Longtime support developer PTW has changed its name to Side, a move that the company hopes will express its "commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutionsside-by-sidewith [our] global partners across a wider range of specialisms."In addition to landing it a new logo and mission statement, Side says that the rebranding also serves as a brand unification bid. The move will unite its multiple studios under a single, freshly rebranded umbrella.As explained by comments from chief revenue officer Kaley Hurst: "This rebrand is the amalgamation of years of organic and inorganic growth, strategic planning for the future, and the realization that we are stronger together in both brand and values.Side hopes its unified banner will convey its various services, like QA and localization, through a collaborative lens. Per CEO Deborah Kirkham, "At the core of the rebrand is the promise to infuse technology with human ingenuity across all Side solutions." Those solutions and teams include over 40 studios in 14 countries and projects across Side's 1518 Studios, Ghostpunch Games, PTW, and SIDE."For years now, our company has operated as one team, with one vision driving how we do business Im proud that all our employees are now united under one banner," continues Kirham's statement. "The new brand symbolizes our commitment to delivering innovative, tailored solutions that drive our partners successes around the world."Before its new name, Side opened a new studio in Charleston, North Carolina, its fifth in North America. It also opened a mocap studio in London and acquired Ghostpunch Games, a fellow co-development studio on Risk of Rain 2, for its AI-powered services. In early 2024, it laid off 45 employees across its global teams. The layoffs followed its contributions to 2023 games like Dead Island 2, Starfield, and Baldur's Gate 3. More recently, Side's portfolio includes Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, Kingdom Come Deliverance II, and Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

YouTube is warning creators about a new phishing scam that attempts to lure victims using an AI-generated video of its CEO Neal Mohan. The fake video has been shared privately with users and claims YouTube is making changes to its monetization policy in an attempt to steal their credentials, according to an announcement on Tuesday.YouTube and its employees will never attempt to contact you or share information through a private video, YouTube says. If a video is shared privately with you claiming to be from YouTube, the video is a phishing scam.In recent weeks, there have been reports floating around Reddit about scams similar to the one described by YouTube. One user said they received an email saying an account called Notification for YouTube Creators shared a private video with them and instructed them to download a malicious file. Another noted they received a private video from Channel for Creators, which asked them to agree to a new monetization policy on a fake DocuSign site. In both of these cases, the email came from no-reply@youtube.com.Many phishers actively target Creators by trying to find ways to impersonate YouTube by exploiting in-platform features to link to malicious content, YouTube adds. This kind of scam isnt completely new, as one Reddit user spotted a deepfake video of Mohan going around in 2023. If you receive one of these fake videos, you can report it on YouTubes website.

The crypto market never closes, so it was fitting President Donald Trump made the announcement on a Sunday: he was going to reward the billionaires who funded his presidential run.A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, a social media website that he owns. His brilliant son Eric made a post suggesting that his fathers announcement qualified as market manipulation. Fantastic.I know Ive been saying this a lot lately, but this is so stupidTrump promised his crypto constituency a strategic national bitcoin stockpile on the campaign trail. The new post expands the plan to include Ethereum, Solana, Ripples XRP, and Cardano. I am using plan loosely. I dont know whos going to buy and hold the tokens, or even if tokens need to be bought at all, or what kind of wallet will be used, or any of the rest of it. In a sane system, wed have an inkling of these things, but this is Donald Trump.Look, I know Ive been saying this a lot lately, but this is so stupid. The US dollar is a source of American soft power and a tool for setting fiscal policy. The express point of Bitcoin, as it was originally conceived, is to challenge the dollar and undermine the state. Now, it seems the state is about to waste taxpayer dollars buying assets that weaken its own position in the world. But Trump owes the crypto industry big, so he might do it anyway.Undermining the dollarThe US dollar is functionally the worlds reserve currency. Its widely used for international transactions, and US Treasury bonds are often used as collateral for loans, since they are considered the safest asset in the world. Because theres such a strong demand for US bonds, its cheaper for the US to borrow money than it is for other countries.US law goes everywhere the dollar goes. American banks handle dollar transactions, which means that when the US sanctions a country such as, lets say, Russia, that country has a much harder time doing international business. This also means that US anti-corruption laws among others are also in effect when people transact in dollars. That gives the US a great deal of soft power. The USs financial policy is hugely influential for the worlds financial policy, since our bonds serve as the default safe asset class.A crypto stockpile enriches Trumps crypto donorsNow lets consider the hypothetical crypto stockpile. It amounts to an endorsement of tokens that the US has no control over, which are widely used for crime. The US does not and cannot set crypto financial policy Bitcoins is hard-coded and lightly insane. Pricing of the tokens, which are also widely used for gambling, is volatile. US taxpayers may even wind up on the hook for bailing out crypto investors if the prices crater.Stockpiles of other things exist, of course: oil, gold, vaccines. The difference between crypto and other reserves is that the other things we stockpile have uses. Oil can be used in cars, jets, and buses. Vaccines can be deployed to prevent illness. Even gold has real uses: fillings, electronics (there is gold in your cellphone), satellites. Cryptocurrencies are essentially tokens that mark gamblers moods. The only thing a crypto stockpile accomplishes is enriching Trumps crypto donors.The economist Tyler Cowen has made the closest thing to a smart case for the reserve Ive seen. He argues that a crypto reserve could actually expand the reach of the dollar, because holding crypto reserves means that the US can functionally influence the price of crypto as well as dollars. This seems like a pretty weak argument, since the most significant reserves of Bitcoin are held by the Satoshi Nakamoto entity, which could functionally crater its price as soon as the US buys in. Similarly, the other reserve currencies are heavily influenced by VCs. And a lot depends on implementation.Its not clear that a crypto reserve would have any benefits whatsoever to the American economyWe dont know how the crypto reserve will be deployed. If its meant to back the dollar, then that has the effect of devaluing the dollar and tying it to instruments for speculative gambling. And while some might argue that more exposure to Bitcoin