March 6, 20257 min readEye Problems Cloud NASAs Vision of MarsA mysterious neuro-ocular syndrome remains an unknown risk for long-term spaceflightBy Neil Savage Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov holds a camera during an extravehicular activity on the International Space Station (ISS) on August 18, 2014. NASA/Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)This article is part of Nature Outlook: Vision, an editorially independent supplement produced with financial support from Astellas Pharma. About this content.In the next 15 years, NASA hopes to launch a mission to Mars. But the long journey poses a challenge not least from a mysterious ailment that alters astronauts eyesight. Spending long periods in the microgravity of space can lead to changes in the eye, including swelling in the region where the optic nerve extends to the brain; flattening of the rear of the normally round organ; wrinkles that emerge at the back of the retina; and shifts in the refractive index that change how the eye focuses. Together, these changes have been dubbed spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Despite more than a decade of study, researchers still dont know exactly what causes it, whos at highest risk or how to prevent or treat it.Tyson Brunstetter, an aerospace optometrist at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, was serving in the US Navy when he read the first report on the syndrome, in 2011. He found the condition fascinating, but did not consider it a major obstacle to spaceflight. I said, Its NASA. Theyll figure it out in six months. And yet here I am, part of the team trying to figure out what exactly is going on.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.NASA considers SANS one of its red risks for a Mars mission, owing to its potential severity and the number of astronauts that could be exposed. Other high-priority risks include radiation exposure, changes in mental health and difficulty maintaining adequate nutrition.Although some changes have been detected in astronauts eyes after as few as ten days in space, physicians think that the risk increases as more time is spent in microgravity. So far, SANS has been an issue mostly for people doing six-month stints on the International Space Station (ISS). A much longer trip to Mars roughly nine months in each direction could cause damage that interferes with astronauts ability to see what theyre doing, perhaps permanently.Not everyone who goes into space develops SANS. Around two-thirds of astronauts on long missions to the ISS experience changes in visual acuity, particularly for close-up vision. Only about one-fifth of such cases are considered serious enough to earn the designation of SANS. Changes that can be detected during an examination, such as an enlarged blind spot and thickened retina owing to swelling where the optic nerve joins the retina (known as optic-disc oedema), are unlikely to be noticed by the affected person.Most of the changes associated with the syndrome seem to resolve after returning to Earth. Even the most severe cases of swelling resolve after about 12 months back in normal gravity, Brunstetter says. And although eyeball flattening and refractive-index shifts might be permanent, these alterations can be offset with prescription lenses. In fact, NASA supplies astronauts with what it calls space-anticipation glasses of varying powers in case their vision shifts during a mission. No one has had permanent vision loss due to SANS, Brunstetter says.On the ISS, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer uses an ophthalmic lens attached to a tablet to send pictures of his retina. These images were taken as part of the ESAs and German Aerospace Centers Retinal Diagnostics project.NASA/ESAM. MaurerThe concern, however, is that longer missions might exacerbate problems. If optic-disc oedema continues long enough, the enlarged blind spot might start to interfere with vision, Brunstetter says. The wrinkles, known as choroidal folds, could also become more of an issue. These tend to stick around after astronauts come home. So far, Brunstetter says, the folds havent affected anyones vision, perhaps because they havent occurred in a part of the eye where they could cause problems. But longer stays in space can increase the number of folds, and therefore potentially distort vision in the same way as crumpled camera film warps the resulting photograph. The problem with that is you cant just fix those by putting on a different pair of glasses, he says.Coming to a headThe main suspect for the cause of SANS is the fluid shift that occurs in microgravity. On Earth, gravity pulls blood and cerebrospinal fluid towards the ground, while the heart and other muscles push them throughout the body. Without gravity, more fluid than usual collects in the head.When they first described the syndrome in 2011, NASA scientists thought that it might have been caused by increased pressure in the head from excess fluid. But this wouldnt explain why the problems become clinically significant only in some astronauts. If this was as simple as you go into flight and fluid goes in your head, that would happen to everybody, says Scott Smith, a nutritionist at the Johnson Space Center who studies SANS. It also seems that the pressure in the head does not get high enough to bring about these changes at least, not by itself.If were wrong, all youve done is give people vitamins and made their pee yellow. Scott Smith, nutritionistBrunstetter thinks its possible that a mild increase in pressure could cause problems if sustained over a long enough time. The fluid shift does cause blood vessels in the head to swell, which might affect the blood supply to the back of the eye, he says. Another possibility is that it changes metabolic activity in the cells, such as by interfering with the exchange of sodium, suggests Joshua Ong, an ophthalmologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who specializes in space medicine. Ann Tsung, a NASA flight surgeon, is currently seeking approval to test whether GLP-1 agonists drugs that have gained widespread attention under names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro as treatments for diabetes and obesity can treat SANS by lowering intracranial pressure.Another potential culprit is carbon dioxide, high levels of which increase blood flow in the brain and could further increase pressure. The level of CO2 is generally higher in the ISS than back on Earth, and it could be higher still in sleeping compartments. Studies on Earth in which volunteers lie with their head tilted down for a month or more to simulate microgravity have indicated that high CO2 levels increase signs of SANS. However, the rate of SANS has not dropped as engineers have got better at scrubbing CO2 from the ISSs air.Smith suspects that SANS involves an interplay of CO2, vitamin deficiency and genetics. He and his team found that astronauts who develop SANS have higher levels of an amino acid known as homocysteine than do those who avoid the syndrome. High levels of this amino acid are known to increase the risk of coronary artery disease and blood clots, and can result from a diet deficient in folic acid or vitamin B12. Homocysteine is also involved in a function of living cells known as the one-carbon pathway, and further study revealed differences in genes related to this metabolic function between the two groups of astronauts. Four risk alleles were identified; astronauts with at least three of them saw the thickness of their retinas change more than did those with only one or two alleles. What we think is happening is that their genetics are causing them to have higher requirements for these vitamins, making them what we would call functionally deficient, Smith says.Further evidence for this idea came courtesy of some old notes. Smith and his team discovered that several years ago, an astronaut who had developed some of the most substantial signs of SANS ever reported had been treated by NASA flight surgeons with vitamins an idea they got from Smiths teams work. The astronauts retinal thickening decreased after treatment. When Smith later examined her genes, he found she had all four risk alleles.That isnt conclusive evidence, Smith says. Its a case study. You cant prove anything. But it sure is intriguing. Coincidentally, CO2 levels in the station also decreased during the astronauts time there. These events have, however, led to a prospective study in which 16 astronauts over several missions will be given vitamins to see whether it affects their likelihood of developing SANS. If were wrong, all youve done is give people vitamins and made their pee yellow, Smith says. But if theyre right, he says, they will have gone some way to mitigating one of NASAs red risks.Defying microgravityMeasures to prevent SANS might take a more mechanical form, with researchers trying to counteract the effects of microgravity on the body. The Russian space agency has a device aboard the ISS called a chibis suit, which surrounds the lower body and uses a vacuum to draw some fluid back down to the legs. But the equipment is bulky, and the time people spend inside has to be tailored to their physiology. Astronauts might also wear venoconstrictive thigh cuffs, which act like loose tourniquets, preventing blood in the veins from flowing out of the legs too quickly without interfering with arterial blood flow. All of these countermeasures require further testing.Microgravity can cause other problems for astronauts besides SANS, including a loss of muscle mass and bone density. A more comprehensive approach that could protect against these issues as well might be to provide artificial gravity, says Ethan Waisberg, a physician at the University of Cambridge, UK. The concept is familiar in science fiction, notably in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which astronauts on a ship bound for Jupiter jog inside a centrifuge created by their spinning living quarters to keep their muscles in shape. By simulating Earths gravitational force, Waisberg says, we can restore a normal fluid distribution in our astronauts.Building a centrifuge into a spaceship, or spinning the entire craft, presents engineering challenges. The smaller the circumference of the centrifuge, the faster it would have to spin to mimic Earths gravity, and rapid spinning could cause vertigo in the astronauts. However, a large centrifuge would add to the weight, cost and complexity of the spaceship. Waisberg says that a smaller, less complicated alternative might be a human-powered centrifuge, in which an astronaut peddles a bicycle around a wheel, like a hamster exercising in a cage.Despite the difficulties in finding the cause and the treatment for SANS, Smith says that researchers will keep hunting for answers. Theres a lot of people out there with ideas, he says. If this was simple, somebody would have figured it out by now.

