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The train dates back to the Victorian era but has had a very modern overhaul. The restored train cars ride on modern pneumatic and hydraulic suspension system. They also have air conditioning, satellite television and wi-fi, even in the remote parts of India.The individual suites on the car have writing desks, queen beds and spacious bathrooms.

The Maharajas Express operates various tours throughout the year that include arranged outings at the daily stops. Prices range from $800 to $2500, a fairly reasonable sum considering this includes accommodations, travel, food and all outings.
www.maharajasexpress.com
Ralph Lauren Magazine

I found this at a local thrift store yesterday for a whopping $4.
Not sure if I am going to do something with it or just make it a decor item in my office.

Parbuckles is one of the few U.S. based retailers offering campaign style furniture.  They carry a variety of reproduction campaign furniture and “inspired” items that coordinate.  Many of the items such as the trunk bar have the portability that was the core purpose of campaign furniture in the first place.

Quality portable furniture certainly isn’t a bad idea.  If your not familiar with campaign furniture it was the portable travel furniture used by armies. Some ascribe it to the Victorian era British armies, others to Napoleon in origin.  Either way it is a more stylish option for easy to move furnishings than Ikea.

See it all at Parbuckles.com.

credit: Londonist.com

The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, UK houses this old set of bowling lanes. It is assumed to be from the Victorian era and was installed for the benefit of the naval pensioners. Ironically, the morgue is next door.

I keep finding more of these old lanes hidden away in estates or old facilities, untouched by modern updates. They have an interesting simplicity and a look into life of the era.

Find out more at Londonist.com or the Old Royal Naval College website.

These European bikes may be the next big thing since more people are using bikes as a transportation option. That old mountain bike does not quite cut it if your wearing something other than sweats and forget about carrying groceries or a laptop bag.

European bikes offer a more practical option for day to day short transit to the store or work. The riding position is upright, they have multiple options for carrying gear and offer features like skirt guards and enclosed chain assemblies. They also look more sophisticated than your typical sport bike.

Bike stores in larger cities have begun to carry lines of these bikes. Most run from about $900 to $2000 so invest in a good quality bike lock.

Pashley Bicycles
Oma Bicycles
Abici Bicycles
Velorbis Bicycles

Michael Weschler for The New York Times

The New York Times recently ran this story about vintage mavens in Brooklyn. I get a bit nervous when something offbeat and cool starts being discussed by fashionistas or marketing firms. It could mean more interesting offering or something done to death and skyrocketing prices. The collections of the people interviewed are quite interesting and the reasoning behind this becoming a trend are intriguing. Part of the appeal being an interest in stepping out of the over hyped consumer culture and modernism for something more thoughtful and with a history. More anachronistic than sentimental.

I blame my interest in old things on my mom. She used to take me on antique store trips with her friends when I was young. Antique stores are much more interesting than museums when your nine. I continued scrounging for the old, odd and interesting as an adult and just never really stopped.

The NY Times article.
NY Times slideshow.

I noticed this desk at Goodwill for $20. I thought it might look good in my office but didn’t pick it up. Many people stopped to look but no one bought it. I went back the next day and it was still there. Again a couple of people were looking at it but no one was making any effort to buy it. I pulled the tag off of the desk and went up front to pay for it. Then I noticed the people who were looking at it looking at me with sad puppy faces. It must be the desk of indecision or something.

So far I am quite happy with it and it has proved more of an asset to my office than I would have thought. Now to just get the rest of the space finished. The picture was right after I moved the desk downstairs, before it was properly cleaned. It did clean up quite nicely and after a coat of lemon oil began to show the original cherry wood finish.

The desk has no maker or brand that I could find. All interior pieces including the drawers appear to be hardwood, and are dovetail joined. The leather top is rather worn and looks to have been a replacement for the original. I may replace it in the future with proper leather. There is no way to determine the value or original price of the desk, but it was certainly well worth the $20 to me.

Credit: Tesla Wardenclyffe Project

Historians are working to save this lone existing site of the work of Nikola Tesla. The property is owned by Agfa as part of a larger complex. The laboratory building is still standing. The tower is gone but the foundation still resides on the property. The building shows signs of neglect but still houses the original equipment from Tesla’s experiments. A series of strange tanks that the Agfa staff have determined were batteries are still in place as is much of the other equipment. There is also said to be a series of tunnels running under the tower location.

The hope is to buy the property and turn it into a Tesla museum while preserving the remaining portions of the complex. The New York Times has an in depth article on the laboratory here.

Slideshow of images of Wardenclyffe.
The Tesla Wardenclyffe Project web site.

The Seelbach originally opened in 1905. Over the years it had the same fate of many old buildings. Falling into neglect in the 70′s and eventually revived to the original glory in the 90′s.

Many of the original features of the building survived including the lobby, the Oak Room dining room and the Rathskeller rooftop ballroom (top left). The ballroom is the only existing example of a room completely adorned in Rookwood pottery tile. The Rathskeller was also the first air conditioned venue. The hotel has had numerous U.S. Presidents as guests, the likes of Al Capone frequented and is now on the U.S. historic register.

This historic hotel is currently owned by Hilton Hotels so options like room discounts, business travel room rates and Hilton Honors points are available.
Find out more about the Seelbach at SeelbachHilton.com

Bob Martin built this
functioning sub out of a
Disney model kit. He added
lighting, working details and
the mechanics necessary to
propel and dive the sub.

Find out more.
Dvice.com