Design

The Latest

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

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.

These decorative mud balls can end up so shiny and colorful you’d assume they’re some sort of jewel. But you can actually make them at home.

You aren’t seeing double—some houses were intentionally built with this architectural quirk. We explain why.

Tens of thousands of fallout shelter signs, with three yellow triangles in a black circle, are visible on building façades today. They serve as grim reminders of the hottest flashes of the Cold War. So why are they still around?

Baby viewing windows were once a staple of hospital maternity wards across the country, but now they feel like a relic from a bygone era. Read on to learn about their history—and the real reasons why they vanished.

This particular car safety feature isn’t so your passengers can wordlessly convey that they think you’re a reckless driver. Those grab handles actually serve an important purpose.