What were the discussions and suggestions proposed by the international community in2024?Image: Cottonbro Studios.Many designers and developers care about accessibility in digital products, as pointed out by Forrester in the Config 2024 analysis. The desire is there, but its not always possible to implement accessibility systematically and at scale in daily practice. Why? We lack time and study, and theres an overwhelming amount of content toconsume.In 2024, more than 40 resources on Accessibility in Design Systems were published in English, totaling over 12 hours of videos and podcasts. This volume is no coincidence: creating accessible and scalable interfaces is a challenge that goes beyond the conventional digital accessibility debate. Deep questions are being raised, such as: What does scalable accessibility in digital products truly mean? What is Shift Left, and how can an accessible DS evolve? Is it possible to have control within a team and document all accessibility tests in aDS?Who can absorb so much content without getting lost along the way? The truth is that, by trying to keep up with so much information, we end up consuming only a fraction and fail to get a panoramic view of the key debates. With that in mind, I decided to create this retrospective, analyzing all these resources to identify the main insights and discussions that shaped the pastyear.The idea is simple: to offer an overview that helps us understand whats currently on the agenda when it comes to accessibility in Design Systems. What progress has been made? Which questions remain unanswered? Where can we dive deeper into specifictopics?This text is an invitation to that conversationless about what we already know and more about what we are still discovering as a community. Feel free to contact me via my LinkedIn for any type of feedback.SectionsMethodologyWhy Design Systems for Accessibility?What Is Accessibility in DesignSystems?How to Evolve an Accessible DesignSystem?How to Test an Accessible DesignSystem?How to Organize Accessibility Tests?How to DocumentTests?1. MethodologyBefore diving into the discussions, lets take a look at the methodology behind this study to understand what was said in the international community about Accessibility and Design Systems in2024.If youd rather skip this part, feel free to jump straight to the next section to see the research results. But if youre interested in how the data was gathered, take your time to go through this step-by-step breakdown.Steps of the 2024 retrospective systematic review.All data collection was conducted through a systematic review of educational materials published on two intersecting topics: Design Systems and Accessibility.Before starting the material collection, every systematic review must establish an objective. The goal of this retrospective was to understand the discussions surrounding the challenges of building accessible digital products, particularly through Design Systems. This is a specific topic within the UX Design and development field that generates a large volume of content every year, allowing for retrospectives to identify key debates that took place over an extended period, such as ayear.Any retrospective review needs to be transparent about how its data collection and analysis were conducted to avoid privileging certain documents over others. Below are the basic inclusion and exclusion criteria for the materials collected in thisstudy:The content had to be published in2024.The material needed to be in English, as the goal was to provide an overview of the international scenario as comprehensively as possible.The material had to have an educational purpose to capture the challenges shared with the community. Educational materials were understood as: articles (informal and non-academic), podcasts, or videos created/published by industry experts addressing the topic. Therefore, this article does not review other types of materials, such as accessibility documentation within Design Systems published in 2024. If youre interested in this type of documentation, check out the example of the Carbon Design System. Although essential as reference points, such documentation is often very specific to an organizations guidelines and lacks the broader professional debate found in educational publications.Materials had to be free of access restrictions. Due to copyright constraints, paid educational materialssuch as course content or subscription-only articleswere not analyzed or cited. Furthermore, its worth noting that such paid content was not found in abundance during the searches conducted.Based on these criteria, the search terms used were Design System and Accessibility in major search tools similar to Google. An exploratory analysis was also conducted with additional terms, such as Design System and Blindness or Design System and Neurodivergency. However, no significant number of relevant materials from 2024 was found using these terms. As a result, it was deemed unnecessary to search for more specific terms beyond Accessibility to conduct this retrospective discussion.Finally, for full transparency, you can find all the materials collected at the end of the article in the references section. The most notable ones are cited with links throughout the text. Some materials, while not explicitly mentioned in the article, were analyzed and contributed to the broader arguments found across multiple resources.Is it clear how this review was carefully conducted to ensure we didnt miss anything on this topic? If so, lets move on to the synthesis of thedebate.2. Why Design Systems for Accessibility?Before diving into the details, its worth taking a moment to reflect: why are Design Systems increasingly seen as an effective path to improving digital product accessibility? The answer begins with three words: speed, consistency, and technical accuracy.Quote from Cntia Romero about the use of accessible components. Source: Supernova, 2024.In a scenario where digital interfaces are becoming increasingly complex, a well-structured Design System is like a compass that keeps accessibility on the right track. Tyler Hawkins, software engineer at Webflow, summarizes this idea well: each component needs to meet a series of technical criteria to be accessible to different audiences. Without a solid and centralized foundation, this can turn into chaos, especially in companies that manage multiple products simultaneously.This scalability is also discussed for the creation of more customizable platforms. Several materials argue that platforms built with Design Tokens help create specific themes for certain communities with some type of disability. One example of this can be found in Georgi Georgievs (designer at PROS in Bulgaria) text about the creation of high contrast modes (High Contrast Modes) from Design Systemsa dark theme that differs from the common Dark Mode by being intended for users with some kind of visual impairment or photosensitivity (sensitivity tolight).As expected due to the debates of the past decades, this scalability is widely defended with the application of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as an international guideline. This is because the WCAG provides research-based requirements that must be met by objective and measurable criteria to assess the success or failure in creating an accessible digital product. Many professionals highlighted the historical role of the WCAG in creating a common language capable of internationally standardizing the legal accessibility requirements for digital productsa reflection of the transition from digital accessibility being a recommendation to an obligation in many countries in the last decade. In 2024, several governmental DSs advanced in their compliance processes with the WCAG guidelines, driven by national legal requirementssuch as the United States Web Design System (USWDS) in the United States and the NL Design System in the Dutch government.However, a challenge in achieving this standardization is discussed by Amy Cole (Digital