiction, but it is being applied to the interior design world with some killer results!
Think of it as “a gentleman’s library” meets “industrial chic” meets “really hot Downton Abbey manor owner”.
It is the type of place you want to smoke a cigar (okay, it doesn’t have to be lit) while having your feet propped up on a leather ottoman, leafing through first editions. Needless to say: I’m in love!
It all started when I was working on a Postbox Designs project for my hubby’s business office. I am creating a new office space for him out of a basement area. One request he filled out in the Postbox Design Questionnaire was a “Chesterfield sofa”. (If you are not familiar with those, see that leather beauty below!). Then I got to Pin, Pin, Pinning away for some ideas, and started stumbling across the term “Steampunk”. All of these rich images of built-in bookcases, vintage maps, golds and leathers, and old steamer trunks starting flitting across my computer screen. I was hooked! Like most real-life cases, this project is a twist on a style. I added in some other elements, but I drew my inspriation from the Steampunk movement. I just completed and delivered his Postbox. You can have a sneak peek on what he recieved! Here are the Mood Boards I made for his space:
He requested a soft seating area where they could have comany meetings. The leather Chesterfield is droolworthy and those high back chairs are a budget friendly gem from Ikea! And if you are wondering, #2 is a pet bed for our pooch Jasper who on occassion gets to sleep (err, work) at the office with Ben.
As an ode to his remodeling business, I suggested some vintage looking blueprints above his desk, some industrial furniture, and I found a great site with vintage patent drawings. I found a wonderful DIY tutorial to turn a simple file cabinet into a high-end “Campaign style” cabinet. I included the tutorial in his Postbox.
Currently he has a wall full of those giant Post-its notes with scribbled ideas from meetings. I suggested buying some large frames, removing the glass and back, and sticking those Post-its in there. It gives it a cleaner, formal look and still lets him tack up his notes on the wall. He told me that was one of his favorite ideas from the whole Postbox. He also happens to be a big Harry Potter fan, so to keep it subtle, I found this above print. The true HP fans will get it, anyone else will just see a graphic print.
So, how do you incorporate Steampunk into your house?
Here is how I did it for his office:
I used all of the fixtures & furnishings I selected, and created a three-dimensional perspective so he could visualize each space. He received several perspective drawings with his Postbox.
He needed room for two desks. The vintage patent drawings and blueprints added some “manly” wall decor (can you use “manly” and “decor” in the same sentence? Hmm, not sure.) over the workspaces. He had some existing green office tables. In good shape, but let’s be honest, the fabric was just plain ugly. I suggested keeping them to save money, but reupholstering them wth a sophisticated houndstooth pattern. The industrial metal and wood table fits that Steampunk style.
Again, I like to re-use great stuff you already have to keep costs down. He already had this standing work area, so we incorporated it into the space.
Above is the floor plan I included in his Postbox so he could visualize where everything went. His Postbox included many more pages, such as some more perspectives, a whole page of Notes & Tips (suggestions on where to place things, ways to adapt existing furniture, even a Gallery Wall template to help him re-create the photo wall I designed for him). He also received all of his Shopping Pages that had the sources, dimensions, colors, prices, etc. of every piece that was chosen. But the best news-Postbox even stayed UNDER his budget!
Wanna try out Steampunk at home?
A home office is the perfect spot to try out this style. Think built-in bookcases painted a rich navy or deep gray. Add in some leather chairs and antique looking rug. Pop in some gold apothocary lamps…I feel warm and cozy just thinking about it! Another room begging for some Steampunk influence is the “Man Cave”. This room is stereotypically filled with recliners, big screens, and football posters. My suggestion? Let the man keep his cave. But maybe let’s take a bit of the “caveman” of the “man cave”.
The Steampunk style actually screams “I’m a man!!!”
This is the perfect spot for adding in masculine accessories like industrial light fixtures and deep, dark colors. I don’t think your man would complain at the idea of adding some deep, well worn (i.e. napworthy) espresso leather sofas. Keep that big screen, but maybe add in some vintage prints on the wall. In the Postobx Designs office above, I incorporated some vintage maps of his home state and old-fashioned patent drawings of a motorcycle (his summer vehicle of choice). It keeps the masculine vibe, but still stays refined and pulled together.
Do you have a home office that needs a make-over? Want to create a space for your man that you love just as much? Postbox Designs is ready to help you with that challenge. I showed you a sneak peek of what a Postbox looks like inside. Each one is customized just for my client. Just fill out my contact form and I can get you started on the process!
Til next time,
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