Amazing Steampunk Clock!

I know...two posts in one day...how WILL you ever keep up?

However, I HAD to show you something I stumbled across recently...It is too cool.

Since I am building a Steampunk themed miniature house, I have, of course, been following several blogs, pintrest accounts, and Google accounts which are Steampunk themed...no better place for inspiration than what others are already doing!

This came across on one of those streams...and it is something I want to share.  This incredibly amazing work just has to be shared!

Enjoy a couple of videos here which show the astronomical clock that Mark Frank has been working on since 2004!  You are in for a real treat!









Hope you enjoyed this! After all, it is "miniature" after a fashion, and I am totally floored by the craftsmanship this would take! Be back soon!

Doug S

A Good Traveler

I've said before that I make plans but I don't plan....I thought that in the context of this post, it might be prudent to explain myself!  I am a planner from the word go....but the quote below is exactly the way I think of planning.

A good traveler has no fixed plans,

 and is not intent on arriving.

Lao Tzu

I have a vision, an end state, that I want to accomplish. However, I am very open about how I get there, what paths I take, and what methods will provide the best solution.  So I express my vision, make plans to get there, and change them when they serve the greater vision.

Image Courtesy of Wallpaper Trade

So my "vision" is all about the "feel" of this house...I want it to be elegant, have the Steampunk vibe, feel  aged, obtain that thing we call realism, and it must connect with those who are viewing it.  I have a floor plan, I have some thoughts about how to obtain the vibe that I want, and some exciting methods I want to try to get there.  And I have a LOT to learn!

The Travel Plan

Here is the plan, as it stands today!  The Chateau will have a total of 14 rooms...that is mansion sized isn't it?

First Floor Modules - Kitchens, Entry, and Grand Parlor

On the ground floor, to the left, is going to be the scullery and butlers pantry in the back and a kitchen in the front.  All three kitchen areas will be treated as an old fashioned 1870-1880 kitchen...of course with the "vibe" added.  You already know about the center module, which will be the entry.  The right module will be the grand parlor, and will have a floor at two different levels if I can pull that off.

Second Floor Modules, Morning Room, Dining Room, Hallway, and Couples Bedroom

Moving to the second floor, in the left module will be two rooms, a morning room and a dining room, each filling half of the module.  As you know already, the middle module will be the main hall, and the right module will be the main bedroom, to be outfitted for the Mr. and Mrs.

Third Floor plans - Left to Right - Bath, Bedroom, Library, Bedroom and Sitting Room

The third floor will contain a bath and bedroom in the left module and a library in the center module.  The right module on the third floor is intended to become a third bedroom, with a potential sitting room.   I have not absolutely decided on the sitting room...I had some other thoughts as well, but for now, it is being declared the sitting room.

Soon to become a mansard roof

The third floor exterior will be a mansard roof with a decorative base. Box windows as  you can see above, will be all along the face of the roof.

Just one more photo that may give you a sense of the general air I want to create within the project.

Some of the fabrics gathered for the manse

This is a shot of some of the fabrics I have gathered.  These came from Pacific Fabrics...a store dedicated entirely to a beautiful range of fabrics...these are their "Fat Packs" intended for quilting.  They will be used for both window dressing and furniture coverings...all yet to be fully defined.

I felt a little foolish while shopping for these fabrics...  As the only representative of the male gender present within the store, I did feel a bit like running like a scared deer, but I managed to keep an appropriate decorum in spite of it.

Lastly, I'll share just a couple of key ideas that are informing my work to date.

I plan to add to the roof, which will slope up to the third floor, and then slope at a shallower rise to create a U-shaped wall around a platform on the center module (overlapping onto both right and left modules).  This will be an outdoor pavilion on the roof...I mean these folks have it good!  I've not quite completed my thoughts about how that will come off, so this is the most likely element to change...but I think I can pull that off, and if I can, I think it will be an outstanding feature.

Another key thought I'll share is that I do plan to help these folks move in in style, and the entire final scene is going to be centered around a wedding party getting ready for their wedding events.   I have a number of fun ideas about how to bring that to fruition too, and I think there will be lots of opportunity for that "connection" I hope to create in the end.