March 6, 20256 min readThis Professor Is Training the Public to EcholocateNeuroscientist Lore Thaler speaks about her efforts to make echolocation training more accessibleBy Simon Makin Lore Thaler in her lab, where she studies echolocation, at the Durham University in England on January 28, 2025. Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Panos for NatureThis article is part of Nature Outlook: Vision, an editorially independent supplement produced with financial support from Astellas Pharma. About this content.The use of reflected sounds to navigate, known as echolocation, is a behaviour most associated with bats, whales and dolphins, but other species also use the sensory technique including humans. It was once thought that only blind people could excel at echolocation, but research has shown that anyone can learn the skill. Lore Thaler, a neuroscientist at Durham University, UK, spoke to Nature about her efforts to make echolocation training more accessible.How does human echolocation work? On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Its essentially the same as in bats, but humans use audible clicks and taps, whereas bats typically make ultrasonic chirps. The sounds bounce back off surfaces, and that echo helps people to establish that something is there. The size and shape of the object affects what the echo sounds like, and the time the sound takes to come back provides an estimate of how far away the object is. People can also use the technique to work out direction if something is on your right, the echo will be a bit stronger in your right ear than in your left, and arrive there a fraction earlier.How do you teach someone to echolocate? The first step is helping someone to find a good sound they can make. Some people use finger snaps; others prefer tapping feet or rattling keys. But people who are very good at echolocation use mouth clicks.The second step is to teach someone what to listen for. To start with, we hold objects up in front of a persons face. In this case the echo is very fast, so you dont hear a separate echo, just a change in the quality of the sound. We ask them to make the sound with and without the object there, switching back and forth so that they can appreciate the difference in the sound. Once theyre confident with that, we move on to placing objects to their right or left. And then we encourage people to move, starting with their head. Once you bring in movement, that makes it clear that youre in control of which part of space youre interrogating.A first session like this might last an hour. Then its mostly about repetition you just practise. One thing to emphasize is that the more consistent your sound is, the easier it is to interpret the echoes coming back, so its really worth it to find a consistent sound. And by practising that, youre also training the perceptual side, making your brain better at picking up on these sounds.What evidence do you have that this works? Our laboratory study in 2021 included three specific tasks that we could really put numbers on: judging the orientation of a plank; determining size; and navigating a virtual space using simulated sounds played through headphones. We found that, during the ten-week study period, participants improved at all the tasks. By the end of the training, some people could perform these specific tasks just as well as those whove used echolocation for most of their lives.What can an accomplished echolocator do? Expert echolocators can do remarkable things with this skill. For example, they can work out whether an object one metre away has moved as little as five centimetres closer. This is almost as good as people can do with vision. They can also tell whether something is concave hollowed out or flat, and whether it is square or circular.Whats going on in the brain during echolocation?We scanned peoples brains while they were trying to navigate a virtual environment. They were led acoustically through a set of corridors and had to judge the layout. We found that, after training, there were increases in activity in some parts of the brain associated with processing visual input. And this activity was specific to when people heard echoes, not sound in general.What was really interesting was that this change in brain activity occurred both in people who were blind and in those with sight. In the past, it was thought that you had to be blind to become really good at echolocation, but our data dont support that. There was no evidence that blind participants responded to training better than sighted participants did.In the auditory cortex, which is of course also involved, we found that the training led to an increase in activity in response to sound in general. We also observed an increase in grey-matter thickness in the right auditory cortex.What difference can echolocation make? We did a three-month follow-up of the participants in our study, in which we asked people how the training had improved their mobility and independence. We found that the experience had brought about some big positive changes in their lives.Echolocation gives people another way to explore their environment. Its an active mode of perceiving, because youre making the sound, you can make it louder and quieter, and you can send it in different directions. Mouth clicks dont sound loud because theyre very brief, but we have measured peak intensities of up to 93 decibels SPL [sound pressure level] and heard clicks travel 100 metres. Your range of touch is perhaps a couple of metres if you have a long cane, so echolocation lets you sense the environment at a much greater distance.How are you disseminating these skills? Theres very little of this training available at the moment, simply because there arent enough people who can deliver it. We now have a project in which we train professionals who work with people with visual impairments. They then pass on their skills to the people they work with, so act as multipliers. Its very learnable, and costs little.During 2018, we conducted one-day workshops around the United Kingdom that were attended by around 200 rehabilitation or habilitation workers, who help people with visual impairments to learn and maintain skills that will aid them in life. Before each workshop, we sent out a video about how to make the best click. Then, on the day of the training, we checked that participants clicks are suitable and consistent. Next, we did the sensitization, by placing an object in front of them, to the side and so on, and then we gave them exercises that they can do with their visually impaired clients, such as locating an open door.All of these rehab workers deliver long-cane training already, and with adults they usually work on specific routes. We teach them how they can integrate echolocation training alongside this. We always tell them that echolocation is not a standalone skill it should be used along with other aids, such as a long cane or a guide dog.How effective have these workshops been? We dont know yet how this affects visually impaired people, because we dont yet have data from the rehab workers clients. But three months after running the workshops, we asked a simple question of our professional attendees: did the training affect your practice? And if they said yes, we asked them to tell us how.Nearly half of the respondents said that they had used what they had learnt to instruct people in echolocation. Thats ultimately what we want, but its not the only good outcome. Another one-third of people said that it had helped them to understand their clients better. If a visually impaired person tells them that sometimes they can hear that there are open doors, that now makes perfect sense, whereas it might not have before. And if the rehab worker then says in response: I think youre using echolocation have you tried using a mouth click?, then theyre providing useful information.What comes next?We know that we can measure benefits when we directly