Fixtures

[Homburg]

What are your thoughts on fixtures? By this I mean things like spanking benches, the St Andrew's cross, stocks, etc.

I've noticed that I am not interested in them, by and large. The slick, manufactured look bores me, especially in porn. I am much more interested in the tools of expediency, and my aesthetic runs to things like the bamboo poles used in classical style shibari, a woman tied to the hood of a car, trees or forms of nature, industrial piping, and other non-standard fixtures. It implies either urgency, or creative perversion in my mind. "I have this beautiful girl, and I simply must tie her to something to use her properly, and... ah, that tree will do nicely"

I know that Evil_Geoff has a cross, but how many people actually own such things as spanking benches and the like?

 

[FurryFury]

I'd like to own those items. It's my dream to have a fully furnished room for play someday, but really we just have to make do with what we have around the house. A weight bench for instance will do or even a lap for spanking purposes.

 

[desertslave]

I really like the feel of being on a cross, though it's been a very long time. It's tricky to describe why, but I suppose it's mostly being bound yet accessible at the same time, unlike being tied down to a horizontal surface.

 

[CutieMouse]

Mmm... no. (IMO) way way way hotter to be reminded of the nasty things done the last time you were bent over, positioned/held down upon, yadayadayada the bathroom vanity, dining room table, the tree in the back yard, yadayadayada - every time you see them while going about your day.

 

[subbie_333]

Mmm... no. (IMO) way way way hotter to be reminded of the nasty things done the last time you were bent over, positioned/held down upon, yadayadayada the bathroom vanity, dining room table, the tree in the back yard, yadayadayada - every time you see them while going about your day.

Yes, this has a wonderful appeal. But, the same can be said for some about seeing a cross, bench, and, the smell of leather cuffs.

i think that one appeal of these fixtures is that they are designed for a specific purpose. Therefore, is it quicker and easier to render the pyl in the position desired, and, the fixture makes the desired affect much easier to attain.

On the other hand, i totally understand the concept of quickly adapting to the situation with rope or straps. So, different strokes for different folks.

 

[subbie_333]

the tree in the back yard,

A pic from my leatherwork site, showing one of many uses of my adjustable restraint straps:

http://www.cometsoftware.com/she/images/leather_restraints_adjustable_f.jpg

 

[FurryFury]

I have some items in my head that I've designed for certain kinky activities. Maybe someday, I'll actually make them or have them made!

I do like the nasty, delicious thoughts that jump into ones head while looking at X item!

 

[MaleSlut47]

I must agree with Cutie Mouse that ordinary items used for restraint are hot. An ex of mine used to have what she called a milking stool. It was an ordinary low four legged wooden stool that has a slot cut in top. The slot had rounded routered edges and was the perfect width. She would make me kneel straddling it, pull my cock and balls through the slot, then place a steel cock ring on me trapping me on it. On all fours unable to get up until I was soft enough to get the cock ring off I always felt very vunerable and exteremly slutty. The memories of what she would do to me while I was on the stool would give me hard on every time I saw it. We keep it in the living room and only a select few people knew it was other then a simple decorative stool.

 

[Homburg]

I'd like to own those items. It's my dream to have a fully furnished room for play someday, but really we just have to make do with what we have around the house. A weight bench for instance will do or even a lap for spanking purposes.

My weight bench (and the squat rack it sits in) is used for pervy purposes all the time. The squat rack is incredible for that, frankly. I can't imagine anything short of some of the really impressive bondage beds that would be as versatile as my cheerful squat rack. And it was WAY cheaper than a bondage bed.

--

Mmm... no. (IMO) way way way hotter to be reminded of the nasty things done the last time you were bent over, positioned/held down upon, yadayadayada the bathroom vanity, dining room table, the tree in the back yard, yadayadayada - every time you see them while going about your day.

Yup yup yup. There are so many mundane items in my house that have been used for dark purposes, and they all have such wonderful memories associated with them. And unlile purpose built fetish fictures, I don't hide away.

--

I must agree with Cutie Mouse that ordinary items used for restraint are hot. An ex of mine used to have what she called a milking stool. It was an ordinary low four legged wooden stool that has a slot cut in top. The slot had rounded routered edges and was the perfect width. She would make me kneel straddling it, pull my cock and balls through the slot, then place a steel cock ring on me trapping me on it. On all fours unable to get up until I was soft enough to get the cock ring off I always felt very vunerable and exteremly slutty. The memories of what she would do to me while I was on the stool would give me hard on every time I saw it. We keep it in the living room and only a select few people knew it was other then a simple decorative stool.

Yes, exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about. The fact that it was out in the open makes it all the hotter, even if they don't know what it was used for.

 

[Homburg]

I really like the feel of being on a cross, though it's been a very long time. It's tricky to describe why, but I suppose it's mostly being bound yet accessible at the same time, unlike being tied down to a horizontal surface.