Accessibility Lead at USWDS): many designers and developers fear WCAG because it is a very technical language. This fear stands out as a major obstacle, fueling a widespread call for more accessible educational materials and dedicated accessibility study groups to foster awareness within organizations. It is not trivial that, along with the WCAG, supplementary tools are always mentioned to assist in this challenge, such as the IBM Equal Access Toolkit, the Microsofts Inclusive Design Toolkit, The A11y Project, and DequeSystems.Therefore, having a DS also helps in this process of conformation, as the team can create cascading processes that start with specialists and reach professionals who are not specialized in accessibility more smoothly.But, all of this depends on what is understood by accessibility and technical compliance3. What Is Accessibility in DesignSystems?Daniel Henderson-Ede (Accessibility Specialist at Pinterest) brings an important reflection: accessibility goes beyond ensuring that a component is technically compliant with the WCAG. He explains that, although accessible components are key pieces to start an accessible interface properly, the complete puzzle only forms when the experience as a whole is considered. A classic example of this is the focus order in an interface: if the components are not organized logically, keyboard navigation becomes frustrating, even if each individual piece meets the standards.Diagram on Technical Compliance and Inclusive Design. Source: Author of the text,2024.For this reason, one of the biggest debates that permeates the construction of an accessible DS is about the understanding of what accessibility really is. Cintia Romero (designer at Pinterest) describes that this accessibility tied to the WCAG guidelines is just an initial technical compliance. This does not imply that compliance is not essential, but she points out something important that many professionals brought up in 2024: mere adherence to standards does not necessarily mean meeting the real needs of these usergroups.Thats why she highlights Inclusive Design, alongside technical compliance, as a key approach within Design Systemsensuring a more human-centered and holistic perspective in interface testing. Here, accessibility is integrated into User-Centered Design methodologies, ensuring that multiple usage scenarios for diverse users are thoughtfully considered. Complementing this view, Hidde de Vries (Accessibility Specialist at NLDS in the Netherlands) proposes that, instead of treating disability as a personal limitation to be mitigatedwhat would be a medical model of thinking , we should adopt the social model of accessibility, which makes us consider the social context around a person with some condition.To understand how to approach this social responsibility, Greg Weinstein (designer at CVS Health) helps us by mentioning that an Inclusive Design System is also connected to intersectionality a concept borrowed from authors such as Kimberl Crenshaw (1989). This concept is used to show that different characteristics (such as race, class, sexualityor even different types of coexisting disabilities) overlap and interact, creating particular experiences. Thus, it is not just the screen reader (or any other technology) that needs to work well in this more holistic perspective! It may be necessary to think about the elderly person with low vision who also needs simple interfaces due to their age. Or, as another example, it may be necessary to consider the low-income user with hearing loss who faces financial difficulties in purchasing moderndevices.In the end, this conversation shows that a Design System goes beyond ensuring perfect compliance in isolated components. It provides the foundation to achieve this compliance systematically, but its true value lies in allowing it to deepen and expand over time. It is about testing solutions in real contexts, with real people. It is a continuous process of evolution, where technique inevitably meets humanity.4. How Do You Evolve an Accessible DesignSystem?Youve probably heard the saying that accessibility only truly works when its considered from the very beginning of the processan approach known as ShiftLeft.Simon Mateljans analogy comparing cakes and Design Systems. Source: UXCamp Australia, 2024.Simon Mateljan (Design Manager at Atlassian) makes a simple and effective analogy: creating accessibility in a Design System is like adding eggs to a cake recipe. If you forget that ingredient at the beginning, the final result will never turn out as expected. This logic makes sense, as ensuring accessibility from the start helps permeate it through all stages of development. But the debates of 2024 showed that this journey is far from linear! There is no perfect starting pointthe process is continuous and full of adjustments.Sophie Beaumont (Design System Team Lead at BBC) shows how Shift Left can happen in the evaluation of component reuse across different contexts. She describes a case where the BBC team tried to reuse an existing component to create a content timeline. Although the Design System already had a visually similar component to what the team had designed, it did not meet accessibility requirements in the new context. After internal discussions and technical evaluations, the team concluded that forcing the use of the old component would harm the experience for users with disabilities.This decision led BBC to strengthen a work process that prioritizes functionality over appearance when evaluating component usage. This work process is crucial to prevent a Design System from creating rigidity, making accessibility harder rather than improving it. In addition to this, Feli Bernutz (iOS Developer at Spotify) presents The Game Plan (timestamp: 16:55)a work methodology that evaluates when to use a ready-made solution and when to think outside the box to create something more customizable.UX Design draft for accessibility assessment. Source: Sophie Beaumont, BBC,2024.Furthermore, unforeseen issues can create unexpected needs, going beyond the simple creation of new components. One example of this is Pinterest, which allows users to add alternative texts (Alt Text) when creating Pins. This open and collaborative content model presents unique challenges for accessibility, as many users either do not create descriptions or produce poor-quality AltText.Due to the platforms design, Pinterest cannot simply impose rigid limitations to ensure Alt Text consistency. Instead, the team invests in educating users by offering clear instructions through interface components on how to create useful and contextualized descriptions. This process shows that, in certain cases, it is necessary to adapt the technical guidelines of the WCAG to the specificities of each digitalservice.Therefore, many statements from 2024 emphasized that mistakes are part of the Design System creation process, especially in contexts where needs vary as the product matures. Even in the Encore Design System at Spotify (a product of huge scale), the approach is iterative: rather than pursuing a perfect solution from the start, the team seeks progressive improvements at each step, climbing one step at a time. At the UXCon in Vienna, Join Wendy explains that the creation of inaccessible DSs at the beginning does not mean the end of the processit may, in fact, be the beginning of understanding particular challenges.So, how to balance all of this? On one hand, Shift Left suggests that accessibility should be a concern from the very beginning. On the other hand, the continuous discovery process reveals specific needs that require adjustments and adaptations. In the end, building an accessible Design System is less about achieving a perfect state and more about staying open to learn, test, and constantly improve.5. How to Test an Accessible DesignSystem?Because of everything that has been said so far, it is clear that an accessible Design System is not born readyit is a continuous construction, refined over time and, mainly, through many