train blind people, but our study was quite a small sample in a very controlled research setting. We need to roll this out on a larger scale to confirm the results.Were planning to start delivering more training sessions for rehab workers this month. To measure how effective the training is, were going to encourage the rehab workers to ask their clients to tell us how their lives have been affected, using an anonymous online portal. We need data on the impact of the training on the blind people we ultimately want to help.In the future, the ideal situation would involve having experts in the workforce who can train other people to teach echolocation.I cant always be the one doing the training! Weve got an exciting new project with Guide Dogs UK, in which we will offer people the opportunity to train not just for one day, but for longer periods, until they can deliver training themselves. This will enable us to scale up the training and improve the lives of many more people. We want echolocation to become as accepted as long-cane training. Thats where this is going.This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The First Descendant ends support for PS4 and Xbox OneTo keep "increasing... satisfaction".Image credit: Nexon/Microsoft/Sony/Eurogamer News by Victoria Kennedy News Reporter Published on March 6, 2025 Nexon is ending support for its third-person looter shooter The First Descendant on PS4 and Xbox One.The free-to-play sci-fi-flavoured release came out last year across Xbox, PlayStation and PC. It got off to a decent enough start, and in the first week welcomed 10 million players into the fray. Things have petered off since then, with SteamDB data showing an average of 8,227 players on Valve's platform in February. Its peak player average was 123,352 in July last year, but this dropped to an average of 54,662 by August.Horror Games Used To Be Scarier, Here's Why. Watch on YouTubeNexon is going to keep supporting The First Descendant, however it has now announced it will be ending support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players from 19th June, which is just shy of its first anniversary. The game will also be delisted from the platforms (thanks, TheGamer).According to Nexon, it has decided to stop supporting the last generation of consoles in a bid to keep "increasing player satisfaction". The developer said it had "increased the scale" of The First Descendant, and this meant the team was facing difficulties "maintaining the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One builds".Those who are playing The First Descendant on either a PS4 or Xbox One will still be able to transfer their progress to other platforms via The First Descendant's cross-save functionality.End of support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles | June 19th byu/iLikeCryo inTheFirstDescendantTo see this content please enable targeting cookies.On its release last year, Nexon found itself having to respond to claims the iconography of The First Descendant was strikingly similar to icons found in another sci-fi release, after players identified a surprising number of similarities between the icons and weapons used in the free-to-play sci-fi shooter and Destiny 2.The designs in questions were subsequently removed from the game "with deep affection and respect" for other "looter shooters".

Samsung shows off foldable handheld that's basically a Switch you can bend in halfOh snap.Image credit: Samsung News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on March 6, 2025 Technology giant Samsung has shown off a working concept for a foldable gaming handheld - and it's essentially a Nintendo Switch that you can bend in half. Ever tried to snap your Switch in rage? Well, now you can do that with the Samsung Flex Gaming concept and (hopefully) not break the device in the process.While just a concept, Samsung had workable units on show at the MWC mobile technology event in Barcelona this week, with foldable OLED screens up and running. Just ignore the big crease down the middle.Samsung Display concept is basically a foldable Nintendo Switch! - ZDNetWatch on YouTubePerhaps just as notable, the Samsung Flex Gaming concept also includes two giant holes in each of its not-Joy-Con. These are designed to allow the control stick in each side of the handheld to fit snugly inside the other half.Cleverly, the face button and D-Pad have been built into the edges of each hole - again replicating the placement of these buttons on Nintendo Switch.The device even has different colours for each half, as the original Switch had for its model with Blue/Red Joy-Con. Samsung's choices are lime green and yellow though - not as attractive, though very Norwich City FC.Nintendo is expected to not offer an OLED screen in its upcoming Switch 2 (or allow you to bend it in half). The Mario maker is set to unveil more details of its next handheld in a special Nintendo Direct presentation scheduled for 2nd April.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe latest Fortnite season came out in late February, and many players are still exploring it. The season brought many changes to the in-game island, including new named locations and landmarks. One of these new places is Outlaw Oasis, which has another troll location. Once again, Epic Games is playing tricks on Fortnite players, and its hilarious!If you frequently play Squads with your friends, you may want to avoid this new spot. Otherwise, theres a good chance that you will be eliminated within a few seconds and sent back to the lobby!Where to find a new troll location in FortniteOutlaw Oasis is a new location that has plenty of loot. Besides chests and ammo boxes, this place has a secret vault. On top of it, you can use a geyser to launch yourself up in the sky and quickly rotate to the safe zone. However, if you dont pay attention to details, you might end up eliminating yourself and your teammates.The new Fortnite location has several hot tubs that you can get into. One of them, however, has a limit of three players. If you try to get inside with your entire squad, you will be launched into the sky and will quickly fall to your death. If the luck is on your side, you may land in the water and be able to revive your teammates.The troll spot is located at Outlaw Oasis. Image by VideoGamerThe hot tub clearly states that the maximum limit is three persons, so be careful if you try to squeeze in more players! This is not the first time that Epic Games did something like this, as the developer added a no-dancing troll location in the first season of Chapter 6. With another season coming in May, Epic might have even more tricks up its sleeve! FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games herePlayStation 5 and PSV2 are two incredible machines that have allowed us to enjoy an excellent ensemble of video games. For the PS5, Helldivers 2 has been one of the very best experiences pitting players against bugs, bots, and the Illuminate. While we absolutely adore HD2 in its current state, Sony has shown off an immersive concept that would make Helldivers 2 even more terrifying, along with a large selection of other video games.Helldivers 2 would be terrifying with Sonys new immersive conceptSony has uploaded a video showing off a Future Immersive Entertainment Concept. The game used in the demonstration is The Last of Us Part 2. Whatever your feelings about the games story and direction of its characters, theres no denying TLOU2 is one of Sonys most intense video game experiences whether you are fighting infected or humans.The video demonstrates an intense immersive experience using amazing screens, the use of actual scents, and a haptics floor. It is only a concept built to enter the world of The Last of Us, and, while it uses seamless LED volume, haptic floors, and scents, it also uses tracking devices and real-time content.It also uses a new controller called a Mimic controller. This includes a new level of haptics, of inertia and weight that has never been done in gaming. This is achieved through the inclusion of a weight shifting module, and this allows the Mimic to achieve the task of bringing the reality from virtual world to real world.Lastly, the concept includes smell and atmospherics. This is achieved through scent dispensers [with] a number of different scents. Then there are under-floor haptics that give thumps and bumps as content happens.Again, it is only a concept built around The Last of Us Part 2 right now, but Sony do see it becoming a platform for Location Based Entertainment.Something similar for Helldivers 2 at shows and events would be awesome. Being able to fully immersive yourself within the HD2 battle for democracy would be exhilarating, and it would also be pretty scary going up against creepy-crawly bugs and deadly bots.For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield.Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerRelated TopicsHelldivers 2 Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The kitchen is the heart of the home, meaning that it always deserves a bit of extra love. When it comes to kitchen decor ideas, dont be afraid to get personal. Try to consider the style of your home and your family when adding small touches, says Erika Jayne Chaudhuri of Erika Jayne Design Build in Bethesda, Maryland. Whether youre looking to add an element of surprise to an otherwise simple white kitchen, plan to go bold with kitchen lighting, or are eager to incorporate an unexpected pop of color, there are many decor approaches that you can take to make your cooking space appear more custom and unique. Below, youll find 31 of our favorite kitchen decor ideas, many of which can be replicated in small spaces and sizable kitchens alike. Theres no need to take on a remodel to make your space shinewith a few pro-approved styling tricks, youll feel as though you have a brand new kitchen.Pick statement curtainsA fabric with special memories can be reimagined as curtains in a kitchen.Photo: Jean AllsoppDanielle Balanis, the founder of Danielle Balanis Design in Birmingham, Alabama, repurposed brightly patterned Schumacher curtains that had once lived in the homeowners downtown Birmingham bar, Paperdoll. They werent needed any longer, so we tailored them to fit his kitchen window, the designer explains. The fabric was an excellent choice to pop off the chrome green and layers of objects.Add a galleryGallery walls can add personality and warmth.Photo: Draper WhiteAD PRO Directory member Jenn Feldman, the founder of Jenn Feldman Designs in Los Angeles, created a gallery moment in this kitchen in Basalt, Colorado. The kitchen is a space where function often takes center stage, but incorporating bespoke art and lighting adds an unexpected layer of personality and warmth, she says. We anchored this oversized canvas and picture light to create a striking focal point, infusing the space with an artful energy that feels both curated and lived-in.Play around with plantsHerbs on the counter make cooking fresh easier.Photo: Rikki SnyderPotted herbs double as decor in this downtown Manhattan cooking space. I love adding a touch of greenery and warmth to an otherwise modern kitchen, says Jennifer Hunter, the founder of Jennifer Hunter Design in New York. Potting them in terra-cotta vessels adds warmth and provides a nice contrast to the sleek thermofoil cabinetry.Source antique decorAntique decor often means one-of-a-kind pieces.Photo: Amy LambWhen designing a Clearwater, Florida, kitchen for a client who loves to entertain, AD PRO Directory member Lisa Gilmore, the founder of Lisa Gilmore Design, sourced an antique furniture piece that doubles as a bar cart. The carving is so pretty, I felt like just a wall of wine bottles would look a bit cold, the St. Petersburg-based designer says. We decided to hang small pieces of artwork within to create an interesting display.Chanel your favorite placeReimagine vintage items as decor for a personal touch.Photo: Maria DeforrestOutdoor kitchens deserve special touches too, as exemplified by this space in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Kelley Gable, the founder of Gable Interiors, styled open shelving with vintage oyster tins. [They] were collected and sourced over time as a nod to the homeowners Maryland roots and love of the Chesapeake Bay, says the designer, who maintains offices in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and Severna Park, Maryland. They provided just the right amount of color while remaining timeless in the space.Go boldA scallop backdrop is the perfect bold addition to this smaller kitchen.Photo: Brian WetzelWhen designing a small kitchen, you can go a bit bolder with some of the design decisions, says AD PRO Directory designer Michelle Gage, who incorporated a scalloped quartz Caesarstone backsplash into her own Philadelphia studios kitchen. We didnt need upper cabinet storage here, but we still wanted a little bit of upward movement and interest, explains the founder of Michelle Gage Interiors. Its a nice alternative to doing backsplash tile.Bring the outdoors inConsider adding a wallpaper that is inspired by your yard.Photo: Bess FridayJessica Kain Barton, the founder of J. Kathryn Interiors in Louisville, Kentucky, installed Cole & Sons Orange Blossom wallpaper in the kitchen of a 1930s Orinda, California, bungalow. The original dutch door opened up to a backyard with several fruit trees, and we wanted to bring the outdoors in by giving homage to the scenery right outside, Barton says. This wallpaper spoke to us immediately, and we knew we wanted to swath the entire space in it, marrying the classic traditional white kitchen with the perfect playful nature of the home.Design around natural lightNot enough space for a garden outside? Consider adding one to a window.Photo: Brittany AmbridgeIn this South Orange, New Jersey, home, AD PRO Directory member Sarah Storms took advantage of the southern light streaming into the kitchen and hung shelving from the ceiling to create an eye-catching window garden. There is also something really beautiful about having all these living plants and herbs indoors during the cold winter months, says the founder of Styled by Storms in Maplewood, New Jersey.Work with whats already thereHonor existing architectural features.Photo: Brie WilliamsLindsay Speace, the founder of Lindsay Speace Design in Raleigh, North Carolina, didnt want to disturb the brick wall that had been a part of this Durham home since the 1960s. Rather than painting the brick, we chose to honor this quirky architectural element but added some key pieces to soften its scene-stealing nature, she says. The oversized lime green apple artwork and custom painted Tolix counter stools in a similar hue act as a counter balance, preventing the brick from feeling too imposing.Skip upper cabinetryOpen shelving wont pull focus from a special backsplash.Photo: Sarah WinchesterWhen designing this kitchen in a historic Boston brownstone, Cara Fineman skipped upper cabinetry for a twofold effect: to make the small space appear larger and to draw attention to the green tile. The founder of DAG Design in Dover, Massachusetts, then incorporated black shou sugi ban shelves and brass brackets. Brass and black are a beautiful complement to this green tile and create a striking balance between boldness and elegance in this small, urban kitchen, she says.Add soft texturesBreak up cabinetry with a curtain.Photo: Lauren L CaronAD PRO Directory member Lauren Caron opted for curtains in lieu of traditional cabinetry when designing her studio kitchenette in Seattle, Washington. Curtains, she says, add a soft, inviting touch to spaces that can often feel hard and utilitarian. Better yet, she adds, Not only does it introduce a layer of texture and pattern, it also cleverly conceals a long run of binsfor rubbish, recycling, and a water filter. The founder of AD PRO Directory