Ed's Office Tour

Ed Skoudis is an information security geek with a good sense of humor. He's recently completed his office, and is sharing it with us:

I've long been a reader of your Steampunk Home blog, and it has greatly inspired me. You've posted amazing articles over the years, and have really helped me refine my sense of fun and style. Inspired by your work, I conducted a massive office redesign and implementation for my workplace, which is located above my garage. The whole project took about 6 months... I got so many ideas for items in my office from your blog. I'm sure you'll see various things you've linked to over the years throughout the office.

I'm so glad The Steampunk Home helped Ed "refine his sense of fun and style," because that's exactly what I try to do here. Style shouldn't be pretentious, it should be fun. It isn't just for designers or cool kids -- you can apply the same otaku and analysis to your abode as you do to coding, or gaming, or whatever your passion is.

He sets the tone from the first approach, up a darkened set of stairs (complete with a runner and stair rods), to a Van De Graaff generator on the landing.


I've recently come to the realization that most of the steampunk style lies in accessories and light fixtures (layered on top of an old fashioned background), and I think you can see that from Ed's room.

Lumen disk with some of the security books Ed has written.

Meters and robots and Dr. Who references, oh my!

The main light fixture is all pipes

What Ed describes as "a science experiment from the 1880's gone wrong"

What I didn't realize was that secret rooms are becoming a mainstay of steampunk design. (Although it doesn't surprise me -- what good mad scientist doesn't hide her laboratory?) First, Holly Black's Library, now Ed's office.




The Secret Room is where Ed hides his minions -- and if you are going to have minions, wouldn't you get better work out of them if you provide them with a workspace as resplendent as this one?


Did I say "secret room"? I'm sorry I meant to say "secret rooms", because this office features not one, but two secret rooms!


There are many more delightful details in this office. You can see the full tour, with many more pictures, even more secrets (just what one would expect of a sneaky hacker information security specialist), sources, and Ed's amusing commentary, at his web site.

Thanks for sharing, Ed!

Gothic Ikea?

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that I was pleasantly surprised by the Liljestad cabinets at Ikea that I chose for my kitchen renovation. Amber just alerted me to another option that will be arriving at Ikea stores in the near future -- a black traditional style door.

Here's some pictures from the Toronto 2011 Design Show:


Above from Cherish Toronto.



Above from Core77.

What do you think?

Things to consider when building a pool

Having made the decision to install a swimming pool in your backyard there are still plenty of things to think about and plenty of steps to take before you can take your first refreshing dip. Before you even contact a pool builder it is a good idea to research a little about design and construction options. You also need to think about how you will maintain your pool. Without the right pool pump and cleaner, your lovely crystal clear oasis will soon be less than appealing. Here are a few of the things you need to consider when planning your backyard pool.

Pool type

There are a number of different types of swimming pool available, each one with its own pros and cons. Above ground pools are cheap and simple to install, but are less aesthetically pleasing than other options. Fibreglass pools are good for complex designs, but are expensive to install and have limitations in terms of size and depth. Concrete pools are another potentially pricey option, but they are hard wearing and offer flexibility in terms of design. Vinyl lined pools are not as long lasting but they are cost effective solution and are very easy to maintain. No one type of pool is better than another. The key is to work out your priorities and match them to the right pool option.

Pool design

With the variety of pool types and materials available these days comes increasing flexibility in terms of design. You may decide that you want to opt for a simple conventional rectangular pool, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However if the shape of your backyard, or your creative vision, dictates something different you will almost certainly be able to find a pool builder to bring your design to life. This is a very important step in the process that will dictate the appearance of your pool, and most likely your entire backyard.

Additional features

Do you want to include any additional features in your pool, such as a water feature or spa. This kind of decision needs to be made at the same time as the overall pool design and it will impact significantly on the type of pool you choose.

Saltwater or traditional chlorine

In recent years saltwater pools have become more popular and they certainly do have some advantages over traditional chlorine pools. Many people find the relative lack of chlorine (saltwater pools are not completely chlorine free) makes for a more pleasant swimming experience that is gentler on the skin. On the other hand maintaining a saltwater pool can be expensive and the salt can cause damage over time to the lining of your pool, as well as cement, masonry and underwater lights.

Pool maintenance

Once your pool is ready for use you will want to keep it in good condition and make sure that the water is clean and clear. Therefore you need to choose the right pool cleaner, cover and pump for your swimming pool. 

Landscaping

Will you be integrating the pool into a wider landscaping project? If you are planning to landscape your backyard, it is a very good idea to put the pool in at the earliest stage, as it is a very disruptive process. You can take the opportunity to incorporate your pool design into a wider design aesthetic, so that it blends in effortlessly with the landscape in your backyard.

Glass Tools

These tools/works of art have been haunting my thoughts since Tree sent them to me.




By artist Lou Lynn, who says:

"My sculpture is informed by architecture, archaeology and industrial objects. The recent body of work references the function and aesthetics of hand-tools and functional objects that have been used throughout history. I am interested in combining the fragility, strength, and optical properties of glass with bronze or aluminum to create contemporary forms that are reminiscent of artifacts from times past. The juxtaposition of contrasting materials invites the viewer to explore the tension that exists between strength and fragility."

Screen Door

My sister saw this when she was in Brasil recently and thought of us.


If I'm not mistaken, those are bicycle parts.

Iron and Glass

This iron and crystal decanter struck me with it's juxtaposition of an elegant glass vessel and the pitted iron stopper. That tension is what lies at the heart of steampunk style -- pretty, but rough around the edges.

By Jan Barboglio