Author(s): Igor Novikov Originally published on Towards AI. Image by the authorThere is a classical problem in any marketplace of making sense of product listings, that is especially exacerbated by users creating a mess of a description of really simple products. Youve got a simple, everyday item like a blue T-shirt described as everything from Sky Blue to Royal Blue to Navy Aqua Marine. Some sellers even cram product details into the image itself, scribbling Best Shirt Ever! in neon green letters over a poorly lit photo. The result? Two identical products can appear as if they came from completely different universes.This makes searching, categorizing, and analyzing these products a real headache (or a job security guarantee for data scientists depends on how you look at it). For marketplace pricing management, it could be important to parse competitors to do the competitive pricing analysis, so it adds another level of complexity as competitive platforms have different product card formats.Of course, over the years several ways to deal with that were invented:Category-Specific MatcherTrain a dedicated matcher model or algorithm for each product category one for electronics, one for clothing, one for cosmetics, and so on. Each approach is specialized but can become a juggling act if you have 10,000 categories.Candidate Search Using EmbeddingsEmbeddings are vector representations of data (e.g., product descriptions or names) used to determine similarity. Using text or image processing methods (e.g., word2vec, sentence-transformers), it is possible to find similar products.Attribute Extraction for Each ProductProduct data (such as brand, model, color, size, etc.) is extracted from descriptions to analyze and match products at a deeper level.Gradient BoostingGradient boosting algorithms (such as CatBoost or XGBoost) are used for classification tasks, determining whether products are similar or not. These models are trained on pre-labeled data and take into account both textual and numerical attributes.It does help to a point, but people are still amazingly creative in describing items. Attribute hell is real when youve got 400 ways to say comfortable, and clothing items can look identical but be labeled in drastically different ways (Eco-friendly hemp T-shirt vs. 100% sustainable plant-based top).One common problem is attribute hell, where you have so many attributes for similar things that matching fails.For clothing and things like that, that can be identical but described very differently matching can only be done using photos and images based on colors, shapes, and fabric patterns.The new approach uses LLMs and Vision-Language Models (VLMs) multimodal abilities to do that. Many platform already are doing that:Weve used multiple large language models to accurately create or improve over 850 million pieces of data in a catalog.Without the use of generative AI, this work would have required nearly 100 times the current headcount to complete in the same amount of time.Doug McMillon, CEO, WalmartHere is the general framework:1. Candidate Search Using EmbeddingsThese embeddings allow the system to compute the similarity between different products efficiently, so the first step is the same as before. For example, embeddings generated by advanced LLMs (like OpenAIs models or Sentence-Transformers) can be used to identify potential matches by comparing the vectors of product descriptions or attributes.2. Attribute Extraction for Each Product Using LLMsLLMs extract specific product attributes (e.g., brand, color, size, material) from their textual descriptions.For instance, Stylish bright red cotton T-shirt for men is broken down into color=red, material=cotton, targeted demographic=men, etc. Its like having your own personal (text) shopper whos annoyingly accurate.See examples below.3. Matching Two Products Based on Extracted Attributes Using LLMsOnce attributes are extracted, LLMs are used to compare two products based on these attributes and determine if they are a match.LLMs can consider both the explicit similarities (e.g., same brand and size) and implicit ones (e.g., eco-friendly vs. sustainable).For example, matching Mens Nike Air Max sneakers with Nike Air Max shoes for men by recognizing that they refer to the same product.See examples below.4. Matching Based on Images Using VLMs (Vision-Language Models)Some attributes, like color, design, or unique patterns, are best analyzed visually rather than textually. VLMs combine visual and textual data for more accurate product matching. These models analyze product images alongside their descriptions to better understand the product.For example: matching a product image of a black leather handbag with another similar handbag by identifying visual features (shape, texture, etc.) and combining them with textual data.Benefits of LLMs for matchingMore accurate matching. Fewer false mismatches (like that time you got a turquoise shirt instead of teal).Precision and recall in the 9099% range, especially with fine-tuned modelsHandles diverse data. Text, images, random emojis, you name it.Enhanced understanding of product descriptions and visual features.No specialized training needed: No more building and maintaining 50 different specialized matchers.DrawbacksRequires much more computing powerThe latency is not great. It works for batch processing but not real-timeOverall, for some categories, there is no point in using LLM if it can be avoided. If the category is simple and standard algorithms handle it well, it will be significantly cheaper. LLMs are more suitable for processing medium and complex categories. For example, car parts they have VINs that identify the part, and matching by VINs is enough for most purposes.Attributes extraction using LLMI have a product card from the "Refrigerators" category on a marketplace. I need to extract and format attributes from it.key_attributes_list = [ { "name": "model", "attribute_comment": "Refrigerator model. Include brand or company name but exclude color and size." }, { "name": "capacity", "attribute_comment": "Total volume of the refrigerator, typically measured in liters (L). Look for terms like 'Total Capacity'. If unavailable, set value to null." }, { "name": "energy_efficiency", "attribute_comment": "Extract the energy efficiency class, such as 'A++', 'A+', or 'B'. Look for terms like 'Energy Efficiency Class'. If unavailable, set value to null." }, { "name": "number_of_doors", "attribute_comment": "Number of doors, such as '1', '2', or 'Side-by-Side'. Look for terms like 'Doors', 'Number of Doors'. If missing, set value to null." }, { "name": "freezer_position", "attribute_comment": "Position of the freezer, such as 'Top', 'Bottom', or 'Side'. Extract from