"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Monday, August 01, 2011

Steamy Dreams

I've fallen in love and I've fallen hard. I've found something that inspires lustful feelings and has triggered my acquisitive nature. I love steampunk. I love all aspects of steampunk...the books, the jewelry, the decorative style, even the clothing...and I blame this love affair completely on Jen of Cakewrecks and EPBOT fame. What's steampunk you ask? Courtesy of Google..."Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction and speculative fiction, frequently featuring elements of fantasy, that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. A subgenre of Alternate History; this generally deals with advanced technology in the altered past." One of my friends on Facebook said "Typically, steampunk novels are set in and around Victorian times, but it pretends that electricity never took off and that steam-powered technology took hold. There are all kinds of fantastic gadgets, contraptions, and transport. Sometimes, it crosses over into the paranormal, but not necessarily so. Think "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" and you'll have steampunk. Or that Will Smith movie set in the west with the giant spider robot vehicles." Steampunk is also very much a style of both dress and decoration. Take a look at these pictures.

I first stumbled across steampunk on EPBOT about a year ago...when I was still in recovery from BlogHer '10. Jen put up a post called Jen's Procrastination Station and featured the most amazing secret knock detecting garage door opener



You can read more about it here.

and she posted a picture of the most gorgeous steampunk computer desk
photo from the house tour linked to in the blog
which was a teaser for an entire house decorated in steampunk goodness. Click on that link...go take the virtual tour...you won't regret it. Since then, Jen has posted steampunk jewelry and steampunk gadgets and, the more I see of it, the more I like it. Then, less than a month ago, Jen posted a picture that sent me over the edge. She posted pictures of a steampunk laptop...yes, really, a fully functional HP laptop redone in steampunk finery.
photos via EPBOT and Datamancer
If you want to see bigger, better, more lust inducing pictures check out Datamancer's site. His work is simply stunning and he even sells the kits so you can redo your desktop keyboard in steampunk finery.

Sadly, my favorite examples of steampunk goodness, the laptop and the house, are way beyond my financial means. However, Jen's blog EPBOT offers tutorials and how to's that will satisfy my need to bring steampunk decor into my life. She recently posted a tutorial on how to make your own steampunk goggles and she's promising a tutorial for the ray gun in this picture too...
photo courtesy of Jen/EPBOT and her husband, John
So, do you like the steampunk look? Would you ever consider decorating a room (or more) in that style? Do you think I'm crazy for loving it so much? And, what is something you have developed a deep and abiding love for?

6 comments:

JW Moxie said...

I love the craftiness of Jen on Epbot. That penny desk was AMAZING. I like steampunk and wouldn't mind having a few special items here and there. Jen's blended it into her home in such a smooth way that isn't overbearing.

And here I thought you were talking about pole dancing again. :)

AnotherDreamer said...

lol, she's had me growing pretty fond of steam punk. I don't collect it or anything, but I do love looking at photos of steam punk goodness :)

Lauren said...

I totally love steampunk stuff. I love steampunk novels, too. Like His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman! The movie was eh, but the books were phenomenal.

Mrs. Gamgee said...

I admit I'm mildly intrigued by the whole genre, but not enough to really jump into it. I don't think you're crazy tho...

Anonymous said...

I LOVE steampunk, but I don't know if I'd go as far as decorating my house that way. I want to make an all-steampunk film one day though...

Krissi McVicker said...

These are interesting! I wanted to thank you for being a top commenter on my blog! I just gave you an award! ;-)