The legend behind the headphones' creation is that founder Amar Bose was dissatisfied with the airline-issue headphones provided on a flight he took in 1978. However apocryphal, he is said to have written down calculations before landing, and those plans led to the first noise-canceling headphones that came out years later.

Featuring white-on-white geometric patterns with gilded flourishes, this four-piece dinner set from artist and designer Alyson Fox brings playful style to your homemade meal. Make some noise with this dish set!

It’s been over 20 years since Bose invented noise-cancelling headphones, and in that time they’ve updated their lineup’s aesthetics and hardware, including adding an in-ear model. Despite imitation by dozens of other manufacturers, usually for cheaper, Bose’s headphones remain the best at blocking out white noise like airplane engines or air conditioners, so you can enjoy music or a movie.

The only downside to the Bose lineup is that in a realm of extraordinary machines, the Bose’s sound isn’t as magnificent as that produced by other models like the PSB M4U 2, or the wireless Parrot Zik. Cheaper models like those from Audio-Technica can be over $100 cheaper than the Bose, but none of them come close to the original brand’s ability to filter out unwanted noise.

The once noise-flooded neighborhood is now protected by the buffer of the Bairds’ home.

The team dropped the ceiling slightly and added soundproofing to protect the rooms above from noise and added a fireplace with an olive tile surround—"because it's the Catskills,

Five tiny glass cabins on Sweden’s Henriksholm Island allow travelers to unplug from the noise of their technology-driven lifestyles. The “72 Hour Cabins” are Norwegian spruce structures that offer peace and quiet with minimally furnished yet cozy interiors.

Apart from being visually stunning, the reflecting pool just outside of the living room also acts a sound barrier—the gurgling water cancels out traffic noise.

The design boasts a comfortable polyurethane back that makes minimal noise should the chair fall over.

Telecommuting can take both a physical and mental toll—especially when you’re suddenly working in tight quarters with partners, roommates, children, or other family members. Tip: Invest in high-quality, noise-cancelling headphones, and keep shared live/work spaces clutter-free.

Far from the noise of Tokyo, it's easy to see how these houses serve as meditation and relaxation places.

Sliding door separating the rooms. The heart of the living room. The japanese inspired sliding doors acts fully flexible as room divider. When having guest it can be fully closed and for full privacy a curtain is available. Kitchen can also be closed and noise cancelling when cooking, or fully closed during messy days.

The house is oriented to maximize views of the ocean and Edgartown to the west, and Nantucket and Cape Pogue Bay to the east. Natural sea grasses sourced from the surrounding area cover the roof of the building, providing thermal insulation while also dampening the noise of rain, improving air quality, and helping to manage rainwater flow.

The wall-wrapped courtyard provides private outdoor space and blocks noise from the facing street.

Whether you’re battling noise or are short on space, these guides can turn your office into a distraction-free zone.

Mathieu Lehanneur’s 2006 “diffuseur de bruit blanc,” or white noise diffuser, works autonomously and moves according to the noise level. Part of the Elements series, the “dB” changes the relationship between the home environment and the user. © V. Huygue

This bedroom has a king bed, blackout shades and a white noise machine for the lightest of sleepers to relax.

Dumas kept a relatively simple palette when it came to the interior. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in the kitchen acts as an effective noise barrier.

The home features a long, slender volume that shields the rest of the residence from the noise and movement on the adjacent street.

The interior walls, which are clad with sound-dampening material combine with the ceiling linings to block out noise from the street, resulting in interior with a calm and quiet atmosphere.

The geometric wall on one side acts as a screen to protect the structure from winds and noise. It also provides privacy for the living areas oriented towards the back of the house.

Hsu developed a natural material palette for the project that's composed of steel, wood, plants, and ceramics. “We didn't want too much visual noise,” he says.

The extensive landscaping continues around the entire property, providing privacy among the city's busy streets while also drowning out ambient noise.

The water wall was one of the family’s main requests. Not only does it provide the girls— Serafina, Carolina, and Madeleine—a place to play, it also blocks street noise.

"While it looks imposing from afar," say the owners, "once inside, it’s tranquil and spiritual, a complete separation from the noise and bustle of 21st-century L.A."

Architects Simone Carneiro and Alexandre Skaff transformed a cramped São Paulo apartment into a mid-city refuge for Simone Santos. On the terrace, plants, vines, and pergolas form a barrier against the city’s notorious noise and pollution.

The Loft features private offices for Drew and Tarah, allowing them to effectively "work from home" separately to their main residence. Drew's office features an extensive computer and camera setup, while Tarah's office is a simple place to sit and work away from the noise of normal life.

The home opens up to expansive seaside views to the west, while its street-facing, eastern facade is obscured by trees. The firm notes that the architects "conservatively [punched] openings to protect the residence from the noise and visual clutter of the abutting busy Highway 1."

“Opening the house to the southwest also gave the best chance of hearing the ocean noises in the house at night,” says Sabbeth. A Malm Firedrum 3 fireplace anchors the corner, with a cream Piero Lissoni sofa, coffee table by Andrianna Shamaris and leather Cassina chairs placed before it.

A patterned steel frame serves as a front wall to the street, allowing for light and noise to penetrate the interior. The owners were adamant about the importance of integrating the culture and traditions of Saigon into their home, hoping their children would grow up with a knowledge of and appreciation for the city.

The Lookout occupies the alley side of the lot. “It’s a white box hovering above all of the visual noise of the alley,” says Humble. “We [located] the circulation to that side, and have all of our primary openings facing away from the alley toward the tree.”

Rainer Viertlb�ck

The architects wanted to create as much of a buffer as possible against the urban traffic outside the kitchen. A clerestory window manages to maintain a visual connection with the neighborhood while blocking its noise. The kitchen features Pleat Box pendant lights from Marset and Lio Stools by Roberto Barbieri for Zanotta.

The house is located on the busy Schaffhauserstrasse, which links Switzerland to Germany, and therefore part of Oesch's brief was to reduce noise and orient the building toward the nearby Rhine.

The house is oriented to maximize views of the ocean and Edgartown to the west, and Nantucket and Cape Pogue Bay to the east. Natural sea grasses sourced from the surrounding area cover the roof of the building, providing thermal insulation while also dampening the noise of rain, improving air quality, and helping to manage rainwater flow.

“There are no cars, no people, no noise – at night and even during the day it's hundred percent silent,