Jennifer Bindman

Rooted in tradition, legends and community, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and celebrates the promise of the months ahead. This is the year of the rabbit, the 4th of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Keep reading to learn more about the history of the holiday, and then browse 23 striking pieces featuring the animal of the moment.

Venice is no stranger to historic buildings transformed into contemporary hotels. But the latest realization of this concept in the canal-crossed city boasts an aesthetic pedigree of a caliber rarely seen there. When Ca’ di Dio made its dramatic 2021 debut in an atmosphericpalazzo dating to the 13th century, it revealed new interiors by Spanish-born, Milan-based architect Patricia Urquiola.

A secretary desk is a practical piece of furniture with a secret. Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top. At first glance, this tall, bureau-esque specimen looks like any other cabinet. But cleverly built into the design is a hinged panel that folds open or drops down to become a sturdy writing surface. When the leaf is folded out, a delightful collection of inner storage compartments is revealed.