terms like 'Freezer Position'. If unspecified, set value to null." }, { "name": "defrost_system", "attribute_comment": "Type of defrost system, such as 'No Frost' or 'Manual Defrost'. Look for terms like 'Defrost System'. If not mentioned, set value to null." }, { "name": "dimensions", "attribute_comment": "Include height, width, and depth in centimeters (e.g., '180x70x60'). Look for terms like 'Dimensions''. If not available, set value to null." }]Output:extracted_attributes = { "model": "Upstreman UF70", "capacity": "7.0 cubic feet", "energy_efficiency": "ENERGY STAR certified", "number_of_doors": "1", "freezer_position": "Convertible", "defrost_system": "Low Frost Design", "dimensions": "56.1x21.3x22.76 inches", }Matching with LLMMatching Color examplePrompt:I have two product cards from the category "Freezers" on a marketplace.I need to compare the attribute "color."The response should include:is_match: A boolean indicating whether the values match.reason: A detailed explanation of the comparison result.Format the answer in JSON.Output:{"is_match": false,"reason": "The color attributes do not match. Product 1 has 'White' while Product 2 has 'Stainless Steel'."}Matching multiple attributesPrompt:I have two product cards from the category "Freezers" on a marketplace.I need to compare their attributes to determine if the two products are similar enough to be considered the same model.Attributes to compare:Model name: Replace + with plus and remove spaces for comparison.Capacity: Match if the difference is less than or equal to 0.2 cubic feet.Energy efficiency: Match if both are certified by ENERGY STAR or have identical efficiency ratings.Dimensions: Match if the height, width, and depth differences are each within 1 inch.Color: Match only if the color is identical.The response should include:is_match: A boolean indicating whether the two products are considered the same model.reason: A detailed explanation of the comparison result.Format the answer in JSON.Output:{ "is_match": true, "reason": "The two freezers are considered the same model based on the following comparisons: 1. Model name matches after normalization ('UpstremanUF70'). 2. Capacity is similar (7.0 vs 6.9 cubic feet, difference is 0.1 cubic feet, which is within the acceptable range of 0.2 cubic feet). 3. Both are ENERGY STAR certified, indicating identical energy efficiency. 4. Dimensions are nearly identical (differences: height 0.1 inch, width 0.1 inch, depth 0.1 inch, all within the acceptable tolerance of 1 inch). 5. Both products share a similar color: 'White and Pearl White."}Working with Photos and ImagesAttribute extractionSay we have an image like that. We are going to use the same prompt as for text extraction:I have a product card from the "Refrigerators" category on a marketplace. I need to extract and format attributes from it.key_attributes_list = [ { "name": "dimensions", "attribute_comment": "Include height, width, and depth in centimeters (e.g., '180x70x60'). Look for terms like 'Dimensions''. If not available, set value to null." }]Output:{ "dimensions": "56.10x21.30x22.76 inches"}One more:Output:{ "category": "Headphones", "brand": "KVIDIO", "color": "Black", "features": [ "Over-ear design", "Wireless", "Bluetooth connectivity", "Padded ear cushions" ]}Comparing clothing itemsPrompt:As a fashion expert, you are tasked with comparing two photographs of women's tops from a marketplace.Your analysis should focus exclusively on the tops themselves, disregarding:Any other visible clothing items, even if part of the outfit or matching in style.Variations in poses, body movements, or how the tops are worn.Your goal:Determine whether the tops are identical or an exact match.Provide a clear "Identical" or "Different" answer, followed by a single concise sentence explaining your reasoning.Answer in JSON format.And the result? I was able to detect a very subtle difference in the neckline, which I, being a man, was not able to notice.Output:{"result": "Different","reason": "The tops have distinct necklines; the first features a crew neck while the second has a scoop neck."}Heres another one:Output:{"result": "Identical","reasoning": "Both tops have the same color, design, and fabric characteristics, including the long sleeves, slim fit, and light aqua tone."}Perfecto!Models and throughputThroughput is very important for a marketplace as there are thousands of products and more added every day. Throughput will depend on two things:Your hardwareModel size and typeIf you use a 70b model like LLama or Qwen, it will work well but slow. So unless you have a supercomputer, you will face 05 RPS for large models on commercially available GPUs.To improve performance several things can be done.Using a smaller model fine-tuned on your product dataset. How small depends on the task and likely you will have to train several small models as that can fit only so many trainable categories. 7b models in general work well for text extraction, and 1b for a limited subset of fine-tuned attributes. It is possible to distill such a model from a bigger one.That may improve your throughput by 1020x. However, note that smaller models cant handle lots of attribute extraction in one go, and will struggle with complex prompts, so youll have to test for your task.Quantization also shows a 2050% improvement in RPS without a significant drop in model work quality.In a huge volumes scenario, it doesnt make sense to use anything but a self-hosted model as costs for using OpenAi or Anthropic will be prohibitively high, but they are good for prototyping and trying things up. For the self-hosted scenario, I would go with the latest instruct versions of LLama or QWen as they have shown the best results in our testing, starting with 70b for testing and then optimizing to smaller models until the moment you stop getting a satisfactory performance.You will likely have to fine-tune the model for certain categories, for example, medical space has a lot of abbreviations as well as the construction industry. Generic model may not handle well thos, so a LORA pass is a good idea in this case. Additionally take the language into consideration, for example, LLama works well in English but in Chinese is likely to hallucinate. Gwen would likely be a better choice.Have fun!Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. 