could benefit the government when its price increases, the truth is that the US government already benefits from that in the form of taxes.Devaluing the dollar also has wide-ranging effects. For instance, it would make imported products, including car parts and food, more expensive and simultaneously devalue many peoples 401(k)s. Some people also believe it would increase inflation. The dollar also is a financial instrument the US government has direct control of allowing the Federal Reserve to set fiscal policy that responds to events in the country.Its not clear that a crypto reserve would have any benefits whatsoever to the American economy to offset weakening the dollar. However, it clearly benefits some very specific people.Dancing with them what brung yaA Bitcoin reserve is a terrible idea in its own right but the addition of those extra currencies really gives away whats happening. Bitcoin is open source, and its creator (or creators), the Satoshi Nakamoto entity, has disappeared. The other currencies here Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano were all backed by investors.To Bitcoin maxis, this is a strike against them people like Jack Dorsey point to Bitcoin as the ideal cryptocurrency because its not controlled by VCs.The only surprise is that Trump didnt stick his own shitcoins in the reserveBut enriching VCs is a crucial part of gangster tech regulation. Thats arguably why David Sacks is crypto czar, after all I mean, its not like hes had to leave his day job at Craft Ventures in order to advise the White House. Hey, did you know that Craft Ventures invested in Bitwise, a crypto index fund? I wonder what its top holdings are. Andreessen Horowitz, the eponymously named VC firm for Trump backers Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, is heavily involved in the Solana ecosystem. Charles Hoskinson, cofounder of Ethereum and Cardano, insinuated that he had Trumps ear. Oh, and Ripples founder, Brad Garlinghouse, has been meeting with Trump and is on the shortlist for a crypto advisory board.The only surprise is that Trump didnt stick his own shitcoins $WLFI, $Trump, and $Melania in the reserve.The crypto industry shelled out more than $130 million on the 2024 elections, according to Politico. That was almost half of all corporate money that went into the elections, The Associated Press says. So far, that investment has resulted primarily in defanging the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has stalled or dropped its enforcement lawsuits against, variously, the exchanges Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, Gemini, and OpenSea. Justin Sun, who invested $75 million into Trumps shitcoins, also had a fraud case paused.Why is the crypto industry seeking a government bailout?Why is the crypto industry seeking a government bailout, too? It suggests the future of crypto is bleak. While there is a devoted market of crypto speculators, Bitcoin and other tokens have not become the currencies of the internet in part because they are impractical to transact in. Crypto transactions are slow, and the unstable nature of token valuations makes timing crucial. Further, every time a person transacts in crypto, they open themselves up to tax liability.VCs have hyped the blockchain as the solution to problems such as digital scarcity. The NFT craze was originally billed as a way of making sure creators could get paid for their work. This led to a bubble, followed by a collapse. Following the FTX debacle and its subsequent bank failures large swaths of the public have avoided crypto. Once billed as the future of money, crypto seems pretty unpopular among normal people. No wonder its backers are looking for a bailout.Boosting the welfare of North Korea?What, you ask, could possibly be worse than a blatant handout to billionaires? How about hackers, ransomware extortionists, and totalitarian states?Cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin, is an important tool for cybercriminals. Among the most active groups is Lazarus, the state-sponsored hacking collective for North Korea. Most recently, North Korea stole $1.5 billion in the Bybit heist. This is the tip of the iceberg; a 2019 UN report suggested North Korea was involved in 35 hacks in 17 countries. North Korean hackers have stolen more than $6 billion in crypto since 2017, according to Elliptic, a blockchain analysis firm.So, who wins in a crypto reserve? VCs, gamblers, hackers, and North KoreaTo create the crypto reserve, the US would presumably have to buy the currencies its planning to use which would boost their price. Even if the reserve comes from government-confiscated crypto like the seized Silk Road proceeds it means those assets wont be publicly auctioned, a move that can flood the open market and lead to significant price drops. Either way, anyone with significant crypto holdings benefits. And thats a windfall for North Korea. It may even incentivize more hacking.So, who wins in a crypto reserve? VCs, gamblers, hackers, and North Korea. Who loses? US taxpayers.Fortunately, the crypto reserve stands a good chance of never happening. After all, the executive order Trump made in January says only that the US will evaluate creating a digital asset stockpile. The funniest possible outcome is also the most crypto possible outcome: the president manipulated the market for political ends, and the crypto stockpile never gets off the ground.See More:

Hugging Faces SmolAgents framework provides a lightweight and efficient way to build AI agents that leverage tools like web search and code execution. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how to build an AI-powered research assistant that can autonomously search the web and summarize articles using SmolAgents. This implementation runs seamlessly, requiring minimal setup, and showcases the power of AI agents in automating real-world tasks such as research, summarization, and information retrieval.!pip install smolagents beautifulsoup4First, we install smolagents beautifulsoup4, which enables AI agents to use tools like web search and code execution, and BeautifulSoup4, a Python library for parsing HTML and extracting text from web pages.import osfrom getpass import getpass# Securely input and store the Hugging Face API tokenos.environ["HUGGINGFACEHUB_API_TOKEN"] = getpass("Enter your Hugging Face API token: ")Now, we securely input and store the Hugging Face API token as an environment variable. It uses getpass() to prompt users to enter their token without displaying it for security. The token is then stored in os.environ[HUGGINGFACEHUB_API_TOKEN], allowing authenticated access to Hugging Faces Inference API for running AI models.from smolagents import CodeAgent, DuckDuckGoSearchTool, HfApiModel# Initialize the model WITHOUT passing hf_token directlymodel = HfApiModel()# Define tools (DuckDuckGo for web search)tools = [DuckDuckGoSearchTool()]# Create the agentagent = CodeAgent(tools=tools, model=model, additional_authorized_imports=["requests", "bs4"])Now, we initialize an AI-powered agent using the SmolAgents framework. It sets up HfApiModel() to load a Hugging Face API-based language model, automatically detecting the stored API token for authentication. The agent is equipped with DuckDuckGoSearchTool() to perform web searches. Also, CodeAgent() is instantiated with tool access and authorized imports, such as requests for making web requests and bs4 for parsing HTML content.# Example query to the agent:query = "Summarize the main points of the Wikipedia article on Hugging Face (the company)."