MAY 18, 1989

Full News Archive

• Headline: Reviving Stickley: Timeless Arts and Crafts. Impact: The revival of Stickley furniture led to a sudden obsession with all things rustic, resulting in an unexpected surge in hipster lumberjack fashion. No one saw that coming, except maybe the bearded baristas.. Fact: Did you know that if you own a Stickley piece, you're basically a furniture influencer? Welcome to the elite club of people who can brag about their 'authentic' wood grain on Instagram..
• Headline: The Art of Cabinet Scraping. Impact: The meticulous art of fine-tuning furniture with cabinet scrapers sparked a renaissance in DIY home improvement shows. Suddenly, everyone thought they could become the next Bob Vila—spoiler alert: they couldn’t.. Fact: Fun fact: You can use a cabinet scraper on more than just furniture—it's also great for scraping off the evidence of your last failed DIY project..
• Headline: Garden Innovations of the Gentry. Impact: The obsession with extravagant gardens led to the creation of countless reality TV shows about gardeners competing for the most ridiculous garden gnome collection. You thought gardening was boring, didn’t you?. Fact: In the 18th century, gardens were so elaborate that they often required a map. Because who doesn’t want to get lost among the roses while searching for the entrance to the hedge maze?.
• Headline: Currents; East Meets West, and An Exhibit. Impact: The architectural competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union ignited a rivalry that would inspire countless spy movies, which then led to a global obsession with secret agents and dramatic car chases. Thank you, Cold War!. Fact: It's ironic that architects were competing over design while spies were competing over who could steal the designs first. Talk about a real-life game of architectural poker!.
• Headline: Currents; Architect Amid the Angles. Impact: Margaret Helfand's blending of old and new architecture inspired countless coffee shops to adopt the 'industrial chic' aesthetic, where exposed brick meets overpriced lattes. A trend that (shockingly) has not aged well.. Fact: Did you know that preserving the 'best of the old' while experimenting with the 'new' is basically the motto of every hipster café owner ever? It’s like they’re all in on the same joke..
• Headline: Currents; The Good Old Days At the Modern. Impact: The Museum of Modern Art's move into a new building led to an influx of tourists and art critics who would spend hours arguing about what 'modern' really means. Spoiler: It still means whatever they want it to mean.. Fact: Fifty years ago, when the Museum of Modern Art opened, people probably thought 'modern' meant something entirely different than the avocado-colored decor we see now. Talk about a time warp!.
• Headline: Currents; Murals To Munch By. Impact: Brian McNally's mix of food and art led to a bizarre trend where people started taking photos of their meals in front of murals, resulting in the universal phrase 'food porn' entering the lexicon. Thanks a lot, Instagram.. Fact: Fun fact: Eating in front of a mural today is basically a rite of passage for millennials. If it isn't on social media, did you really eat it?.
• Headline: Currents; A Pack to Throw at Bears. Impact: Wendy Stevens' innovation in backpacks led to the rise of outdoor enthusiasts who think they can survive a bear encounter with nothing but a trendy backpack and a granola bar. Nature, beware!. Fact: If you ever find yourself face-to-face with a bear, remember: that stylish backpack won’t save you, but at least you'll look good while running away..