firm Studio Laloc opted for Scarlet Vine by Jasper Textiles in this space.Focus on meaningful itemsIf you have a growing collection of objects, consider displaying them in a kitchen.Photo: Stefanie RawlinsonMaggie Clarke, the founder of Maggie Clarke Interiors in Memphis, thought beyond the basics when styling the shelves in a Collierville, Tennessee home. We always prefer to style with items that are meaningful to our clients versus pulling random accessories from our studio, she says. To add a collected feel amongst the more contemporary elements, we used her grandmothers antique urns and china on the open pastry shelving.Display collected artWho says art cant go in the kitchen?Photo: Erin KestenbaumAD PRO Directory member Diane Rath, the founder of The Rath Project, chose to adorn the backsplash in this Westport, Connecticut, kitchen with artwork. We believe in the idea that art is meant to live everywhere and anywhere, and we especially like to display it in unexpected places like the kitchen, the Fairfield designer says. The ornate gold frame is not only a jolt to the senses against the blue-and-white grid, but it helps to seamlessly tie the kitchen into the adjoining living spaces.Hang a gilded mirrorNo window above the sink? Install a mirror to achieve a similar effect.Photo: Dan CutronaRobin Gannon of Robin Gannon Interiors incorporated a gilded mirror into this black, white, and gold kitchen in a Woburn, Massachusetts, home. In a perfect world, when you design a kitchen, you often want to try to put a sink in front of a window, the designer (based in Lexington, Massachusetts) explains. Placing a mirror here gives the sense of that, and its also opposite the window in the dining room. Gannon thought carefully about the exact type of mirror she wished to hang, settling on a La Barge piece. I wanted the mirror to be a little vintage, a little Victorian-esque, to pair with some of the more modern details in the kitchen, she says. I liked that it wasnt square or rectilinear, because everything else in the space is so square.Choose a statement color for your cabinetsThink beyond the all-white kitchen and opt for a cabinet color thats a bit outside the box.Photo: Christopher StarkClara Jungs San Carlos, California, clients craved a statement-worthy kitchen. We landed on a magical color combination of robins egg blue, gray, and a dose of green, shares the designer behind Banner Day Interiors in Berkeley. The gray and white backsplash tile is from Fireclay.Go bold with panda quartziteDouble islands and luxe-looking stone make for a memorable cooking space.Photo: Stephen BuskenJeff Andrews of Jeff Andrews Design in Los Angeles fully remodeled this Beverly Hills kitchen, incorporating counters, kitchen islands, and a backsplash made from panda quartzite. A range and hood by La Cornue also make a sophisticated statement. The homeowner wanted a functionally beautiful, modern kitchen that felt like a dramatic showpiece, Andrews says.Style accessories like a proDesigner Linda Hayslett filled these open shelves with a mixture of utilitarian objects and decorative pieces.Photo: Phillip Nguyen/Lauren TaylorLinda Hayslett of LH.Designs in Los Angeles opted to style commonly used kitchen accessoriesincluding a cutting board, pitcher, cake stand, and moreon open shelving in this Brentwood, California, space. I like items that, when not in use, can also be displayed as nice visuals, she says. She chose to incorporate open shelving in between the taller kitchen cabinets so that the kitchen would appear a bit more airy and welcoming.Design a family-friendly spaceKids and adults alike will appreciate a chalkboard mural as stunning as this one.Photo: Phillip Nguyen/Lauren TaylorIn a Beverly Hills kitchen, Hayslett incorporated a chalkboard mural by local artist Derrick Thomas. If youre feeling crafty, you could DIY something similar in your own space. Normally, people think of chalkboard walls as a place to just scribble scrabble and put random things on, but I wanted the wall to be a piece of art, as well as allow the kids to scribble scrabble if they wanted to, the designer shares.Think beyond cafe curtainsBe like designer Kristina Phillips and hang a custom roman shade in the kitchen.Photo: Lisa RussmanBy no means are kitchens solely for cafe curtainsgo ahead and get creative with your window treatments. In this Bergen County home in New Jersey, Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design in Ridgewood, New Jersey, hung a roman shade made from Serena Dugan fabric above the sink.Install a funky backsplashColorful zellige tiles are the star of the show in this kitchen designed by Cindy Eyl, who worked in tandem with Convene Architecture.Photo: Angela Newton RoyEyl created the backsplash in this Alexandria, Virginia, kitchen using two different-colored zellige tilesgraphite and skylightfrom Zia Tile. Our clients lived in Morocco and wanted to use zellige tiles that remindedthem of their time there, she says. Zellige tiles are inherently interesting in their texture and irregularity, but the client wanted even more visual interest on the backsplash, she adds, noting that she ordered the colors in a ratio of three to one and then tag teamed with Alexandria-based Convene Architecture to create a pattern that looked random, which is surprisingly difficult to do!Opt for oversized pendant lightsReplace standard builder-grade lighting with pendants that are full of personality.Photo: Lucy CallDont be afraid to go big in the kitchen with artful pendant lights, like these rattan conical ones by Soane Britain that Abby Hetherington of Abby Hetherington Interiors in Bozeman, Montana, incorporated into a kitchen in Boca Grande, Florida.Add cozy touches to your cooking spaceDecorative touches will make your kitchen truly feel like home.Photo: JL Jordan PhotographyBethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors in Louisville, Kentucky, cozied up this 1920s kitchen with accents one might normally associate with the living room, including a duo of sheepskin throws and a towering rubber plant. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped, but Adams removed the wall between the prep area and the breakfast nook, creating a significantly more spacious layout and allowing access to both of the windows in the space. A freestanding kitchen island from Crate & Barrel serves as the breakfast bar. It keeps the cozy space from feeling too blocky and crowded, Adams says.Roll in a library ladderA rolling ladder makes accessing high shelves feel like less of a chore.Photo: Steve HershbergerBring the magic of a library-style rolling ladder into the kitchen. We had an amazingly tall ceiling height to work with, so a library ladder became a key design element from the start, says Kate Donahue of Four Brothers Design+ Build in Washington, D.C. The walnut ladder pops against the custom cabinets that have been coated with eye-catching Benjamin Moore Hunter Green.Showcase favorite vasesDesigner Jaimee Longo appreciates kitchens with a touch of greenery.Photo: Jess IsaacA sweet curved oak and brass sconce by Lostine Home illuminates the area above the sink in this Los Angeles home designed by Jaimee Longo ofLAs The Layered House. On the kitchen countertop, greenery sits in a handmade vase from The Nopo. I love finding a permanent place for fresh flowers or herbs, Longo says.Lay down a chic runnerWhen selecting a rug for your kitchen, look to nearby rooms of the home for color inspiration, says designer Erin Myers.Photo: Laura VisioniMyers styled a runner from MD Home in this Fredericksburg, Virginia, kitchen. I fell in love with the simplicity of the colorsyou cant go wrong withblue and neutralsand the geometric motif, Myer says. She notes that the kitchen connects to various rooms within the main living area, in which color is abundant. It felt important to have the kitchen be able to stand up to that, but also be neutral, the designer adds.Treat your plates as decorGive