tests. But, given the complexity of creating truly inclusive interfaces, the question arises: what kind of testing needs to be done to achieve thisgoal?Diagram showing automated testing (speed) versus manual testing (depth). Source: Author,2024.In 2024, the debate about accessibility in digital products highlights the importance of automated testing (and the possible use of AI), especially in Design Systems that are already implemented at the code level. Tools like Axe, Lighthouse, and other automated solutions are gaining ground as major allies in this process. And, in fact, it would be naive to underestimate their importance: they offer speed in identifying common errors and helping teams achieve compliance standards.Moreover, in a Figma live session, Luis Ouriach (Designer Advocate at Figma) and Daniel Henderson-Ede (Accessibility Specialist at Pinterest) emphasized that native apps, such as those developed for iOS and Android, present unique challenges. Unlike the web, where standards like HTML and ARIA provide a solid foundation, native platforms have specific toolkits, such as UIKit on iOS and Jetpack Compose on Android. This fragmentation requires teams to adapt their practices to ensure accessibility across different environments.Daniel also pointed out that validation tools for native apps are less integrated into the development flow. While solutions like Axe and Lighthouse work directly on the web, mobile apps rely on tools like Xcode Accessibility Inspector or Accessibility Scanner, which, although useful, have limitations and do not easily connect to the continuous development process. To address these challenges, the recommendation is to incorporate platform-specific tests and train teams on the nuances of each technologyrequiring the development of tailored testing and documentation processes within a DesignSystem.However, there are clear limits to this approach, as reminded by the WebFlow article, which showed that automated tests can only identify about 30% of accessibility issues. This limitation brings us to a crucial point that was mentioned by the vast majority of materials from 2024: automation does not replace the human eye. Manual testing and, especially, interaction with real users are indispensable to understanding the practical experiencesomething that automated reports cannotcapture.That being said, it is evident why so many materials are dedicated to explaining how to create accessibility tests, also highlighting the challenges of developing proper documentation to accompany and control this continuous process of evolution.6. How to Organize Accessibility Tests?Many materials suggest starting with the adoption or creation of checklists. Depending on the content in question, checklists can be filled out after manual tests or automated tests. Here, the debate is less about the testing technique and more about how to systematize the organization of these tests within ateam.Amy Cole, from the US Web Design System (USWDS), sees checklists as bridges between what is in the manuals (such as WCAG) and what actually happens when a user navigates a product. These guides serve as scripts that allow even less specialized teams to engage in practical testing with real users. Therefore, the checklist is discussed here not only as a tool for systematizing tests but also as a process of inclusion for those who feel disconnected from the WCAG criteria due to its technical language. This is why the USWDS team suggests questions like:Can the button be activated with the Enter key or the spacebar?Is the focus clearly visible in all buttonstates?The suggestion is to create these questions with various teams, including specialists and allowing for a collaborative and multidisciplinary view. Here, the USWDS material highlights the importance of having control through documentation to understand which WCAG criteria have been considered with each of the suggested questions.Wendy Fox, at UXCon Vienna, complements this view by discussing the importance of conducting audits to go beyond generic checklists that would apply to any scenario. A link in a dynamic carousel, for example, cannot be evaluated the same way as a static link in a text. For this reason, she advocates for personalized checklists that consider the uniqueness of each component: for a button, this might mean checking if there are visible focus states; for a modal, ensuring that keyboard navigation flows naturally. These are criteria that not only ensure compliance but also make the experience more fluid and respectful for those who rely on assistive technologies.Amy Hupe and Geri Reid, from the UK Government Digital Service (GDS), emphasize that these checklists need to consider the tools users employ. Here, different tests are suggested, such as: 1) keyboard access; 2) zoom/magnification; 3) screen readers like NVDA and JAWS; 4) eye trackers. These are suggested by the designers as a guide to understanding accessibility beyond a generic and general concept, potentially including technology type by device. Since there are many different disabilities and contexts to consider, tests can indicate which assistive technologies have more support in the Design System and which still need to evolve to create a better experience.Additionally, its important to note that most materials stress the importance of speaking with real users in qualitative research. Still, I emphasize that this remains the least discussed topic in all the 2024 materials, as much of the focus is still on the individual pieces of the Design System rather than on testing the assembled interface already presented to endusers.7. How to DocumentTests?One of the biggest challenges is the documentation of accessibility tests that allow the evolution of an accessible Design System. Its not trivial that some of the 2024 materials go in-depth into the challenges of constructing and maintaining these tests overtime.You can work with both accessibility documentation in design (using Figma as a recording space) and documentation of general tests carried out on already developed interfaces, which typically takes place in Excel spreadsheets, GitHub or on Design System websites. Theres no consensus on which of these documents is the most relevant, but different professionals defend the proposals, considering their different purposes.In Pinterests Gestalt, Cintia Romero exposed that theres an integration of checklists directly into Figma as a way to bring designers closer to accessibility practice. According to a case study by Deque, 67% of accessibility issues occur due to errors in design prototypes! This data debunks the idea that tests and accessibility documentation should only occur at the development level. For this reason, some platforms have this documentation within Figma itself so that the handoff of products is in compliance with accessibility standards before moving on to code-level tests.This documentation is often later transferred to the component page on the Design System website, as we can see next in the case ofGestalt.Accessibility documentation for the Button component from Gestalt, Pinterests Design System. Source: Supernova, 2024.This is a more concise documentation proposal. Other projects opt for much more robust and detailed documentation, containing success criteria and the type of test conducted (including which assistive technology is involved). This is the challenge faced by the USWDS team, which organizes test data (manual and automated) for all the components of their Design System. To do this, the team uses a spreadsheet that contains:Component Name: The name of the component beingaudited.WCAG Success Criterion: The specific criterion being tested, such as 1.4.4 Resize Text or 2.1.1 Keyboard Accessibility.Compliance Level: The WCAG compliance level (A, AA, orAAA).Test Type: Whether the test is related to keyboard, zoom, screen readers, design, or anotheraspect.Test Status: Whether the test passed, failed, or passed with exceptions.Additional Description: Details on how the test was conducted and