APRIL 13, 1989

Full News Archive

• Headline: Rise of Bankruptcy Securities Market. Impact: The surge in bankruptcy securities led to a financial apocalypse scenario where investors began treating bankrupt companies like collectible trading cards. Imagine a world where you could trade a failing business like Pokémon cards—‘I’ll give you a Charizard for your Blockbuster!'. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more stable than a bankrupt company is the confidence of investors who think they can turn it around? Spoiler alert: they can’t..
• Headline: Italian Design Inspiration in NYC. Impact: Ted Tyler's quest to replicate Italian villa aesthetics sparked a global obsession with faux rustic designs. This led to a spike in hipster coffee shops adorned with 'vintage' wallpaper that was really just a $5 roll from the nearest big box store.. Fact: Did you know that in an alternate timeline, Ted Tyler actually became the Emperor of Italy, ruling from his Chelsea workshop? Yeah, that didn't happen..
• Headline: Teasing Paint from Historic Chairs. Impact: The pressed-back oak chair's popularity created a chair shortage that forced people to invent standing desks, thus kickstarting the trend of people pretending to be productive while just scrolling through social media.. Fact: Did you know that the term 'hodgepodge' has a rich historical background? It refers to the confusion of styles that led to the invention of the modern coffee table—because who doesn't love a good puzzle?.
• Headline: Currents; Far From U.S.S.R., 800 Rugs. Impact: The return of Soviet rugs led to a nostalgic revival of Cold War decor, inspiring Americans to decorate their homes with items that were once symbols of oppression. Nothing says 'freedom' like a rug that could have been in a KGB safe house.. Fact: Did you know that these rugs were once so luxurious that they were used as currency in secret Soviet markets? Yeah, that’s how you know a rug is truly ‘handcrafted’..
• Headline: Greek Revival Revival: An 1842 Row House Is Lovingly Restored. Impact: Timothy Forbes’s lavish restoration of a 19th-century home led to a nationwide trend of 'historical authenticity' that made it fashionable to live in homes that were more museum than residence, creating a market for 'authentic' dust.. Fact: Did you know that 'Greek Revival' is actually an architectural style and not a new fitness program? Imagine squatting while holding a column instead of weights—talk about a workout!.