These Questionable Home Trends Used to Represent Wealth and Luxury

It was the stuff of chess pieces, billiard balls, piano keys, and sculptures—smooth, creamy ivory was enthroned in the most fashionable households. But since 1990 international trade in ivory has been outlawed, and recent efforts to stem illegal trade have led to a near-total ban on sales in the United States. As well, public awareness of the ravages of elephant poaching has dampened enthusiasm for this luxe material. If you simply must have a touch of ivory in your home, you'll find plenty of faux ivory jewelry, carvings, and other accessories.

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Their distinctive orange-and-black fur helped spur such high demand for tiger pelts that by 2010 tiger populations had dipped to about 3,200 worldwide. Now, all tiger parts or products fall under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and will be confiscated.

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Remember when designer logos adorned everything from T-shirts to handbags? Well, what becomes passé in fashion also tends to lose popularity in home design. Data from consumer research firm Mintel shows that 56 percent of Americans won’t buy from companies they consider unethical, and prefer buying goods from smaller, local businesses.

In 1953, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower redecorated the White House, bathing the living quarters—bathroom included—in her favorite shade of pink. Her style went viral, and by the next year, millions of American homes had pink bathrooms. Is this a trend to avoid or revisit? Your call.

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Don’t panic if you happen to own a granite countertop. This mottled stone surface is as beautiful and functional as ever, but there was a time not long ago when granite was the "it" material for countertops, and the only one that signaled luxury. Now there are other options with the same cachet—for instance, monochrome, minimal surfaces like composite stone.

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Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!