what the developer should observe. There are three columns titled When you, And, and This Happens that allow you to explain a success or failurecase.Automated Test Prompt (if applicable): Exposure of the test prompt for control over how the testing was conducted.Audit Date: The date the test was conducted and revalidated to control results and possible WCAGupdates.Other columns for Notes and Common Failures: Observations on common issues found during testing, including contributions reported via the projects GitHub.Amy Cole (USWDS) displaying accessibility test documentation tables for the US Governments Design System. Timestamp: 25 minutes. Source: NL Design System Channel, YouTube,2024.In both cases, there are very important challenges highlighted in these materials. In the case of USWDS, Amy Cole explains that component re-audits are regularly carried out to understand if new scenarios need to be consideredsuch as, for example, changes in browsers for web components. Also, there may be changes in assistive technology used by a group of people, requiring new tests without losing the old documentation.Another point of attention is tests that go beyond the components themselves, as Fable comments in an article on different levels of accessibility testing in a Design System. If we find errors in the relationship between components (even though the components themselves are compliant), where and how can I document these problems? Or, if a user with a disability offers a perspective beyond what we understand as accessibility with WCAG, where can I give voice to this audience?I believe these are the challenges that, as a community, we are still figuringout.Did you enjoy accessing the content of this retrospective? Feel free to contact me via my LinkedIn for any type of feedback.ReferencesAPPFORCE. Designing APIs: How to ensure Accessibility in Design System components. AppForce, YouTube.BEAUMONT, Sophie. Shifting left: how introducing accessibility earlier helps the BBCs designsystem.BEDASSE, Kristen. Design System AccessibilityUX Case Study: Accessibility improvements to an existing designsystem.BHAWALKAR, Gina. My Takeaways From Config 2024: Impacts On Design Systems, Storytelling, And Accessibility. Forrester, 2024..BIKKANI, Aditya. A guide to accessible design system. AELData,2024.CODE AND THEORY. 3 Principles to Build an Engineered Design System that Improves Speed, Consistency, and Accessibility. Medium,2024.CODE AND THEORY. How to create an accessible design system in 60 days. Medium,2024.CONVEYUX. Greg WeinsteinInclusive user research to build an accessible design system. ConveyUX, YouTube,2024.CUELLO, Javier. Accessible Components. Design Good Practices, 2024.DEQUE SYSTEMS. Making Pinterest more inclusive through design systemsaxe-con 2023. Deque Systems, YouTube,2024.DIGITALGOV. Component-based accessibility tests for the U.S. Web Design System. DigitalGov, YouTube,2024.FABLE. Power up your design system with accessibility testing. Fable,2024.FIGMA. In the file: Design Systems and Accessibility | Figma. Figma, YouTube,2024.FRONTEND ENGINEERING & DESIGN SOUTH AFRICA (FEDSA). The NL Design System And Why Accessibility MattersHidde de Vries. FEDSA, YouTube,2024.GEORGIEV, Georgi. The importance of high contrast mode in a design system. Pros,2024.GET STARK. How to use your design system colors to fix accessibility issues with Stark in Figma and the browser. Get Stark,2024.HAWKINS, Tyler. Scaling accessibility at Webflow. Webflow,2024.HI INTERACTIVE. UX and design systems in retail: inclusivity, accessibility, and innovationHi Talks #10. Hi Interactive, YouTube,2024.INTO DESIGN SYSTEMS. Design systems accessibility meetupComponent review. Into Design Systems, YouTube,2024.INTO DESIGN SYSTEMS. Design tokens sets for accessibility needsMarcelo Paiva at Into Design Systems Conference. Into Design Systems, YouTube,2024.JOER, Jairus. Develop design systems with accessibility in mind. Aggregata, 2024.KNAPSACK. Making design systems inclusive with accessibility specialist Daniel Henderson-Ede. Knapsack, Youtube,2024.KORNOVSKA, Diyana. Building accessibility into design systems. Resolute Software, 2024.LAGO, Ernesto. Accessibility Best Practices for Design Systems. LinkedIn, 2024.LAGO, Ernesto. An Intro to Accessibility in Design Systems. LinkedIn, 2024..LAMBATE, Fahad. Designing for inclusivity: the Shift Left approach towards accessible design systems (ADS). Barrier Break,2024.LYNN, Jamie. Accessible design systems. Jamie Lynn Design,2024.MILLER, Lindsay. The importance of accessibility in design systems. Font Awesome,2024.NL DESIGN SYSTEM. Using USWDS accessibility tests to improve accessibilityAmy ColeDesign Systems Week 2024. NL Design System, YouTube,2024.ROMERO, Cintia. Accessibility in design systems: a comprehensive approach through documentation and assets. Supernova, 2024.STANKOVIC, Darko. Accessibility in Design Systems. Balkan Bros,2024.TESTDEVLAB. QualityForge: Speaker #5: Adrin BolonioDesign systems and how to use them in an accessible way. TestDevLab, YouTube,2024.UNIVERSAL DESIGN THEORY. Creating an accessible design system. Universal Design Theory,2024.UXCAMP AUSTRALIA. Simon Mateljan | Baking accessibility into your design system. UXCamp Australia, YouTube,2024.UXCON VIENNA. (In)accessible design systems: doing things wrong to get it rightWendy Foxuxcon Vienna 2023. UxCon Vienna, YouTube,2024.VAUGHAN, Maggie. Essential principles of accessible design systems. Dubbot,2024.WEBAIM. Homer Gaines: Improving accessibility through design systems. WebAIM, YouTube,2024.ZEROHEIGHT. Back to school with Amy Hupe & Geri Reid: Accessibility and design systems. Zeroheight, YouTube,2024.Design systems and accessibilitya 2024 retrospective was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Replacing X is an ongoing project. Bluesky is currently the network growing the fastest, but both Threads and Mastodon have had growth spurts in the past few years. If you're like me, there are people you want to follow in all three places.Luckily, there are ways to do this. We've talked about how to connect Mastodon and Bluesky, and how to follow Threads users from Mastodon. Both of those solutions, however, depend on the people you want to follow actively enabling or setting up an integration, and even then only kind of work. OpenVibe is, for most people, a better answer at this point.This free application for iOS and Android lets you sign into Mastodon, Bluesky, and Threads, among other services, allowing you to scroll through posts and notifications from all those services in one place. When you install the application, you're asked to sign into your accounts for every service you want to use. From there, you can scroll through a combined timeline. A badge will let you know which network a given post is coming from and you can like, boost, and reply to posts just like you would if you were in the native app. Credit: Justin Pot There are some obvious potential complications here. For one thing: if you follow the same person on three networks, you might see duplicate posts, depending on whether the people you're following tend to cross-post. And you can't cross re-postthat is, there's no streamlined way to share a Threads post with your Bluesky followers. Still, it's nice to be able to browse everything at once.And there's support for more than just the combined timeline: you can add a combined Trending timeline that pulls from all your social networks, browse your Bluesky Discover feed, or scroll through the local timeline of your Mastodon server. You can write posts and publish them on all the social networks you've added. You can also disable posting to a certain account if you'd rather be a lurker on that network. Credit: Justin Pot This application isn't perfect. There's no desktop version, for one thing, even though I was able to install the iPad version on my Mac. And using it requires a lot of actively thinking about which network you're interacting with. Even so, if you're tired of switching between three different social apps, it's worth a try.

