Design

The Latest

Before it became the world’s most satisfying packaging material, bubble wrap was designed for a completely different home decor trend.

Explore 10 classic photos of Coco Chanel that serve as a mood board for modern style, tracking her journey from early milliner to fashion legend.

Why is purple associated with royalty? The answer dates back thousands of years to an incredibly expensive dye made from sea snails.

Why are basketballs orange? Learn how the familiar color came about and why it replaced the dark brown balls once used in the sport.

Test your architecture and geography knowledge with our high-rise quiz. Can you name the global cities boasting the most skyscrapers?

The American flag has always been red, white, and blue—but those colors have a deeper history that dates back to the nation's colonial past.

Why are so many pencils painted yellow? The answer traces back to a prizewinning pencil, luxury branding, and graphite imported from China.

Ever wonder why your dime and quarter have tiny ridges on the edge? It’s not just for grip—it’s a genius invention from the 1600s that saved the world’s currency from thieves.

Escalator side brushes are one of those everyday details most people don’t think twice about. But they play a specific role in how escalators are designed and used safely.

Psychology, economics, and comfort play a role—but some hotels are pushing back against this trend.

There’s a specific reason hotel mirrors are almost always positioned across from the bed.

Why are hotel carpets so busy and patterned? From hiding stains to shaping space, there are practical—and surprising—reasons behind the design.

Not every castle can be a cozy fairy tale home. Here are some of the strangest in the world, including Houska Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle, and more.

There are reasons beyond proving the opportunity to check your hair and outfit.

These castles come with incredible history.

The bold architectural choice was a literal step down from conventional living rooms.

At their peak, over 14,000 covered bridges were scattered across the U.S. Roughly 500 remain.

Design firms turn acres of grain corn into pop culture art you can get lost in.

They’re so-called minimalist modern farmhouses, painted white, with black roofs, window frames, and railings, seemingly adrift from architectural context. Where did the big black-and-white look come from, and why is it so popular?