As Country Living’s Senior Homes and Style Editor, I’ve seen my share of kitchens over the years, so I know what decorating ideas do and do not actually work in a kitchen. As well, I know which ideas are best for achieving the kitchen style you like, whether you want to embrace cottage style, have a farmhouse-style kitchen, create a British-inspired cook space, or make it something a little in between. Here at Country Living, we have been fans of cottagecore long before the internet deemed it cool. Of all the styles of kitchens, a cottage-style kitchen is tops for having the most personal charm and character (read: sink skirts, colored cabinetry, open shelving filled with personal one-of-a-kind collections, inviting breakfast nooks...). You see, cottage living is all about embracing imperfection and a timeless lived-in style. While those ideas might seem antithetical to kitchen design, they really are not. Even the newest, most state-of-the-art kitchens can benefit from patinaed, less-than-perfect accents. Below, I have rounded up some of the best (and designer-approved) ways to channel that humble cottage look in your kitchen. From ideas for painting your cabinetry to fresh approaches for backsplash tile, these ideas are guaranteed to make your space into something Beatrix Potter herself would envy! For more kitchen decorating ideas, check out these stories:1Lean Into Existing ArchitectureRikki Snyder for Country LivingIf your home is lucky (yes, lucky!) enough to have quirky architectural features, lean into them and allow them to inform your palette and decor as designer Christina Salway did in her wood-filled New York kitchen. TOUR THE ENTIRE HOUSE2Embrace a Cheerful PaletteBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingNothing gives off cottage charm like an equally charming color palette. In this Alabama kitchen, soft, buttery yellow cabinetry pairs with a fruit-themed wallpaper to create a perfectly prim palette. Get the Look:Cabinet Paint Color: Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & BallWallpaper: Fruit by Morris & Co. TOUR THIS KITCHENAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Add A Stove CoveBecky Luigart-Stayner for Country LivingStove coves are a great way to add architectural interest to your kitchen. Back the inset space with beadboard, like designer Trinity Holmes did here, for added cottage appeal. TOUR THIS KITCHENRELATED: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Stove Coves4Go Wild with WallpaperBrian Woodcock for Country LivingWhile it may seem counterintuitive, bold wallpaper is a great for adding character to smaller spaces. For cramped kitchens with little natural light, stick to brighter, tonal patterns such as the one shown here. Get the Look:Wallpaper: "London Rose" by House of HackneyRELATED: Our Best Kitchen Wallpaper Ideas EverAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Wrap the Room in Open ShelvingHelen Norman for Country LivingDoes your cottage kitchen lack serious storage space? No worries. Display your favorite ceramic finds on kitchen-spanning open-shelving like photographer Helen Norman did here in her farmhouse kitchen. RELATED: These Open Shelving Ideas Will Have You Ready to Rip Out Your Cabinetry 6Mix Your MaterialsHelen Norman, styling by Matthew GleasonIn this colorful cottage kitchen, worn woods and happily patinaed copper craft a curated-over-time feel that amps up the coziness factor. Mix up materials to easily give your kitchen a lived-in feel.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 40 Pretty and Practical Kitchen Backsplash IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Build Out a Breakfast NookKirsten FrancisNo cottage kitchen is complete without a cozy breakfast nook. In this Connecticut kitchen, designer Stephanie Perez installed a banquette along her wall of windows and paired it with a chippy blue table. Hanging baskets add extra cottage charm. RELATED: Check Out All of Our Best Breakfast Nook Ideas8Mount a Peg RailJody BeckMix utilitarian appeal with classic style by mounting a peg rail along your kitchen’s workspace. While this works especially well with wood-paneled backsplash, it can be used with tile too. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Add Timeworn Character With Unlacquered BrassAnnie Schlechter for Country LivingChanging up the hardware in your kitchen is an easy and inexpensive way to give the space a fresh look. Swapping builder-grade knobs and pulls with unlacquered brass pieces will add timeworn character in an instant. (And, they’ll only look better over time!)RELATED: The Best Blue Paint Colors for Your Kitchen Cabinetry10Skirt Your SinkDavid Tsay for Country LivingTake a note from Heather Taylor and add a skirt to your sink! This quick upgrade, which can be DIY’d in just an afternoon, adds sweet cottage cheer to any kitchen. If you don’t want to DIY, get crafty with store-bought café curtains. RELATED: Sink Skirts Are the Nostalgic Trend Designers Are Loving Right NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Hang Café CurtainsStacy Zarin GoldbergIn fact, go all-in on café curtains! These humble window coverings are in the midst of a resurgence thanks to the rising popularity of happily twee decorating. Pick pretty patterns for a white kitchen or stick to calm neutrals in an already pattern-filled space. RELATED: See Why Designers Are Loving Café Curtains Right Now12Stick to Simple TileRead McKendreeIn a house with interesting architectural elements, pick simple finishes and allow the space’s character to shine through. In this 17th century New England cottage designed by Stephenie and Chase Watts, a simple white Zellige tile backsplash extends to the ceiling, allowing the warm wood beams and original flooring to take center stage. RELATED: Should Your Kitchen and Bathroom Tile Match? Designers Weigh InAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Go All-In on VintageMarta Xochilt Perez for Country LivingThrifted finds are the quickest way to bring character to an all-white cottage kitchen. Opt for vintage pieces inspired by your locale and lean into crustier, worn pieces for the ultimate curated look. TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 10 Old-School Finds That Add Instant Charm to a Kitchen14Match Your Trim To Your CeilingChase DanielLooking for a weekend project to up the design ante in your kitchen? Then it’s time to bring out a paint can! In this humble Texas cottage, a happy duck egg blue paint color was used on the trim, ceiling, and cabinetry to tie the space together with an easy, approachable feel. A reproduction wallpaper ("Larkspur 1872" designed by William Morris) adds just a pop of pattern. Get the Look:Trim and Ceiling Paint Color: Jamestown Blue by Benjamin MooreTOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSEAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Pretty Up a Pass Through Dustin HalleckIf your cramped kitchen leaves little room for serving, look into installing a pass-through window! These are steeped in old-school charm and add foster a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere. RELATED: These Old House Features Need to Make a Comeback Right Now16Paint Your FloorsDana GallagherIf channeling old-school charm is your preferred method of character-building, then try painting your floors! A classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern is a timeless choice, but the options are only limited by your imagination. Psst...old house owners, this is also a budget-friendly way to cover your wonky floors! RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Painting Your Floors Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Mount a Plate RackCarina OlanderDon’t overlook the power of a classic plate rack, which offers the same (if not better) organizational efforts as regular upper cabinetry or open shelving. Paint the plate rack to match your lower cabinetry or go with a contrasting wood stain. RELATED: 7 Kitchen Storage Mistakes You’re Definitely Making, And How to Fix Them18Go MoodyAli Harper for Country LivingNot every cottage kitchen needs to be light and bright. Lean into the cozy vibes of your home with a dark palette. This Alabama cottage features chocolate brown walls, which are complemented by unexpected hits of primary red and blue. Get the Look:Wall Paint Color: Dark Chocolate by Benjamin MooreRELATED: These Are the Best Brown Paint Colors, According to DesignersAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19Use Salvaged Pieces Reid RollsAdd personality to your kitchen with unique salvaged pieces. Source them from your local architectural salvage yard or antique store, like designer Leanne Ford did with this repurposed china cabinet.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: 100+ Best Places to Shop for Salvage and Other Antiques and Vintage Online20Go for Butcher BlockDavid A. LandInstalling butcher-block countertops is a sure-fire way to add humble character to your cottage kitchen. Pair it with other wood accents, like designer Hadley Wiggins did here, for a timeless look.TOUR THIS ENTIRE HOUSERELATED: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Butcher-Block CountertopsAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.  