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Fanatical has just released a phenomenal bundle of 27 PC games on Steam for a minimum donation of $15. Its the Safe In Our World Charity Bundle 2025 (see it at Fanatical), and it gets you games like Content Warning; Thank Goodness Youre Here; Little Kitty, Big City; Wingspan; Mini Metro; Toem; Psychonauts; and a lot more all for way less than youd pay if you bought them separately. Safe In Our World Charity Bundle 2025Safe in Our World Charity Bundle 2025All told, the games are valued at $519, but you can get all of them for just $15 (though you can pay more, if youre feeling generous). The games are delivered in the form of Steam keys, so youll have some redeeming to do if you pick this up.Its an excellent collection of games, all available for a fraction of the cost. Steam Deck fans might take a particular interest, because 22 of the 27 games included are rated either Verified or Playable in terms of Steam Deck compatibility.Games IncludedContent WarningSummerhouseThank Goodness Youre Here!WingspanNexomon: ExtinctionLittle Kitty, Big CityPesticide Not RequiredStarship Troopers: Terran CommandA Space for the UnboundDCs Justice League: Cosmic ChaosJumanji: Wild AdventuresMy Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights MysteryPAW Patrol: Grand PrixPizza PossumMini MetroToem: A Photo AdventureShapezRe: Turn - One Way TripPsychonautsTanglewoodMoonlighterBehind the Frame: The Finest SceneryKoa and the Five Pirates of MaraAnkora: Lost DaysA Good Snowman Is Hard to BuildCurse Crackers: For Whom the Belle ToilsDahlia ViewTheres plenty of variety in this bundle, which means theres something for everyone. Content Warning is a delightful co-op horror game. Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a fine entry-level RTS. Thank Goodness Youre Here! is a silly game with a focus on legit-funny humor. Toem is a laid-back photography game with a great art style. Wingspan brings the best-selling board game into the digital realm. And kids can enjoy the DC Justice League game, plus PAW Patrol, and more.Charity DetailsWhats all this about a charity? Fanatical puts together one of these bundles each year. Proceeds from this bundle go to Safe In Our World, a Welsh charity dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues within the video game industry. You can visit safeinourworld.org for more info.Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.

If you've wanted to give VR gaming a try but the cost of entry has kept you at bay, then you might be interested in the first great Meta Quest deal for 2025. For a limited time, Best Buy is taking $50 off the Quest 3S 256GB VR headset, now only $349.99. But that's not all. You also get a bonus $50 Best Buy gift card and 1 month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for free. That essentially brings the price down to the same level as the base 128GB model.To sweeten the pot even more, the package also includes a copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton wrote that "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham ShadowMeta Quest 3S 256GB VR Headset + Bonus $50 Best Buy Gift CardThe Quest 3S is an improvement over the original Quest 2 in every way and, amazingly, without a price increase. It also adopts many of the same features of the more expensive Quest 3, like the new and improved Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and support for full color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 Quest 3S review, Gabriel Moss wrote that "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for arguably the very first time.What really sets this deal above all other VR deals is that the Meta Quest 3S can be played completely untethered. That means you can play games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without having to own a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. Try to find another standalone VR headset at this price and you'll come up empty.How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?Even at retail price, the Quest 3S comes in at $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. Obviously, some compromises were made to get the 3S to its competitive price point. The spec comparisons are listed below:Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 SimilaritiesSnapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processorTouch Plus controllers120Hz refresh rateMixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 DifferencesLower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 20642208)Fresnel lens vs. pancake lensLower FOV (96/90 vs 104/96)Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly the same headset but with downgraded optics. On the plus side, since both headsets use the same processor, running at a lower resolution reduces the load on the APU, which could theoretically improve performance in games and also account for the increased battery life. For the price, the Quest 3S is unquestionably a better value than the Quest 3, and a better choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was completely out of your budget in the first place. Compared to the previous generation Quest 2, the decision is even easier.PlayWhy Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

On February 7, 1497, Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola and his followers burned objects of art and pieces of literature in the public square of Florence, Italy. Decrying these objects as distractions that turn the peoples attention from God, they called the pyre the Bonfire of the Vanities.The phrase has been used time and again throughout history, including the title of a 1987 novel by Tom Wolfe. But never has it been more fitting than when applied to the 1990 film adaptation of that same book, an infamous disaster starring Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Hanks.The 1497 bonfire is lost to history, viewable only in our imaginations. 1990s The Bonfire of the Vanities, however, is now streaming free on YouTube, one of 31 films the Warner Bros has made available. Its quitethe watch if you have some time over the weekend.Directed by Brian De Palma, the mad genius behind Carrie and Mission: Impossible, The Bonfire of the Vanities stars Hanks stock trader Sherman McCoy, who becomes a figure of public disdain after he and his illicit lover, married Southern Belle Maria Ruskin (Griffith), hit and kill a Black youth during a night on the town. Despite McCoys attempts to hide it, the incident comes to the attention of down-on-his luck reporter Peter Fallow (Willis), who turns the event into a cause celebre for local politicians.As you might guess from that description, De Palma and screenwriter Michael Cristofer lean into the delicious cynicism of Wolfes story. Although Bonfire directs most of its ire toward the rich people in McCoys social circle, no one comes off looking good. Everyone uses the death of an innocent teen as their own ticket to the big time, hoping to cut McCoy down to size and install themselves at the top of the heap. For his part, McCoy (and Ruskin) try to find a way to