# Run the agent with the queryresult = agent.run(query)print("\nAgent's final answer:\n", result)Finally, we send a query to the AI agent, asking it to summarize the main points of the Wikipedia article on Hugging Face. The agent.run(query) command triggers the agent to perform a web search, retrieve relevant content, and generate a summary using the language model. Finally, the print() function displays the agents final answer, concisely summarizing the requested topic.Sample OutputFollowing this tutorial, we have successfully built an AI-powered research assistant using Hugging Face SmolAgents that can autonomously search the web and summarize articles. This implementation highlights the power of AI agents in automating research tasks, making it easier to retrieve and process large amounts of information efficiently. Beyond web search and summarization, SmolAgents can be extended to various real-world applications, including automated coding assistants, personal task managers, and AI-driven chatbots.Here is the Colab Notebook for the above project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitterand join ourTelegram ChannelandLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our80k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Defog AI Open Sources Introspect: MIT-Licensed Deep-Research for Your Internal DataAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Building a Collaborative AI Workflow: Multi-Agent Summarization with CrewAI, crewai-tools, and Hugging Face TransformersAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/DeepSeek AI Releases Smallpond: A Lightweight Data Processing Framework Built on DuckDB and 3FSAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Researchers from UCLA, UC Merced and Adobe propose METAL: A Multi-Agent Framework that Divides the Task of Chart Generation into the Iterative Collaboration among Specialized Agents Recommended Open-Source AI Platform: IntellAgent is a An Open-Source Multi-Agent Framework to Evaluate Complex Conversational AI System' (Promoted)

Author(s): DarkBones Originally published on Towards AI. Source: Image by the author generated with Flux.Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4 dont actually know anything, they predict words based on old training data. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) changes that by letting AI pull in fresh, real-world knowledge before answering.RAG enhances LLMs by enabling them to retrieve relevant information from external sources before generating a response. Because LLMs rely on static training data and dont update automatically, RAG gives them access to fresh, domain-specific, or private knowledge, without the need for costly retraining.Lets explore how RAG works, why it is useful, and how it differs from traditional LLM prompting.What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) in AI?Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) helps AI models retrieve external information before generating a response. But how exactly does this process work, and why is it important?Large Language Models excel at many tasks. They can code, draft emails, hallucinate ingredients for the perfect sandwich, and even write articles, although I still prefer doing that myself. However, they have a major limitation. They lack real-time knowledge. Because training LLMs is a time-consuming process, they do not know about recent events. If you ask one about last week, it will either display a disclaimer, provide an outdated answer, or generate something completely inaccurate.Some LLMs overcome their biggest limitation of stale training data by retrieving up-to-date information before responding.RAG fetches relevant information before generating an answer, making AI responses more accurate and reducing hallucinations.RAG Explained in Simple TermsBut how does RAG actually work? Instead of looking it up ourselves, lets ask our favorite LLM:Source: Image by the author.This is not quite what we were hoping for. No problem, we can ask Bob instead.Source: Image by the author.Surprisingly, Bob did not know the answer either, but he was able to retrieve it. Here is what happened:We asked Bob about RAG.Bob went to the library and asked the librarian for information.The librarian pointed him to the right aisle.Bob retrieved the information.Bob augmented his understanding by consuming the information before generating an answer.Now Bob sounds like an expert. Thanks, Bob.This breakdown reveals that Bob is effectively functioning as a RAG agent.With that insight, lets explore exactly how a RAG agent operates.RAG SimplifiedLets transform our interaction with Bob into an actual RAG system:Bob represents the RAG system.The librarian acts as an embedder.The library functions as a vector database.Source: Image by the author.Rather than prompting an LLM directly, a RAG system acts as a knowledge bridge: retrieving, augmenting, and then generating responses.Vectorizing the InputThe RAG system then forwards the prompt to the embedder, which converts it into a vector. This vector is a numeric representation of the prompt. The idea is that information with similar meaning will have similar vector representations.Vectors unlock relevance. This vector allows the system to retrieve the most meaningful information from the vector database.When the vector representation of the users prompt is sent to the database, it retrieves the most relevant matches.The RAG system then enhances the users prompt by including the retrieved information:<context>the information returned from the database</context><user-prompt>the user's original prompt</user-prompt>That is the entire process. Retrieve, Augment, and Generate. RAG.Adding to the Knowledge BaseHowever, the system cannot retrieve information that has not been added to the database. How do we store new data? The process is straightforward. Instead of using the vector to find relevant information, the system stores the data along with its vector representation.Source: Image by the author.If you were only interested in the big picture, congratulations. You now understand the core concept. However, if youre a fellow neckbeard, lets talk a bit more about vectors and embedders.What is a Vector?In simple terms, a vector is a set of coordinates that describe how to move from A to B. Look at this graph:Source: Still frame from Photograph music video by Nickelback, edited with a custom graph overlay by the author.This graph has two dimensions. Each point, A, B, C, and D, can be described using a two-number coordinate system. The first number tells us how far to move to the right from the origin (0), while the second number tells us how far to move up. To reach A, the vector is [3, 7]. To reach D, the vector is [3, 0].Dimensionality of VectorsThe same principle applies in three dimensions. To move from your desk to the coffee machine, you must travel a certain distance along the x, y, and z axes, forming a three-digit coordinate system.Source: Image by the author.Humans struggle to visualize beyond three dimensions. Computers thrive in multi-dimensional spaces.The math remains the same. Four dimensions? That requires a four-digit coordinate system. One hundred dimensions? That requires a 100-digit coordinate system.Source: Meme remix combining This is Fine by KC Green (original) with custom artwork by the author.The embedder I use operates in a mind-bending, 768-dimensional coordinate system, far beyond human perception.When you have finished trying to visualize that, we can return to simpler, easy-to-draw, two-dimensional graphs.How