By CHRIS McGOWAN This image of Jupiter from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) shows stunning details of the majestic planet in infrared light. (Image courtesy of NASA, ESA and CSA) Special effects have been used for decades to depict space exploration, from visits to planets and moons to zero gravity and spaceships – one need only think of the landmark 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Since that era, visual effects have increasingly grown in realism and importance. VFX have been used for entertainment and for scientific purposes, outreach to the public and astronaut training in virtual reality. Compelling images and videos can bring data to life. NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) produces visualizations, animations and images to help scientists tell stories of their research and make science more approachable and engaging. A.J. Christensen is a senior visualization designer for the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. There, he develops data visualization techniques and designs data-driven imagery for scientific analysis and public outreach using Hollywood visual effects tools, according to NASA. SVS visualizations feature datasets from Earth-and space-based instrumentation, scientific supercomputer models and physical statistical distributions that have been analyzed and processed by computational scientists. Christensen’s specialties include working with 3D volumetric data, using the procedural cinematic software Houdini and science topics in Heliophysics, Geophysics and Astrophysics. He previously worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications’ Advanced Visualization Lab where he worked on more than a dozen science documentary full-dome films as well as the IMAX films Hubble 3D and A Beautiful Planet – and he worked at DNEG on the movie Interstellar, which won the 2015 Best Visual Effects Academy Award. This global map of CO2 was created by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio using a model called GEOS, short for the Goddard Earth Observing System. GEOS is a high-resolution weather reanalysis model, powered by supercomputers, that is used to represent what was happening in the atmosphere. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) “The NASA Scientific Visualization Studio operates like a small VFX studio that creates animations of scientific data that has been collected or analyzed at NASA. We are one of several groups at NASA that create imagery for public consumption, but we are also a part of the scientific research process, helping scientists understand and share their data through pictures and video.” —A.J. Christensen, Senior Visualization Designer, NASA Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) About his work at NASA SVS, Christensen comments, “The NASA Scientific Visualization Studio operates like a small VFX studio that creates animations of scientific data that has been collected or analyzed at NASA. We are one of several groups at NASA that create imagery for public consumption, but we are also a part of the scientific research process, helping scientists understand and share their data through pictures and video. This past year we were part of NASA’s total eclipse outreach efforts, we participated in all the major earth science and astronomy conferences, we launched a public exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History called the Earth Information Center, and we posted hundreds of new visualizations to our publicly accessible website: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov.” This is the ‘beauty shot version’ of Perpetual Ocean 2: Western Boundary Currents. The visualization starts with a rotating globe showing ocean currents. The colors used to color the flow in this version were chosen to provide a pleasing look. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) The Gulf Stream and connected currents. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Venus, our nearby “sister” planet, beckons today as a compelling target for exploration that may connect the objects in our own solar system to those discovered around nearby stars. (Image courtesy of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) WORKING WITH DATA While Christensen is interpreting the data from active spacecraft and making it usable in different forms, such as for science and outreach, he notes, “It’s not just spacecraft that collect data. NASA maintains or monitors instruments on Earth too – on land, in the oceans and in the air. And to be precise, there are robots wandering around Mars that are collecting data, too.” He continues, “Sometimes the data comes to our team as raw telescope imagery, sometimes we get it as a data product that a scientist has already analyzed and extracted meaning from, and sometimes various sensor data is used to drive computational models and we work with the models’ resulting output.” Jupiter’s moon Europa may have life in a vast ocean beneath its icy surface. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) HOUDINI AND OTHER TOOLS “Data visualization means a lot of different things to different people, but many people on our team interpret it as a form of filmmaking,” Christensen says. “We are very inspired by the approach to visual storytelling that Hollywood uses, and we use tools that are standard for Hollywood VFX. Many professionals in our area – the visualization of 3D scientific data – were previously using other animation tools but have discovered that Houdini is the most capable of understanding and manipulating unusual data, so there has been major movement toward Houdini over the past decade.” Satellite imagery from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows the Sun in ultraviolet light colorized in light brown. Seen in ultraviolet light, the dark patches on the Sun are known as coronal holes and are regions where fast solar wind gushes out into space. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Christensen explains, “We have always worked with scientific software as well – sometimes there’s only one software tool in existence to interpret a particular kind of scientific data. More often than not, scientific software does not have a GUI, so we’ve had to become proficient at learning new coding environments very quickly. IDL and Python are the generic data manipulation environments we use when something is too complicated or oversized for Houdini, but there are lots of alternatives out there. Typically, we use these tools to get the data into a format that Houdini can interpret, and then we use Houdini to do our shading, lighting and camera design, and seamlessly blend different datasets together.” While cruising around Saturn in early October 2004, Cassini captured a series of images that have been composed into this large global natural color view of Saturn and its rings. This grand mosaic consists of 126 images acquired in a tile-like fashion, covering one end of Saturn’s rings to the other and the entire planet in between. (Image courtesy of ASA/JPL/Space Science Institute) The black hole Gargantua and the surrounding accretion disc from the 2014 movie Interstellar. (Image courtesy of DNEG and Paramount Pictures) Another visualization of the black hole Gargantua. (Image courtesy of DNEG and Paramount Pictures) INTERSTELLAR & GARGANTUA Christensen recalls working for DNEG on Interstellar (2014). “When I first started at DNEG, they asked me to work on the giant waves on Miller’s ocean planet [in the film]. About a week in, my manager took me into the hall and said, ‘I was looking at your reel and saw all this astronomy stuff. We’re working on another sequence with an accretion disk around a black hole that I’m wondering if we should put you on.’ And I said, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve done lots of accretion disks.’ So, for the rest of my time on the show, I was working on the black hole team.” He adds, “There are a lot of people in my community that would be hesitant to label any big-budget movie sequence as a scientific visualization. The typical assumption is that for a Hollywood movie, no one cares about accuracy as long as it looks good. Guardians of the Galaxy makes it seem like space is positively littered with nebulae, and Star Wars makes it seem like asteroids travel in herds. But the black hole Gargantua in Interstellar is a good case for being called a visualization. The imagery you see in the movie is the direct result of a collaboration with an expert scientist, Dr. Kip Thorne, working with the DNEG research team using the actual Einstein equations that describe the gravity around a black hole.” Thorne is a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist who taught at Caltech for many years. He has reached wide audiences with his books and presentations on black holes, time travel and wormholes on PBS and BBC shows. Christensen comments, “You can make the argument that some of the complexity around what a black hole actually looks like was discarded for the film, and they admit as much in the research paper that was published after the movie came out. But our team at NASA does that same thing. There is no such thing as an objectively ‘true’ scientific image – you always have to make aesthetic decisions around whether the image tells the science story, and often it makes more sense to omit information to clarify what’s important. Ultimately, Gargantua taught a whole lot of people something new about science, and that’s what a good scientific visualization aims to do.” The SVS produces an annual visualization of the Moon’s phase and libration comprising 8,760 hourly renderings of its precise size, orientation and illumination. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) FURTHER CHALLENGES The sheer size of the data often encountered by Christensen and his peers is a challenge. “I’m currently working with a dataset that is 400GB per timestep. It’s so big that I don’t even want to move it from one file server to another. So, then I have to make decisions about which data attributes to keep and which to discard, whether there’s a region of the data that I can cull or downsample, and I have to experiment with data compression schemes that might require me to entirely re-design the pipeline I’m using for Houdini. Of course, if I get rid of too much information, it becomes very resource-intensive to recompute everything, but if I don’t get rid of enough, then my design process becomes agonizingly slow.” SVS also works closely with its NASA partner groups Conceptual Image Lab (CIL) and Goddard Media Studios (GMS) to publish a diverse array of content. Conceptual Image Lab focuses more on the artistic side of things – producing high-fidelity renders using film animation and visual design techniques, according to NASA. Where the SVS primarily focuses on making data-based visualizations, CIL puts more emphasis on conceptual visualizations – producing animations featuring NASA spacecraft, planetary observations and simulations, according to NASA. Goddard Media Studios, on the other hand, is more focused towards public outreach – producing interviews, TV programs and documentaries. GMS continues to be the main producers behind NASA TV, and as such, much of their content is aimed towards the general public. An impact crater on the moon. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Image of Mars showing a partly shadowed Olympus Mons toward the upper left of the image. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Mars. Hellas Basin can be seen in the lower right portion of the image. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Mars slightly tilted to show the Martian North Pole. (Image courtesy of NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio) Christensen notes, “One of the more unique challenges in this field is one of bringing people from very different backgrounds to agree on a common outcome. I work on teams with scientists, communicators and technologists, and we all have different communities we’re trying to satisfy. For instance, communicators are generally trying to simplify animations so their learning goal is clear, but scientists will insist that we add text and annotations on top of the video to eliminate ambiguity and avoid misinterpretations. Often, the technologist will have to say we can’t zoom in or look at the data in a certain way because it will show the data boundaries or data resolution limits. Every shot is a negotiation, but in trying to compromise, we often push the boundaries of what has been done before, which is exciting.”

