Wondrous Steampunk Style for a Massachusetts Victorian
Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum are fans of steampunk style, which blends elements of the steam-powered Victorian era and science fiction. Imagine an early-1900s lathe machine repurposed to create plasma light art. Or a ray gun made from Victorian-era pieces. Or a pump organ converted into a modern computerwork station. All of these things, by the way, exist in the Rosenbaums’ remodeled 1901 three-story Victorian home.
The couple added traditional elements to the house, too, after they purchased it and began remodeling in 2000. A new roof, chimney, gutters, siding and bathrooms updated the space. But thy also now have a more “period-correct kitchen to better suit our Victorian/Craftsman style,” Bruce says. The unique aesthetic includes red velvet fabric, cast iron pieces, antique wood accents and brass-laden gadgets befitting a bygone area.
In Bruce’s words, their house embodies the steampunk ethos of infusing “modern technology, science and appliances into period objects, antiques and architectural salvage.” The experience of the overhaul prompted them to start a design company, ModVic, which seeks to help homeowners and designers create a similar style with a contemporary spin.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum
Location: Sharon, Massachusetts
Size: 3,600 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home has an original 1930s elevator, still functional.
The couple added traditional elements to the house, too, after they purchased it and began remodeling in 2000. A new roof, chimney, gutters, siding and bathrooms updated the space. But thy also now have a more “period-correct kitchen to better suit our Victorian/Craftsman style,” Bruce says. The unique aesthetic includes red velvet fabric, cast iron pieces, antique wood accents and brass-laden gadgets befitting a bygone area.
In Bruce’s words, their house embodies the steampunk ethos of infusing “modern technology, science and appliances into period objects, antiques and architectural salvage.” The experience of the overhaul prompted them to start a design company, ModVic, which seeks to help homeowners and designers create a similar style with a contemporary spin.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Bruce and Melanie Rosenbaum
Location: Sharon, Massachusetts
Size: 3,600 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The home has an original 1930s elevator, still functional.
The library is painted a warm cream color to highlight the home’s original woodwork.
Paint: Sundown 124, C2 Paint |
Elaborate cast iron machinery dominates the room. Bruce describes this contraption as an early 1900s steampunk portrait camera computer workstation. To the right of it is a 1930s British Thomson Houston film projector, one of the first to reproduce sound with film.
If you visit the Rosenbaum home at night, you’ll witness a spectacular light show. An early 1900s lathe machine has been repurposed to power plasma light art.
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In the family room, green painted walls are paired with a tufted rolled-arm sofa reminiscent of the Chesterfield style. Large stained glass windows flank the window for an Arts and Crafts feel. “We used C2 Paint because I had been working with a paint color store that swore the colors would literally jump off the walls. We went with earth-color tones; rich, deep yellows; and Craftsman green,” Bruce says.
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