capitalize on the controversy.Movies dont necessarily need likable characters to be good. But the ever-excessive De Palma stacks the deck against himself by fully indulging in his visual flourishes. A long oner follows a delirious McCoy as he celebrates down a hallway. De Palma takes every opportunity to do a split-diopter image, in which objects in the foreground and the background are both in focus at the same time, creating a dizzying effect. And then theres the infamous, single, seconds-long shot of a plane landing that cost $80,000 to achieve.Between the movies unnecessary $47 million budget and its $15 million box office return, all of which gets documented in the unprecedented behind-the-scenes book The Devils Candy by Julie Salamon, The Bonfire of the Vanities came to represent its own theme, itself an object of hubris and excess that distracted from the purity of the moral point it wanted to make.Unsurprisingly, audiences at the time hated the movie, which still has a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. But one of critics chief complaints is exactly why people should check it out today.Bonfires first viewers found the movie woefully miscast, complaining that the wisecracking, self-confident Willis couldnt pull off the cynical self-hatred of the British reporter that Wolfe created. Freeman plays his usual voice of comfort and reason as Judge White, but the original character fit Wolfs cynical worldview, making Freemans warmth stand out even more.The biggest problem by far was asking Hanks to play a soulless stockbroker. Now, to be clear, 1990 Hanks was not yet Americas dad. He was still three years away from Philadelphia, four years away from Forrest Gump, and 23 years from breaking everyones heart at the end of Captain Phillips. Heck, he hadnt even declared that theres no crying in baseball yet.Still, Hanks could not help but add a humanity and likability absolutely absent from Wolfes rendition of the character. So when De Palma asked him to embody a cold and uncaring broker, someone for whom the lows of life means nothing more than the chance to rise or sink in status, Hanks flails to find the right gear. Hes bug-eyed and manic, somehow even more over-the-top than De Palmas camera.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!As you might expect from this description, The Bonfire of the Vanities is not a good movie. It is, however, a fascinating movie. Its not a movie that you would watch for fun, but you might watch it to get insight on blockbuster follies and the evolution of Hankss career. In other words, The Bonfire of the Vanities is the perfect movie to watch for free on YouTube, instead of throwing away your money, like its something to be burned in the public square.

Few people have a better understanding of what it means to steward a Marvel TV series in the Disney+ streaming era than Jac Schaeffer. Assisted by some pandemic-related schedule juggling, it was the Schaeffer-created WandaVision that served as the Marvel Cinematic Universes televised opening act in early 2021. The New Jersey-born, California-raised writer and producer followed that well-received effort up with the equally well-received (but significantly less-watched) Agatha Harkness spinoff Agatha All Along late last year.Now the creative mind that helped launch the MCUs television sandbox is taking a step back from these superhero toys for a bit. Originally attached to the upcoming Vision series Vision Quest, a de facto third part in a Wanda-verse trilogy, Schaeffer departed the project due to scheduling conflicts with finishing Agatha All Along.Im excited to watch [Vision Quest] as a fan, Schaeffer tells Den of Geek during an interview at SCAD TVfest in Atlanta. So many of my colleagues are on that show, and I just wish them the best. I cant wait to see it.Beyond the well-wishes for the Vision Quest team, Schaeffer doesnt feel the need to harp on future seasons or spinoffs of her Marvel TV projects. One of her Agatha All Along stars, Patti LuPone, already did the leg work for her in shooting down rumors of a second season for Agatha. In fact, a cheerful but intimidating publicist prowls around Schaeffer on the SCAD TVfest red carpet to shoot down season 2 queries just in case these nosey journalists didnt get Patti LuPones message.Schaeffer is, however, delighted to talk about Agatha All Along as a now-completed work. Commenting on recent reports that Marvel scuttled plans for a Hulkling appearance, the showrunner reveals another Marvel-ish character that she was adamant on including. Of course, Hulkling is gonna be a conversation because were dealing with characters that touch Hulkling, she says. But once we were writing, the cast was what it was. I will say that it was my personal mission to get Ralph Bohner back on the chessboard. I was like Im not doing the show unless Evan Peters is in his trailer.'In addition to Evan Peterss unfortunate Westview resident, Agatha All Along saw Schaeffer reuniting with WandaVisions not-so-secret weapons: EGOT-winning composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Schaeffer describes going to the pair with an ambitious request to craft The Ballad of the Witches Road, a song with many different iterations that would be the narrative and thematic backbone of the entire series.Luckily, they love that kind of challenge, Schaeffer says. But more than WandaVision, I had to get a little bit in the weeds with them with the lyrics. They needed to line up with the mythology we were building about witchcraft, the truth of the ballad, what it means, and where it came from. I was expecting them to start with the sacred chant, which is the one they do in the basement, but they elected to do the 70s Alices version first.The topic that Schaeffer is happiest to discuss, however, is her favorite moment from Agatha All Alongs nine-episode run. Though the series had many standout sequences in its latter half, Schaeffer points to a relatively unassuming exchange from the second episode in which Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) tells Billy a.k.a. Wiccan (Joe Locke) that the Witches Road isnt real.That is one of the very few moments in the show where Kathryn is performing truth, she says. I love the movie Heat. And in Heat, if they just had killed Waingro, the whole thing would be over. If [Billy] had just listened to her, it would be over. We wouldnt have gone off on this enormous journey. I just love Kathryn. Shes a witch. Shes a total witch.Kathryn Hahn is indeed an acting witch. Someone should hire her to play an actual witch. Perhaps in a second season of Agasorry, Im now being told that Patti LuPone is cutting off my internet access. Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!