Those of you who choose to ride along will follow me along the journey from the current state to what I hope will be a fun, light-hearted, yet very elegant scene.

This was fun to share...I hope you've enjoyed the glimpse into the future!

Have a great day!

Doug S

Copper Domes and Plastic Dreams

Hello folks!

This post is a continuation of the last post on creating the Oriel Window for the Steampunk Chateau.

The original window concept

Once I had determined that I did not like the Art Nouveau roof awning I had planned, I was faced with a decision. I knew that the "top" pictured above was actually what I would be using on the bottom of the pieces eventually. So I needed a new dome for my window.

I'd like to call your attention to a pic I already posted yesterday...

Note the plastic bottle tops.  These "grew up" into the final dome pieces!

Notice in the center of this picture a plastic piece.  This is actually the bottle top for a "Downy UnStoppables Scent Booster" bottle top that I cut off and then cut in half.    Such humble beginnings!  

I had already planned to use this bottle top dome with the failed concept of the Art Noveau awning.  I decided to take that original dome concept and work with it to create an interesting dome that would replace the metal lantern part that I show in the original concept above.  

Armed with my new plan, I started out by covering the plastic pieces with gesso.  Prior to applying the gesso, I sanded out the ridges in the bottle top that are used to screw on the lid with heavy grit sandpaper.  

Note in the picture below that the "top" of the lantern is actually the original "bottom" of the piece.  I turned the lantern pieces over so that the filigree would be at the bottom of each window, where I thought it looked best. 

I cut a half round piece out of Foam Core board to cover the top of the lantern and to help transition the shapes and integrate them visually.   I sanded both pieces using 60 grit sandpaper, then sanded with 120 grit sandpaper, and then followed up with #0000 Steel Wool, to ensure a nice, smooth finish on both pieces. Used together, these pieces gave me a solid, clean shape to begin working with. 

Transformed from bottle top to dome!

My next step was to apply color to the dome.  I wanted a copper effect, but one that would have the suggestion of being weathered.   To create some additional interest, I also chose to texture the dome first, and add metal bands from top to bottom around the dome.  I started this process by first adding a texture coat. 

The grouted domes before sanding

I applied TEC Ready to Use Adhesive and Grout Unsanded Formula to overlay the layer of gesso I put on the plastic bottle.  I then used a toothbrush and an old paint brush to "stipple" the surfaces, applying the grout and then removing the brushes in a "pulling" motion, leaving nice sharp points.  I let that dry and then came back with heavy sandpaper to sand the ends flat, leaving dipples in the overall texture.  

Tape placed with gaps between to create the dome bands

Once the grout had been sanded to create a very dimpled surface, the next step was to lay a base of grey-black color.  I used Folk Art Blending Gel with black acrylic paint as a base coat.  I created metal bands on the dome by cutting masking tape into small 1/8 in, strips using my utility knife, and adding them to the dome. As you can see I wanted vertical stripes up the dome sides.

After applying additional grout, before sanding bands

Having placed the tape where I wanted it, I was ready to apply more grout.  I applied the second layer of grout and followed up with a knife blade to smooth the texture over the banded areas.  

After waiting several minutes for the grout to partially dry, I stripped the small pieces of tape from the dome, and now had straight appearing (operative word!) bands of grout that ascended the dome on its sides. 

I painted the entire base with Deco Art 'Royal Ruby' Metallic Paint...which left me with a nice copper color base.  

A coat of "Royal Penny" paint as the base coat

After the original coat of copper paint, I stippled Deco Art 'Dark Patina' Metallic paint over the top of the dome, leaving some of the original copper paint showing through.

Added "Dark Patina" second coat

Over this layer second of paint, I added a third coat of paint using Deco Art's "Worn Penny" Metallic Paint, again, stippling with the paint to return the dome to mostly copper, but leaving a bit of the green verdigris showing through. 