Image: Nintendo LifeWho had the return of Survival Kids on their bingo cards for 2025? Let alone as a launch title for a brand new Nintendo console? Amidst a storm of third-party ports and first-party giants, Survival Kids quietly sneaked into the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct back in April 2025. And when we saw the Konami logo, something clicked — oh, it's that Survival Kids. The original Game Boy Color game launched way back in 1999 and was just added to the Game Boy app on Nintendo Switch Online. A GBC sequel, the Lost In Blue trilogy on DS, and a Wii game followed, but the series of survival RPGs has been dormant ever since. Until now.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube815kWatch on YouTube In a partnership with Unity Games — in what is the developer's first-ever game — Konami is flipping the script with this new entry. And, ahead of its Switch 2 release on 5th June, we had a chance to send Richard Jones, Creative Director at Konami Digital Entertainment, some questions about the surprise return of this cult classic series. Available today Nintendo Life: Konami has an extremely deep and rich back catalogue full of games and series that have lain dormant for years. Why did the team choose to bring back Survival Kids? Richard Jones, Creative Director at Konami Digital Entertainment: The reason we wanted to bring Survival Kids back was because the idea of being shipwrecked on an island is such a universally known story throughout the world and throughout generations. It harks back to stories like the Lost Boys from Peter Pan, Swallows and Amazons, or Treasure Island. There's something incredibly evocative about kids having adventures on remote islands. Thematically, the idea of kids on an island having fun and adventures is exactly what video games are about. The opportunity to update this game and play with some of the new Nintendo Switch 2 features was just very exciting. So, it just seemed like a really interesting theme to explore – where we could have fun and turn it into a game for all of the family. A sensation that goes back to everyone’s childhood, like running around the playground pretending to be pirates or whatever. How things change in over 25 years... — Images: Konami That idea of combining childhood adventure with modern co-operative gameplay felt like the perfect way to make something both nostalgic and new. We saw an opportunity to build a game that was more accessible, multiplayer-focused, and designed for families and friends to enjoy together. I think that’s why we liked the theme and thought there was a really good opportunity to update and reinvent it in a new, interesting way for modern audiences. You're working with Unity in what is the company's first fully developed video game. How did that partnership come about? I met with Unity a few years ago at Gamescom. It came to light that they were putting together a team for in-house development. I happened to be looking for external studios to work on a Konami IP, and it seemed like we were on the same sort of trajectory – same ideas around scope, budget, and timescale. So, we carried on talking and started exploring which IPs we’d be interested in working on. We quickly realised we were creatively aligned, and that led naturally into working together. Once we met the team at Unity, we realised what an experienced group of people they’d put together. Everyone throws around words like 'industry veteran,' but these were actual veterans – proper experts in their field with years and years of experience shipping all kinds of games. We knew immediately we were in safe hands – the developers and artists really knew their stuff, and we knew we could work really well with them. Are any of the original developers involved, or has Konami reached out to them about the new project? We love the original Survival Kids games – I remember working on Survival Kids (Stranded Kids, as it was called in the UK) when I first joined Konami. It’s a fantastic game, but we wanted to completely redesign it from the ground up. We had a different vision for what this game should be based on its premise. We wanted it to be more fun, more accessible – something people could play together. From the start, it was always about surviving together. this is very much a respectful reimagining based on the original’s premise - not a direct continuation. It was always going to be a group of kids on an island, working together to solve puzzles in fun ways. Rather than being a really hardcore, punishing RPG like the original, this is a lighter, more inclusive experience. So yeah, this is very much a respectful reimagining based on the original’s premise - not a direct continuation. The original Game Boy game is a single-player survival venture with resource management. How do these aspects translate into multiplayer? We wanted to use the idea of cooking and gathering food as something you could do communally. That was one of the really early ideas – we wanted people to come together around the cooking pot. We explored different iterations — should it be a campfire, should it be something else — and landed on a cooking pot. Everyone can throw bits of food in, and you get this communal pot of soup. Everyone gets something out of it. Rather than linking hunger or exhaustion to failure, we tied stats to improving your character. So, for example, if there's a really tall climbing net, you can’t just climb it straight away – you need to cook and eat food to build up stamina. That way, it encourages cooperation without punishing players. You're cooking to get stronger, not to avoid death. Image: Konami So it keeps that survival theme - but reframes it around teamwork and progression, not punishment. It’s a more approachable, co-op-friendly way to explore the same ideas. It’s all part of the shift from surviving alone to surviving together. What can returning fans expect in terms of new gameplay elements? The game is completely new, so it's a fresh experience. The original had a fairly hardcore, punishing survival design, but this version is less about failure states and more about creating time and space for people to have fun together – whether that’s in split-screen mode, using GameShare in the same room, or online with GameChat. this version is less about failure states and more about creating time and space for people to have fun together The whole point was friends and families gathering, solving puzzles, overcoming obstacles, and having fun. There are still challenges linked to the environment and items - and you can try speedrunning if you want, but at its heart it’s about playing together and enjoying the experience as a group. We want players to come away with a smile on their face at the end of a session. Was it always your goal to be a Switch 2 launch title? Will players be able to use GameShare between Switch 1 and 2? When we started the pitch and early design work, we didn’t even know about Switch 2. But during pre-production, speculation about the new console started to emerge, and it aligned closely with our schedule. We made some educated guesses – assuming the console would have a similar audience, and continue to target ways to play socially. We took a few leaps of faith early on, designing with those assumptions in mind - and they turned out to be close enough. Once we started designing around that, it all made sense – and we reached out to Nintendo to get dev kits and approval. Once they saw what we were doing, I think they realised it was a natural fit. So yes, it now supports new social features like GameChat but also GameShare with compatibility between Switch 1 and Switch 2. (EN: It's since been revealed that you can play Survival Kids via GameShare with up to two additional Switch 1 and/or Switch 2 consoles) Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube815k Are you taking advantage of Switch 2 features like mouse mode or 120fps? We looked into mouse mode, but it didn’t really add anything meaningful to our gameplay. Instead, we focused on features like GameShare and GameChat, which made much more sense for the co-op experience. We also had to be mindful of performance – we’re supporting split screen and GameShare simultaneously, which puts constraints on frame rate. Those trade-offs were intentional - made to ensure a smooth, stable multiplayer experience across all supported modes. With games like Overcooked and Moving Out gaining popularity, how will Survival Kids stand out in a crowded multiplayer launch lineup? Games like Overcooked were definitely in our minds when we started this – the idea of co-op chaos is something we really liked. We approach it slightly differently – using real-time physics, for example. Things like logs rolling away from you or two players struggling to carry a heavy object. It’s deceptively simple, but ends up being chaotic, funny, and memorable - the kind of co-op experience where things go wrong in the best way. What sets Survival Kids apart is its tone - it’s light-hearted, session-based, and designed for friends and family to pick up and play. And it’s one of the few titles launching with full GameShare and GameChat support right out of the box. Image: Konami This interview has been edited lightly for clarity. Thank you to Richard Jones at Konami for taking the time to speak to us! Survival Kids washes onto the Switch 2's shores on the console's launch day, Thursday 5th June. Let us know if you're looking forward to this. Every game coming to Switch 2 on launch day Related Games See Also Share:0 0 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Switch 2 And Switch 1 Prices Have Been Revealed And we're pleasantly surprised Nintendo Updates Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility List Doom Eternal, NBA 2K25, and more to get an update Nintendo Appears To Have Updated Mario Kart World's Switch 2 File Size Some other file sizes have also changed Fantasy Life i Gets Switch 2 Release Date With Paid Upgrade Path For Switch 1 Players And it's coming launch day Title: Survival Kids System: Nintendo Switch 2 Also Available For: GBC Publisher: Konami Developer: Unity Games Genre: Adventure Players: 1 Release Date: Nintendo Switch 2 5th Jun 2025 — $49.99 5th Jun 2025 — £44.99 Series: Survival Kids Official Site: nintendo.com Where to buy: Buy on Amazon

Long-time 9to5Mac readers will remember that the native Shortcuts app started as an indie project called Workflow, a clever, approachable tool that made automation fun and accessible to less technical users. Today, Shortcuts remains a powerful utility, particularly on the Mac. However, compared to how agentic AI tools have reshaped how we think about automation, it’s feeling a bit stagnant. That may be about to change. As reported by Mark Gurman in today’s Power On newsletter, Apple is preparing a significant overhaul of its Shortcuts app, integrating AI capabilities through its Apple Intelligence initiative: “A revamped version of its Shortcuts app, which today lets users create actions such as launching certain features within apps or playing a particular playlist. The new version will let consumers create those actions using Apple Intelligence models. (This had long been planned for 2025, but delays may push it to 2026.)” In other words, an AI-based Shortcuts app might allow more natural language interactions, further lowering the barrier for automation-curious users who might find the current interface a bit challenging to navigate. This move aligns with broader industry trends where AI is increasingly integrated into system-level functionalities. Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs, for instance, feature an AI agent capable of performing actions and daisy-chaining system adjustments based on user requests through natural language commands. Imagine combining this capability with AI-generated automations triggered by simple voice or text prompts, such as: “When I start a Zoom, Teams, Meet, or FaceTime call, activate Do Not Disturb, dim the screen, and open Notes. During the meeting, capture participant names, job titles, and key discussion points. After the call, draft an email summarizing the meeting and outlining each person’s action items.” This might be trivial for you, but it sure isn’t for most users. And having this sort of stuff one voice command away could be really powerful. I’ll say it again: MCP And then there’s Anthropic’s MCP, an open standard designed to facilitate seamless integration between AI assistants and external data sources and tools. Against all odds, it has been adopted by major players, including Google and OpenAI (who also offer their own solutions), in a rare case of cross-industry collaboration. While it’s uncertain whether Apple will ever embrace MCP, its adoption would absolutely benefit users by enabling automation even further, beyond just system settings and limited local app control. Given Gurman’s report that this AI-powered Shortcuts feature, initially planned for 2025, might be delayed to 2026, it’s unlikely we’ll see it showcased at the June 9 WWDC keynote. Still, it’s a relief to know that Apple has been paying attention to this aspect of agentic AI. Whether it will deliver on its promise remains to be seen. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

