THE SUNKEN LIVING ROOM fad that surged in the 1970s wasn’t evicted after all: The “conversation pit” has simply scuttled outside and gathered round the fire, inviting guests to nestle. Patricia Benner ...

An irori, or sunken hearth, was typically a square, stone-lined pit in the floor of the main living space in a Japanese home. Historically, irori served both as the main source of residential heating ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Are retro spaces like the conversation pit having a moment? (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Photographs in the Carol M.

Sunken living spaces or 'conversation pits' were a popular feature in mid-century homes. The trend slowly disappeared, in part due to the pits' safety concerns. However, in recent years, there's been ...

Sunken living rooms, conversation pits, recessed spaces—whatever you call them, these cozy, Hippie-era lounges are back in all their groovy glory. Though today’s iterations provide a sleek, ...

Midcentury modern style has surged in popularity (yes, again) over the last few years, with features like open floor plans, clean lines, wooden accents, and chrome hardware all finding a way back into ...

View post: Is Your Kitchen Knife Actually Dull, or Just Rolled? An Executive Chef Explains How to Tell the Difference There’s something enticing about gathering around a backyard fire pit at dusk with ...

Lauren is a writer and architectural designer living and working in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to being a writer at Forbes, she works as a freelance architectural designer specializing in residential ...

Installing a fire pit is an easy way to make your outdoor space more convivial and inviting. From budget-friendly DIY projects to portable and luxury options, upgrade your patio, deck, courtyard, ...