Reviving the Lost Art of Face-to-Face Connection

Hi y'all 👋

Happy Thursday and welcome to the 238 new subscribers this week! 🎉

This week’s edition is all about the revival of sunken living rooms. So get ready to cozy up and discover the charm of this retro trend!

In today’s edition:

• Design story: Sit down. Let's talk. The conversation pit is back 🛋

• Bits and Pieces: Few clicks away from your dream kitchen 🎨

• Cool Corner: The Bible of furniture design 📖

📰 The Story

Reviving the Lost Art of Face-to-Face Connection

With all of the strange residential interior design trends that are making a comeback, conversation pits are probably one that you wouldn’t expect. That's right, those retro 70s designs are back and better than ever.

If you’re not familiar, a conversation pit is essentially a sunken seating area built below floor level and often come equipped with cushioned, built-in seating.
They were popular throughout the mid-20th century, in part because architects and designers saw them as a way to avoid the clutter of furniture.

The Peak of the Pit

So where did this trend originate? Well, believe it or not, conversation pits can actually be traced back to ancient civilizations. The Greeks and Romans built sunken lounges as part of their bathhouses, which were designed for relaxation and socializing.

However, The Miller House — built in 1952 by architect Eero Saarinen in Columbus, Indiana — is said to be the home that incited the conversation pit's popularity. Many architects of the era then followed suit and began to integrate this design into their work. Giving birth to iconic living rooms that still make today's designers slobber.

A Fantasy of Togetherness

While conversation pits may not be a practical option for everyone (I mean, good luck convincing a New Yorker to dig a pit in their fourth-floor walk-up!), they're definitely gaining popularity once again. The reason? People are drawn to the idea of having a comfortable and intimate space where they can relax and connect with friends and family without any digital distractions. It's the perfect setting for those genuine, face-to-face conversations that we all crave but don't always have the opportunity to have.

There you have it, folks. Who needs Netflix when you can kick back and relax in a retro-cool conversation pit?

🗃 Bits and Pieces

• DIY moment: Bring your dream conversation pit to life with these 6 simple steps

• TikTok radar: This $20 TikTok-Viral hack will extend the life of your sofa (and prevent you from buying a new one)

• Home makeover: Creating a kitchen moodboard has never been easier

• Never too small: From Brooklyn to Georgia, see how people make the most of their interior with these ingenious small-space living styles

🆒 Cool corner

This week's Cool corner has got a real treat for you. So get ready to add the most essential item to your collection.

The Atlas of Furniture Design, published by the Vitra Design Museum in November 2019, boasts over 1,000 pages and is the most extensive guide to modern furniture design ever published. You'll find detailed information on 1,740 objects by over 540 designers, and over 2,800 illustrations, ranging from photographs of the objects to design sketches and interiors, patents, brochures, art, architecture, and portraits of the designers.

It’s like having a coffee table book that has both style and substance.

So whether you're an experienced designer, a curious collector, or just someone who appreciates beautiful furniture, the Atlas of Furniture Design is a must-have addition to your library.

✨ Post of the week

💡 Around the Web

• On this day: In 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded. Pro tip: Skip the masses and use the 81st Street entrance on your next visit

• That’s interesting: This sneaker is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s utopian city “Broadacre City”

• Weekend plan: Fondation Louis Vuitton's 'Basquiat x Warhol' exhibition chronicles one of the greatest artist collaborations in History

• On the market: This 1975 mid-century modern masterpiece has one of the best views of LA. And is still up for grab

Advertise with us // Merch Store // Blog

One thing before you go...

Please share your feedback with me so that I can create the best newsletter possible.

10 sec feedback.