When Anna Ginsburg opened her talk at OFFF Barcelona with her showreel, it landed like a punch to the heart and gut all at once. Immense, emotional, awesome. That three-word review wasn't just for the reel – it set the tone for a talk that was unflinchingly honest, joyously weird, and brimming with creative intensity. Anna began her career making music videos, which she admitted were a kind of creative scaffolding: "I didn't yet know what I wanted to say about the world, so I used music as a skeleton to hang visuals on." It gave her the freedom to experiment visually and technically with rotoscoping, stop motion and shooting live-action. It was an opportunity to be playful and have fun until she had something pressing to say. Then, Anna began to move into more meaningful territory, blending narrative and aesthetic experimentation. Alongside music videos, she became increasingly drawn to animated documentaries. "It's a powerful and overlooked genre," she explained. "When it's just voice recordings and not video, people are more candid. You're protecting your subject, so they're more honest." Talking genitals and creative liberation: The making of Private Parts A formative moment in Anna's personal and creative life occurred when she saw the artwork 'The Great Wall of Vagina' by Jamie McCartney at the age of 19. It followed an awkward teenage discovery years earlier when, after finally achieving her first orgasm (post-Cruel Intentions viewing), she proudly shared the news with friends and was met with horror. "Boys got high-fived. Girls got shamed." That gap between female pleasure and cultural discomfort became the starting point for Private Parts, her now-famous animated short about masturbation and sexual equality. It began as a personal experiment, sketching vulvas in her studio, imagining what their facial expressions might be. Then, she started interviewing friends about their experiences and animating vulvas to match their voices. When It's Nice That and Channel 4 emailed her looking for submissions for a late-night slot, Anna shared a clip of two vulvas in casual conversation, and they were immediately sold. With a shoestring budget of £2,000 and a five-week deadline, she rallied 11 illustrators to help bring the film to life. "I set up a Dropbox, and talking genitals started flooding in from the four corners of the world while I was sitting in my bedroom at my mum's," she laughed. One standout moment came from an Amsterdam-based designer who created a CGI Rubik's Cube vagina, then took two weeks off work to spray paint 100 versions of it. The result of what started as a passion project is an iconic, hilarious, and touching film that still resonates ten years on. From humour to heartbreak: What Is Beauty The talk shifted gear when Anna began to speak about her younger sister's anorexia. In 2017, during her sister's third hospitalisation, Anna found herself questioning the roots of beauty ideals, particularly in Western culture. Witnessing her sister's pain reframed how she saw her own body. This sparked a deep dive into beauty through the ages, from the Venus of Willendorf, a 28,000-year-old fertility goddess, to the Versace supermodels of the 1990s and the surgically sculpted Kardashians of today. "You realise the pace of the change in beauty ideals," she says. "If you revisit the skeletal female bodies which defined the super skinny era of the 2000s and compare it to the enhanced curves of today, you realise that trying to keep up is not only futile; it's extremely dangerous." She also explored the disturbing trend of dismemberment in advertising – shots taken where the heads are intentionally out of frame – and the impact this has on self-perception. Her response was What Is Beauty, released in 2018 on International Women's Day and her sister's birthday. The short film went viral, amassing over 20 million views. "It was a love letter to her," Anna said. "Because it didn't have English dialogue, it travelled globally. The simplicity made it resonate." And despite its runaway success, it brought her zero income. "Then I made the worst advert for a bank the world has ever seen," she joked. "I made money, but it broke my creative spirit." Enter the Hag: Animation, myth and millennial angst OFFF attendees were also treated to the world-exclusive first look at Hag, Anna's new animated short, three years in the making. It's her most ambitious and most personal project yet. Made with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, Has is a 16-minute fantasy set in a surreal version of Peckham. The main character is a childless, single, disillusioned woman with snakes for hair. "I had just broken up with a lockdown boyfriend after struggling with doubts for nearly 2 years,"' she reveals. "The next day, I was at a baby shower surrounded by friends with rings and babies who recoiled at my touch. I was surrounded by flies, and a dog was doing a poo right next to me. I just felt like a hag." Drawing on Greek mythology, Anna reimagines Medusa not as a jealous monster but as a feminist figure of rage, autonomy and misinterpretation. "I didn't know she was a rape victim until I started researching," she told me after the talk. "The story of Athena cursing her out of jealousy is such a tired trope. What if it was solidarity? What if the snakes were power?" In Hag, the character initially fights with her snakes – violently clipping them back in shame and battling with them – but by the end, they align. She embraces her monstrous self. "It's a metaphor for learning to love the parts of yourself you've been told are wrong," Anna said. "That journey is universal." Making the personal political (and funny) Telling a story so autobiographical wasn't easy. "It's exposing," Anna admitted. "My past work dealt with issues in the world. This one is about how I feel in the world." Even her ex-boyfriend plays himself. "Luckily, he's funny and cool about it. Otherwise, it would've been a disaster." She did worry about dramatising the baby shower scene too much. "None of those women were horrible in real life, but for the film, we needed to crank up the emotional tension," she says. "I just wanted to show that societal pressures make women feel monstrous whether they decide to conform or not. This is not a battle between hags and non-hags. These feelings affect us all." Co-writing the script with her dear friend and writer Miranda Latimer really helped. "It felt less exposing as we'd both lived versions of the same thing. Collaboration is liberating and makes me feel safer when being so honest," Anna explains. Sisterhood, generations and the pressure to conform It was very clear from our chat that Anna's younger sisters are a recurring thread throughout her work. "They've helped me understand the world through a Gen Z lens," she said. "Stalking my youngest sister on Instagram was how I noticed the way girls crop their faces or hide behind scribbles. It's dehumanising." That intergenerational awareness fuels many of her ideas. "I definitely wouldn't have made What Is Beauty without Maya. Seeing what she was going through just unlocked something." She's also keenly aware of the gender gap in healthcare. "So many women I know are living with pain, going years without a diagnosis. It's infuriating. If I get asked to work on anything to do with women's health, I'll say yes." Medusa, millennials, and the meaning of self-love One of Hag's most biting commentaries is about millennial self-care culture. "There's a scene in the character's bedroom – it's got a faded Dumbledore poster, self-help books, a flashing 'Namaste' sign. It's a shrine to the broken millennial." She laughs: "Self-love became a commodity. An expensive candle, a jade roller, and an oil burner from Muji. Like, really? That's it?" Her film pokes at the performative of wellness while still holding space for genuine vulnerability. This same self-awareness informs her reflections on generational shifts. "Gen Z is going through the same thing, just with a different flavour. It's all about skincare routines now – 11 steps for a 14-year-old. It's wild." Feminism with fangs (and a sense of humour) Anna's feminism is open, intersectional, and laced with humour. "My mum's a lesbian and a Child Protection lawyer who helped to make rape within marriage illegal in the UK," she shared. "She sometimes jokes that my work is a bit basic. But I'm OK with that – I think there's space for approachable feminism, too." Importantly, she wants to bring everyone into the conversation. "It means so much when men come up to me after talks. I don't want to alienate anyone. These stories are about people, not just women." What's Next? Hag will officially premiere later this year, and it's likely to resonate far and wide. It's raw, mythic, funny and furious – and thoroughly modern. As Anna put it: "I've been experiencing external pressure and internal longing while making this film. So I'm basically becoming a hag while making Hag." As far as metamorphoses go, that's one we'll happily watch unfold.

39 Summer Fonts That Really ‘Sizzle’ In this article:See more ▼Post may contain affiliate links which give us commissions at no cost to you.As a graphic designer who lives for those long, lazy summer days, I can’t help but get excited when it’s time to break out the summer fonts. There’s something absolutely magical about typography that captures the essence of sunshine, beach vibes, and endless possibilities. Summer fonts are more than just pretty letters on a screen – they’re visual vacation postcards that transport viewers straight to sandy beaches, backyard barbecues, and those perfect golden hour moments. I’ve spent countless hours (probably too many!) curating the perfect collection of typefaces that embody everything we love about the warmest season of the year. Whether you’re designing festival posters, ice cream shop branding, or social media graphics that scream “summer vibes,” the right font can make all the difference. It’s not just about looking good (though these fonts absolutely do); it’s about evoking that carefree, sun-kissed feeling that makes summer so special. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the most sizzling summer fonts of 2025, explore what makes a font feel summery, and discover how to use these typefaces to bring that vacation energy to any project. So grab your favorite cold drink, find a spot in the shade, and let’s embark on this typographic summer adventure together! 👋 Psst... Did you know you can get unlimited downloads of 59,000+ fonts and millions of other creative assets for just $16.95/mo? Learn more »The Hottest Summer Fonts of 2025 Not all fonts are created equal when it comes to capturing that perfect summer essence. I’ve handpicked the most vibrant, energetic typefaces that’ll make your designs feel like a breath of fresh ocean air. Here are my top picks: Summer Sunshine Summer Sunshine is a vibrant decorative font that exudes warmth and cheer. Its playful letterforms and sunny aesthetic make it perfect for summer-themed designs and joyful projects.Summer Days Summer Days is a lively script font that captures the essence of carefree summer vibes. Its fluid, handwritten style and energetic character make it ideal for creating designs with a fresh and vibrant feel.Get 300+ Fonts for FREEEnter your email to download our 100% free "Font Lover's Bundle". For commercial & personal use. No royalties. No fees. No attribution. 100% free to use anywhere. Summer Crab Summer Crab is a unique serif font with a handwritten twist, perfect for summer-themed typography. Its quirky design combines elegance with a touch of whimsy, making it suitable for both formal and casual summer projects.Sunrise Waves Sunrise Waves is a brushy sans-serif font that evokes the calm and beauty of a beach at dawn. Its smooth lines and balanced proportions make it versatile for various summer and coastal-themed designs.Summer Wednesday Summer Wednesday is a charming script font that captures the essence of lazy summer days. Its relaxed, handwritten style is perfect for creating designs with a casual, vacation-like atmosphere.Summers Typeface + BONUS vector Summers Typeface is a versatile script font that comes with bonus vector elements. Its flowing monoline letterforms and additional graphics make it an excellent choice for creating comprehensive summer-themed designs and branding materials.Sunroof & Summer Sunroof & Summer is a carefree handwritten font that embodies the spirit of summer road trips. Its natural, spontaneous style is perfect for creating designs with a laid-back and adventurous feel.Summerica Typeface Summerica Typeface is a playful serif font with a hint of nostalgia. Its unique blend of classic and whimsical elements makes it ideal for summer holiday designs and retro-inspired projects.Summer Heaven Summer Heaven is a delightful script font that radiates warmth and happiness. Its sunny disposition and fluid letterforms make it perfect for creating designs that evoke the joy of perfect summer days.Summer – Handwriting Font Summer is a versatile handwriting font that combines sans-serif elements with a script-like flow. Its natural, easy-going style makes it suitable for a wide range of summer-themed designs and personal projects.AL – Blue Season AL – Blue Season is a refreshing cursive font that captures the essence of cool summer breezes. Its flowing letterforms and subtle blue hues make it perfect for creating designs with a calm, seasonal atmosphere.Summer Fruits – Layered Font Summer Fruits is a playful layered font that adds depth and vibrancy to designs. Its fruity aesthetic and customizable layers make it ideal for creating eye-catching summer-themed typography and graphics.Sunburned Tropic – Summer Brush Font Sunburned Tropic is a bold brush font that exudes tropical summer vibes. Its rough, organic texture and energetic strokes make it perfect for creating designs with a beachy, sun-soaked feel.FLIES SUMMER FLIES SUMMER is a modern sans-serif display font with a unique twist. Its clean lines and subtle summer-inspired details make it versatile for various design projects, from branding to editorial layouts.Summer Festival Summer Festival is a lively decorative fun font that captures the excitement of outdoor events. Its playful letterforms and festive character make it ideal for creating designs for summer concerts, fairs, and celebrations.Summer Journey Summer Journey is a versatile font that combines decorative and sans-serif elements. Its unique design evokes a sense of adventure, making it perfect for travel-themed projects and summer vacation designs.Summer Times Summer Times is a chunky, fun script font that radiates positivity with its mid-century font style. Its bold letterforms and playful style make it excellent for creating eye-catching headlines and designs with a cheerful summer vibe.Summer Foliage Font Summer Foliage Font is a nature-inspired typeface that blends sans-serif and script elements. Its organic shapes and leafy details make it perfect for creating designs with a fresh, summery botanical theme.Summer Dust Font Summer Dust Font is a clean and airy typeface that combines sans-serif and handwritten styles. Its light, breezy character makes it ideal for creating designs with a soft, summery atmosphere.Summer Splash Summer Splash is a vibrant splashy water font with a decorative flair. Its energetic letterforms and splashy details make it perfect for creating designs that evoke the fun and excitement of summer water activities.Summer Vibes