A much-awaited feature is coming to the Pokmon TCG Pocket app sometime this month: Trading. In the game, which The Pokmon Company brought to mobile late last year, players can collect cards by opening digital booster packs. They can then use the Pokmon cards they get to battle each other. When the trading feature goes live, they'll also be able to improve their decks by trading with other people, though the feature will come with a set of limitations.Players will only be able to trade cards with their friends, and the cards must be of the same rarity. Both criteria potentially limit the cards players can obtain. To note, the game has eight rarity levels, and cards from the three highest tiers the ones most difficult to draw cannot be traded for now. In addition, The Pokmon Company has revealed that "items must be consumed in order to trade," though it didn't specify what those items are and how many will be expended per transaction. Finally, while only certain cards from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs can be traded at launch, the company said that it's planning to expand the pack selection players can trade from.There's no specific release date for trading yet, but the company seems to be open to suggestions when it comes to improving the feature. It's inviting everyone to try the feature and send in feedback when it becomes available, so that "the game can continue to evolve in an enjoyable way for everyone."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/card-trading-is-coming-to-the-pokemon-tcg-app-133009689.html?src=rss

Researchers recently discovered multiple bugs in different tunneling protocols.

Bitcoin rejoined the crypto rally amid reports that President-elect Donald Trump could release an executive order on crypto as soon as day 1.

Democracy no longer dies in darkness, apparently. As far as the Washington Post seems concerned, it might very well lurch slowly toward the great beyond right in broad daylight.According to the New York Times, the Post has adopted a new internal mission statement for the direction of its journalism: Riveting Storytelling for All of America. Its a far cry from the official slogan the newspaper adopted early in Donald Trumps first term: the goth-tinged, pugilistic Democracy Dies in Darkness. Although that slogan, drawing on the Posts history of power-checking stories such as its Watergate expos, will reportedly remain in print (for now), the new mission statement augurs a whole new trajectory. And not just for one newspaper either.The Washington Post has been previewing just such a turn for months. Since owner Jeff Bezos quashed an editorial endorsing Kamala Harris in late October, the paper has shed at least a quarter-million subscribers and lost several marquee writers, including Josh Dawsey and Jennifer Rubin, along with Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes, who resigned after one of her political sketches was rejected. (The proposed sketch, which depicted Bezos kneeling before Trump, offering large sacks of money, later went viral on Telnaess Substack.) The change in the mission statement, a paean to false-togetherness with a dash of All Lives Matter-style equality, represents a broader shift than the Posts editorial direction.Its evident in city streets, for instance, where the massive resistance following Trumps election in 2016 is now largely absent. Protests erupted in New York and Washington, D.C., during the weekend after last falls election, but that energy has not been sustained. Nothing on the scale of the historic Womens March in early 2017 appears in the works this time either. A Peoples March is scheduled in D.C. and elsewhere for January 18, but even if it managed to draw anywhere near the nearly half a million people who flocked to D.C. in 2017, its doubtful it would grab much attention now.Trumps election in 2016 sent shock waves throughout the nation. He lost the popular vote by nearly three million, and so thoroughly bucked the traditional qualifications for a U.S. president, his coronation felt, to many, like an aberration. Many social media users, live performers, and even the leaders of some organizations seemed to operate from an adversarial positionthe #Resistancein part because Trump acted so antagonistic toward those who opposed him. At the time, animosity toward the president was loud, proud, and just about everywhere.Not so much anymore.This time, Trump not only enjoyed an electoral college victory but won the popular vote as well (by little more than two million). Most people who voted against him a third time now understand that their neighbors across the country, who also experienced the years 2017-2020 and everything that followed, decided they wanted Trump back. His presence in the White House is no longer an aberration. Judging from the deflated protest presence and the general vibe on social media, Trumps critics either feel beaten down or they just know the drill by now. It may have felt bizarre in 2017 when the President of the United States made an enormous fuss about crowd size at his inauguration. This time, its just expected.Several elected officials have reacted differently to Trumps second election win than they did his first. As Politico reported in January 2017: In legislative proposals, campaign promises, donor pitches, and even in some Senate hearings, Democrats have opted for a hard-line, give-no-quarter posture, a reflection of a seething party base that will have it no other way. This time around, the opposition party seems chastened, adopting a less confrontational tone and professing a willingness to work together on shared priorities.Beyond the general public and their representatives, the difference in the corporate response is even more pronounced this time. The CEO of Coca-Cola recently presented Trump with a commemorative Diet Coke bottle to welcome him back to power, a nod to Trumps storied love of the beverage. Just four years ago, the company issued a statement describing January 6 as an offense to the ideals of American democracy. Its CEO has apparently since changed his mind. And hes joined by a cavalcade of corporate overlords, many in Big Tech, who are donating big money to Trumps inauguration fund. On the list, heads of Google, Apple, Microsoft, and many others.Among those who have loudly expressed their openness to Trump is Bezos, whose Amazon recently acquired a documentary about Melania Trump for $40 million. Theres also Metas Mark Zuckerberg, who recently made an Elon Musk-like pivot away from fact-checking on Facebook and has reportedly taken several meetings with Trump advisor Stephen Miller. Bezos and Zuckerberg were both vocal critics of Trump during his first term; now, theyre both joining him on the dais at his inauguration. (Everybody wants to be my friend, Trump has said of his new Big Tech supporters, though in his just-released inauguration photo, he does not look very friendly.)And then theres the press. Some corners of the media, which Trump has previously dubbed the enemy of the people, seem fearful of displeasing him now, where they once seemed determined to hold his feet to the fire. ABC News, for instance, agreed to donate $15 million to Trumps future presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit around anchor George Stephanopouloss use of the term rape in describing the case where Trump was found liable for sexual abuse. (Legal experts claim ABC could have won; instead, they opted to not even try.)ABCs acquiescence in December may have emboldened Trump to push further against the press. Days later, he then sued the Des Moines Register and its pollster Ann Selzer for election interference. Their misdeed? Releasing a poll that showed Trump losing Iowa. (He won the state handily.) Considering the deep pockets of Trump ally Elon Musk, whose distaste for the media is well-known, the president now has a war chest to potentially keep any media outlet of his choosing tied up in litigation throughout his second term and beyond.Things just feel different now, and the Posts new mission statement encapsulates it. Riveting storytelling is certainly something to strive for, but putting a fine point on for all of America seems defensive in its implicit promise of no bias. In fact, objective truth isnt for one group or another, it just is what it is.Plenty of other boutique news sources exist for All of America to find their particular worldview reflected back at them. It feels surreal for a news organization long known for deeply reported stories with real-world impactabout the U.S. government, specificallyto appear to cater to a fantasy of unity, no matter who the president is.Perhaps the 2017 tagline, like a lot of media, entertainment, and conversation during that time, put a bit too much melodramatic elbow grease on a legitimate purpose. Still, it was a fairly accurate temperature reading of that moment.The Washington Posts new mission statement feels like it all too well captures this one. Roughly translated: If you cant beat em, join em.