Vector Embeddings Help LLMs Retrieve DataVectors by themselves are simply n-dimensional coordinates that represent points in n-dimensional space.Vectors arent just numbers, they encode meaning. Their true power lies in the information they represent.In the same way, vectors are coordinates not to places, but to information. A specialized LLM, an embedder, is trained on a large corpus of text to figure out similarities and to place these pieces of information somewhere in n-dimensional space such that similar topics tend to be grouped together.Like, when you go to a social event, youre likely to stick with your friends, colleagues, or at least a group of like-minded people.Grouping Similar Concepts TogetherSource: Image by the author.This graph shows how words that are similar in meaning tend to get grouped together in this n-dimensional space. Modern embedders (like BERT) dont use single-word embeddings anymore, but generate contextual embeddings.The ability to group similar concepts in vector space makes embeddings powerful. However, early embedding models like Word2Vec had a significant limitation that modern models have addressed.Quick Tech TangentIf youve been working on AI systems for as long as I have, you might be familiar with Word2Vec. While groundbreaking when it came out in 2013, it has a major flaw: it assigns a single vector to each word, no matter the context.Take the word bat.Are we talking about the flying mammal? Then it should be near mammal, cave, and nocturnal.Or do we mean a baseball bat? Then it belongs near ball, pitch, and base (but what base? Military?)And what if were in the world of fiction? Then bat relates to vampire and transformation.Word2Vec cant tell the difference. It picks one and sticks with it.One thing I find particularly fascinating with Word2Vec is that, since words are now represented by numbers, you can actually do arithmetic on them.You can make equations likeking - man + woman = queen a legendary example of how AI models map relationships in vector space."Its wild, but it works (most of the time).Tangent over.How are Vectors Used?Now that we understand vectors, the next step is straightforward. We embed the information we want the LLM to access, and when we ask a question about that information, the question itself should be close to the relevant content in vector space. The vector database retrieves the n most relevant pieces of content, where n is a configurable number.It also returns the cosine similarity score for each result, indicating how closely the retrieved content matches the query.Cosine SimilarityCosine similarity doesnt just compare numbers, it measures meaning by calculating the angle between two vectors.A smaller angle indicates greater similarity, meaning the retrieved data is more relevant to the prompt.Source: Image by the author.In our example, A and B represent the phrases RAG stands for Retrieval Augmented Generation and Hey LLM, tell me about RAG. Since they are closely related, their vectors are similar. If we instead ask Describe an Eclipse, its vector will be far from the others, making it unrelated. However, if RAG stands for Retrieval Augmented Generation is the only entry in the database, it will still be retrieved, even if it is not relevant to the query.Limitations of RAGTypically, we do not store and retrieve entire documents in the vector database. If we did, a single large document could easily exceed the context window of the LLM. If the system is configured to return the ten most relevant pieces of information, and each of them is the size of a full article, your computer quickly turns into a space heater. To prevent this, we split the information into chunks of a predefined size, such as 1000 characters, and we try to keep the sentences and paragraphs intact.However, splitting information into chunks introduces a new problem. Just as Word2Vec struggles to determine meaning from a single word, RAG often fails to understand the full context of a single chunk, especially when that chunk is extracted from the middle of a document.Source: Image by the author.Here is a problem I encountered recently. I keep a detailed work diary where I document all my professional achievements. It is extremely useful during performance reviews. However, when I ask my RAG system what I achieved at my current company, it confidently includes accomplishments from my previous jobs. Because I write this diary in the first person and also include information from other sources written in the first person, the system cannot distinguish between them. As a result, it starts attributing achievements to me that I had nothing to do with. That is how I realized something was wrong. My system was suddenly telling me about all the interesting things I supposedly did away from the computer, which is impossible since I never leave my desk.ConclusionRAG makes LLMs more useful by letting them retrieve information they wouldnt otherwise have access to. But its not magic. It comes with its own challenges, from handling context properly to avoiding irrelevant results.But as I learned firsthand, fetching information isnt the same as understanding it. Thats why making RAG systems context-aware is the next big challenge, one Ill tackle in my next article.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. Published via Towards AI

If you're in the process of building out a new gaming PC and you're looking for the best gaming processor, this is it. Right now, the recently released AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 desktop processor is back in stock at Amazon at its retail price of $479 shipped. This is the official launch price with zero markup, and it's not bundled with anything you don't want or need. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best gaming processor currently on the market (across both AMD and Intel) and a better choice for gamers than the more expensive Intel Core Ultra 9 285K.Back in Stock: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Desktop ProcessorAMD's X3D series processors are optimized for gaming. In that respect, they bench better than even the most expensive of AMD's standard lineup of CPUs thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache technology. Although perfectly capable of handling multitasking, rendering, and creation, the limited number of cores means they aren't the ideal processors for those tasks. At its retail price of $479, the 9800X3D is $110 cheaper than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ($589) and $170 cheaper than the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, even though it outperforms both of them in gaming. Unless you're a staunch Intel fan, or you're still on AM4 and don't want to upgrade all of your components, the 9800X3D is the obvious choice for your next gaming rig.New ReleaseAMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D AM5 Desktop Processor$479.00 at AmazonIn our AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review, Jackie Thomas wrote:"The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is extremely powerful in games, which makes it easier to recommend than other recent processors like the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or Ryzen 9 9900X. Especially if youre building a rig with a powerful graphics card, the 9800X3D is going to be the best way to get the most performance out of whichever GPU you pair it with."For more big tech news for this month, check out our CES 2025 hub for all of the latest updates.Why 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.

