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I was once taught in an architectural history class that the reason that more elliptical buildings like Saarinen’s TWA Terminal (also known as “The Most Beautiful Building in the World” to some of us) weren’t built was because no one knew why they kept falling down. Uh, good call.

So, even with architects and engineers doing the math, we can’t always count on our structures to be so structural. And your contractor?  May not be so good with stuctural either. So the next time you’re building something, stop worrying about the details and focus on the most important part: will it stand?

Falling for You

Looks like this 13-story building in Shanghai, China, needed a slightly more solid foundation, or maybe just a weeble wobble base. Though you have to give them credit—there was barely any damage to the building itself despite it completely falling over. If only they’d spent that much effort on keeping it up, it would probably have been very sturdy.

Investigators attributed the tipping over to workers digging out an underground garage on one side of the building while piling up dirt on the other, with an investigator saying, “Any construction company with common sense would not make such a mistake.”  Common sense—add it to you checklist for contractor requirements.

Touching the Sky

Ah, the architectural equivalent to tying a mattress to your car’s roof and having it take off. This 35-year-old building in Surat, India, collapsed after high winds pounded the giant signs tethered atop it.  It probably would have been fine had the signs not been attached to the foundation columns, which led to the whole thing collapsing.  Oops.  Advertising really is taking over everything.

Weathering the Storm

Another victim of weather, this building collapsed “likely under the weight of heavy rain.”  That must have been some pretty heavy rain. I thought buildings were intended to keep the rain out, but I guess that’s only the really nice ones.  Keep that in mind for all your future building purchases: ask if it’s been designed for rain or just sun.

Okay, my love of black paint is well-known.  I even took note of  “Teakettle Black” paint when Woodrow made fun of it.  And yes, this was not hard to predict: I was a moody teenager who wore a lot of black, and I smile to this day when I hear the Smiths playing (though I suppose I should frown and look gloomy instead).

1. In the Dining Room

So when I came across sfgirlbybay’s new paint job, I was totally enthralled.  Black! Inside!  Bright white trim!  Not a bit gloomy, but with a little edge, her new dining room and sun room are both painted in black chalkboard paint, giving it a matte black look that makes a great backdrop for plants, art, and more.  Not to mention with the mouldings, silver accessories, and scientific glassware, it has just enough of a gothic edge to make it dangerous.

2. In the Kitchen

Looks like black is also making headway in the kitchen too, at least according to HGTV. I even had it going a few apartments ago—clean  lower cabinets, glossy black floors, stainless countertop—I’d trade my current maple and granite back for it any day.

HGTV points out that there are many ways you can add black, from using it as a big background color to using a small bit as accent color.  And since available blacks include solid paints, black stains, and rub-through finishes, you can get looks ranging from contemporary to shabby chic—not just uber-modern and depressed goth teen—though it works for that look, too.

3. In the Bedroom

Dark colors also work well in the bedroom—after all you’re in there in the dark most of the time anyway. Dark colors enclose you in the space, making it feel rich and even cozy.  Apartment Therapy rounded up five gorgeous black bedrooms that will make you want to leave the lights on.

Some bedrooms of their featured black bedrooms use a splash of boldly contrasting color like gold, while others keep it simple and monotonal, and still others go over the top with the gothic, proving there are a million ways black can work in the bedroom (not even including what you’re wearing).