Applied "Warm Penny" over the verdigris layer

I went back in around each of the bands and added another coat of the 'Dark Patina'  paint along all the bands...where rain and wear would have darkened the copper and then finished off with another coat of 'Royal Ruby' just on the bands.  

The new dome in dry fit with the Oriel window

I also painted the Foam Core roof piece and added brass brads (with the heads painted copper) to the edge to finish it off, and then aged the roof piece, the lantern itself, and the tile at the base.  

I had previously cut up an old Armstrong Floor Tile I had in the garage and applied the small cut pieces  to create a tile look as a base for the additional detail I have planned as I finish off the pieces.  

Here is a peek at the Steampunk Chateau all dressed up with its' new Oriel Windows!  

1st and 2nd floor with Steampunk windows where they will go

This is where I stopped on this project, because my main objective was to set the new profile for the Oriel window so that I could modify and adjust the third floor shell to work with the changed dome profile.   You will see a few additional trim pieces that I cut out of foam core in some of the following photos though.  

I will be going back in on these pieces as I attach and apply the windows to the house in the final assembly stages for each affected room.  For now, they will remain as is.

I wanted to share with you too what the window will look like with glass in it!  All of the additional window pieces, both glass and Foam Core, are just set in in this photo, rather than attached, but you can see the general effect in this photo.  I loved it...and cannot wait to assemble everything permanently some day soon! At that time, I will be adding all additional detail to finalize this portion of the project. 

A glimpse of the important future ahead for these newly minted windows!

Thanks for joining me here on the blog, hope you have enjoyed following along on the creation story for the Steampunk Oriel windows.  

Have a great evening!   Until next time!  

Doug S

The Birth of the Steampunk Chateau Oriel Windows

One of the challenges of learning the art of miniature on a project such as the Steampunk Chateau is the interesting and often tricky task of re-interpreting our real world in a new and interesting way, while promoting the sense of fantasy and drama that goes along with the Steampunk Vibe.

An Oriel Window - Image Courtesy of Richard Croft CC

I have always had an incredible love of architecture, particularly architecture that is unique and memorable.  One of those architectural features that I love is the Oriel Window.

I knew when I started that I wanted to have this sort of window featured in my Chateau.  Even before I decided to take this build the direction of Steampunk, I had planned to include this element, because it is so memorable and can add so much interest to a facade.

When I built the cardboard model I didn't know for sure what direction I would take with the Oriel windows, so you see them represented in the cardboard model as curved box windows.

Second Floor Oriel Windows represented as curved boxes

My challenge, once I took it on, was to turn those Oriel window plans into a Steampunk reality.  This is something I thought long and hard on...and really, for some time came up with very little!

My wife and I were in Hobby Lobby one day (which since I started this project has been a way too frequent occurrence!) and we were looking at the amazing variety of beautiful objects they display.   I looked at several of their lanterns, and the inspiration hit.  I saw "the shape" that I wanted the window to be...perfection!  And rusty to boot!

Now I don't know how many of you have bought something knowing you were going to cut it up immediately upon reaching home...but that is an interesting experience!  I shelled out the money thinking the entire time what a complete fool I was!  I almost could not do it!

But I succeeded, and upon reaching home, immediately set out to turn it into the Steampunk Oriel window I envisioned.   The first thing I did, to make sure I wasn't completely off base, was to test the size of the "window" with my little friend Jorge.  I think it distressed him a tad..but we made it through the experience!

My first task was to cut the lantern into it's several pieces. 

Now this, dear reader, was not something I had any idea how to do! My mechanical son (where DOES he get that from?!) showed me how to use my Dremel to cut the metal, and I learned a new skill that day...one I never thought I would ever have!

With such a successful disassembly operation, I confidently moved forward with developing my ideas.  I ended up with a starting point that I sort of liked...

Furthering the Oriel Window concept

I especially liked that "Extreme Moose Tracks" ice cream....oh how we suffer for the cause!

The concept I chose to use in the end after a detour!

I continued to work with the idea and ended up with a concept I very much liked.  This is the concept I adopted and am furthering as I move forward with the build.