Just as Cinderellas dream come true was set to end at midnight, so too was that of The Walt Disney Company in 1947 after being roughly $4 million in debt following the financial failures of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi due to World War II and other factors. However, thanks to this beloved princess and her iconic glass slippers, Disney as we know it was saved from having to end its own animation story well before its time.As Cinderella hits its 75th anniversary for its wide release today, March 4, we spoke to several people at Disney who are still inspired by this timeless rags to riches tale. Its a story that surprisingly mirrors that of Walt Disney himself, and one that not only gave hope to the company, but also to a world that was rebuilding itself and looking for something to believe in again. PlayThe Right Film at the Right TimeFor context, we first need to jump back to when Disney had its very own fairy godmother moment in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The films runaway success - it was the highest-grossing film of all time until Gone with the Wind dethroned it two years later - allowed Disney to build its studio in Burbank, where the company is still headquartered today, and forge a new path forward that would include even more feature-length animated feature films.1940s Pinocchio was Disneys next film after Snow White and it carried a budget of $2.6 million - which was roughly a million dollars more than Snow White - but it ended up losing around $1 million despite being critically acclaimed and winning the Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. This wasnt an outlier either, as Fantasia and Bambi also underperformed following Pinocchio and piled on more and more debt. Why was this the case? Well, a large part of the issue had to do with Germanys decision to invade Poland in September 1939 and spark the flame that would become World War II.Disney's European markets dried up during the war and the films werent being shown there, so releases like Pinocchio and Bambi did not do well, Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdins Genie, told me. And before long, Disney was overtaken by the U.S. government to make training and propaganda films for the Army and Navy and more. And then, throughout the 1940s, the studio would make what they called Package Films like Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These projects were very, very good, but there was not a particularly narrative story from start to finish to them.For those unfamiliar, Package Films were collections of short cartoons that were put together to make a feature film. Disney ended up making six of these between the releases of 1942s Bambi and 1950s Cinderella, including two - Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros - that were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy, which aimed to stop the spread of Nazism in South America. While these made back their costs and Fun and Fancy Free brought the studios debt from $4.2 million to $3 million in 1947, the Package Films were also preventing the studio from making true animated feature-length stories. I wanted to get back into the feature field, Walt Disney said in 1956, via The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. But it was a matter of investment and time. Now, to take and do a good cartoon feature takes a lot of time and a lot of money. But I wanted to get back. And my brother [Disney CEO Roy O. Disney] and I had quite a screamer It was one of my big upsets I said were going to either go forward, were going to get back in business, or I say lets liquidate or lets sell out. So when it appeared that Walt himself was willing to sell all his shares of Disney, exit the company, and sail off into the sunset, he and his brother instead chose the riskier path and put all their chips on the studios first big animated feature film since 1942s Bambi. If this didnt shake out the way they hoped, it could have meant the end of Disneys animation studio for good. "I think the world needed the idea that we can come out from the ashes and have something beautiful happen."At this time, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella were all in varying levels of development, but Cinderella won out as the film to make first because it had many similarities to the hit that was Snow White. Beyond that, however, Walt believed this story could accomplish something greater beyond mere entertainment.Walt was very good at reflecting the times, and I think he recognized what America needed after the war was hope and joy, said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. And while Pinocchio is an incredibly beautiful and amazing movie in and of itself, it's not a joyful movie in the way Cinderella is. And I think the world needed the idea that we can come out from the ashes and have something beautiful happen. Cinderella was the right choice for that moment in time.Cinderella and Disneys Rags to Riches TaleWalts history with Cinderella actually goes much further back than the late 1940s, as he created a Cinderella short in 1922 during his time running Laugh-O-Gram Studios, the company he founded just two years before he would start Disney with Roy. The shorts story, and the feature film for that matter, were adapted from Charles Perraults 1697 version of the tale that may have first been told back between 7 BC and AD 23 by the Greek geographer Strabo. It was a classic tale of good vs. evil, true love, and dreams coming true, and it made quite an impression on Walt.That early seven-minute animation and the other Laugh-O-Gram productions werent very successful as the company would shortly thereafter go bankrupt, but it did begin to paint a picture of how Cinderella resonated with Walt because it was also a rags to riches tale that involved a dream and a little something extra.Snow White was a kind and simple little girl who believed in wishing and waiting for her Prince Charming to come along, Walt Disney said, as seen in footage from Disneys Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece special DVD feature. On the other hand, Cinderella here was more practical. She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didnt happen to come along, she went right over to the palace and got him.Cinderella was a strong character with a will that couldnt be broken, despite her circumstances which led her to be mistreated by her Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters after losing her parents. While Walt didnt have the same family troubles as Cinderella, his story was also one of humble beginnings that was filled with tons of failures and challenges but, most importantly, also an unstoppable dream and work ethic.This story stayed with Walt through the early days of Disney and he would end up trying to bring it back to life in 1933 as a Silly Symphony short. However, the scope of the project kept growing and becoming more complex and the decision was eventually made in 1938 to try to turn it into a feature film instead. It took over a decade to bring it to the big screen due to the war and other factors mentioned above, but that time allowed it to evolve and become the film we know and, for many animation fans, love today.There are many reasons why Cinderella was the success it was, but one was how Disney and his team were able to take these beloved stories and transform them into something that had even more global appeal.Disney was so good at taking these fairytales that had been around for many, many years and putting his own spin on it. This meant he brought his taste, entertainment sense, heart, and passion into it so people came to care about the characters and story unfolding even more than in the original stories themselves, Goldberg said. These fairytales were also, excuse the pun, a little bit grim because they were often meant as cautionary tales for younger people. If you do this and behave badly, then this might happen to you, etc. etc., and the villains usually died a horrible death. What Disney did, however, is he made these stories universally palatable and enjoyable for all audiences, which helped modernize them and let them stand the test of time."She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them."Disney accomplished this with Cinderella in part through the addition of her animal friends, including Jaq, Gus, the other mice, and the delightful birds. They