This is one reason why I asked. I've not used crosses and such all that often. The few times I did, I wasn't particularly spun up over them as a top. The bottom's perspective is the one I lack.

--

Yes, this has a wonderful appeal. But, the same can be said for some about seeing a cross, bench, and, the smell of leather cuffs.

I don't really class leather goods in the same vein. I was thinking purely of furniture type stuff.

i think that one appeal of these fixtures is that they are designed for a specific purpose. Therefore, is it quicker and easier to render the pyl in the position desired, and, the fixture makes the desired affect much easier to attain.

On the other hand, i totally understand the concept of quickly adapting to the situation with rope or straps. So, different strokes for different folks.

That's just it. It is no quicker for me to strap/tie someone to a cross than it is to strap/tie them to my squat rack, or an overhead beam, or a hard point. Maybe it is just because I have practice with rope, but I can secure a bottom plenty quick without resorting to fixed furniture. And, honestly, the adjustable stuff causes me to take more time to size them to the bottom.

A pic from my leatherwork site, showing one of many uses of my adjustable restraint straps:

This is one of the reasons why I don't class leather goods as fixtures. These fulfill the same overall purpose as rope or chain, and, honestly, do good things aesthetically for me. After all, this is expedient, situational bondage using your straps and the materials at hand. She's tied between two trees after all.

 

[MaleSlut47]

One of her friends, a lesbain, knew what the milking stool was for. Every time the friend was over adn wwe sat in the living room, I was embarrassed and horny as hell the hwole time. My ex used mention the stool(not it's real purpose )ocassionaly in front of other people just to watch me squirm.

 

[Netzach]

Very little in the way of furniture has ever turned me on. Rupert Huse and Sonny Black make furnishings that are actually sexy to me. I like modernism. I also find that traditional wooden suspension rigs work for me. I like the minimalism of the bondage spyder. I appreciate creativity and engineering, but I know my own limitations in this, and I don't like to be fretting over whether I'm going to have an attachment point issue.


I'm actively turned off by stocks or anything that reeks of ye olde torture gone by. Blah.

Lastly, our ottoman is my favorite of all.

 

[Homburg]

Very little in the way of furniture has ever turned me on. Rupert Huse and Sonny Black make furnishings that are actually sexy to me. I like modernism. I also find that traditional wooden suspension rigs work for me. I like the minimalism of the bondage spyder. I appreciate creativity and engineering, but I know my own limitations in this, and I don't like to be fretting over whether I'm going to have an attachment point issue.

I like wooden suspension rigs too. In my own case, I'm fortunate enough to have a handy structure in which I could safely suspend a motorcycle if I had to. Putting a person up in it is no difficulty at all.

Lastly, our ottoman is my favorite of all.

I used an ottoman once in play, and have quietly wanted one ever since.

 

[intothewoods]

Mister Man has no bdsm furniture, and I doubt he'll be getting any. What bondage we do tends to be to the bed, to a chair, etc. Nothing too intricate.

The stuff I like at play parties is black with black leather. I like when it all matches, and that's pretty much the extent of my excitement over bdsm furniture. It's really not my aesthetic as far as interior design goes. I'm having an organic modern moment at this point in my life, and black leather with industrial nails or whatever doesn't really go.

From a play perspective, I did like the cross in that it gave me a place to put my arms and keep them out of the way. Otherwise at a party I might fidget.

Lol, that reminds me of my last play session at a party, with a Top friend. It was a crowded dungeon, so she had me lean up against a smidgeon of wall, the only free space available. I said, oh, where should I put my wine? So she called over a guy and he made like a table for me to rest my wine. Was kind of a funny scene.

 

[greeneyed_Lady]

I don't own any purpose specific furniture... for a few reasons. Most are damned pricey and I'm currently an unemployed single mom of two with full custody. Free time is rare. Play time even more rare. Space is at a premium as well, and since the spawn live with me, my play is hidden from them. Having a purpose specific piece is counter productive to that.

I do, however, have a high 4 poster canopy. The posts are more decorative then truly functional (unless you make your restraint points low on the posts), and you can't suspend anyone from the canopy. I'm 5'4" and the top of the mattress is about hip height for me, and it's worked well to bend over a few of my playmates as well. It's great for percussion play when I feel like covering larger areas, altho I did find the last time it was a bit too restrictive.. so might still to having the boy stand instead. Makes me using the strap on easier... and CBT should I choose to.

I also have some lovely leather funriture in the living room.. nice big chair that has low, wide arms on it.. makes straddling very easy. Put a body on it backwards and it's a nice height for spankings or percussion. Has a matching ottoman...

I have lovely stairs with open steel railings on both sides at one point...

Kitchen table, bathroom counter.. I have a rather large gazebo outside too, fully equipped with a nice big sectional couch... it's loads of fun to play on!!

I rather like the idea of ordinary household items being used...