Now for a little aside... I'll tell you about another of those little corrections I made to my vision as I went through the process.

I have always loved the look of Art Nouveau, and one of the shapes I love is shown below, the pedestrian entrance to the 'Métro de Paris' Rapid Transit System.

"Abesses entrance 1". Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

So my original vision of the new Oriel Window had this detail on it.  Ready for a laugh?  Here is my original drawing of that detail...  Without hours of work....perspective is not my thing...!

Ready to fly off into the Sunset

I set about trying to make this idea work....and one of the first decisions I made was that it didn't!!

It started out promising....

A promising start!

but it ended in disaster!  

EEEEWWWWW!!!!

I hated it!  What was worse, it just did NOT work with the rest of the architecture....  So...we had a bit of a change in plans!  Back to the drawing board!

Well, I think it is time to end this post for the moment.  I'll be back with more on the Oriel windows soon....

Until then!  Have a great day!

Doug S

What IS Steampunk?!!

Hello folks!

It occurred to me that some of my visitors might not know what Steampunk was.  I asked a friend of mine if they knew what it was and they looked at me rather strangely!   I really didn't expect that, because it seems such a trend lately.

However, when you look into it, it IS somewhat hard to define! Everyone has their own ideas about the Steampunk aesthetic and what it means.  I found a poster on Pintrest that defined it quite well.  That poster proclaimed that Steampunk is...

"A psuedo-Victorian melange of ideas, notions and possibilities intersecting [with] a neo-apocalyptic dystopian future wherein the occupants reside within a quasi-utopian, retro-technological and idealogical society. Generally while fighting Cthulhu from airships while wearing corsets and goggles."

Pintrest Steampunk Poster 

There!  That is Steampunk!

Steampunk design has become a groundswell within the creative and arts world, and today is even making itself into real life interior design. The variation of what people come up with is truly amazing.  In fact, there are even "sub-cultures" developing within the Steampunk world.

My particular "brand" of Steampunk is all about redefining the past to create an alternate technological reality.  You'll see that tendency in everything I choose to do for this house, which also means I am constantly having (already!) to re-invent and imagineer not only what to do for the house, but also how!

I will be using lots of clocks and gears (a staple in just about all versions of Steampunk), lots of copper, gold, brass, bronze, and verdigree...combined with Victorian mirrors and furniture, with a semi grunge theme, while creating an opulent elegance using the Art Noveau and Art Deco design elements juxtaposed against fantastic textures and fabrics.  Modern elements will be redefined to appear Victorian, while Victorian and Art Noveau elements will be redefined to appear modern.   It will be a lovely mess, won't it!  (you may think that once you see the first pictures!  Remember, it isn't finished yet!)

I won't be adding skulls.  If you want skulls, there are lots of other fine stops on the internet where those can be viewed in their full glory...but this house will not have those if I can help it!  (watch...I'll find the "perfect" piece somewhere and it will have a skull on it...but if I do, we'll remain very quiet about it, OK?)

I hope to strike the perfect balance between graceful elegance and grungy age.  This has already been an incredibly fun challenge!  I want to "see" it finished...but first I have to figure it all out.  Very overwhelming at times.

So after all that, I owe you your first glimpse of the Entry as a Work in Process.

Here it is!

in all its unfinished glory.

This room has been, and will be a LOT of work.  This is going to take me a rather long time to finish, I believe! I am building pretty much everything from scratch, largely because the sorts of things I want in the house just are not out there on the market.  I also really want to create these things myself so that I learn the skills for future projects. I could probably not have picked a better project to start with, by that measure.  I am going to have to learn about everything to pull this off.

I will also comfort some of you by letting you know that the floor won't stay the way it is!  It is rather gaudy and discombobulated at the moment, but "we have plans for you" dear reader.  I sure hope they work!!

I'll fill you all in on each component of the above in my "history of the house" posts.  And as promised, as I do make progress that is noticeable, or am doing something that is of educational value for others (and probably frustrating to me!!) I will post and share those things.


Until Next Time!!

Doug S