were, alongside Lucifer the cat, the fantastical comic relief to the rough life Cinderella had under the reign of her Evil Stepmother and were the perfect characters to let Cinderella share her true feelings with, which in turn let us learn more about who she really was. Oh, and they were pretty good at making dresses. The Fairy Godmother was also different from the version in Perraults story, and animator Milt Kahl was the one who helped convince Walt that she should be a more bumbling, grandmother-type character as opposed to a more tall and regal one like the fairy we saw in Pinocchio. This version was much more relatable, and her stumbles and bumbles allowed audiences to connect to her even more than some perfect, mystical being. And of course, that also led to one of the most iconic scenes in not only Disney history, but perhaps all of movie history.Yes, we are talking about the big transformation scene where, when Cinderella appears to be at her lowest point, the remaining, undying belief in herself and her dream manifest into the Fairy Godmother and a night that changes her life forever. So many of us love the pumpkin turning into a carriage and the mice becoming horses and all that, but its Cinderellas big moment that steals the show.The animation of Cinderellas dress transformation has often been credited as Walts favorite of all time, and its all thanks to the handiwork of Disney Legend Marc Davis and George Rowley. Before reading the next quote, I encourage you to watch the scene below again for yourself and take special care to pay attention to the sparkles and how everything comes together so seamlessly. First of all, you have to remember that every single one of those sparkles was hand-drawn on every frame and then hand-painted, which just blows my mind, Cranner said with the biggest smile. But there's also a part of it thats so subtle, as there is a perfect moment in the middle of that transformation where all of the stardust and the magic holds for just a fraction of a second before it all falls in and her dress changes. I really think that that's part of what makes that scene so magical. It's almost a second of holding your breath and then the release comes and you know that magic just happened.Another Disney addition is the one glass slipper that breaks at the end of the film. This didnt happen in previous renditions, but it adds so much to the character of Cinderella and the notion that shes the hero of her own story.I think something that a lot of people overlook is that Cinderella is not a cipher, Goldberg said. Shes not a bland female protagonist that you might see in some of the other films, but she has a personality and a strength within her. When the stepmother causes the glass slipper to break, Cinderella has the solution to it by presenting the other one she had been holding on to. Its such a powerful moment and a clever story thing to show how strong and in control she actually is.Cinderella has to stand up for herself multiple times throughout the story, and that is inspiring and shows the power of being an advocate for yourself. Decisions like this led to a film that captivated the world and gave Disney the win it needed.Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and had its wide release on March 4 later that year. It was an instant success and had the best box office performance of any Disney film since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by earning $7 million dollars on a $2.2 million budget. It also became the sixth-highest grossing film of 1950 and earned three Academy Award nominations. When Cinderella came out, all the critics went, Oh, this is great! Walt Disney's back on track again! It was hugely successful for them because he was back doing narrative features like Snow White and people just loved it, Goldberg said. I think the studio also got their mojo back, so to speak. They loved the Package Films and the work they did during the troubled times of the war, but this is what the studio was built for. Following Cinderella, Disney continued on to develop films like Peter Pan, Lady in the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, Jungle Book, and so many more, and it was all thanks to Cinderella.75 Years Later, Cinderellas Magic Lives OnAll these years later, Cinderellas legend has only grown in popularity and meaning for Disney and the wider world. I mean, all you have to do is walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World or Tokyo Disneyland to see her castle towering above you, or turn on any Disney movie and watch that intro to see another castle that was inspired by her tale and that of Sleeping Beauty. Her influence can also be felt in the studios most beloved modern films, including a scene that may just be one of the most watched of all time.When we were doing Elsas dress transformation moment in Frozen, which I animated along with effects artist Dan Lund, co-director Jennifer Lee wanted it to have a direct connection to Cinderella, Frozen 2 and Wish lead animator Becky Bresee told me. Cinderellas legacy can especially be seen in the sparkles and all the effects surrounding Elsas dress, and although she is a much different character, there are so many moments and things we bring forward to honor the impact of Cinderella and other movies that came before.There are so many more stories and people worthy of highlighting for their work on Cinderella, including the famous Nine Old Men who each brought such personality and life to all the characters and Mary Blair for her incredible artwork that gave Cinderella its distinct and stunning style, but perhaps the best way to bring this retrospective to a close is with another quote from Eric Goldberg, who summed up why Cinderella was the right film and the right princess at the right time that saved Disney when it needed it the most.I think the big thing about Cinderella is hope, Goldberg said. It gives people hope that things will work out when you have perseverance and when you are a strong person. I think that's its biggest message is that hope can actually be realized and dreams can come true, no matter what time you are living in.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok. You can also listen to the latest episode of his show Talking Disney Magic that's all about Cinderella's 75th anniversary!

Ethan HerringtonFor centuries, palaces had anterooms everywhere: before reception rooms, state bedrooms, dining rooms, you name it. There were anterooms for anterooms. Now, most of us are lucky to have a small rotunda within which to take off our shoes or hang up our coats. But that hasn't stopped designers from making these tiny spaces full of wonder (and function!). Read on for 20 ideas, culled from our archives, on how to decorate your small entryway. 1Stick to the ClassicsKelly MarshallIn this Nate Berkus-designed home, a predictable palette does wonders. Gray and white tiles cover the entryway's floor and and a black metal chair with a white artwork hung above it make the space functional. Rather than a traditional console, the designer placed a black chest of drawers on one wall (more storage for your tiny space!) with a gilt mirror above it to bring out the gold hardware on the chest. 2Keep It SimpleRead McKendreeModern wisdom says we all need a console, stool, and coat rack in our entryway for keys, wallets, headphones, coats and other paraphernalia. But with limited space some long held traditions must be reconsidered. In this minimal entryway by Workshop APD a simple console and circular mirror do the trick. A small box and dish provide storage for those keys and wallets. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Cool BlueEric PetschekIn this entryway designed by Bachman Brown Design one color was enough to make the room. Benjamin Moores Brilliant Blue paint was used on the walls. The decor follows a consistent complimentary palette, with a 1960s Swedish mirror by Uno & sten Kristiansson, a pair of Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig rope stools, a vintage walnut hanging cabinet, and a carpet from Inigo Elizalde Rugs all in the same soft caramel hue. The Art Deco pendant light is from the '30s and the mixed media artwork on the right is by Sophie Grant. A '60s table lamp by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier perfectly matches the walls. 