Steampunk Decor Style Defined
I hope you are enjoying digging in and learning about all these different styles with me. I started writing this series as a way to learn about different styles listed on Etsy. One thing that always strikes me is that I can see a little piece of each style in my own taste. It might be a favorite piece of wall decor or a treasured family heirloom that reminds me of one of the styles in this series. So I’m looking forward to discovering if I have anything Steampunk style in our home.
Steampunk is a subculture associated with a genre of fiction, namely science fiction. Think of a combination of the Victorian era and the American “Wild West” in an alternative future that has steam power as its major energy source. Call it retro-futuristic. Here the quote from Wikipedia that really sums up the style of Steampunk for our purposes:
“Steampunk also refers to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of Steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, art nouveau design, and films from the mid-20th century. Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical “steampunk” style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as Steampunk.”
More simply put, just merge industrial and Victorian and you’ll easily get Steampunk.
Colors of Steampunk Style
The colors of this style are really based on the elements of the style. Copper, bronze, and brass are part of the Steampunk color palette, because sprockets, gears, and pipes are major elements of this style. More colors for this style are sepia (is that a color?), brown, black, cream, dark red, dark green and any metallic.
Style Elements & Accessories
Steampunk decor style is a blend feminine and masculine elements. Here are some examples:
exposed brick
visible hardware, metal pipe, rusty metal
leather furniture
machinery & mechanical elements – sprockets, gears, especially clocks with exposed gears
gramophone, antique sewing machines, compass, barometers, telescopes or typewriters
dark wood, salvaged wood
refurbished furniture
old steamer trunks
zeppelins
antique walking canes
old books (especially with leather covers)
revolvers, skeleton keys
Maps framed or as wall murals
helmets, old hats – top hats, bowlers, Victorian ladies hats
Victorian styled clothing
Exposed framed herbariums
sepia photos and pictures
technical and anatomical drawings
I loved what they wrote at HomeEdit.com, ” Victorians had a passion for inventing new tools and gadgets, and the best part is the fact that you can still find them in antique shops. Even though many of them are not functional, you can use them as decorating items.”
I definitely have some old books that will have to qualify as my “something Steampunk” until I can think of something else. While writing this post, I did think about the wall of “S” letters that I’ve started in the family room. I’m thinking I should decorate each letter to represent each style that I’ve been writing about on my blog. It would be fun and interesting, don’t you think?
What Steampunk style decor item do you have in your home? Maybe your home is all Steampunk. Please share in the comments, I can’t wait to hear from you!
Blessings,
Lauree
…keep dancing the dream
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This was very interesting. So glad you shared with us at Merry Monday. I enjoy a lot of Steampunk style but didn’t know the origin. I actually have some small framed art which I picked up thrifting and I believe they are steampunk.
I think I like a little Steampunk because I’m such a geek 🙂 Thanks for dancing with me on the blog.