Working on the LA Times clue “Design trend that showcases literary treasures”? Below you’ll find solver-friendly hints, a spoiler-safe reveal, and a quick explainer of the design aesthetic the clue references. For daily help and archives, visit Clue of the Day.
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Why “BOOKSHELFWEALTH” Fits This Clue
“Bookshelf wealth” is an interiors trend that celebrates shelves filled with books and meaningful objects—telegraphing taste, curiosity, and a life well-read. Editors clue it as a “design trend that showcases literary treasures” because the look literally puts special volumes on display. In crossword convention, the two-word phrase is entered without a space as BOOKSHELFWEALTH.
If alternatives like dark academia or cottagecore crossed your mind, note that those are broader aesthetics; this clue pinpoints the bookshelf-centric display idea. Crossings usually confirm the distinctive BOOKSHELF opening and the -WEALTH ending.
Solving tip: when a clue references a trend and the surface mentions books or “literary treasures,” test modern design terms you’ve seen in lifestyle coverage—then convert multi-word phrases to a single string for the grid.
Strategy: Read the Lifestyle Register
Non-technical lifestyle phrases often enter mainstream crosswords once they hit the zeitgeist. Watch for clues that echo home-decor headlines or social media hashtags; they’re strong candidates for long, memorable entries like BOOKSHELFWEALTH.