4Go Big!Tim LenzIn this small entryway designed by Pappas Miron, oversized art hands only inches above a black sideboard. The effect is clean and minimal and, paradoxically, makes the small wall that anchors it feel monumental. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Make it Multi-useTim LenzThis entry in an Augusta Hoffman-designed home has slightly literary references. One wall features built-in bookcases and, just around the corner, a corner chairreminiscent of those in early schoolhouses and the libraries of landed English estatessits in front of a wood paneled wall (another literary tradition). The effect is cerebral without sacrificing function. 6Block It OutTim LenzIf you have several walls to activate in your entry, try keeping decorative accessories to a minimum and letting the surfaces speak for themselves. Another angle of the entry in this Pappas Miron-designed home shows how the designers color blocked the space. The wood paneled walls are one decorative element, the tiled floors another, and the burgundy wall off the room yet another. Large art hung around this space act as color blocks themselves. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Your Entry as Art GalleryChris MotalliniIn the entry of this Crina Arghirescu Rogard-designed townhouse, the space is treated almost like an art gallery. Two sconces by Mr. Liz Hopkins look like sculpture themselves, as does the ceiling light in a vaguely Ruth Asawa-esque shape. Wrapped in cord by Nathalie Sann Regnault, the baluster has become sculpture too. 8Go GraphicNickGlimenakisIn this home designed by Delia Kenza, graphic forms can be found everywhere. If you are pressed for space in your home, try sticking to one unifying decorative theme. The art hung above the sideboard in this entry mimics the colors and shapes below. The slanted, almond-shaped openings on the wall to the left continue the theme. Not much else is needed!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Try an Untraditional HangTim LenzWho says gallery walls should be relegated to large living areas? In this Nicholas Obeid-designed entry the decorator hung several works of art in a gallery wall format. Keep the furniture simple if you try this, so as not to overwhelm the space.10Off the FloorDaniel ScheferSometimes having furniture with feet can make a small space feel even more cramped. In Elad Yifrach's home, a wall console is hung in lieu of a table with legs. Besides that surface, a sconce and mirror are all that is needed to make this entry functional. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Storage FirstNoe DeWittIf your entry is small, then the rest of your home probably is too. And if that is the case, every inch of space counts. Entries are often overlooked as opportunities for smart storage, but in this Patrick Mele-designed home, the entry doubles as a library. Use a console or chest of drawers as a bookcase and stack more on top. Mele went further by hanging art that mimics bookbindings above.12Mix Art with Function Roger DaviesIn the entryway of Nathan Turner and Eric Hughes Ojai house, the designer pair spliced a gallery wall with a coat rack. By hanging dog portraits above a series of iron hooks, they've made their coats and hats into art as well! Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Home in a HotelTrevor TondroMarc Valeanu treats an entry like a hotel room, utilizing hospitality tricks and efficiencies in a domestic setting. For example, instead of a luggage rack for your suitcase, how about a campaign stool for your work bag? 14Use Materials from Elsewhere in the HouseGieves AndersonIn this Frederick Tang-designed house, the entryway was outfitted with black tiles that match a towering fireplace (opposite the door). The move unifies the home, drawing you in as soon as you step over the threshold. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Use Wallpaper as a Decorative Statement Max BurkhalterIn this entryway designed by Georgia Tapert Howe, very little furniture was needed to make the space feel warm and complete. That's because the designer opted for a richly detailed Artichoke wallpaper from Brier & Byrd that provides the eye with more than enough visual stimulation. A vintage console from 1stDibs and mirror by Lulu and Georgia complete the scene.16Highlight VerticalityGieves AndersonIn this Frederick Tang project, the homes verticality is highlighted by fluted wood on the staircase and a nearby door, and again with the textile work hanging above a bench. As you sit and take off or put on your shoes, you can't help but looking up, as the vertical lines around you encourage. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Keep It CurvyNicole FranzenIn a Chelsea apartment designed by Le Whit the entryway follows a trend represented throughout the home: arched thresholds. Arches celestial connotations make a space feel lighter and higher. Here a custom mural depicting the client's family and pets by Maine-based artist Dean Barger pushes the bucolic narrative further.18Texturize ItRaz KerenIn the entry of a Hollywood Hills house designed by Luis Fernandez, dramatic graphic shapes and textures enliven the white-walled space. A blue-black Cassina Hayama console by Patricia Urquiola anchors the space and provides a surface for those out-the-door knick-knacks and essentials. Andrew Farriss Heaven in Blue from Tappan Collective hangs above it. A wool and silk Geode rug by Temple from Twentieth Gallery brings the texture, creating a navy pool to sink into as you come back from a long day of work. A vintage frosted-glass Star pendant by Kalmar from 1stDibs and a painting by Wes Aderhold bring in more material interest.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Lead with LightDavid LandIn this Nina Barnieh-Blair-designed West Village apartment, light is the main attraction. All of the walls were painted the same shade of white, with light oak floors contributing their own levity. A mirror by Ben and Aja Blanc from the Future Perfect reflects the sun over a stool from Matter.20Lacquer It UpEthan HerringtonInstead of the usual mounted mirror, consider reflective surfaces as your wall treatment instead. In this New York City home, design firm Alton Bechara painted the walls in a black lacquer from Fine Paints of Europe. Carrara marble floor tiles add to the drama while a vintage ribbon sconce pushes things still further on the theatrical scale. The thin lines of the vintage chair beneath it do not overwhelm the space.

The kitchen above was designed by Light and Dwell. Whats the one single room that can make entertaining easier, your kitchen cleaner, and your home worth more? Its a dirty kitchen. The unappealing name for what designers prefer to call a back kitchen is a fully functional kitchencomplete with essentials including wall oven, fridge and sinkbehind the beautifully designed main room. Its re-imaginedand more tricked outupdate on the traditional scullery or butlers pantry, spaces where the staff in grand homes were able to prep food or drinks, or wash dishes, out of the way of the bustling main kitchen.Even if youre the staff at your place, the idea is that this second kitchen serves as a place for food prep, cooking, and cleanup, so your main kitchen stays pristine or, better yet, provides a place for friends and family to gather, sip wine, and nibble on appetizers. (After all, everyone ends up in the kitchen during a party.) Especially if you have an open-concept main kitchen, the behind-the-scenes dirty kitchen keeps the messy business of cooking out of sight and out of guests minds.Dirty kitchens are a luxury, but these uber-functional smaller spaces have been growing in popularity with high-end designers over the past few years. Theyand all the people who are buying or renovating homesare captivated by the dirty kitchen because of how it can facilitate both food prep and more elegant entertaining. In these back kitchens, dirty dishes can pile up or a baker can make a mess without interfering with the main cooking zone, Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn says. But before you add a dirty kitchen to the top of your must-have list, there are a few things to consider. Read on for all the dirt on dirty kitchens.Stacy Zarin GoldbergA pantry by Kate Abt Design mixes a bold wallpaper with ocher glazed tile. Whats the Difference Between a Walk-in Pantry, Butler's Pantry, and Dirty Kitchen?A walk-in pantry takes up less square footage and is primarily for food storage, which can free up a