I think we can all admit that we'd love to have Erin and Ben Napier's assistance in designing our homes, but unfortunately getting a spot on Home Town just isn't in the cards for most of us (you can buy a house they renovated, though!). Even if we can't impart their expertise, we can introduce you to the next best thing: using their lighting collection with Shades of Light in every room in your home.Shop Erin and Ben Co. CollectionErin & Ben Co. Gardiner Schoolhouse Ceiling Light$270 at shadesoflight.comErin & Ben Co. Watkins Vanity Light $280 at shadesoflight.comErin & Ben Co. Ben's Barn Light$380 at shadesoflight.comErin & Ben Co. Watkins Chandelier $1,080 at shadesoflight.comErin & Ben Co. Crescent Line Ceiling Light$320 at shadesoflight.comErin & Ben Co. Mason Linear Chandelier$480 at shadesoflight.comThe couple is making their signature style available for everyone, including those of us outside of their beloved home town of Laurel, Mississippi, with the collection of chandeliers, ceiling lights, sconces, and pendant lights. The collection includes 13 total fixtures, each showcasing the heirloom aesthetic the couple is known for. For example, the schoolhouse selection features a retro-style bowl-shaped opal glass and is even named after one of the town's founding families that helped build the city's education system. We spotted what appears to be one of the pendant lights from the schoolhouse selection in a recent renovation of a wait for it schoolhouse the couple completed. View full post on InstagramIn fact, it looks like many of the designs are either inspired by fixtures used in past projects or (what I imagine is more likely) Erin has been incorporating these pieces secretly into her designs all season before the official launch. We spotted what appears to be the Watkins chandelier in this Key West themed dining room (that looks like it was also one of the places shot for photography for the launch). It appears that the photography for the Gardiner schoolhouse pendant was also shot in the recent schoolhouse renovation. Excuse me while I fangirl over the fact that I could have the very same light fixtures in my home that Erin uses in her renovations. You can shop the whole collection now at Shades of Light, and catch the rest of season nine of Home Town on HGTV and Discovery+ and streaming the next day on Max. Related StoriesHannah JonesCommerce EditorHannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When shes not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.

Since its conception, Brutalism has been one of the most polarizing architecture styles among critics and amateurs alike. Its not often you see the style as you walk down the street unless you live in a larger city; many people have to look to movies and other media to see what Brutalism is all about. However, thanks to the Academy Awardnominated film The Brutalist, more people are being exposed to the beauty and divisiveness that is Brutalism, and were here to tell you that its a much more meaningful interior style than you might think.Good architecture is not about the last perfect building; its about beauty, scale, and rhythm that can be expressed through construction, setting up dialogues for continuity and contrast, says Akshat Bhatt, principal architect at the New Delhi, India, firm Architecture Discipline. Brutalism is an expressive architecture style that realizes bold forms by emphasizing construction, textures, and raw, exposed materials such as concrete.Brutalist design keeps things simple and minimalistic. Theres no focus on lavish finishes or unnecessary elements, which resulted in many onlookers of the style from the 1950s to 1970s to think of it as austere and menacing.Today, Brutalist architecture is getting reinterpreted in sleeker, grander ways by architects such as Tadao Ando, the Japanese Pritzker Prize winner who has designed residences for the likes of Beyonc and Jay-Z and Kim Kardashian. The production designer on The Brutalist, Judy Becker, actually looked to Andos works as well as modernist Marcel Breuers portfolio when creating the sets of the film with set decorator Patricia Cuccia. In this guide, well review Brutalist design in greater detail by revisiting its historical context, identify the characteristics of Brutalist buildings, and take a look at contemporary buildings that adhere to the style.Additional copy by Meghan Shouse.Related StoriesWhat Is Brutalist Design?The Brutalist architecture and interior design style uses raw materials like concrete and brick to form striking shapes at a massive scale. "Brutalist buildings often have a stark, monolithic appearance, with exposed concrete as the primary building material," says Nancy Parish, an interior designer in Charlotte, North Carolina. "This creates a distinct visual impact, emphasizing the building's solidity and permanence."In Brutalism, there is no shape that fits all. Some buildings use a conglomerate of shapes to form a truly abstract design that's still functional at heart. Brutalist buildings are rooted in communal living, which is why the buildings are typically large and harsh. History of Brutalist DesignThough Brutalism technically dates back to Le Corbusier's love for concrete and prolific use of it, especially in the iconic Unit d'Habitation in Marseilles, the well-known version came into play during the 1940s in England, Pixel Design Collaborative cofounder Kendal Rodgers says. "The classic Brutalist style really emerged and became popular in the UK following World War II as a way to create large, minimally decorated public buildings," she says. At the time, European cities were in the process of rebuilding and needed places for civilians to live. Government housing was constructed at a large scale and out of raw materials such as concrete since it was far less expensive than others at the time. "It kept going," says Rodgers, expanding beyond England and France into the United States and beyond, "until it began to go out of fashion in the '70s." In the meantime, Brutalist design also influenced residential architecture, with architects like