Amy Azzarito

This captivating collection reveals the fascinating stories behind more than 60 everyday household objects and furnishings. Readers will discover tales from the kitchen, the bedroom, and every room in between, including: how napkins got their start as lumps of dough in ancient Greece, why forks were seen as immoral and unhygienic tools of the devil, and how Plato devised one...

From the Palladian columns of our government buildings to Victorian-style taxidermy and terrariums, highlights from past decorative eras frequently resurface in our modern lives. In Past & Present, Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito presents 24 pairs of essays and craft projects that explore the connection between decorative arts history and present-day design trends. From a Wedgwood-inspired headboard made using moulding...