antique plates a new life by displaying them on your kitchen walls.Photo: Stacy Zarin GoldbergPots, pans, and beautiful plates shine in this Churchville, Maryland, kitchen. It was designed by Tanya Smith-Shiflett ofUnique Kitchens and Baths, who worked in partnership with Winsome Interior Design in Lutherville, Maryland. The open display shelves were very important to our design, Smith-Shiflett says, noting that the client longed for a place to display her china collection. The finishes that we used are meant to age and patina over time, lending to the lived in aesthetic while also being functional, the designer adds. Because of that, we also wanted the decor to have the same feel.Display antique printsFamily heirlooms can shine in the kitchen. Designer Shannon Eddings expertly incorporated beloved prints into this cooking space.Photo: Molly CulverWhen designing a kitchen in her home city of Austin, Shannon Eddings ofShannon Eddings Interiors chose to utilize the wall space above the oven to showcase an antique pair of prints that originally came from her clients grandparents home. She sourced the nearby brass pendant lights from Currey & Company.Bring in some beadboardBeadboard backing speaks to this Tudor homes architectural style while adding texture to the kitchen.Photo: Molly CulverIn Dallas, Eddings incorporated beadboard backing into the kitchen to make the space better reflect the age of the Tudor-style home. We strived to give thekitchena cottage-esque aesthetic that was simple and colorful, Eddings says, noting that she supplemented this design with a number of vintage and antique kitchen accessories.Incorporate a plant shelfA built-in shelving system connecting to the kitchen houses plants, shoes, and other essentials.Photo: Jenn VerrierThis kitchen plant shelf perfectly marries form and function: It serves to provide a hidden drop zone for shoes and other gear while also hiding the entry to the garage, but its also a spot in which to display a variety of green friends. The green hue is carried over into the main portion of the kitchen, which features a subway tile backsplash made from Heath Ceramicss Ogawa Green tiles. The clients wanted color, but not too much color, Chaudhuri notes.Combine form and functionAdding a coffee bar to your kitchen will make even the busiest mornings feel a bit more elevated.Photo: Drew Michael Scott/Lone FoxDrew Michael Scott of Lone Fox in Los Angeles incorporated a Calcutta Monet coffee bar into his remodeled kitchen. I took what was considered a butlers pantry, removed the cabinet doors, and created shelving, he explains. After setting up his espresso machine, Scott filled the surrounding shelves with his favorite accessories. Before you even start decorating, make sure your functional items are in place, because that is what you will be utilizing daily, advises Scott, who is a proponent of incorporating traditional decorative accents in the kitchen. Artwork looks great within built-ins; you can layer a few pieces alongside a stack of books!Include soft touchesDesigner Lilse McKenna appreciates the softness that these David Iatesta light fixtures add to this Manhattan kitchen.Photo: Read McKendreeDavid Iatesta light fixtures add a dose of charm to this Upper East Side kitchen, which opens into a living room and which was designed by Lilse McKenna, who operates an eponymous firm in New Canaan, Connecticut. The hanging fixtures with gathered shades help to marry the two spaces, giving a softness to the kitchen so that the solid cabinetry can work well with the upholstery and patterns of the living space, McKenna shares.Embrace earth tonesDesigner Olivia Wahler made a point to include natural colors in this California kitchen.Photo: Erin FeinblattTake a cue from Olivia Wahler of Hearth Homes Interiors in Santa Barbara, California, and strategically group together your kitchen items to create a stunning display. We love incorporating items that create a cohesive color palette and that vary in texture, Wahler explains. Using natural earth-toned ceramics, neutral plates and bowls, and clear glassware creates dimension.Get clever with your artA petite frame adds a touch of whimsy to this Upper West Side kitchen.Photo: Kirsten FrancisNew York City designer Sarah Lederman of Sarah Lederman Interiors is all about displaying art in the kitchen. One example of this is the Matilda Goad frame that she hung in an Upper West Side space. She shares: Believe it or not, the silhouette actually came with the frame, and we liked it so much we kept it!Bust out the basketsEven when theyre not used for storage, beautiful baskets will work wonders in the kitchen.Photo: Kip DawkinsInspired by the late Bunny Mellons use of baskets as decor, Richmond, Virginia, designer Ashley Hanley chose to honor the look in a local home. The wicker material adds welcome warmth and texture to the home and is perfect for any country kitchen.Add fabric to glass doorsDesigner Chauncy Boothby expertly wove Muriel Brandolini fabric panels into a Connecticut kitchen to warm up the room.Photo: Read McKendreeChauncey Boothby of Chauncey Boothby Interiors in Norwalk, Connecticut, chose to jazz up standard white cabinetry with Muriel Brandolini fabric in this Connecticut estate. I like the look of adding fabric panels behind glass (or in this case, wire) cabinet doors to provide a little softness to a space, she says. I do love a crisp clean kitchen, but sometimes the addition of small elements like fabric panels keep the room from feeling too cold and clinical.Select an ultra stylish light fixtureIn this contemporary Palm Beach kitchen, an organic light fixture is eye-catching and sophisticated.Photo: Nick MeleIn this Palm Beach kitchen, Gillian Segal of Gillian Segal Design in Vancouver installed a Trueing light fixture; each link is a piece of handmade glass. We were looking to bring more of a sense of play into the kitchen, which was otherwise a quite clean and rectilinear space, Segal shares. We knew we found the perfect piece with this more organic and flexible shape.Let neutrals do the talkingThink strategically about texture when working with neutrals, as designer Hilary Matt did in this Hamptons kitchen.Photo: Rikki SnyderCustom bar stools by Thomas Hayes add warmth to this Hamptons kitchen drenched in neutrals and designed by Hilary Matt of Hilary Matt Interiors in New York City. The shearling not only makes the chair comfortable, but it also makes it a focal point without relying on a pop of color to do so, Matt says.Introduce sculptural artworkStunning artwork isnt just for the living roombring a favorite work into the kitchen to round out the space.Photo: Sarah Winchester StudiosTransform a sizable, blank kitchen wall with sculptural artwork that will add major cool factor to your cooking space. Nicole Hirsch of Nicole Hirsch Interiors in Wellesley, Massachusetts, worked with fine artist Alexandra Squire to design a resin piece of wall art for this kitchen in Dover, Massachusetts. We wanted to keep all the tones very neutral and serenenothing too jarring, Hirsch says. We loved how she helped us carry the brass from the hood into the art.Make your space party readyDesigner Layton Campbell created a kitchen thats truly an entertainers delight but is also suitable for everyday use.Photo: Michael BlevinsThis North Carolina kitchen serves as both an everyday space for family meals as well as a catering kitchen during gatherings. Designer Layton Campbell of J Layton Interiors in Charlotte therefore chose to incorporate custom suspended metal shelving to house glassware, making it easy for a bartender to access various vessels throughout the course of an evening.Be a maximalistDont shy away from color if you source a loud hue that speaks to you.Photo: Nickolas SargentIf youre a minimalist, you may want to look the other waybut if youre eager to go bold with a pop of color, this is certainly the small kitchen for you. Matthew Boland of MMB Studio embraced orangeSherwin