I’m not sure when it happened, exactly. I just stopped feeling the joy. I mean, it’s been nearly seven years writing this blog — I guess you’d have to figure this day would come eventually. How much joy can there really be in the world? It was bound to run out at some point.

It took me by surprise at first, to discover I had such an interest in dark, sad things. I just can’t believe I never realized how intriguing a color grey is until now. The other day I stared at a pile of old rags in an alley for nearly an hour. Their forlorn beauty was just mesmerizing to me. And yesterday I found myself reading the story of the world’s loneliest whale, just to see if it could make me cry again. (It did.)

I can’t ignore this passion anymore. I can’t wait to share with you all of the wonderfully derelict and depressing things I’ve discovered. Like these beautiful photographs by Fabien Fourcard from his series Hors Saison / Off Season, which showcase abandoned vacation destinations. It’s like you can see the joy that was there, and see how it’s just drained away: the bleached melon hues, the empty awnings, the lovely texture of a bare parking lot. A team of designers is hard at work right now revamping the design of the site, but in the meantime, here are few posts you can look forward to in the future:

• Bunker Chic: Tips to make any home feel like it’s underground
• Dress to Depress: A new series on sad sacks and unflattering forms
• 50 Shades of Grey: Desaturated color palettes for dark moods
• In the Trenches: A travel guide to the deepest, darkest places on Earth
• Paint it Black: A vibrant town gets a solemn makeover

I know it’s a bit of a change, but I hope you’ll stick with me through it. Once you see what I have to share with you, I think you’re going to be delighted by how wonderfully melancholic it all is.

Have a great weekend, friends, and oh yeah: HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY! See you back here on Monday with joy, of course 🙂

Images: Fabien Fourcard (and what’s not an April Fool’s joke is that I do think these are beautiful!)

PS: Particular apologies to email subscribers, who I realize will be getting this on April 2nd. Hope I didn’t throw you for too much of a loop, thanks for humoring me, dear friends!