Dezeen Showroom: designer Sren Rose took cues from sand dunes to create a curvaceous outdoor furniture collection, which includes an embracing swing seat, for Spanish brand Gandia Blasco.Made from powder-coated aluminium, the Arena outdoor furniture collection was designed by Rose to offer sophistication and durability, and to establish a dialogue between the built environment and nature.The Arena outdoor furniture collection features rounded forms made by curved aluminium slatsThe expansive collection features a lounge chair, armchair, two-seater sofa, coffee tables, side table and even a swing chair all united by a distinctive design featuring wide slats that curve at the bottom to create bulbous forms."The swing stands out as the most notable piece in the collection, driven by a desire to amplify the collection's essential character with a space where individuals can genuinely unwind and feel embraced," said Rose. "Its substantial volume, inviting users to sink into its plush cushions and unwind, embodies a warm welcome."The collection includes a swing seat and coffee tablesThe Arena furniture was made by laser cutting aluminium sheet material to form the slats, which were then bent on two different machines to the desired curve pattern before being welded to the two rings forming the upper and lower part of each frame.The collection is available in all the finishes and colours in the Gandia Blasco catalogue, including outdoor technical fabrics from Kvadrat, Sunbrella and Dedar Milano as well as Reviva's 100 per cent recycled PET.Product details:Product: ArenaDesigner: Sren RoseBrand: Gandia BlascoContact: prensa@gandiablascogroup.comMaterial: powder-coated aluminiumColours/finishes: RAL coloursDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Arena outdoor furniture by Sren Rose for Gandia Blasco appeared first on Dezeen.

Here's an example of design research that does not (in my opinion) consider larger societal consequences. Researchers at Canada's University of Waterloo are experimenting with the ability to control smartphone apps with your feet, as you walk.You could argue that this isn't "design" research at all, as the researchers are from the university's School of Computer Science; but since it involves UI, I'll put it under the design umbrella.Here's the impetus for the research: "Waterloo professor of computer science Daniel Vogel, frustrated by having to stop and use his phone with cold fingers while walking to get coffee, wondered if there could be a way to place orders without pausing."The researchers are thus using an AR headset to detect specific gait patterns. The idea is that you can navigate apps by altering your footfall, turning your foot one way or the other as you walk. Examples:I understand design research and experimentation is important, particularly in a university setting, but I think this is a terrible idea. We already have a problem with people walking around cities with their noses buried in their phones. On YouTube you can see disturbing compilations of people heedlessly walking into traffic, with predictable results. The idea that what we need is a new way to interact with our phones while walking is, I think, wrongheaded.I like to think that if this research was conducted at a design school, or in partnership with designers, there would be some robust conversations around how this technology would affect people. Then again, those discussions didn't take place with the designers who invented smartphones, so maybe I'm giving designers too much credit.

As we step into 2025, the world of furniture design is experiencing a fascinating evolution, with furniture trends reflecting a harmonious blend of style, functionality, and sustainability. Designers and homeowners are embracing innovative concepts that cater to modern living while maintaining a strong focus on environmental consciousness. We have explored the top 10 furniture trends that are set to define interiors in 2025.The furniture trends of 2025 demonstrate a dynamic interplay between innovation and tradition, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and functionality. These trends can create spaces that are beautiful, aesthetic, and practical. Embrace the future of furniture design by incorporating these exciting trends into your home.1. Sustainable MaterialsIn 2025, we believe sustainable materials will rise even more. The demand for eco-friendly furniture continues to grow, with sustainable materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metals taking center stage. These materials not only reduce environmental impact but also add a unique, rustic charm to any space. We will witness more furniture designs centered around sustainable and eco-friendly materials, thereby causing no harm to the environment, while also ensuring our living spaces look aesthetic and put together.Flow Wall DeskSay hello to the Flow Wall Desk a superb solution for smaller office spaces. This piece of office furniture strikes a balance between functionality and aesthetics, adhering to a sustainable and minimalist design philosophy. When not in use, the desk folds up seamlessly, transforming into a wall-mounted artwork marked with minimalist, geometric shapes.It has a flat-pack design and is made using wood, following an eco-friendly ethos. At first glance, the desk looks like a flat canvas, but it unfolds in a captivating manner reminiscent of a spiraling caterpillar, slowly showcasing its form as a practical desk. This innovative design allows you to work, read, or journal in style, making it a versatile addition to any compact workspace.What we likeEquipped with a flexible flat-pack form.Multifunctional furniture design, ideal for small living spaces.What we dislikeFolding and unfolding the desk whenever you need to use it means we cant have a constant setup, which can be inconvenient.2. Multifunctional PiecesIn todays world, living spaces and homes are becoming more and more compact. In such an environment, multifunctional furniture is gaining quite a bit of popularity. From sofa beds to extendable dining tables these multifunctional designs maximize utility without compromising on style, making them ideal for modern urban living. Theyre a clever and valuable addition to our homes, cutting down the need for multiple furniture pieces, thereby saving space, and creating a living environment that feels spacious, open, and free-flowing. We will see a growth in multifunctional pieces in 2025.TokyoCalled the Tokyo Shoe Rack this multifunctional piece draws inspiration from the elegance and beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. It is designed by Joao Teixeira, and it includes elements that will remind you of the graceful torii gates. The multifunctional design merges form and function serving as a bench and a tray in addition to its main role.It doubles up as a shoe rack and a bench while showcasing a minimal yet detailed aesthetic that commands attention. It is a versatile design that is intended for modern homes. It has a thoughtful design which makes it perfect for entryways or hallways offering utility and style in a sophisticated package. It fuses three distinct functions into one sleek and compact package.What we likeOffers a smart blend of seating, storage, and display, enhancing its functionality in any room.Features clean lines and an elegant design