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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.

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?

Before tiles and vinyl reigned supreme, some folks put carpet next to the tub. But why?

Shag was once synonymous with ’70s cool. Now we loathe it. How did that happen?

It turns out there’s another, much less flashy shade that has a higher chance of getting flagged.

Disney designers use a brilliant trick to keep you immersed in the fantasy.

If you‘ve ever wanted to own a piece of movie history, now’s your chance. See what‘s up for grabs at this epic auction of iconic movie posters.

The textured ceiling pattern was all the rage in the 1950s. Then things got bumpy.

These charming creations will make your home library feel all the more cozy.

Brushing up on some boring window terminology could mean the difference between life and death. (Seriously.)

Fears of nuclear war led to a fleeting craze for fallout shelters stocked with crackers, body bags, and guns.

These little spaces often spark curiosity and nostalgia, though few people know their history.

More From the Culture Section

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Which states have the most serial killers per capita? See where Wyoming, Alaska, and other states rank based on known cases and victim rates.

Five religions come in second-place to Christianity across the country.

Every Christmas, some medieval churches put a child in charge. Learn the surprising history of the boy bishop and the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

These locations thrive on tourism year-round.

The 2000s were the golden age of the computer room. From floppy discs to a mouse with actual wires, here are seven things you would have found in them.

Cursing their enemies was a common pastime of the ancient Greeks.

The Wharton School ranked 85 countries by quality of life. See which nations offer the best living conditions—and where the U.S. landed.

'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' functioned exactly like modern memes decades before the rise of meme culture.