Nautilus inspired bathroom (photo heavy)

[Joeynana]

When making the bits I've used as decoration in the bathroom, it has been important that it's function looks real for the illusion to work.  For example the rivets.  When making a piece I have come to the realisation that any piece I make needn't be perfect in shape as long as the illusion is set.

This doesn't make a great deal of sense in text for so I'll show you what I mean with some pictures and a little dialogue.

So firstly I cut out some shapes out of 3mm MDF, now don't get me wrong, this piece has been measured, remeasured and cut with as close detail as my caffeinated shakey hands will let me.

[Joeynana]

However it's not perfect, and nor does it need to be. (nothing in the real world ever is)
But as it stands, if I were to use this piece as it is, it will just look like a bit of MDF glued to a piece of wood.  This is where I need to adjust it to make the illusion come to life.

I sand down the edges to give it a more solid look.

[Joeynana]

Now I need to use it in a place where a piece of this shape may be used.  I would never cut a piece of wood or MDF for that matter without purpose (for two reasons.  It's a waste of wood and, everytime you use a power tool you run the risk of having an accident, why put yourself in harms way needlessly¿) and as such I've cut this with a specific purpose in mind.

It's a plate 'riveted' to the beam I've just made.  In the real world a beam of that size could have come in two seperate pieces, if it did (due to the fact welding didn't exist 100 years ago) it would have had two or more plates riveted in place to hold it together.



And with that in place the illusion is nearly set.

[Joeynana]

A final touch and viola



All it needs now is a sand and paint... Sheesh I'm starting to sound like a broken record.

Ps.  This is mirrored on the other side.

[barb dwyer]

I'm telling you
there's an entire network here on US tv
dedicated to remodeling, etc -

you could have your own show!

I'm coming back to this thread first every day
to see if there's a new installment...

[Parallax]

I'm telling you
there's an entire network here on US tv
dedicated to remodeling, etc -

you could have your own show!

I'm coming back to this thread first every day
to see if there's a new installment...

2nded

[Danbury Shakes]

And this week Joeynana  will be making a bicycle shed look like HG Wells's time machine

[Joeynana]

I'm not happy with the layout of the lettering however it was popular vote (chosen by my son)

[SeVeNeVeS]

Now I can see toilet location clearly, have you considered using a concealed cistern and back to wall or hung pan? Its alot more boxing in work and money, but would create a cleaner finish and you could possibly try and match some of the details around the basin area. Also if you get a single push button flush, a contraption could be constructed to push that button (off the top my head a brass or wooden lever bit like a beer pump handle kinda thing) Hope my ramblings make some kinda sense......

~SeVeN~

[Joeynana]

I have thought of many of those ideas, even a cistern in the wall setup (way too expensive).  I've looked at steel bowls, some people here have even suggested fish in a tank in the cistern, my wife loved that idea saying I could make a little diorama depicting the nautilus.  Some of these ideas have even been contemplated, that is until we see the price tag.  I'm on the hunt for a Victorian/heritage style loo though.  It seems to be the easiest and cheapest way around our toilet problem.

[akumabito]

I went looking on that site for vintage toilet setups, they don't seem to have any at the moment though..

But here's something else that's interesting: This shower sold for over $10k, but you might use it for inspiration: http://www.archantiques.com/id366.html

[bicyclebuilder]

a bit to late to mention, but a toilet like this would be nice to.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Joeynana]

Akumabito, that has to be simply the most outstanding piece of bathroom furniture I have ever seen... I fell in love with the tap handles... They make the ones I'm looking at look like a cheap pieces of plastic laundry tub taps in comparison.

Since this has been sold the link will likely be broken soon so here are some images off the site.

These images do not belong to me.  If they are your images and you would like them removed please contact this sites administrators.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/joeynana05/Steampunk%20Submarine%20Bathroom/955ef974.jpg

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m532/joeynana05/Steampunk%20Submarine%20Bathroom/bd3034ca.jpg

[Guinevere Meander]

I once stayed in the "Savoy" in London and their shower heads are about 1 foot in diameter, but that set up tops EVERYTHING!!..Thanks for sharing this, akumabito!
wet Guin

[engineRmRaphi]

You're certainly a-head of the curve.   Nautilus but nice.  Way to, uh, go! 

Every SteamPunk, Verne-ophile, and neoVictorian will simply have to do whatever it takes to avail themselves of such a splendid facility! 

Which may be the key to recovering in part what must have been quite an investment.  How about guided tours that end at the door?  Which would of course have the appropriately constructed apparatus for operating as a pay toilet.  Viola!     

[Smaggers]

I'm not happy with the layout of the lettering however it was popular vote (chosen by my son)

I know what you mean, but it's not uncommon for Victorian designers to have done stuff like that, so it does fit.

[akumabito]

Also: http://www.thomas-crapper.com
Epic win! Can't go wrong with a Crapper crapper!
And who wouldn't want a brass bathtub?

Please do make sure you're seated before looking at their prices..

[Guinevere Meander]

Holy $**t  and the pun is very intended!

[Joeynana]

You're certainly a-head of the curve.   Nautilus but nice.  Way to, uh, go! 

Every SteamPunk, Verne-ophile, and neoVictorian will simply have to do whatever it takes to avail themselves of such a splendid facility! 

Which may be the key to recovering in part what must have been quite an investment.  How about guided tours that end at the door?  Which would of course have the appropriately constructed apparatus for operating as a pay toilet.  Viola!     

Here I sit broken hearted
Spent a nickel and only.... Well I'm sure you get the picture.

[Joeynana]

WOW... just shy of 4000 views on this thread.  That'd be cool if 3990 of them weren't me making posts.

[Ryde]

I'll do my bit to help, Sir. Your skills and ambition are truly fantastic! I've just perused this entire thread and ,quite frankly, I am suffering from  visual overload. What an amazing project. I'll be popping in from time to time, in order to see your progress. Keep up the splendid work and chronography of your work.

[Joeynana]

Thanks Ryde...

Oh and by the way 7 square metres of tile arrived today.



It's a terrible photo, I'll do my best to get a better one later, however they look like large pieces of rusty iron.

[bicyclebuilder]

Just out of practical curiosity. How are you going to keep this bathroom clean? I mean, when are you going to stop cleaning, without removing the paint?

[akumabito]

Just out of practical curiosity. How are you going to keep this bathroom clean? I mean, when are you going to stop cleaning, without removing the paint?

Cleaning?? Why would you want to do THAT??? The dirt and grime that will build up over the years will just add to the effect!!

[Joeynana]

This is a question I've been asking from the onset... Thankfully I'm a married man and bathroom cleaning is on her chore list.  But seriously most of the paint that will need to be will be sealed with a satin clear coat (that'll be able to be wiped down).  The rest is painted in enamel so it's all good, however I see the things like the rivets collecting dust.  Six months after it's completed I'll let you know if we're pulling our hair out from constant cleaning.