Book Accessory & Reading Accessory Ideas for Home Library etc. » Antique accessories

Home library, Regency style

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:27:34 +0000

This 1816 etching by John Britton represents a typical home library during Regency. The library is located at Cassiobury Park and it was used similarly to many other home libraries of the time — it was essentially the most important room of the house and could be easily referred to as a family sitting room. A group of small dogs in the front sufficiently demonstrates the openness of this library to anyone and anything. At the same time, all traditional library features are present and their style is unmistakable. We see built-in bookcases that are architectural in nature. In other such libraries you would often see (apart from the books, obviously) various antiquities and curiosities. Small private museums of this sort had a long history, but in Georgian times and in the early 19th century the trend became very popular. As far as architectural styles, Regency designers preferred neoclassical decor, howver Gothic influences were also quite common at the discretion of individual owners who were inspired by the love of all things Medieval (as interpreted by novelists and poets). The furniture of this particular home library is typical Regency style (note the Grecian chairs), but the general tone has a certain Gothic air.

I am including some additional samples of Regency library furniture. I especially like the library steps

Steampunk office accessories

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:12:03 +0000

It is no surprise that steampunk aesthetics are easily applied to home office equipment. A home office is really an extension of the traditional home library or study which reached the heights of design in Victorian times. So, if you want to achieve a sleek steampunk look you should start with a traditional home library design, not much different from what you can see in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Jay Walker’s famous library can also serve as an inspiration. Note how the lighting has been updated, compared to the more traditional-looking libraries and some materials are used that would not have been common in the 19th century.

Now comes the interesting part. You can easily modify any modern office equipment to look “period”, thus creating steampunk items by definition. You can find tutorials on how to mod a computer, an LCD screen or a keyboard. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite.

Steampunk computers

As you may have observed, there are several ways of creating a steampunk object. You can start with a modern device and add design and functional elements to it. Instead, you can use an existing Victorian era item and add modern capabilities to it.

Steampunk computer mice

It is generally very easy to mod a mouse, because most modern mice are optical. You can easily slop anything on top of it. There is no Victorian object that I can think of that you can turn into a mouse

USB drives

There is actually an extremely simple way to make your own steampunk USB drive. Fine an antique lighter and use its case to house any USB drive you have!

Steampunk lamps

Candle holders for reading: an antique book accessory

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:21:58 +0000

Modern book lights are highly evolved and specialized, despite the fact that numerous sources of light are available in any contemporary home. As one would expect, prior to the era of electricity, sources of light were adapted to specific uses. It means that among book accessories that are not necessarily useful, but nevertheless of great decorative value are candlesticks for reading. You can also use the traditional candle holder designs in modern light fixtures. So, what specifically makes a candlestick suitable for reading? Two things are most important in my opinion:

Such candlesticks must provide plenty of light — you will need at least two or three candles. If you are all about authenticity don’t buy scented candles.
Candlesticks for reading beginning in late 18th century often had a very useful feature. They were equipped with shades to shield the eyes during reading. If you ever had to read with a single unshaded lamp bulb you should appreciate this innovation! Such shades must be made out of inflammable materials, e.g. bronze. Metallic surfaces also help direct the light onto the surface of the page, greatly improving the brightness — this way two modest candles can provide plenty of light for reading. Keep in mind that such candle holders are rare these days, because most candlesticks today are purely decorative. I would imagine that antique candle holders that were designed primarily for readers are an excellent collector’s item. They would look great an a traditional home library or home office.