Marcel Breuer (who straddled the Bauhaus design and Brutalist design movements) building clusters of homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Characteristics of Brutalist Design and ArchitectureKnowing the standard characteristics and attributes of the Brutalist style makes buildings in the style easy to identify. With their monumental scale, they're also not hard to miss.Unusual or geometric shapesRaw, exposed materials (such as concrete or brick)Boxy or stacked constructionUtilitarian feelMonochromatic paletteNo embellishmentClean, simple linesEnormous sizesStark, bleak, and heavy in appearance Does Brutalism Follow a Philosophy?"Although Brutalism doesn't have a formal philosophy, some architects and critics have associated certain principles with the style," Parrish explains. "One common interpretation is that it showcases a sense of honesty in design, where the materials used are left bare and the function of the structure is clearly expressed. One way to interpret this method is that it involves the avoidance of embellishments found in modernism and instead emphasizes the innate properties of materials such as concrete."Even though it tries to be the opposite, Brutalism has close ties with modernism since they both focus on "honesty" through the natural appearance of shapes. But, when Brutalism emerged, it was supposed to be a contrast to the more embellished modernist aesthetic by being more subdued, elevating functionality over ornamental construction, and keeping this purpose at the heart of its philosophy. Famous Examples of Brutalist DesignHabitat 67 Montreal, CanadaEncyclopaedia BritannicaDesigned by Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-Canadian architect, Habitat 67 epitomizes Brutalist design. Looking at the complex, you immediately notice the boxy appearance that creates a pop-out illusion on a vast, large scale. Parrish says the housing complex was built as an experimental housing complex for Expo 67 and combines elements of Brutalist architecture with modular construction. "Habitat 67 is considered a Brutalist design due to its raw concrete exterior, geometric form, functionality over form, lack of ornamentation, and robustness. These features align with the key principles of Brutalist architecture, making Habitat 67 an iconic example of this style."The Barbican Centre London, EnglandMatt Mawson//Getty Images"The Barbican Centre in London is an excellent example of Brutalism in practice," says Rogers of the performing arts space. "Walking around the Barbican, you see many different applications of concrete, from the grandiose to the fine details. Imposing round columns that support a floating pavilion overhead are grounded in a brick pavilion, while protruding balconies formed from high-aggregate concrete cantilever out to shade parts of the park."Geisel Library San Diego, CaliforniaAdam Mustafa//Getty ImagesOn the campus of University of California San Diego sits the stunning Geisel Library, which is easily identifiable as a Brutalist building. Constructed predominantly of concrete, the building contains tiers of floor-to-ceiling windows. Stepping up close to the library, you feel the looming presence Brutalist buildings can evoke. Marina City Chicago, Illinoisatosan//Getty ImagesThe scallops of these twin towers are the instant eye-catchers on these Brutalist buildings, which are also reminiscent of the Art Deco style. The apartment complex has 900 units, each with its own balcony. Boston City Hall Boston, MassachusettsIsaac Murray//Getty ImagesAnother famous example of Brutalist design is Boston City Hall, which follows the style inside and out with its intricate concrete construction on a large scale. The only relief is the small line of windows and elevated walkways. Wotruba Church Vienna, AustriaGetty ImagesThis stunning church designed by Fritz G. Mayr was built in 1976 and is one of the most popular Brutalist buildings. Wotruba Church showcases blocks of a variety of sizes but still details the concrete predominately used in this style. With the variance in shape sizes, this building adds an element of artistic value for an interesting visual. FAQWhy Is It Called Brutalism?"Funny enough, it has nothing to do with the criticism of the style as being "brutal," Rogers says, adding that brutalism derives from the French phrase bton brut, which translates as "raw concrete."Why Was Brutalism So Controversial?Architecture and interior design may be subjective, but Brutalism has generated perhaps more than its fair share of controversy, which led to it falling out of fashion in the 1980s. "This architectural style began to decline in the 1970s and 1980s due to the high maintenance cost, and many at that time saw this style as ugly and oppressive, says Liz Goldberg, founder and creative director of CAROLYNLEONA, a design firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. "It can be associated with poverty, such as public housing, and often large structures that highlight function over form."Other than its ties to poverty associated with the government housing needs, Tyler Markham of the home decor and lighting company Regina Andrew Detroit says its functionality contributed to the widespread dismissal. "The public tended to dislike it as Brutalist buildings weathered easily due to the concrete facades and looked 'cold' in appearance. Not only that, but the structures themselves were prone to vandalism and damage due to their blank-canvas walls and large expanses of untouched space. The surfaces were often covered in moss, rust stains from steel bars, and graffiti."Is Brutalism Still Popular Today?We haven't seen the last of Brutalism, says Pixel Design Collaborative cofounder Maria Gossett. "Brutalism is undeniably having a moment," she says. "I think this is due, in part, to the more prevalent use of industrial materials in spaces. We are all much more comfortable and familiar with concrete as a medium, and there is something to the lack of frills and decorations that makes the style feel honest."Parish agrees and adds that the full-circle moment we're seeing in architecture and interior design today owes to the functionality and ties to urban living of the past. "Many Brutalist buildings were designed with a strong emphasis on public spaces and communal living, which align with contemporary concerns about sustainability and urban planning. By prioritizing the needs of the community, Brutalist architects laid the groundwork for modern-day sustainable urban planning." Working on a design project? Let us help!Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Jump to:Cottagecore may have seemed like a fleeting trend at first, but now its a fully fledged interior design style. The need for calming, cozy, and safe interiors has never been more necessary than in todays world, so its no surprise that the English cottage style continues to increase in popularity. Defined by elements like pattern drenching, soft seating, and vibrant color palettes, cottagecore encompasses the desire for warm and welcoming spaces.The top interior design trends of 2025 all have an equally immersive and personalized quality, ensuring that minimalism for minimalisms sake is swapped for interiors that mean something to those living in them. All-beige interiors are swapped for maximalist havens, and sculptural furniture is traded in for a cloud-like couch. In fact, much of what homeowners desire relies on this comfort-first ethos, chief among them the cottagecore aesthetic.If youre feeling fatigued by all-white living rooms and farmhouse aesthetics, cottagecore is the style departure you need. Indulge in the details and breathe new life into your home with just a few simple steps. If youre looking to lean fully into the cottagecore aestheticor want to borrow a bit of its DNA for a cozy fall refreshwe're laying out easy tips to serve as your roadmap for nailing this of-the-moment vibe ahead.Additional copy by Kate McGregor.Related Stories What Is Cottagecore?Jonathan BondThe dining room of designer Elizabeth Hay.At its essence, cottagecore style is just the latest spin on the rustic aesthetic, with casual liveability at the forefront. Like many modern design movements, it grew its roots on social media (Instagram currently houses an impressive 4 million hashtag mentions of the trend), cementing its popularity through sepia-toned influencer snapshots and a duo of Taylor Swift albums that evoked the warmth of a cozy cardigan. In practice though, the cottagecore aesthetic lives far beyond the reaches of technology, with an emphasis on simplicity and ease, and a nod to the slow pace and uncomplicated lifestyle only country living can bring. The key to working the cottagecore vibeor really any decor vibe in generalis not to make your decor too theme-y. A few strategic elements in each space are all you need to embrace the trend in a genuine and timeless way. Go too overboard and youll end up making your home feel like the set of a Hallmark movie where the leading lady inherits a Christmas tree farm in a postage-stamp-sized town and discovers she can love againyou know what we mean?How to Achieve the Cottagecore Aesthetic at HomeErin KellyThe home of Greg Dutton and interior designer Liz Dutton of Liz Dutton Interiors. Tour the entire home here.Design With Living in Mind The cottagecore vibe is perhaps one of the best examples of the successful intersection between design and function. The look is void of unusable corners or too-precious finishes, instead opting for a utilitarian ethos that ensures each nook and cranny is put to work in helping those that dwell within live life to the fullest. If you're looking to capture the cottagecore design aesthetic in your own home, start by doing an audit of your space to gauge both its comfort and functionality. Do you have a piano room you never feel quite fancy enough to set foot in or a chair that you cringe at every time the dogs go near? Rethink any instances of "stuffy" living through the easy eye of a cottagecore aesthetic.Embrace the Hunt If a fully realized cottagecore home is your end goal, know this: It won't happen overnight. This look cannot be achieved by clicking "add to cart." Instead, fostering a cottagecore aesthetic is all about embracing slow decorating and enjoying the hunt for just the perfect piece to make your room's story sing. It's trading the feeling of factory perfect for patina and creaks; it's pieces that have had a life before you (and, with any amount of care, will go on to have a life after you). Vintage finds and the cottagecore design style go hand-in-hand, so plan to keep your eyes peeled for treasures at every flea market and Facebook Marketplace listing you come across. Trust us: It will be worth the hunt.Frank FrancesErin and Ben Napiers living room. Tour their entire home here.Make Room for Hobbies Cottagecore isnt just a design ethosits a lifestyle outlook as well. Embracing a slower pace of livingand making time for your hobbies and interestsis a cornerstone of fully embodying the cottagecore lifestyle. And that all starts at home, naturally. Carve out a corner of your abodebe it a backyard shed or small sunroomto indulge the habits that make your heart happy, like painting, pottery, or reading. Into collectibles instead? You're in luck. A slew of vintage kettles or your favorite assortment of hand-thrown ceramic vases will be right at home on display in a cottagecore home. Choose Finishes That Will Patina You'll notice almost every inspo image you see of cottagecore decor looks like the home has been lived-in for decades, if not centuriesand that's entirely by design. Along with the ethos that nothing is too precious with cottagecore design, nothing is too new, either. The epitome of "aging gracefully," cottagecore decor relies on living finishes that with patina over time with the grace and beauty of Meryl Streep. When it comes to choosing more permanent design features, like countertops or fixtures, make sure to select things like natural stone countertops, stained wood floors, unlacquered brass fixtures, and other elements that will look just as beautifulyet differentin twenty years as they do the day they're installed.What Colors