ton of cabinet space. The smartest designs have shallow shelves for easy reach. Traditional butlers pantries are spaces between the kitchen and dining room, often housing hosting essentials for a well-adorned tabletop. Many of them have been converted to breakfast or cocktail bars. The team at cabinetry maker Bakes & Kropp usually incorporates at least one beverage fridge, a small sink, and an ice maker.Isaac BaileyJaimee Rose Interiors designed a back kitchen with a baking station. Back kitchens or dirty kitchens are full kitchens with cleanup essentials like a deep sink and dishwasher along with a wall oven, freezer, wine refrigerator, and ample space for small appliances.ASHLEE KINDREDBlack and brass accents bring drama to this Indianapolis kitchen by Tiffany Skilling Interiors and Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork.Who Is a Dirty Kitchen For?Everyone can benefit from this secondary space, Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria says, citing entertainers, procrastinators, neat freaks, Tasmanian devils, families with children, and gadget-obsessed homeowners. Just be careful about adding too much refrigeration, Quinn warnsthat can lead to frustration when youre doing a five-minute dance trying to find the sour creamand make sure to include ventilation. Designer Caren Rideau of the Kitchen Design Group adds that smart organization is key for the room to function smoothly. She suggests separating food storage, appliances (small and large), and serveware to ensure everything is easily accessible.How Much Does a Dirty Kitchen Cost?In some cases, a dirty kitchen can be as expensive as your primary kitchen since it calls for cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, and appliances, not to mention structural needs like walls and pocket doors. According to Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths, a dirty kitchen can easily start at $45,000 to $55,000 and go up from there. A kitchen remodel can have an ROI of up to 80 percent, according to Zillow, so depending on your budget and future plans, the investment might make sense. Theoretically, adding a dirty kitchen could boost your homes value by $40,000 or more.She tells her clients if theyre planning to stay in their home for only five to 10 years, it may not be worth the investment. What else, besides money, are you giving up? Likely square footage in another room. I usually try to convince a client to move their main-floor laundry room upstairs or to reduce the size of a large mudroom, Laura McCroskey of McCroskey Interiors says. The reality is you have to find the space or add onto your existing structure. If youre a neat freak who cleans as they cook, this add-on might not be necessary, McCroskey says.Eymeric WidlingOpen shelving keeps this room by Veranda Estate Homes light and airy.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Stair runners are the unsung heroes of interior design. Not only do they protect your stairs from daily wear and tear, but they add personality and style to one of the most-used (and most-seen) parts of your home: the staircase. While a standard wool or jute runner will get the job done just fine, theres so much more you can do with your staircase to take your space to the next levelliterally. Another bonus? Because your staircase is such a singular moment, you can feel free to go a bit more bold, living beyond the confines of nearby rooms or adjacent color palettes and carving out a scheme that stands proudly alone.From bold patterns that make a statement to unexpected shapes that create visual interest, the possibilities are nearly endless. More and more, designers are getting creative with the textures, colors, and materials they choose for this spotlight moment, experimenting with fresh ideas that blend functionality with style. Ready to bid farewell to your basic jute runner? Below, were exploring inspiring examples from pros who have turned ordinary staircases into works of art using graphic patterns, vibrant colors, and interesting motifs (jaguars, anyone?!) to help you imagine what your staircase could look like.More inspiration for your interiors:1Incorporate Every Color of the RainbowNick SargentWhy choose one color for your staircase runner when you can choose them all? This playful runner taps every hue in the ROYGBIV alphabet for a happy transition from floor to floor. "In this home, I was lucky to have a fantastic client who loved color almost as much as I do," says designer Betsy Wentz. "The idea was to select a pattern with loads of color to support the more subtly patterned wallpaper running through the foyer and staircase."2Add a Sweet Border Studio JantienFor a unique take on the traditional staircase runner shape, get a little edgy with your border. This luxe pick from Studio Jantien comes in a slew of colors, each of which is finished with a charming scallop border for a dose of unexpected charm. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Select a Complementary Color Palette Sarah GriggsWhen contemplating a staircase runner, it's important to consider how it interacts not only with the surrounding area, but also the staircase itself. For a cohesive look, consider painting your treads, runner, baluster, and spindles in a hue that complements the palette of your runner. Here, designer Millie Turner opted for a soft sage green to offset the bolder hues in a Sophie Cooney stair runner. 4Finish With a PuddleBrian WetzelMost stair runners end on the final stair or maybe where the stair meets the floorWidell + Boschetti carried their soft touch beyond the staircase, finishing in a wavy, puddle-like shape that feels sculptural and unexpected. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Walk on the Wild SideRustic White InteriorsInstead of allowing your staircase to become just a passageway to other parts of your home, choose a funky stair runner that acts as a conversation starter, transforming your foyer into a design destination all its own. For designer Jared Hughes, that meant a leopard-themed design from Rug Company. "We wanted to do something that emphasized the spiraling nature of the stairs and I felt like having something appear to be crawling up the stairs was just the ticket," he adds. 6Stitch Together Vintage FindsNew England LoomIf you're looking for a relatively inexpensive and patina-packed way to dress up your stairwell, look no further than your local vintage store. Antique runners can often be purchased for a reasonable price point, then layered on your stairwell, like the Turkish finds seen from New England Loom and The Carpet Workroom. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Opt for a Graphic PopMalissa Mabey PhotoIn an otherwise demure space, a graphic-patterned stair runner is more than just a practical additionit's a spark of creativity and energy. "When designing this entryway, all of the elements felt disparate, until we had the idea to implement this checkered stair runner," adds designer Susannah Holmberg. "Because we sewed a few runners together to cover the length of the stairs, theres a charming mismatch to the size of some of the checkers."8Embrace an Artistic FinishLaura Metzler DesignThink of your stairwell like a blank canvas, with 15 to 20 treads you get to dress to the nines with a rug that doubles as art. This stunning silk design from Wendy Morrison Design was inspired by Japanese culture, combining concentric circles, colorful tropical birds, and flowering magnolias into a one-of-a-kind living installation. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Nod to Nearby FinishesKirsten FrancisWhen it came to dressing the stairwell in this Baltimore home, designer Jennifer Hunter didn't have to look far for her inspiration. "This runner is actually about five Annie Selke runners pieced together, then installed as a stair runner," she says. "The client is an artist and it reminded me so much of her abstract work. It was really a no brainer and the client adores it." As a bonus, the colorful weave also coordinates beautifully with the nearby wallpaper, artwork, and trim paint. 10Add a Bit of Staircase "Jewelry" Nina Watson InteriorsYou've chosen a standout stair runnerso now what? Well, if you're anything like designer Nina Watson, it's time to top off the scene with a bit of sparkle. Stair rods are a classic addition to any runner, helping hold the rug in place and adding a bit of classic charm to the scene.