My current obsession is a fascinating blog called Big Old Houses, which opens the doors to amazing old mansions, many in upstate New York — and many containing relics of the past, from original bathrooms and kitchens to century-old cabinets and door knobs. The blog documents the intersection of architecture, social history and interior design through the rooms of old houses.

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If you played video games at all in your home when you were young, then you likely came across these classic theme songs from the original 8-bit Nintendo. I'm still not sure what it is that makes these tunes so nostalgic. Is it simply the hours spent enthralled by the repetitive mix of beeps and bops? Or was there some real magic to the music's composition? More

Since I spent some time touring some of the natural beauty in my hometown, I figured I'd take a stroll through one of the city's most beautiful historic districts. Now considered to be a lush oasis in downtown Lexington, Gratz Park was originally established outside of the city's limits in 1781. More

One of the great things about traveling around all the time is that it's pushed me to appreciate where I am at all times. This past week, I've been visiting my hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Usually when I'm here, I'll hang out with family and friends and lay low, but since I'm now in the habit of getting out and about to see the sights, I've been taking some time to act like a tourist in a place that I know very well. More

This week, Maxwell posted about how he raised a yurt in his garden in only 4 hours. For modern Westerners, a yurt is a kind of refined tent, both primitive and sophisticated. But the yurt is a type of structure that has been around for thousands of years. Let's take a look at the history of yurts. More

In the 1950s and '60s, Acapulco became a hot destination for the jet set. Airline ads and other images from the time depict a glamorous, fun beachy town in full technicolor. The rat pack vacationed there, Liz Taylor got married (again) there, Jackie and John Kennedy honeymooned there. And at some point during that era, someone designed the Acapulco chair. More

Nestled on a quiet corner on the outskirts of Lafayette, Aaah! T'Frere's is not your average bed and breakfast, sha. This Acadian Colonial home from 1880 is in the heart of Cajun country, but even if you don't speak a lick of French, you'll feel right at home as soon as you walk through the front door.
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Lately I find myself daydreaming about growing a garden and keeping a flock of prolific chickens. In real life, I am a confirmed city dweller with a shameful aversion to mud and critters, but the idea of a rustic life in which I grow my own kale and keep my own bees exerts a powerful pull. And I am not alone (right??) — the romanticization of light agricultural productivity has been a feature of urban life at least since the ancient Romans. Let's take a quick look at how we can trace this phenomenon back to ancient Rome and the Renaissance. More

Snoezelen — from the Dutch words snuffelen (to explore) and doezelen (to relax). This sounds like a concept we can get behind. Snoezelen rooms were developed in Holland in the late 1970s by therapists who recognized the value of specially designed multi-sensory environments for individuals with developmental disabilities. Since April is Autism Awareness Month, we wanted to learn more about these amazing spaces. More

Houston is a city that often gets overlooked when it comes to art and design. Though it's the fourth largest in the U.S. and has one of the most diverse populations in the country, its quirky side is often passed over by tourists in favor of Austin, its smaller, more eccentric brother to the west. I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend of my travels in Houston under the care of a couple of native Houstonians who showed me the many ins-and-outs of their fair Bayou City. I quickly learned that there is much more than oil and spaceships in this bustling metropolis. More