 

[catalina_francisco]

I'm not sure it has to be an either /or situation where one comes out better than the other...I think it all comes down to the moment, those involved, and what is needed/wanted in that moment. I have done designs for furniture type items which could easily be used for both play situations and daily purposes, just need to make them now. Throughout the decades I have also been in situations both vanilla and BDSM where everyday props were used for more devious some purposes...a forklift was one which worked very well. Our bed usually has a range of things hanging from it from floggers to quick restraints...all works well together.

Catalina

 

[SubKekiLee]

Well I love the idea but my sex life is my private life and I have 2 kids.. so no fixtures.... BUT I love it... We are buying a bed that looks normal to the outside... but is made for suspension.. hehehe what most people dont know..

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I am looking for a new spot, and when I have a place of my own, I am planning on building some dungeon furniture.

I would LOVE to have a St Andrews Cross, and I have a wicked idea for my own spanking bench.

 

[CutieMouse]

There's also the appeal of

"Stand [sit, be whatever] right there. this is going to hurt; don't move."

... but I'm odd that way.

 

[Homburg]

There's also the appeal of

"Stand [sit, be whatever] right there. this is going to hurt; don't move."

... but I'm odd that way.

My personal favourite:

"But what should I do?"
"Just lay there and look pretty" *picks up the first needle*

 

[YourCaptor]

All this fancy equipment just kind of makes me laugh. I hate unitaskers unless they are precision tools. I also hate the price tag, and few things are ever up to my quality standards.

A few eye bolts, and maybe one of those sex couches seems like a good basic setup. If a dungeon is wanted their are clubs where you can rent one for a night or so.

Even when it comes to bondage I adhere to the KISS principle.

 

[graceanne]

We don't. I don't know if we would, even if we could afford it. My house is very child friendly, including my room. I like it that way. I wouldn't be comfortable making some part of the house 'off limits', especially since if I did they'd be just DYING curiosity to find out why.

There's also the appeal of

"Stand [sit, be whatever] right there. this is going to hurt; don't move."

... but I'm odd that way.

Well, I don't find it appealing, but K sure does. "Lay like that, don't move." *does things that make me wiggle*

Sadist.

 

[subbie_333]

What are your thoughts on fixtures? By this I mean things like spanking benches, the St Andrew's cross, stocks, etc.

<snip>

I know that Evil_Geoff has a cross, but how many people actually own such things as spanking benches and the like?

i am of the opinion that if people had the space, the money, and, the living situation (no kids and/or lockable dungeon and/or isolated residence), then they would be more likely to have those things. i think some of that has to do with the perception of authenticating their play and/or having something that does the job properly. In some cases it might be the concept of peer pressure in that they want to be the cool people with the cool stuff.

i think most would agree that they like the spontaneity of using whatever is close at hand. But, many dominants don't have the skills to combine that spontaneity along with the mechanics of adequate bondage to pull it off successfully on a regular basis. Or, at least they might feel intimidated about it.

One approach to meet these desires is to have BDSM furniture that easily and/or quickly "disappears" as BDSM furniture. Some have mentioned sturdy four-poster beds, ottomans, and, weightlifting equipment. i have seen some items on the web that convert to vanilla chairs and decorative furniture (plant stands, objects d'art, etc.). i have a few designs in my own head that will take awhile to reach fruition.

 

[Homburg]

i think some of that has to do with the perception of authenticating their play and/or having something that does the job properly. In some cases it might be the concept of peer pressure in that they want to be the cool people with the cool stuff.

*blink* None of this motivates me. About the only "cool stuff" I have is my rope, and I'm a little proud of it, but I bought the various types for various reasons, and use it all. It's all go, and no show. The fact that some people might be impressed by certain pieces is nice, but not core to the experience.

I would much rather be part of the "cool people with cool skills" group.

i think most would agree that they like the spontaneity of using whatever is close at hand. But, many dominants don't have the skills to combine that spontaneity along with the mechanics of adequate bondage to pull it off successfully on a regular basis. Or, at least they might feel intimidated about it.

Eh. I don't personally have a problem with it, but I have fairly solid technical skills, confidence in my abilities, and I know the limits of the hardpoints I play with.

One approach to meet these desires is to have BDSM furniture that easily and/or quickly "disappears" as BDSM furniture. Some have mentioned sturdy four-poster beds, ottomans, and, weightlifting equipment. i have seen some items on the web that convert to vanilla chairs and decorative furniture (plant stands, objects d'art, etc.). i have a few designs in my own head that will take awhile to reach fruition.

I look forward to it.

 

[intothewoods]

<snip>
i think most would agree that they like the spontaneity of using whatever is close at hand. But, many dominants don't have the skills to combine that spontaneity along with the mechanics of adequate bondage to pull it off successfully on a regular basis. Or, at least they might feel intimidated about it. <snip>

I don't know. My PYL hasn't had any training or anything, hasn't gone to classes or spent all that much time reading bdsm stuff, though he did read a lot early on when he discovered bdsm. He seems to do fine just sort of winging it. I mean, I think he's awesome and all, but this isn't rocket science.