On the topic of Steampunk Minimalism in the area of Home Décor. Most of us can not afford the prefect home for any Steampunker (Minimalist or Not) … though I can not keep from sharing with you a home (or rather Estate) that I dare to dream of owning …

(to see more videos with home as grand that this: visit http://www.youtube.com/sothebysrealty)

Now since over 99% of us out there will never make enough money in our lives to own a home even half as magnificent as that one, I will list out not only what I feel Steampunk Minimalism is in regards to Home Decor, but also what I aim for my own home.

Like in the February 1st post “Steampunk Minimalism: Part I (Fashion)“, we must answer a few questions about our home decor when attempting to mash up Steampunk with Minimalism.

Q1. Does it look old or antique?

Q2. Does it look like a workshop?

Q3. Does your house have shag carpeting?

Q4. Does your house look like the setting of an old-timey picture?

Q5. Are you ever asked, “is that from Ikea?”

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Now here is how I feel you should be answering these questions if you are attempting to be a Steampunk Minimalist:

A1.  Yes, and that is a GREAT place to start. It doesn’t have to be Steampunk to be cool. I have a 1940′s Royal Typewriter that sits on a table next to my desk. It’s not “steampunk”, but it does add an old feel to the room. 1930′s & 40′s isn’t Steampunk and we all know that… but the Antique of some of the items from those eras can give just the right feel to the room.

A2. I sure hope not; workshops can be dangerous! If you are going to take on the Minimalist aspect of this, you really should stay away from having TOO much stuff. Steampunk in general is very ornate with it’s far share of knick-knacks, but Minimalism is not. Pick a few things to adorn your home with, and try to keep from going overboard.  Perhaps one exception to the rule is in displaying books – you can never have too many old books on your bookshelves.

Disclaimer: This picture is good example of something that is NOT “Steampunk Minimalism”. HOWEVER, it’s totally how I want my home office to look. 

A3. It’s Steampunk…. not Discopunk. Yes I am aware that my 40′s Royal Typewriter isn’t old enough to be even classified as Victorian, but try to stay way from 1970-1980′s retro. Just a general rule. If you can pull it off and make it fit in a Steampunk style world… DO IT. Most people can’t, and it just looks dumb. Maybe the ceiling lamp in the below picture, but I would say even that one is pushing it.

A4. If you answered “yes” to this question that is okay. In fact, you sort of want that to a point. Aspects of the room you are in should have elements of a late 1800-early 1900 setting.

A5. Unless the person asking question 5 is really observant, no one should ever be asking this question… but if they do, you are doing it wrong. There are ways to hack Ikea furniture to disguise its origin, but in most cases no one should know it came from Ikea.
A really great source for Ikea furnature hacks is IKEA Hackers
Here is a great Steampunk Ikea Hack: Steampunk Ivar cabinets

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I know it’s easy to say a bunch of words that don’t mean much. So in keeping with the same structure as  Steampunk Minimalism: Part I (Fashion), let me show some examples of what I am talking about. Chances are you skipped right to this area anyway, I know I would have. :)

Examples of “just took it too far” (though still awesome)
    

Examples of “not far enough” (Good examples of starting-off points if you are struggling for ideas)

Examples of “just about right” (some break the rules I listed above, but not to any extremes. Besides, they are more like guidelines anyway)

I’m 100% certain that at least a few of you (if you even made it this far) will disagree with my thoughts on Steampunk Minimalism in regards to Home Decor. Remember this: if you like it, display it. I’m not judging. Like a lot of you I tend to take it over the top more than my fair share of times.

As always, your thoughts (as long as you stay true to Steampunk Politeness) are always welcome on my blog.

Thank you for reading,

-RD