Summer Vibes is a relaxed sans-serif font with a handwritten feel. Its casual style and subtle imperfections make it ideal for creating designs with a laid-back, beachy atmosphere.Summer Dance Summer Dance is a lively script font with decorative elements. Its fluid, rhythmic letterforms make it perfect for creating designs that convey movement and joy, ideal for summer event promotions.Summer Show Summer Show is a bold display font that combines sans-serif and decorative features. Its striking design and summer-inspired details make it excellent for creating eye-catching headlines and promotional materials.Summer Tropics Summer Tropics is a fun and chunky script font that exudes tropical vibes. Its playful letterforms and bold character make it perfect for creating designs with a lively, vacation-like atmosphere.Summer Diary Summer Diary is a charming decorative font with a personal touch. Its handwritten-style letterforms and subtle embellishments make it ideal for creating designs that evoke memories of summer adventures.Salty Bash Handwriting Script Salty Bash is a carefree handwriting script with a beachy vibe. Its natural flow and slightly weathered appearance make it perfect for creating designs with a relaxed, coastal feel.Summer Flash Summer Flash is a dynamic decorative font with a sense of energy and movement. Its bold, eye-catching design makes it ideal for creating impactful summer-themed headlines and promotional materials.Summer Tropica – Playful Font Summer Tropica is a fun and vibrant font that combines script and sans-serif elements. Its playful character and tropical flair make it perfect for creating designs with a lively summer atmosphere.Ocean – Hand Writing Summer Font Ocean is a refreshing wavy font with a beachy feel. Its natural flow and subtle irregularities make it ideal for creating designs that evoke the relaxed atmosphere of seaside vacations.Summer Party Summer Party is an energetic script font that captures the excitement of summer festivities. Its lively letterforms and dynamic style make it perfect for creating designs for summer events and celebrations.Summer Funny – Summer Display Font Summer Funny is a quirky and playful display font with a chunky design. Its fun character and bold presence make it ideal for creating eye-catching headlines and designs with a lighthearted summer vibe.Summer Lemonade + Extras Summer Lemonade is a refreshing script font that comes with extra design elements. Its crisp, fluid letterforms and additional graphics make it perfect for creating comprehensive summer-themed branding and designs.Tropical Summer Font Tropical Summer Font is an exotic blend of script and decorative elements. Its lush, organic design and tropical motifs make it ideal for creating designs with a vibrant, paradise-like atmosphere.Fest Summer Font Fest Summer Font is a bold and chunky script that radiates fun and excitement. Its playful letterforms and energetic style make it perfect for creating designs for summer festivals and outdoor events.Fresh Kids – Fun Display Font Fresh Kids is a lively bubble font designed with children in mind. Its playful character and cheerful design make it ideal for creating kid-friendly summer designs and educational materials.Summer Blaze – Summer Brush Font Summer Blaze is an energetic brush font that captures the heat of summer. Its bold strokes and dynamic character make it perfect for creating designs with a sun-soaked, beachy vibe.Beach Vibe – Summer font Beach Vibe is a laid-back sans-serif font with a summer twist. Its relaxed style and subtle coastal elements make it ideal for creating designs with a cool, holiday atmosphere.SUMMER QUICK – Fun Font SUMMER QUICK is a lively sans-serif display font with a fun, casual feel. Its quirky letterforms and energetic style make it perfect for creating designs with a spontaneous summer vibe.Benji Holidas Summer Display Font Benji Holidas is a charming decorative font with a summery disposition. Its unique letterforms and playful design make it ideal for creating eye-catching headlines and designs for summer holidays and events.What Makes a Font Feel Like Summer? Ever wondered what gives certain fonts that unmistakable summer vibe? It’s not magic (though it might feel like it) – there are specific design elements that trigger those warm, sunny associations in our minds. Relaxed, Flowing Letterforms Summer fonts often feature loose, organic shapes that mirror the laid-back nature of the season. Think flowing scripts that feel like ocean waves or casual handwritten styles that look like they were penned on a beach towel. These relaxed letterforms create an instant sense of ease and vacation mode. The beauty lies in their imperfection – slightly uneven baselines, varying letter sizes, and that wonderful hand-drawn quality that says “life’s too short to stress about perfect alignment.” Bright, Energetic Personality Summer fonts radiate energy and optimism. They’re the typographic equivalent of a sunny day – bold when they need to be, playful in their character variations, and always ready to put a smile on your face. Many summer fonts incorporate fun details like decorative flourishes, tropical motifs, or beach-inspired elements that add personality and charm. These little touches transform ordinary letters into summer storytelling devices. Vintage Beach Resort Vibes There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about classic summer typography. Fonts that reference vintage surf culture, retro vacation postcards, or mid-century beach resort signage tap into our collective summer memories. These typefaces often feature bold, confident letterforms with a touch of that authentic vintage wear – like sun-faded signs that have weathered countless summers and still look absolutely perfect. Where to Use Summer Fonts Summer fonts are incredibly versatile, bringing that vacation energy to a wide range of design applications. Their cheerful, relaxed nature makes them perfect for projects that want to feel approachable and fun. Event and Festival Branding Summer fonts are absolute stars when it comes to music festivals, beach parties, food truck events, and outdoor celebrations. Their energetic personality helps capture the excitement and community spirit of summer gatherings. From concert posters that need to grab attention from across a crowded street to wristbands that become summer souvenirs, the right summer font sets the perfect tone for memorable experiences. Hospitality and Tourism Beach resorts, vacation rentals, travel agencies, and tropical restaurants all benefit from summer fonts that instantly communicate relaxation and escape. These typefaces help potential guests imagine themselves already on vacation. Whether it’s a boutique hotel’s website, a restaurant’s poolside menu, or a travel blog’s header, summer fonts create that crucial emotional connection with wanderlust. Food and Beverage Ice cream shops, juice bars, beachside cafes, and summer pop-up stands rely on fonts that feel as refreshing as their offerings. Summer fonts help communicate that products are fresh, fun, and perfect for hot weather. From smoothie shop logos to popsicle packaging, these fonts add flavor before customers even take their first taste. Social Media and Digital Design Summer fonts absolutely shine in digital spaces where catching attention is crucial. Instagram posts, Pinterest graphics, blog headers, and email newsletters all benefit from typography that stops the scroll and says “summer!” Where to Avoid Summer Fonts While summer fonts bring joy and energy to many projects, there are definitely situations where their casual, playful nature might not be the best fit. Corporate and Professional Contexts Financial institutions, law firms, medical practices, and other professional services typically need fonts that convey trust, reliability, and expertise. Summer fonts, with their relaxed and playful nature, might undermine the serious tone these industries require. Save the beach vibes for beach-related projects, and opt for more traditional, authoritative typefaces when professionalism is paramount. Technical Documentation User manuals, software interfaces, scientific reports, and instructional materials need maximum clarity and readability. Summer fonts, while beautiful, can sometimes sacrifice legibility for personality – not ideal when clear communication is critical. Formal Occasions Wedding invitations (unless it’s a beach wedding!), memorial services, graduation ceremonies, and other formal events typically call for more elegant, traditional typography that matches the occasion’s gravity and importance. How to Choose the Perfect Summer Font Selecting the ideal summer font involves balancing aesthetic appeal with practical considerations. Here’s how to nail that perfect summer typography choice: Consider Your Audience Think about who you’re designing for. A family beach resort might want fonts that feel welcoming to all ages, while a trendy rooftop bar could go for something more sophisticated and contemporary. Young festival-goers respond to different visual cues than luxury vacation travelers. Match the Summer Vibe Summer encompasses many different moods – from energetic beach parties to serene sunset dinners. Identify the specific summer feeling you want to evoke. Is it playful and energetic? Relaxed and tropical? Nostalgic and vintage? Let this guide your font selection. Test Readability Summer fonts often prioritize personality over perfection, but your message still needs to be clear. Test your chosen font at various sizes and in different contexts to ensure it maintains readability across all applications. Consider Seasonal Flexibility If you’re designing for a brand that operates year-round, consider how your summer font choice will work in off-season communications. Some fonts are specifically summery, while others have enough versatility to work across seasons with different color palettes or supporting elements. Alternatives to Traditional Summer Fonts While dedicated summer fonts are fantastic, there are other typographic approaches that can capture seasonal energy: Tropical Script Fonts Flowing scripts with exotic flair can evoke tropical paradise without being explicitly summer-themed. These work beautifully for destination weddings, luxury resorts, and high-end travel brands. Vintage Surf Typography Fonts inspired by classic surf culture bring authentic beach credibility to modern designs. These work especially well for brands that want to tap into surf and beach lifestyle culture. Hand-Lettered Styles Custom hand-lettered looks feel personal and authentic – perfect for small businesses, artisanal products, and brands that want to feel approachable and genuine. Common Summer Font Questions Let’s tackle some frequently asked questions about summer typography: What makes a font look summery? Summer fonts typically feature relaxed, flowing letterforms, bright energetic personalities, and often include decorative elements that reference beach, tropical, or vacation themes. They tend to feel casual, approachable, and optimistic. Can I use summer fonts year-round? While some summer fonts are specifically seasonal, many can work year-round with the right warm color palette and supporting design elements. The key is choosing fonts with enough versatility to adapt to different seasonal moods. Are summer fonts professional enough for business use? It depends on your business! Summer fonts are perfect for hospitality, food service, entertainment, and lifestyle brands. However, they might not be appropriate for more conservative industries like finance or healthcare. How do I pair summer fonts with other typefaces? Summer fonts often work well paired with clean, simple sans-serifs for body text. The contrast between a playful summer display font and a readable sans-serif creates visual hierarchy while maintaining that seasonal energy. Making Your Designs Sizzle Summer fonts are more than just typography – they’re instant mood boosters that transform ordinary designs into sunshine-filled experiences. Whether you’re creating a beach resort’s brand identity, designing the perfect festival poster, or crafting social media graphics that capture those golden hour vibes, the right summer font sets the stage for memorable design. Remember, the best summer font isn’t necessarily the most decorative or tropical-looking one. It’s the font that perfectly captures the specific summer mood you’re trying to create while still serving your project’s practical needs. So go ahead, embrace those warm-weather vibes in your next design project. Choose fonts that make people want to kick off their shoes, grab a cold drink, and soak up some vitamin D. After all, life’s too short for boring typography – especially in summer! What’s your favorite summer font? I’d love to hear about the typefaces that make you dream of beach days and endless sunshine! Riley Morgan Riley Morgan is a globe-trotting graphic designer with a sharp eye for color, typography, and intuitive design. They are a color lover and blend creativity with culture, drawing inspiration from cities, landscapes, and stories around the world. When they’re not designing sleek visuals for clients, they’re blogging about trends, tools, and the art of making design feel like home—wherever that may be. 17 Cutest Kawaii Fonts That are So AdorableKawaii fonts are exactly what they sound like – typefaces that embody the Japanese concept of “kawaii” (meaning cute). These...26 Billboard Fonts You Can Read at 80 MPHWhen you’re racing down the highway at 80 mph, you’ve got about 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention with your...40 Christmas Fonts that are ‘Santa-Approved’As a designer with a serious case of Christmas spirit, I can’t help but get giddy when it’s time to...

