45 RPM

Aaand we’re back. Well, sort of. You’ve probably noticed the large gap in time between this newsletter and the previous one. Initially, I had some life things that needed attention but then decided to enjoy a short digital detox as I always do from time to time. That abruptly came to an end when I learned that Russia had invaded Ukraine. It made me question why I even write this newsletter. The main reason I started it was to distract myself from the lousy state the world was in at the time and maybe make others feel better about things. I find that harder to do right now when so many innocent people are being killed or having to flee their homes. It bothers me. I don’t fully feel comfortable sharing links of beautiful interiors and architecture at the moment. I hope you stick around for when things go back to normal, but this is the best I can do for now.

---

The Tabletochki Charity Foundation is working to transport children with cancer in Ukraine, who are at risk of losing their treatments, to medical facilities elsewhere

It’s Nice That has compiled a great list of resources to help support the people of Ukraine

And here’s another list of humanitarian efforts among the design and interiors community

Through online platforms, thousands have opened their homes to Ukraine’s refugees

People around the world are booking Airbnb properties in Ukraine to help fleeing hosts

Airbnb to offer free housing for Ukrainian refugees

Fearful for Ukraine’s cultural heritage

How the Hermitage Museum artwashes Russian aggression

Directors of Russia’s top art museums and fairs are resigning en masse

The art world is responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by hiding famous works underground and wrapping museums in barbed wire

Ukrainian artists are building anti-tank obstacles

Russian-owned Phillips to donate the entire net proceeds from latest sale—$7.7M—to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society

UNESCO issues statement over the fate of Ukrainian landmarks

Global appeals to protect Ukraine’s architectural and cultural heritage

Ukraine’s architectural treasures face destruction

Ukrainian architecture is under threat

At least 30 listed Ukrainian heritage sites have been destroyed or seriously damaged

Should Kyiv erase its Soviet past or learn to live with history?

Ukraine’s Soviet architecture

A short film on Soviet modernism, brutalism, and post-modernism in Ukraine

How architecture has reacted to the war in Ukraine

An insider’s guide to the Ukrainian closed city of Dnipro

A small wooden church outside Kyiv hides the treasures of a cosmonautics museum

Kyiv's colorful city-within-a-city

A once bland Ukrainian apartment now bursts with colorful energy

A minimalist Kyiv apartment is designed as a calming oasis

An apartment of poetic modernism in Kyiv

Dark colors and natural textures create a cozy Kyiv apartment

---

That's all for this week. I can't help thinking how many places mentioned above might be destroyed by the time you read this. It’s a strange thing to have to think about.

As always, I’m grateful you’re a reader of B&C, and I look forward to the day we can return to the good old happy newsletter. Until then, take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Thomas