It was 4 A.D. when the fall of the mighty Roman Empire occured. Western Europe plummeted into what is commonly referred to as the Dark Ages. The period’s lack of a strong centralized ruler fueled unending wars and fighting, among lords caught in the trappings of luxury while pillaging the commoners. These conditions spread fear to the lands. Fear gave rise to distrust and superstition. Today, America’s future looks similar in many ways to those past Medieval Times. But now we have the benefit of nostalgic, rose-colored glasses to view those times. What were dark, dimly lit, dungeons to us now look more like dramatically illuminated spaces. Castles, once fortresses of death, are now inspiration for interiors. Furniture and art are taking their cue from this dominate cultural trend.