17 Cutest Kawaii Fonts That are So Adorable Zoe Santoro • May 30, 2025 In this article:See more ▼Post may contain affiliate links which give us commissions at no cost to you. Kawaii fonts are exactly what they sound like – typefaces that embody the Japanese concept of “kawaii” (meaning cute). These fonts typically feature rounded letterforms, playful details, and that unmistakable charm that makes you want to squeeze them like a plushie. Whether you’re designing anime merchandise, creating content for social media, or just want to add a dash of cuteness to your projects, kawaii fonts are your secret weapon for instant adorability. 👋 Psst... Did you know you can get unlimited downloads of 59,000+ fonts and millions of other creative assets for just $16.95/mo? Learn more »The Most Adorable Kawaii Fonts of 2025 Not all cute fonts are created equal, so I’ve curated a collection of the most genuinely kawaii typefaces that capture that authentic anime aesthetic. Here are my top picks: Bubble Bliss Bloom Bubble Bliss Bloom is a groovy font that exudes a cute and chunky aesthetic. Its playful design incorporates bubble-like elements, making it perfect for anime-inspired or youthful projects that require a fun and energetic typographic approach.Cute Lime Cute Lime is a charming bubble display font that brings a refreshing and lively feel to designs. Its rounded, inflated letterforms create a sweet and approachable look, ideal for projects targeting a younger audience or those aiming for a lighthearted vibe.Clefy Clefy is a delightful bubble font that combines cuteness with a touch of sophistication. Its inflated characters maintain a clean and legible appearance, making it versatile for both playful and moderately formal designs that require a friendly, approachable typeface.BLUM BLUM is a cute and lovely bubble font that blends script and handwritten styles with sans-serif elements. This decorative typeface is perfect for children’s products, as it captures a youthful spirit while maintaining readability and charm.Get 300+ Fonts for FREEEnter your email to download our 100% free "Font Lover's Bundle". For commercial & personal use. No royalties. No fees. No attribution. 100% free to use anywhere. Babel Gamee Babel Gamee is a playful and chunky bubble font that stands out with its bold, inflated characters. This decorative typeface is ideal for game designs, children’s products, or any project that requires a fun, chubby letterform with high visual impact.Fluffy Blitz Fluffy Blitz is a dynamic graffiti bubble font that brings street art flair to designs. With its playful and cartoon-like appearance, this font is perfect for urban-themed projects, youth-oriented designs, or any work that needs a bold, energetic typographic statement.Smothy Bubble Font Smothy Bubble Font combines retro charm with a modern bubble aesthetic. Its smooth, rounded forms create a nostalgic yet contemporary feel, making it suitable for vintage-inspired designs or projects that aim to blend old-school cool with current trends.Booba Candy Booba Candy is a bold and playful typeface that evokes the sweetness of confectionery. Its thick, rounded forms and lively character make it an excellent choice for candy packaging, children’s products, or any design that needs to convey a fun, indulgent feel.Dwangku Dwangku is a joyful display font that combines bubble-like qualities with a sans-serif structure. Its upbeat and fun design makes it perfect for headlines, logos, or any project that requires a cheerful and eye-catching typographic element.Baby Glaze Baby Glaze is a decorative font that captures the essence of cartoons and childhood. Its soft, rounded forms and playful design make it ideal for children’s books, nursery decor, or any project targeting a young audience or aiming for a whimsical touch.Wanbots Wanbots is a bubble font that combines pop culture appeal with retro aesthetics. This sans-serif typeface offers a unique blend of futuristic and vintage elements, making it suitable for tech-related designs, retro-futuristic themes, or modern projects with a nostalgic twist.Love You Love You is a funny and cute balloon font that includes both letters and symbols. This decorative sans-serif typeface is perfect for Valentine’s Day designs, love-themed projects, or any work that needs to convey affection with a lighthearted, playful approach.Daily Bubble Font Daily Bubble Font combines retro charm with modern bubble aesthetics. Its rounded, inflated characters offer a fresh take on vintage typography, making it suitable for nostalgic designs, casual branding, or projects that need a friendly, approachable typeface.Bloombang Bloombang is a bubble display font that offers a bold and eye-catching typographic solution. This decorative sans-serif typeface features inflated letterforms that create visual impact, making it ideal for headlines, logos, or any design that needs to make a strong statement.Love Bold Love Bold is a display font that combines cuteness with a strong visual presence. Its bold character and child-like charm make it perfect for children’s products, love-themed designs, or any project that needs to convey affection with a touch of playfulness and strength.Gumiec Urban Gumiec Urban is a graffiti bubble font that brings street art style to typography. Its punk and groovy aesthetic makes it perfect for urban-themed designs, music-related projects, or any work that needs to convey a rebellious, energetic vibe with a touch of street credibility.Bubblegum Bubblegum is a lively bubble font that captures the essence of its namesake. Its rounded, inflated characters suggest movement and fluidity, making it ideal for designs related to confectionery, children’s products, or any project that needs to convey a fun, bouncy aesthetic.What Makes Kawaii Fonts So Irresistibly Cute? The magic of kawaii fonts lies in several key design characteristics that trigger our natural “aww” response: Rounded, Soft Letterforms Just like how baby animals have rounded features that make us want to protect them, kawaii fonts feature soft, curved letterforms instead of sharp edges. These gentle curves create an immediate sense of friendliness and approachability. The rounded shapes mimic the aesthetic of anime character designs, where even tough characters often have softer, more appealing features than their realistic counterparts. Playful Character Details True kawaii fonts often incorporate delightful little details that give each letter personality. You might find hearts dotting the i’s, stars incorporated into letterforms, or tiny faces peeking out from within characters. These whimsical touches transform ordinary text into something that feels alive and full of character – just like the expressive details that make anime characters so memorable. Bouncy, Uneven Baselines Many kawaii fonts feature letters that don’t sit perfectly on the baseline. Instead, they bounce up and down slightly, creating a sense of movement and energy that feels spontaneous and joyful. This imperfection paradoxically makes the fonts more perfect for their intended purpose – conveying that carefree, happy energy that’s central to kawaii culture. Pastel-Friendly Proportions Kawaii fonts are designed to work beautifully with the soft, pastel color palettes that dominate anime and Japanese cute culture. Their proportions and spacing are optimized to look stunning in pinks, lavenders, mint greens, and other dreamy hues. Where Can You Use Kawaii Fonts? The adorable nature of kawaii fonts makes them perfect for specific design contexts where cuteness is not just welcome – it’s essential: Anime and Manga Projects Obviously, kawaii fonts are a natural fit for anything anime-related. Whether you’re designing covers for manga, creating promotional materials for anime conventions, or developing an anime-inspired app, these fonts help establish that authentic Japanese cute aesthetic. Gaming and Streaming Graphics The gaming community, especially fans of Japanese games and kawaii aesthetics, absolutely loves these fonts. They’re perfect for Twitch overlays, YouTube thumbnails, gaming logos, and streaming graphics where you want to convey a fun, approachable vibe. Social Media Content Instagram posts, TikTok graphics, and Pinterest pins often benefit from kawaii fonts, especially when targeting younger audiences or communities interested in anime, K-pop, or Japanese culture. These fonts help content stand out in crowded social feeds. Children’s Products and Brands The inherently friendly and non-threatening nature of kawaii fonts makes them excellent choices for children’s books, toy packaging, educational materials, and youth-oriented brands that want to feel welcoming and fun. Fashion and Lifestyle Brands Brands targeting the “kawaii fashion” market – think Harajuku street style, pastel goth, or fairy kei aesthetics – can use these fonts to immediately signal their alignment with cute culture and Japanese-inspired fashion trends. Pro Tip: When using kawaii fonts for branding, pair them with clean, simple layouts to let the font’s personality shine without overwhelming the design. Where to Avoid Kawaii Fonts While kawaii fonts are undeniably adorable, there are certain contexts where their cuteness works against your design goals: Professional Business Communications Unless you’re specifically in the kawaii/anime industry, using these fonts for business cards, corporate presentations, or formal communications can undermine your professional credibility. Save them for creative projects instead. Serious or Somber Content The cheerful nature of kawaii fonts makes them inappropriate for serious topics, news content, academic papers, or any context where gravity and respect are paramount. High-Information Density Designs While kawaii fonts excel at grabbing attention, they can become difficult to read in large blocks of text. Stick to using them for headlines, short phrases, or decorative elements rather than body text. Formal Design Contexts Museums, government websites, legal documents, and other formal institutions should generally avoid kawaii fonts unless they’re specifically creating content about Japanese culture or targeting younger audiences. How to Choose the Perfect Kawaii Font With so many adorable options available, here’s how to select the kawaii font that’s just right for your project: Consider Your Audience Are you designing for hardcore anime fans who will appreciate subtle references and authentic Japanese typography? Or are you targeting a broader audience that just enjoys cute aesthetics? More authentic kawaii fonts work better for anime enthusiasts, while more generally “cute” fonts appeal to wider audiences. Match the Energy Level Some kawaii fonts are quietly cute, while others are energetically adorable. Match your font choice to the energy level of your content. A gentle, soft kawaii font works for meditation apps or skincare brands, while a bouncy, energetic one suits gaming content or party invitations. Test Readability Always test your chosen kawaii font at the size it will be used. Some highly decorative kawaii fonts lose their charm (and legibility) when scaled down for mobile screens or small print applications. Consider Cultural Sensitivity Since kawaii culture originates from Japan, be mindful of using these fonts in ways that respectfully appreciate rather than appropriate the culture. Understanding the context and meaning behind kawaii aesthetics will help you use these fonts more thoughtfully. Remember: The best kawaii font is one that feels authentic to the kawaii aesthetic while serving your specific design needs. Don’t just pick the “cutest” one – pick the one that works best for your project. Kawaii Font Pairing and Color Tips To get the most out of your kawaii fonts, consider these design best practices: Color Palette Magic Kawaii fonts shine brightest when paired with the right colors. Think soft pastels, dreamy gradients, and colors inspired by Japanese aesthetics. Pink and lavender are classics, but don’t overlook mint green, peach, sky blue, and cream. For contrast, pair your kawaii fonts with pure white or very light backgrounds. This creates that clean, airy feel that’s essential to kawaii design. Smart Font Pairing When combining kawaii fonts with other typefaces, balance is key. Pair a highly decorative kawaii font with a clean, simple sans-serif for body text. This gives you the personality you want while maintaining readability. Never pair two competing kawaii fonts together – let one be the star while supporting fonts stay neutral and clean. Layout Considerations Kawaii fonts work best when they have room to breathe. Give them plenty of white space, use them for shorter text elements, and consider how they’ll look alongside images or illustrations in your kawaii aesthetic. The Psychology Behind Kawaii Typography Understanding why kawaii fonts are so effective can help you use them more strategically in your designs: The “Baby Schema” Effect Kawaii fonts trigger what scientists call the “baby schema” – our evolutionary response to infant-like features. The rounded shapes, soft edges, and playful proportions mimic characteristics that make us want to nurture and protect, creating an immediate positive emotional response. Cultural Comfort For audiences familiar with anime and Japanese culture, kawaii fonts provide cultural comfort and belonging. They signal that you understand and appreciate their interests, creating an instant connection. Stress Relief Through Design In our increasingly stressful world, kawaii aesthetics offer a form of visual stress relief. The gentle, non-threatening nature of kawaii fonts can actually help viewers feel more relaxed and positive. Expert Opinions: Designers on Kawaii Typography Trends I reached out to several typography experts and anime industry professionals to get their insights on kawaii font trends: Yuki Tanaka, Anime Production Designer: “Kawaii fonts have evolved beyond just being ‘cute.’ Today’s best kawaii typefaces understand the balance between authenticity and accessibility. They respect Japanese design principles while being readable for global audiences.” Maria Santos, Digital Brand Designer: “I’ve seen a huge increase in clients requesting kawaii-inspired fonts, even for non-anime brands. There’s something about that gentle, approachable aesthetic that resonates with people seeking comfort and positivity in design.” David Kim, Gaming Industry Designer: “The gaming community has fully embraced kawaii typography. We’re seeing these fonts used not just in obviously cute games, but in UI design for apps and platforms where user comfort and approachability are priorities.” Common Kawaii Font Questions Let’s address some frequently asked questions about kawaii fonts: What makes a font “kawaii” versus just “cute”? True kawaii fonts draw specifically from Japanese aesthetic principles and anime/manga typography traditions. While cute fonts might just be rounded or playful, kawaii fonts embody the specific cultural aesthetic of Japanese cuteness, often incorporating elements like asymmetry, soft imperfection, and emotionally expressive details. Can I use kawaii fonts for commercial projects? It depends on the specific font’s license. Many kawaii fonts are available for commercial use, but always check the licensing terms before using them in paid projects. Some require purchase of a commercial license, while others are free for all uses. Do kawaii fonts work in languages other than English? Most kawaii fonts are designed primarily for English and basic Latin characters. However, some include Japanese characters (hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji) or extended character sets for other languages. Check the font specifications to see what languages are supported. How do I make my own kawaii font? Creating a kawaii font requires understanding both typography basics and kawaii aesthetic principles. Start by studying authentic Japanese kawaii design, practice drawing rounded, expressive letterforms, and consider using font creation software like FontForge or Glyphs. Remember that cultural sensitivity is important when creating fonts inspired by Japanese aesthetics. The Future of Kawaii Typography As we look ahead to the rest of 2025 and beyond, kawaii fonts are evolving in exciting directions: Variable Font Technology New kawaii fonts are beginning to incorporate variable font technology, allowing designers to adjust cuteness levels, roundness, and playfulness on a sliding scale. This gives unprecedented control over the kawaii aesthetic. Cultural Fusion Styles We’re seeing kawaii fonts that blend Japanese cuteness with other cultural aesthetics – Korean-inspired kawaii fonts, Western cartoon influences, and even minimalist Scandinavian approaches to cute typography. Accessibility Improvements Newer kawaii fonts are being designed with better accessibility in mind, ensuring they remain cute while meeting readability standards for users with visual impairments or reading difficulties. Conclusion: Embracing the Kawaii Font Revolution Kawaii fonts represent more than just a design trend – they’re a bridge between cultures, a source of visual comfort, and a powerful tool for creating emotional connections with audiences. In a world that often feels harsh and overwhelming, these adorable typefaces offer a gentle reminder that design can be both beautiful and kind. Whether you’re a hardcore anime fan looking to create authentic Japanese-inspired designs, a brand seeking to connect with younger audiences, or simply someone who believes the world needs more cuteness, kawaii fonts have something special to offer. The key to using kawaii fonts successfully lies in understanding their cultural context, respecting their origins, and applying them thoughtfully to create designs that truly embody the spirit of kawaii – making the world a little brighter, a little softer, and a lot more adorable. So go ahead, embrace your cute side, and let these kawaii fonts add some much-needed sweetness to your next design project. After all, in a world that could always use more kindness, what could be more perfect than typography that makes people smile? Final Tip: Remember that the best kawaii font is one that feels authentic to both the aesthetic and your project’s needs. Choose with your heart, but design with your head, and you’ll create something truly magical. Zoe Santoro Zoe is an art student and graphic designer with a passion for creativity and adventure. Whether she’s sketching in a cozy café or capturing inspiration from vibrant cityscapes, she finds beauty in every corner of the world. With a love for bold colors, clean design, and storytelling through visuals, Zoe blends her artistic skills with her wanderlust to create stunning, travel-inspired designs. Follow her journey as she explores new places, discovers fresh inspiration, and shares her creative process along the way. 10 Warm Color Palettes That’ll Brighten Your DayThere’s nothing quite like the embracing quality of warm colors to make a design feel inviting and alive. As someone...How to Upscale Photos Without Blurriness or PixelationMaking a small picture larger without it turning blurry or blocky is called ‘image upscaling’. Suppose you make a small...The Influence of Font Size and Weight on Cognitive LoadAs designers, we obsess over kerning, color palettes and grids, but how often do we stop to consider how our...

When it comes to bedding that’s soft and supple, the best silk sheets are hard to beat. Unlike other materials like a textured linen or crisp percale, these have a glossy look and feel that you won’t quite find in another set. What’s more, they are just as versatile as they are stylish. Silk of the highest quality is characterized as a hypoallergenic, naturally breathable fabric, which is great for hot sleepers and sleepers with sensitive skin. Plus, many sets come in neutral and bright colorways to play off of your bedroom’s design.To get a real feel for the best sets out there, our editors got to work by sleeping in on our favorite sets on the market. And since top-tier silk sheets tend to be pricey, we’ve also sprinkled in some affordable alternative options like satin and bamboo. They might trick you into thinking they’re the real thing. Here, find all of our favorites to enhance your sleep experience and self-care routine.Our Top Picks for the Best Silk Sheets:Best Overall Silk Sheets: Quince Mulberry Silk Sheet Set, $500Best Splurge: Clementine Sleepwear Atelier Medica Organic Silk Fitted Base Sheet, $899A Sustainable Set: Lunya Quintessential Bedding Set, $428Best Silk Alternative: Ettitude CleanBamboo Sheet Set, $379 $265Most Affordable: Bedsure Satin Sheets, $41For Hot Sleepers: Luxome Luxury Sheet Set, $185Browse by CategoryFor consistency, all prices reflect queen sizes in this story.The Best Silk Sheets, OverallQuince Mulberry Silk Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: Affordable, machine washable, made of 100% mulberry silkDownsides: Only available in a few neutral colorsSpecsMaterial: 100% mulberry silkSizes: Queen, kingColors: 3Includes: Fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcasesCare instructions: Machine washable, air-dry recommendedQuince is already one of our favorite destinations for luxury-on-a-budget sleep essentials. While you’ll find an affordable price point here too, the quality of these 100% mulberry silk sheets isn’t something to skip over. Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker keeps these high-quality sheets in rotation since they’re both durable and easy to care for. They are machine washable—she just keeps them with like colors for safe measure, though. From there, an air-dry gets the sheets back to their best condition. Even if you don't notice an immediate change from tumble drying, the brand says this practice can weaken the silk. As someone whose skin has gotten more sensitive over time, she appreciates the hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating material that feels soothing to sink into each night.These sheets have a 22 momme count. We dive into this more in our FAQ section, but this count essentially indicates a durable weave, and Baker says they've held up well without tears or color fading in sight.Best SplurgeClementine Atelier Medica Silk Fitted SheetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: No off-gassing, tester says the deep hue pairs well with neutral bedding, infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acidDownsides: PriceySpecsMaterial: 100% GOTS certified organic silk beddingSizes: Twin, full, queen, kingColors: 2Includes: Fitted sheetCare instructions: Machine wash on the most delicate setting in a “silk-only” load with mild detergent. Or, hand wash with a mild detergent and gently massage the fabric for one minute to remove dirt and let it soak for the next four minutes. Rinse in fresh cold water. Do not use bleach or a fabric softener. Hang in a shady spot away from the sun to air-dry.Calling them “extremely soft and rich-feeling,” commerce writer Julia Harrison coats her bed with this silk set and adds that they’re the “kind of splurge that just feels like self-care every time you slip into it.” While they’re steeper in price, the brand notes that these sheets boast infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid designed to leave skin feeling dewy and soothed. Harrison says she sleeps easily with these sheets and felt like they were ready for use out of the box with little to no off-gassing (though she did still give them a wash).All that aside, these sheets can instantly dress up a moody or minimalist bedroom at any given moment with the pearl white and navy blue hues. Although Harrison has a bohemian-meets-Danish design style in her space, she found the navy blue color to be surprisingly subtle. “It wasn’t screaming: silk sheets, or even worse: navy blue sheets,” she says. “I tucked it under my white duvet and it gave a really interesting contrast.”A Sustainable SetPhoto: Nashia BakerPhoto: Nashia BakerLunya Quintessential Bedding SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: Made of natural wood tencel fibers, soft, durable materialDownsides: Duvet and sheet set are sold separatelySpecsMaterial: 100% tencelSizes: Queen, king, California kingColors: WhiteIncludes: Fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcasesCare instructions: Machine wash cold and tumble dry low.Take it from Baker: Lunya’s silky sheets are a dream. At first glance, she mistook these as mulberry silk because of their glossy look. In actuality, these sheets are made of a natural fiber called tencel, which is a wood-based material. The brand notes that the bedding is biodegradable and created using an earth-friendly, closed-loop process that uses recycled materials. These are naturally breathable while also boasting a softness that she hasn’t quite felt in a standard silk set. “I wouldn’t consider myself a hot sleeper, but since NYC weather is constantly up and down, I like something that’s both airy and soft,” she says. “I sleep under the top sheet and duvet with no problem; the set keeps me comfortable during in-between spring weather that hits around the 50s and 60s.”While the duvet is sold separately, it's a plus to pair with the sheet set since it's just as durable. “I’ve had the same textured comforter with yellow embroidery for years now, and I feared that the design would show through the duvet cover since the only color Lunya has as of now is white,” Baker says. “I was pleasantly surprised to see that the duvet covered it all without any color peeking through.”Best Silk AlternativeEttitude CleanBamboo Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: 8 colors available, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, hypoallergenicDownsides: Some colors sell out quicklySpecsMaterial: 100% CleanBamboo LyocellSizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingColors: 8Includes: 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 2 pillowcase(s). Full and queen sizes include 2 standard pillowcases; King and California king include 2 king-size pillowcases, twin and twin XL include 1 standard pillowcase.Care instructions: Wash on cold with mild detergent and like fabrics in a gentle or delicate setting. Line dry or tumble dry low. Don't use bleach or fabric softener."These sheets are buttery—pun intended,” says Baker, who has this set in the butter colorway. These are made from a patented CleanBamboo fabric that leaves the sheets with a silky sateen finish. She says they have gotten noticeably softer over time with a routine wash and dry. Plus, they are a bit thinner in a good way than other bamboo-like sets, as Baker says it leaves them with an airier feel. If trendy pastel yellow isn’t your preference, these sheets also come in several neutral and vibrant hues like sage and saffron.Most AffordableBedsure Satin SheetsUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: Affordable alternative, smooth feel, easy care (machine washable and tumble dry)Downsides: Some color might bleed on pillows after the first couple of usesSpecsMaterial: 100% polyester satinSizes: Twin, full, queen, king, California kingColors: 22Includes: Fitted sheet, flat sheet, and 2 pillowcasesCare instructions: Machine washable in cold water. Tumble dry on low.Another alternative to add to cart, these satin sheets have a smooth texture and come in nearly two dozen colors to match your bedroom. And coming in at just $41, they have more of an approachable price tag while still boasting the overall look of silk. The sheets are more slippery than a standard silk set, but the appearance itself doesn't give that away. Baker has these in burgundy and says the rich hue really shows through in person. She did notice some color bleeding on her pillows after the first couple of uses, so something to be mindful of if you opt for a deep color.For Hot SleepersPhoto: Nashia BakerLuxome Luxury Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides: Unique colors available, deep pockets, breathableDownsides: The brand recommends washing alone on the delicate cycleSpecsMaterial: 100% Viscose from BambooSizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split kingColors: 12Includes: 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 2 pillowcase(s). Full, queen, king, California king, and split king sizes include 2 pillowcases; twin and twin XL include 1 standard pillowcase.Care instructions: Machine wash in cold water on a delicate cycle with a mild, liquid detergent. Don't use bleach, fabric softener, stain removers, or scent boosters. Tumble dry with low heat.These are our favorite cooling sheets for those seeking a glam aesthetic. Baker says this bamboo set is great for people like her who crave something cool-to-the-touch without sacrificing style. “These sheets have the same appearance to me as a high-end set of silk or satin without the cost,” she says, adding that they have dramatic drape. “These are even more unique because of the jewel tones, like sapphire, that are hard to find with other brands,” she says. Baker keeps her bedscape full with a mattress topper and protector, and she says these deep-pocket sheets fit easily over it all. While she says she’s generally a cold sleeper, the bamboo material is perfectly breathable for hot NYC days.How We TestedFrom bamboo to linen sheets, our testing process for sheets is one in the same at AD: Just like fellow shoppers, our editors bring sets in their homes to see if they really hold up for routine use. We had these silk and silk alternative sheets in our homes for about a month, if not more, to go through the process of washing and sleeping on them. Here areMaterial: There are several silk and silk alternative fabrics to choose from, but our list consists of pure mulberry silk, bamboo varieties, and satin that all have a similar look and feel. When shopping for pure silk, be sure look for bedding labels that note 100% mulberry silk, also known as natural silk. If you're looking for options that mirror the look of silk, 100% viscose from bamboo is typically durable and has less strict care instructions, especially tumble drying. Satin tends to be slightly more slippery in texture, but these usually still offer a silky look.Care: For streamlined care, we tested a variety of options that span hand washing to machine washing, as well as tumble drying and air-drying. Since pure silk can sometimes weaken from abrasive wash and dry cycles, it's typically recommended to hand wash and air-dry.FAQsAre Silk Sheets Really Worth It?While 100% mulberry sheets tend to be an investment price-wise, we think it's worthwhile. These can act as cooling sheets, as the material is naturally breathable for a good night's rest. And because of their smooth nature, they can leave a polished aesthetic in any bedroom. With the right care—typically machine washing on a delicate cycle or hand washing and air drying—the best silk sheets can last for years.What’s a Momme Count?A momme count is the measurement that reflects the weight of silk. Typically, the higher the momme count, the denser the fabric. Any momme count above 20 momme, like our Quince pick, is pretty standard and ensures the material is sturdy and designed to last.

WANTED, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair’s (ICFF) show-within-a-show, has grown almost exponentially since its first iteration as WantedDesign circa 2011, evolving so much so that the platform – with its iconic yellow walls nestled into the Javits Center – has become one of America’s go-to platforms to find emerging talent, tap into an intimate creative network, and discover trends ahead of the commercial industry. The 2025 showcase provided a wealth of inspiring design, we had to share a roundup all its own… Mockinbird Studio Epic in proportion, masterfully constructed, and officially record-making. The Farsala-based Mockinbird Studio showcased their most ambitious project to date: a monumental space divider. It is the largest – and arguably most beguiling – piece of contemporary marquetry artwork in existence, entirely designed and handcrafted in their Greece studio using traditional techniques. The object blends functionality with a narrative-driven, highly-aesthetic composition for the perfect piece of collectible design. Cuff Studio Cuff Studio presented their first solo exhibition, entitled “Within,” and unveiled select pieces from their Spring 2025 furniture collection of the same name. The C Back Lounge Chair – a trade exclusive – distills some of their favorite design gestures into an elegant, barely-their structural frame then paired with a sculptural waterfall seat and back cushion. Of note are the protruding curves that seemingly reach out for a handshake and the textural, pink upholstery seen here, which echoes triangular forms used across their broader portfolio. Mary Ratcliffe Studio + Anony Presenting together for their fourth ICFF, Mary Ratcliffe Studio (MRS) and Anony collaborated on a booth filled with sleek and sculptural, architecturally-inspired design objects. Their work is elementally complementary, which lent themselves to a more honest, fulsome showcase. MRS’s monumental furniture pieces are inspired by the physicality of material play, while Anony’s lighting takes inspiration from architectural gestures. Ready To Hang Mirrored surfaces are hard to resist, especially when their design makes you feel seen – figuratively speaking. Ready To Hang’s fashionable, ready-to-wear-inspired furnishings feel like fun accessories and an extension of personal style as they approach home decor through concepts found in styling for apparel. This year marked their ICFF debut with a highly curated showcase mixing classic pieces with a few concepts yet to come. UWU Studios Typically driven by a human-centered design ethos, multidisciplinary UWU Studios has expanded their scope to include the feline experience. Their UNU Cat Dreams product is equal parts pet play and collectible design, sure to please all parties. Even aesthetes without a furry friend can still appreciate its composition, blending surfaces, textures, colors, and forms for quite unique sculptural compositions. It’s an exemplary approach that elevates everyday objects to the venerable. Estudio PM Racking up multiple awards during the show – and rightfully so – Estudio PM demonstrated how fabric waste and unwanted textiles can be recontextualized within the realms of art and home furnishings. The duo behind the initiative created totems and garment-inspired side tables with the careful layering of reclaimed cloth. Noiro Studio Hand-blown glass lamps stood on various podiums in a curious display of artisanal lighting comprising colorful bases dotted with glass and stone orbs. Each globe’s curvature represented the fabric of spacetime, with precious objects are suspended within the glass shades – a steady reminder of our weight, and also insignificance, of our existence in the world. Noiro Studio plays with themes of heft and weightlessness, continuing to keep things relative. Ridezign Ridezign offers an ode to New York City. The Tesser Collection resembles skyscrapers in miniature blocks constructing cantilevered forms in multiple configurations and colors. These lamps leverage additive manufacturing making every piece made-to-order, reducing overstock, and ultimately eliminating the need for storage. The warm diffusion of the subsequent layers of material create lovely channels of light, adding to the spectacle of the city. Koba Furniture Koba Furniture is proud to create all elements for Series 02 within their Baltimore studio – except for the drawer pulls, shares designer Sam Acuff – a testament to the respect for craft that is clearly shown here. Jauntily stocky feet meet tiny tube legs, with a nicely balanced drawer set on top. Extra points for the elevated milk crate; it adds such a nice feel to the booth. 9 & 19 9 & 19 is back this year with organic shapes and cheeky details. Who doesn’t love an easter egg in design? From inlaid squiggles to handmade tiling, this collection offers a unique blend of customization and utility while remaining approachable and fun. Hannah Via Hannah Via brings some highly welcome fiber arts representation to WANTED, her tufted lamps bringing a sense of whimsy and possibility to the show. Sporting pops of scarlet, cobalt, and bronze, a light peach background acts as a pendant for a singular Edison bulb, which cases a cozy glow in an elegant connection to the warmth of the yarn it rests upon. Sawyer Made Lovingly crafted in Woodbury, Vermont, Sawyer Made is a second-generation family of woodworkers honoring the classic stance and build of a Windsor chair, but with a few modern updates. As the arm meets the back, the angle rotates 90 degrees offering a beautiful detail absent from most traditional Windsors. Like ballet, a combination of experienced craft and innate knowledge makes the hardest work look easy. Ora House Cobalt is back in a big way with Ora House, as evidenced by their removable upholstery panels that can be switched out to reflect any style or change in local decor. Playful, soft, and sturdy, the ottoman, bench, and hutch offer a fun way to sit, stay, and store. Daniel Gruetter Daniel Gruetter is a woodworker based in Toronto, Canada. Showing an elegant credenza created entirely out of the discarded offcuts from his practice, he upends what is considered valuable on a platform that inherently places value on everything. Employing wooden hinges takes the project to another level, letting a singular material do the talking through expert craftsmanship. Reces NYC With a nod to the cobalt we spotted around the show, Reces NYC wraps up our top picks for WANTED this year with a gestural upholstered piece. Elements extend in a satisfyingly solid manner to create an interesting and distinctly luxurious look users could get lost in. Check out out the rest of Design Milk’s NYCxDESIGN coverage here!