Williams Energetic Orange, to be exactin this Palm Beach kitchen. Bold color is one way to grow a space that may physically have a small footprint, says the Scottsdale, Arizona, designer.In this guest house, the kitchen is compact, so I wanted to make it a star.Allow vintage finds to shineCollect vintage pieces that tell a storytheyll add charm to your kitchen shelves in an instant.Photo: Andi HatchAnsley Majit and Stephanie Waskins of Lark + Palm in Sausalito, California, wanted this Larkspur, California, kitchen to appear relaxed yet sophisticated. As such, they styled a 1960s oil painting sourced via Chairish alongside vintage finds, artful looking bowls, and plenty of cookbooks. Ultimately, we wanted the space to feel thoughtful and well-curated, but not designed, per sewhich is a practice we implement a lot in our design process, Majit says.Go beyond the wallsTake a cue from designer Andrea May and lean art in unexpected places, such as on top of a dining bench.Photo: Karyn MilletThink beyond just the walls when displaying art. Andrea May of Andrea May Interiors incorporated plein air paintings by her friend and artist, Deborah Carnick, in this kitchen in Mays hometown of La Jolla, California. We placed them on the ledge because they convey the homeowners love of nature in all formsoceans, mountains, plants and morein a casual way that allows for fluid curation as they want to add or shift pieces, May explains.Try some terrazzoTrending terrazzo is sure to make a splash in any kitchen.Photo: Richard PowersDress up a neutral kitchen with plenty of pattern. Oakland, California, architecture firm Ike Baker Velten made a splash with Dzek terrazzo tile in this New York City kitchen. The end result couldnt be more eye-catching.Mix up your texturesColor and texture combine to ensure this kitchen appears extra welcoming and collected.Photo: Charlie MayerA collection of petite decorative chairs and woven baskets add whimsy and a touch of farmhouse-style to this Harbor Springs, Michigan, kitchen by Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners. Zanger mini brick backsplash tiles add further life and movement to the space.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat decorations to put in the kitchen?Kitchen decorations are oftentimes similar to those you might showcase in other rooms of the home. Wall decor is certainly fair game when it comes to kitchen decorations. CindyEyl of Jefferson Street Designs in Arlington, Virginia, likes to lean small pieces of artwork on easels if she isnt hanging them. If you have open shelves, add decorative piecesvases, bowls, etceterathat you have collected or are meaningful to you, she adds. There are many other kitchen accessories that are equal parts decorative and functional. For example, if your kitchen lacks an abundance of natural light, why not try a table lamp on the counter top or kitchen island? It serves as a sculpturalelement and creates a cozier environment, says Erin Myers of Erin Myers Design in Fredericksburg, Virginia.How can I decorate my kitchen in a simple way?Its important to practice moderation when decorating the kitchen; do your best to take a minimalist approach. Less is more, Chaudhuri says. Much like accessorizing anoutfit, moderation is key. The more decorations on shelves and kitchen countertops, the less functional space youll have to work and the smaller the space will feel. On that note, be sure to leave some empty counter space available, the designer adds.How to decorate your kitchen with accessories?While thinking of kitchen decor ideas, you will want to keep function top of mind, designers say. Use items that appeal to youraesthetic while also being utilitarian, Donahue suggests. Eyl adds, Rugs, cutting boards, herbs in pots, and cruets are functional but can also reflect the clients style and create different moods.What is a good kitchen theme?Designers agree that there is no one-size-fits-all kitchen theme, and they instead base their kitchen decor ideas on the clients specific lifestyle preferences. We focus instead on how the client is going to use the space and how they want it to feel, Eyl says. On a similar note, Chaudhuri urges individuals to cater their kitchen to their personality. She says: The best kitchen theme isyou!Following a strict theme can make a space feel contrived or, worse yet, cheap. Fill your space with items and artworks that bring you joy.

Per listing records, the Video Games singer still owns the property, though it appears that she has lent it out to family instead of staying there herself.Malibu beach houseThe lack of privacy in LA was reportedly what prompted Del Rey to buy a $3 million Malibu beach house in June 2015. Secludedly surrounded by rocks right on the water, the structure had no neighboring homes in its immediate vicinity. The 1950s house has since been thoroughly renovated, but at the time of Del Reys purchase, it spanned about 2,900 square feet, with three bedrooms and four bathrooms, according to TMZ.Later that summer, Del Rey released the music video for her song High By The Beach, which was filmed at the property and thematically explores the singers struggle to find privacy amidst her fame. In the video, Del Rey flips through a tabloid magazine and mills around in her brand-new, still-nearly-empty property while a paparazzo in a helicopter tries to get a good snapshot of her. (Spoiler alert: She blows up the helicopter with a bazooka at the end of the video.)Unfortunately for the Summertime Sadness singer, the Malibu residence didnt bring reprieve from trespassers: In December 2015, a 19-year-old fan was arrested after a construction worker found him inside the garage.Del Rey sold the home in 2018 for $3.2 million.Neighboring Hollywood Hills estatesIn June 2016, Del Rey expanded her holdings in LA with the purchase of two neighboring homes at the border of Studio City and the Beverly Hills Post Office area for a total of about $5.9 million. Since the properties are back-to-back, the combined estate allows the songwriter some extra privacy. Del Rey paid about $3.8 million for the larger of the two homesa six-bedroom, seven-bathroom dwelling at the end of a long, winding driveway. Originally built in the 30s, the 5,400-square-foot abode sports a Mediterranean-meets-midcentury-modern style with a flat wooden roof that protrudes to shade a paved patio, a stucco exterior, and a front entry graced by a trio of grand arches. A swimming pool and a guesthouse round out the two-acre plot.The adjacent property, a 1930s traditional-style ranch, cost the New York native $2.1 million. Clocking in at about 2,800 square feet, it hosts three bedrooms and three bathrooms on another two acres. The abode features vaulted and beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, and decks that overlook the canyon. Just like Del Reys other property on the estate, it comes complete with a swimming pool and a guesthouse.The Tough singer still owns the side-by-side dwellings.Echo Park cabinTwo years later, Del Rey added another Los Angeles property to her portfolio, spending about $1.2 million on a historic cabin in Echo Park. Dating to 1911, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is purported to be the first house built in the hip neighborhood and was at one point owned by silent film star Clara Kimball Young.The previous resident of the 1,200-square-foot house was HGTV host Leanne Ford, who renovated it with a rustic modern farmhouse style. A midcentury-modern-style fireplace inserted inside a stone hearth warms up the cozy living room, which also features hardwood floors, an exposed beam ceiling, and white wood-paneled walls. The kitchen is lined with rows of open shelving and centered by a long restored wooden table with narrow drawers for added storage. A white Smeg fridge adds to the vintage vibe. Other interesting details include stone floors, an original claw-foot tub, and a covered patio with built-in stone bench seating.