that can seamlessly fit with various interior styles.What we dislikeMay demand a substantial amount of space, which could be a concern for more compact areas.3. Biophilic DesignThe trend of bringing the outdoors inside continues to gain momentum, with furniture designs increasingly incorporating natural elements like live-edge wood, stone accents, and integrated plant features. This design philosophy not only adds aesthetic appeal but also fosters a deeper connection with nature, enhancing the tranquility and well-being of indoor environments. Designers can create a harmonious blend between the built environment and the natural world by integrating organic materials into furniture pieces.Green Hideaway ChairNamed the Green Hideaway Chair, this DIY living plant chair is a biophilic design that lets you reconnect with nature. It is created by Stockholm-based studio Front/ in collaboration with the European DIY chain HORNBACH, and its creative agency HeimatTBWA\. With the Hideaway Chair, you can add a touch of green to your home.The Green Hideaway Chair is designed for easy assembly and requires no professional expertise. DIY enthusiasts of any skill level can effortlessly set up this straightforward chair. It comes with illustrated, step-by-step instructions, a template, and a comprehensive list of tools and materials you might need. The entire assembly process is clearly outlined for your convenience.What we likeOffers access to nature in the comfort of your own home.What we dislikeIt will occupy some space, so you must ensure you have sufficient space to add it to your home.4. Bold Colors & PatternsIn 2025, bold colors and patterns will make a huge comeback. They will transform living spaces with a dynamic and incredible flair. Vibrant hues and intricate furniture designs will serve as bold statement pieces, adding character and vitality to living spaces. We will witness rich jewel tones like ruby reds, emerald greens, and sapphire blues becoming popular, adding a luxurious and opulent feel to homes. These colors will be paired with striking geometric patterns, which add a modern edge and visual interest to the decor.The Big ChairThe Big Chair is a delightful and entertaining piece of furniture that adds a whimsical touch to any home. Its expansive and welcoming seat is primarily designed for one person but can comfortably accommodate two. Created by BNF founder Ben Newman, the chairs exaggerated and bold features draw inspiration from the maximalist style of the 1980s and the iconic Memphis design movement.As you study the chair, other aspects the shapes, the fabric, the symmetry draw from the less avant-garde aspects of the art deco movement, he said. The merging of these worlds creates a piece that exudes playfulness while remaining sophisticated and refined. It has a big personality and uses bold colors and chonky shapes to draw attention.What we likeBrings a playful and artistic flair to your living space.Generous size allows for versatile seating options, making it perfect for both solo relaxation and cozy gatherings.What we dislikeDue to its large size, it may not be suitable for smaller rooms or apartments with limited space.5. Smart FurnitureTechnology has now become an integral and important part of our daily lives. And with such a scenario, smart furniture is now officially on the rise. Smart furniture is finding its way into different parts of our homes, making our everyday routines and tasks easier and more simplified. From charging stations integrated into coffee tables to adjustable smart beds, these innovations enhance convenience and connectivity. And, we are definitely going to see a trend in smart furniture in our homes, offices, and public spaces.Hariana Tech Smart Ultimate BedThe Hariana Tech Smart Ultimate Bed is designed to have everything you need for ultimate relaxation within its frame. This all-in-one bed features an integrated reclining massage chair controlled by a remote, a built-in Bluetooth speaker, a bookshelf, a reading lamp, and an air-cleaning system. It also includes convenient charging ports for your devices as well as a footstool with extra storage.It also includes a pop-up desk perfect for working from home, enjoying a Netflix binge, or indulging in some cozy reading time. The sound system is equipped with an SD card slot, an auxiliary port, and a USB port. Additionally, the bed boasts a password-protected safe box for securing your most valuable itemsideal for storing essentials like your passport or even some secret snacks.What we likeOffers a wide range of integrated features, providing a multifunctional space for relaxation and productivity.Provides comfort and convenience in one piece of furniture.What we dislikeThe bed will require significant space, making it unsuitable for smaller bedrooms.6. Artisanal CraftsmanshipHandcrafted furniture is experiencing a growth in popularity as consumers now prefer the uniqueness and superior quality of artisanal craftsmanship. This trend highlights a growing appreciation for pieces that are not mass-produced but instead showcase the lovely skill and dedication of local artisans. Each piece is a fine specimen of traditional technique, ensuring that the artistry and heritage of furniture-making are preserved and celebrated. Artisanal pieces will be a preferred choice for many customers in 2025 who want to create unique and personalized living spaces.Carpentopod TableMeet theCarpentopod Coffee Table, a captivating fusion of craftsmanship and technology. It features twelve legs designed to mimic the movement of multi-legged creatures. Inspired by Theo Jansens Strandbeest mechanism, the table showcases the beauty of engineering and design.The table is made using laminated bamboo and intricate CNC-machined leg linkages for precision and accuracy. It is semi-automated and can move across a table. It offers a dynamic and interactive experience for users and is a far cry from the conventional tables we often see.What we likeThe design is innovative, seamlessly blending art, engineering, and functionality.Made from sustainable bamboo, it offers an eco-friendly appeal.What we dislikeThe movement feature might not be ideal for every household environment.7. Minimal AestheticThe minimalist approach remains a strong influence in furniture design, prioritizing clean lines, neutral color palettes, and clutter-free spaces. This trend emphasizes functionality and simplicity, aiming to create environments that are serene and orderly. It focuses on having essential elements, thereby reducing visual noise and allowing for a more peaceful and harmonious living space. This trend supports the creation of spaces that are aligned, seamless, and functional.Flat StoolCreated by Joao Teixeria, this flat-packed furniture piece is ingeniously designed without the need for extra parts, screws, or glue. Despite its simplicity, it functions as a versatile piece with a distinct and attractive aesthetic, setting it apart from typical mass-produced flat-packed furniture. The stools uniqueness lies in its ability to curve and bend, even in its flat-packed form.Aptly named the Flat Stool, it employs an unconventional design that utilizes kerf bending to achieve gentle curves in its structure. This technique gives the impression that the piece was shipped in its curved form from the beginning. It serves as a multifunctional