Steampunk Bathroom

3. Architect Andre Rothblatt and Ragnar Boresen at The Sink Factory maxed out the idea of pairing black with metallics, using ready-made copper pipes to create steampunk style in this San Francisco bathroom. A hammered copper sink basin picks up on the pipes, while black tile and a Victorian-style wallpaper complete the look.

8. This washroom celebrates the steampunk style – a design genre that marries the industrial age with sci-fi. The dramatic, exposed copper pipes, washbasin and taps stand out against the dark walls and white vanity and WC. The filament bulbs on either side of the mirror lend a soft glow to the otherwise mystic and dark bathroom. The copper pipes are functional but overly exaggerated to go with the theme. It also adds a metallic sheen to an otherwise dark bathroom.

CopperCopper is unmistakable and bold. It gives the bathroom a rich feeling, especially when mixed with a subtler material, such as marble on a countertop. Advantages: Copper has natural antibacterial properties. It’s fairly easy to find and also has the ability to “heal” itself. Over a short period of time, a scratch in copper will become darker and eventually blend with the patina.Disadvantages: A shiny copper finish might require a little more maintenance than brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome, but if you let it age naturally, copper will develop a beautiful patina. It’s harder to match accessories and other fixtures to copper, and it’s not as durable as other finishes.Styles it works with: Tuscan and farmhouse. And, of course, steampunk.Learn how to use metallic hues at home

We won't actually do this, but it's pretty cool, isn't it?