Save Time on Your Next Cyberpunk Project with the Stylized Cyberpunk Downtown Modular Pack By Community Reporter on March 6, 2025 Models & Rigs Have you ever wanted to whip up a neon-soaked cityscape without spending ages modeling every single window and walkway? 3D Tutor presnts the Stylized Cyberpunk Downtown Modular Packits like a giant box of sci-fi building blocks for your 3D scenes.Heres the gist: You get 190+ modular pieceswere talking roads, skyscraper segments, and even those little neon signs that make your scene look straight out of a dystopian anime. Everythings already set up with 2048 PBR textures, so your environment wont scream low-res.What Makes It Engaging: Quick Builds, Big Impact Instead of wrestling with individual models, just click, snap, and watch your cityscape materialize in minutes. Distinct Cyberpunk Flavor From glowing signs to edgy architecture, the assets are packed with stylized detail to capture that neon-soaked atmosphere. Optimized for Blender Thanks to balanced poly counts and efficient texture mapping, you can focus on the fun stuff (like mood lighting and cinematic camera angles) rather than viewport lag. Easy to Customize Want to convert a bustling street into a deserted back alley? Shuffle or reposition assets, swap out textures, and experiment with your own creative twists. The coolest part? You can snap these assets together like puzzle pieces on steroids, meaning youll spend more time geeking out over your scenes lighting and less time on the nitty-gritty of modeling. And if you want to export to a game engine like Unity or UE5, its ready to rollno headache there.Honestly, its a huge help if youre like me and sometimes just want to see that Blade Runner vibe come to life without burying yourself under a mountain of individual meshes. If youre curious, check it out and let me know what you thinkalways down to talk shop about neon dystopias!Until next time, happy modelling everyone!Neil - 3D TudorLinks

Order in the court Google tells Trumps DOJ that forcing a Chrome sale would harm national security Google tries an old argument with a new Justice Department. Ryan Whitwam Mar 5, 2025 1:58 pm | 22 Credit: Getty Images | Josh Edelson Credit: Getty Images | Josh Edelson Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreGoogle is no stranger to antitrust scrutiny, but the walls may be closing in. As the next phase of Google's search trial nears, the company's lawyers have reportedly met with representatives from the US Department of Justice in hopes of heading off a breakup. Google is reportedly pushing the argument that forcing it to spin off parts of the business and limit certain investments would constitute a national security threat.Google's antitrust situation got much worse this past August when it lost the long-running case targeting its search business. With Google branded yet again as a monopolist, the DOJ asked for stiff penalties, seeking to have US District Judge Amit Mehta force Google to sell its popular Chrome browser and end payments for search engine placement with other firms.According to Bloomberg, Google met with the DOJ team last week to make the case for a lighter regulatory touch. Specifically, Google has stepped up its claims that forcing it to spin-off Chrome and limit AI investments could harm US national security, as well as security at the user level."We routinely meet with regulators, including with the DOJ, to discuss this case," says Google's Peter Schottenfels. "As weve publicly said, were concerned the current proposals would harm the American economy and national security."Google refused to provide specifics about how its control of search supports national security. However, it has previously suggested that Android and Chrome would be less secure because Google invests in updates that may not happen as frequently without Google backing.It's not hard to see how splitting up a company that is so foundational to the Internet could have unintended consequences. The sheer scale of Google brings with it some synergies, allowing it to create an interconnected security apparatus across all its productsincluding Chrome. That said, companies don't need to be sprawling Internet behemoths to have functional security. Mozilla's track record with Firefox is no worse than megacorporations like Google.The government's 2024 request also sought to have Google's investment in AI firms curtailed even though this isn't directly related to search. If, like Google, you believe leadership in AI is important to the future of the world, limiting its investments could also affect national security. But in November, Mehta suggested he was open to considering AI remedies because the recent emergence of AI products that are intended to mimic the functionality of search engines is rapidly shifting the search market.This perspective could be more likely to find supporters in the newly AI-obsessed US government with a rapidly changing Department of Justice. However, the DOJ has thus far opposed allowing AI firm Anthropic to participate in the case after it recently tried to intervene. Anthropic has received $3 billion worth of investments from Google, including $1 billion in January.New year, new Justice DepartmentGoogle naturally opposed the government's early remedy proposal, but this happened in November, months before the incoming Trump administration began remaking the DOJ. Since taking office, the new administration has routinely criticized the harsh treatment of US tech giants, taking aim at European Union laws like the Digital Markets Act, which tries to ensure user privacy and competition among so-called "gatekeeper" tech companies like Google.We may get a better idea of how the DOJ wants to proceed later this week when both sides file their final proposals with Mehta. Google already announced its preferred remedy at the tail end of 2024. It's unlikely Google's final version will be any different, but everything is up in the air for the government.Even if current political realities don't affect the DOJ's approach, the department's staffing changes could. Many of the people handling Google's case today are different than they were just a few months ago, so arguments that fell on deaf ears in 2024 could move the needle. Perhaps emphasizing the national security angle will resonate with the newly restaffed DOJ.After both sides have had their say, it will be up to the judge to eventually rule on how Google must adapt its business. This remedy phase should get fully underway in April.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 22 Comments