and visually striking piece that challenges the norms of traditional flat-pack furniture design.What we likeThe kerfs and ribs add visual interest, giving the stool a distinctive and intriguing appearance.What we dislikeSince it is a conceptual design, its practicality, and effectiveness as a tangible product remain uncertain.8. Vintage & Retro RevivalIn 2025, we will see nostalgia playing an important appearance and role in furniture trends. We will see vintage and retro styles making a comeback, adding a touch of old-age beauty to modern pieces. We will witness mid-century modern pieces in homes and living spaces, as they are preferred for their timeless appeal and elegant simplicity. Adding nostalgic pieces to our homes allows us to stay in touch with the past, while keeping our feet firmly planted in the present.Wooden Arcade CabinetThis unique arcade cabinet provides the same functionality as its predecessors inside a bare and minimal wooden structure. This minimal body seems ideal for a luxurious and modern room. The design cant be called a cabinet, because of its shape, since it only features an outer skin, which showcases the silhouette of the gaming contraption.The sides have been left out, allowing you to see the outlines of its profile when seen from the sides. The arcade cabinet has a tapered back, unlike typical cabinets, which in turn streamlines the design, and minimizes the space it occupies making it perfect for modern homes where space constraints are an issue.What we likeA lamp is installed in the center of the hole, creating a mysterious and captivating glow in the dark.What we dislikeThe downward curve of the table may limit usable space, requiring caution in placing items.9. Outdoor LivingOutdoor living spaces are increasingly being designed as extensions of the home, with outdoor furniture evolving to match the comfort and style of indoor pieces. This trend focuses on creating cohesive environments where the boundary between indoors and outdoors is blurred. Furniture made from weather-resistant materials ensures durability and longevity, allowing homeowners to enjoy their outdoor areas throughout the year. Versatile designs cater to various activities, from lounging and dining to entertaining, providing flexibility and functionality.Hut Lounge BedThe Hut Lounge Bed, designed by Marco Levit for the Italian outdoor furniture brand Ethimo, is an outstanding piece tailored for outdoor relaxation. This cozy and inviting lounge bed provides the perfect spot to unwind after a long day, offering a serene space to lounge and recharge. It is ideal for soaking up the sun and enjoying a peaceful connection with nature.The Hut Lounge Bed features a conical, semi-enclosed design that offers both protection and comfort. Its thoughtful design creates a tranquil retreat, allowing you to relax in style while enjoying the outdoors. It truly allows you to embrace outdoor living in style and comfort, letting you lounge about as you absorb some fresh air.What we likeIdeal for enhancing your backyard during the spring and summer months.Built to withstand years of exposure to various weather conditions.What we dislikeIts bulky, space-consuming design is best suited for larger yards.10. Curved SilhouettesIn 2025, we will see a rise in soft, curved lines. They will replace sharp angles to form a more inviting and comfortable space. This design trend focuses on furniture with rounded edges like circular sofas and oval dining tables. These will add a modern and cozy aesthetic to any living space. The subtle shift towards softer shapes improves the visual appeal, while also creating a more relaxed and welcoming environment.Snowhouse SofaThe Snowhouse Sofa beautifully embodies the delicate image of snow gently falling and leaving its mark on everything it touches. Imagine a wooden sofa experiencing a gentle snowfall, and you have the essence of the Snowhouse Sofa. What sets this furniture design apart is its thoughtful consideration for both humans and pets.The wooden structure is adorned with plush white cushions, evoking the serene look of freshly fallen snow. It features rounded edges and a curved silhouette that creates a soft and subtle aura. This unique design seamlessly combines aesthetic charm with practical functionality, making it a delightful addition to any home.What we likeThe top empty spaces serve as tunnels for your cats, providing them with areas to play or rest.What we dislikeAs a conceptual design, the final products execution remains uncertain.The empty spaces may be challenging to access and clean.The post Furniture Trends To Watch In 2025: Sustainable Materials, Biophilic Design & More first appeared on Yanko Design.

Style: Modern English with Traditional UndertonesColor Combination: Hunter green, warm cream, rich terracotta, aged brass, walnut woodWho is it for: Perfect for those who love classic English style but want a fresh take. Ideal for homeowners who appreciate heritage design elements but dont want their space to feel like a period drama. Great for families who want elegance without sacrificing comfort.Budget: $$Modern English Living Room Shopping ListBelow we present a curated list of products presented on the board:1. Mackenzie Sofa2. Natalie Armchair3. Skyler Wood Top Coffee Table4. Chalon End Table5. Glenn Solid Color Rug6. Reversible Throw Pillow7. Potted Floral Assortment8. Breyannah Accent Mirror9. Agathon Dimmable Bath Sconce10. 6 Light Traditional Chandelier11. Brera Ceramic Vase12. Eucalyptus Branch13. Corto Plant Stand14. Super Mink Throw Blanket15. Globe Decorative Bookends Set16. Arched Display Cabinet17. Pre-Cut Wall Molding SetTips and suggestionsColors That Work Together: The bold hunter green paneling creates a sophisticated backdrop, while warm cream upholstery keeps the space light. Terracotta accents add warmth, and brass fixtures introduce timeless elegance. The walnut wood tones ground everything with natural richness.Furniture Foundation: A classic rolled-arm sofa serves as the comfortable heart of the room, while its cream fabric keeps it from feeling heavy. The coordinating armchair offers additional seating without overwhelming the space. The arched cabinet brings architectural interest and valuable storage with its vintage-inspired design.Art & Accessories: Vintage-inspired globes and brass details add character while maintaining sophistication. The cream ceramic vases with greenery bring life to the space without competing with the statement walls. Textured throw pillows and a plush terracotta throw add layers of comfort.Lighting: Brass wall sconces and a graceful chandelier add traditional elegance while providing ambient lighting. Their classic forms honor the English heritage while their finish keeps them current.Bringing Nature In: Fresh eucalyptus in cream vessels adds organic texture and movement, while seasonal florals bring color and life to the coffee table arrangement.The Final Note: This living room proves that traditional English style can feel completely current. By combining heritage elements with fresh colors and comfortable furnishings, the space feels both timeless and livable. Its English manor house style reimagined for modern living cozy enough for family movie night but elegant enough for entertaining.Think English manor house, but make it approachable. Thats what this living room is all about.