Work With Cottagecore?Brie WilliamsThe game room in House Beautifuls 2024 Whole Home designed by MA Allen.When it comes to designing a cottagecore-inspired home, you need not look further than your own backyard for color palette inspiration. The movement takes its inspiration largely from nature, meaning warm neutrals and soft greens will be your main go-to's. However, that's not to say other colors can't make an appearance in your homeyou just have to be mindful of where and how you use them. Rich marigold and umber can be a great energetic accent hue, while moody burgundy and brown act as a grounding, comforting anchor in a space. When in doubt, choose colors that can be best described as "muddy," with a slightly toned down and understated quality about them. Related StoryFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Motion sensors have long been one of my favorite HomeKit devices for many years. However, the durability and speed of alerts are incredibly important when it comes to outdoor motion sensors. The Onvis outdoor motion sensor, built with Thread technology and an IP66 rating, is made to work great in both areas. If you want to trigger HomeKit devices based on motion outside, read on to learn more.HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apples smart home framework.Why HomeKit motion sensors are underratedHomeKit motion sensors bring a layer of intelligence to your home, acting as the invisible trigger behind many automations that make smart home tech seem like magic. They can turn on lamps as you walk into a room, send notifications if motion is detected when youre away, or change your thermostat when no one is on a certain floor of the home. With HomeKit, you can connect devices from different manufacturers to work together. Outdoor motion sensors, in particular, add these benefits to areas like patios, driveways, and other outdoor spots.The Onvis Smart Motion Sensor Outdoor is great for this use case. First, it uses Thread technology, making it incredibly responsive and reliable. Thread creates a fast, self-healing mesh network, meaning your automation triggers quickly. It also has an IP66 water resistance rating and a 4-year battery life to handle the outdoors like a champ.However, the Onvis outdoor motion sensor is not just a HomeKit motion sensor. It also acts as a weather monitor, working as a thermometer, hygrometer, and light sensor, updating readings every 15 minutes. These additional features add some nice environmental information to your HomeKit automation. For example, you can create automation that dims your lights when it gets dark or adjusts your indoor thermostat based on outdoor temperature. All your data stays private and stored locally on your devices, with no third-party cloud service being used.Setting up and installing the Onvis outdoor motion sensorSetting up the Onvis motion sensor is super easy if youre familiar with HomeKit. Once unboxed, pull the tab batteries so they fall into place (AA), which provides up to four years of operation. Add the device to the Home app by scanning the HomeKit QR code. Youll then place it in a room (outdoors can be a room) Once installed and working, you can add it to any HomeKit automation.Mounting the sensor outdoors is just as easy. Its small form factor allows it to fit easily in most locations, and the wide 120 field of view with a 5-10m detection range means it can cover a significant area of your yard. The Onvis iPhone app allows you to customize notification preferences and set specific schedules that are unavailable in HomeKit. This is an optional step, though. It includes pre-attached adhesive, so its easy to install without damaging your home.Wrap up on Onvis outdoor motion sensorThe Onvis Smart Motion Sensor Outdoor is a motion sensor and a weather monitor in a single package. Its strong build quality, Thread technology, and bonus features like temperature and humidity monitoring make it a fantastic addition to any smart home. Whether automating outdoor lights, monitoring your yard, or adding environmental sensors to your setup for weather tracking, it delivers on all fronts in my experience. There arent many outdoor rated HomeKit motion sensors on the market, so its awesome to see Onvis building one.You can buy the Onvis outdoor motion sensor from Amazon or directly from Onvis.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Ever since Apple released iOS 18.3 to the public in late January, weve been waiting for the announcement of the first beta of iOS 18.4 which is expected to bring major Siri updates and more Apple Intelligence features. Now a report by Bloombergs Mark Gurman suggests that the update will be available fairly soon for developers.iOS 18.4 coming soonMore specifically, Gurman suggests that the first beta of iOS 18.4 will be released to developers sometime between the middle of next week and early the following week. Last year, iOS 17.4 beta 1 was released on January 25. However, the first beta of iOS 16.4 was released on February 16.With iOS 18.4, Apple is expected to finally introduce long-awaited upgrades to Siri on devices compatible with Apple Intelligence. These include personal context understanding, on-screen awareness, and the ability to control apps. The update is also expected to add Priority Notifications, which will automatically highlight specific notifications with the help of AI.Moreover, Apple has already confirmed that it will expand Apple Intelligence support to more languages for the first time with iOS 18.4. Among the new languages supported will be Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.Its also likely that iOS 18.4 will add new emoji, which have already been revealed by the Unicode Consortium. The new emojis include a fingerprint, face with bags under the eyes, harp, root vegetable, leafless tree, splatter, and a shovel.Of course, well keep you updated on when Apple releases iOS 18.4 beta 1. In the meantime, let us know in the comments section below which new feature youre most looking forward to trying out.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel