Discover the World of Decorative and Applied Arts

Are you a general reader, collector, curator, or scholar with a passion for the rich history and intricate details of decorative and applied arts? Explore our extensive archive with over 1,700 meticulously researched entries covering the past 300 years. From furniture and textiles to ceramics and industrial design, find accurate and detailed information on individuals, businesses, and materials that have shaped this vibrant field.

Engage with the past, enrich your knowledge, and immerse yourself in the artistry of design.

Decorative & Applied Arts

Ruined stone Arnside Tower, a medieval pele tower, standing in open green fields near Arnside, Cumbria, under a clear blue sky.

Pele Towers: Fortified Homes of the Anglo-Scottish Borders

Open-plan kitchen and dining space featuring Karndean Korlok Pale Loire Oak (RKP8245) luxury vinyl flooring with dark cabinetry and timber furniture.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring by Karndean: A Design-Led Guide for Contemporary Homes

Lotus “The Perfectionist” stainless steel air fry and convection oven surrounded by lush green jungle foliage.

Lotus Cooking: Thoughtfully Cultivated Culinary Ambition

Minotti modular curved sofa in a soft neutral tone, styled with sculptural coffee tables and shag rug in a Parisian-inspired living room.

Minotti’s Design Philosophy: An Architecture of Atmosphere

Minimalist kitchen interior by Henrybuilt featuring integrated cabinetry, natural wood finishes, and leather-woven dining chairs.

Henrybuilt and the Quiet Power of Integrated Design

Three CAD designers collaborating on a 3D modeling project using engineering software in a modern office setting.

💻 CAD Crowd: Where Innovation Meets Freelance Engineering Talent

18th-century brooch made from Pinchbeck alloy, resembling gold with intricate floral detail

Pinchbeck: The Imitation Gold That Shaped 18th-Century Decorative Arts

Digital illustration of a blue hippocamp, a mythological sea creature with the body of a horse and the tail of a fish, swimming underwater beneath classical architecture

Hippocamp: Mythical Marine Creature in Art and Architecture

Blue cast iron Lindy toy airplane with silver propeller, manufactured by Hubley in the 1920s

Lindy Airplane (Toy)

Discover the Wonders of Architectural Design

Architecture

Open-plan kitchen and dining space featuring Karndean Korlok Pale Loire Oak (RKP8245) luxury vinyl flooring with dark cabinetry and timber furniture.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring by Karndean: A Design-Led Guide for Contemporary Homes

Mid-century modern home with low-pitched roof and brick-redwood exterior, featuring a double carport and minimalistic front landscaping

This House Takes Care of You in 1956

Design Disciplines

Discover the marriage of form and function in industrial design.

Industrial Design

Hand-drawn mockup illustration of a Rick GATH surf helmet in profile view, showcasing its distinctive curved shell, minimal padding, and iconic 1980s GATH branding.

Ric Gath: The Reluctant Revolutionary of Surf Safety

Portrait of Ross Littell, a celebrated mid-century modern designer known for his contributions to textile and furniture design.

Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) American Textile and Furniture Designer

Dive into the world of furniture design with insights into chairs, lamps, sofas, stools, and tables.

Furniture Design

Red leather Robert Heritage QE2 chair with cantilevered chrome legs and mid-century modern silhouette, designed for the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 liner.

Robert Heritage: Pioneer of Mid-Century British Design

Portrait of Ross Littell, a celebrated mid-century modern designer known for his contributions to textile and furniture design.

Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) American Textile and Furniture Designer

Graphic Design

Illustration by Luba Lukova depicting hands warming over a pencil-turned-flame, symbolizing the power of art and expression.

Luba Lukova: The Power of Visual Metaphor in Design

A vibrant, abstract magazine cover for Men’s Reporter, designed by Alvin Lustig, featuring playful, surrealistic cartoon-like faces with a mix of primary colors—red, yellow, blue, and black.

Alvin Lustig: The Multifaceted Designer of Modernism

Swiss Graphic Design and its Impact on Decorative and Applied Arts

Explore the versatility and beauty of ceramic artistry.

Ceramic Art and Design

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan) in Tokyo, a traditional-style building dedicated to preserving and showcasing Japanese folk art and craftsmanship.

Soetsu Yanagi and the Revival of Japanese Folk Art

Glass Design

Elegant Luigi Bormioli Sublime Carafe with a cork stopper, accompanied by minimalist glassware, filled with water and fresh lime slices on a modern kitchen countertop.

Bormioli Luigi: The Evolution of Italian Glassware Excellence

Interior Design

Open-plan kitchen and dining space featuring Karndean Korlok Pale Loire Oak (RKP8245) luxury vinyl flooring with dark cabinetry and timber furniture.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring by Karndean: A Design-Led Guide for Contemporary Homes

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