Steampunk hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Steampunk loft lighting system

Because of the recent ever increasing arguments on what is and isn’t steampunk on social media, I’ve taken a more black and white approach to it. As far as I’m concerned, if you think and say it’s steampunk, then it’s steampunk; if you don’t, it’s not.

That is until something like the Steampunk loft featured on airbnb gets thrown into the equation. You see, the owner describes it as steampunk and it has strong steampunk elements to it. So why am I questioning it?

Living space with vice leg table

Take a look around the loft and you can see how steampunk was used as inspiration for their design. I adore the lighting system as a sort of “creeper” effect of copper pipes. I also like the coffee table with the large vices as legs.

That’s pretty much where it ends, though. I think the rest of the design simply looks like someone gathered a load of old metal and stuck it to walls. The plastic seats on the balcony are far too modern and the bed is minimalist.

Gates stuck to a wall: steampunk

Of course, I’m contrasting my conclusions against the upper class style of steampunk and the pipework doesn’t reflect that. What I am pleased to see is that steampunk is working it’s way into far flung corners of the World.

The balcony features plastic chairs

Do you think the rest of the decor is befitting of steampunk? It’s a working studio, designed for a travelling professional as they offer weekly and monthly stay packages. You can write on the walls and dry wipe markers are provided to do so.

Where’s the furthest away or most unusual place you’ve seen something that has been inspired by steampunk?

Have a look at these pictures, then take a look at the page on airbnb. Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

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