Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

HOME C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A

DESIGN

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colors of fall THE ECLECTIC HOME

SEASONAL FLAVORS

OUTDOOR SPACES

TRENDS IN TRIM MIXING OLD & NEW

VIRGINIA HARD CIDER DECADENT DESSERTS

FIREPIT DESIGNS FALL FOLIAGE FALL 2016, VOL. 10, NO. 4

RAILINGS

COLUMNS

FENCING

ARBORS

SCREEN PORCHES

DECKING

Timing is everything.

Making award-winning wine takes time.

Roger Furrow, owner of Hickory Hill Vineyards in Moneta, is grateful for the gift of time. Five years ago, Roger went into cardiac arrest after a routine stress test at Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center in Moneta.

Chad Hoyt, MD, and Laura Bollard, RN, sprang into action, performing CPR to save his life. Within minutes, Centra ONE landed and they were flown to Centra Lynchburg General Hospital where cardiologists discovered three blockages and Roger underwent a triple bypass heart surgery.

The winemaker treasures every day on the family vineyard. Each grape harvested builds upon a craft requiring patience and time. Roger credits his cardiologist, surgeon and nurses for Roger Furrow Owner, Hickory Hill Vineyards

giving him more of the latter.

Offering cardiology services in the Smith Mountain Lake area at: 1039 Mayberry Crossing Drive Suite C, Moneta Providers in Moneta: Chad Hoyt, MD Chris Lewis, MD Tom Meyer, MD Samuel Omotoye, MD Jesse Naples, PA-C To schedule an appointment, call

540.297.7840

Now accepting new patients Pictured above (L to R): Chad Hoyt, MD, Roger Furrow, Laura Bollard, RN

StroobantsCardiovascular.com | Bedford | Danville | Farmville | Gretna | Lynchburg | Moneta

Experience Life Refreshed.

Dance Until Dawn Or take a dip in our indoor saltwater pool. Enjoy fine dining. Plant a garden. Walk our Nature Trail. Or perhaps you’d prefer just to sit back and read the morning news.

At Westminster Canterbury, you can do all these things and more…every single day.

Come to Westminster Canterbury and enjoy life. We’ll take care of the rest. We offer maintenance-free living, financial peace of mind and LifeCare protection that’s nationally recognized by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission.

It’s time to dance! It’s time for Life Refreshed.

Call for information on our September seminar and start planning your future!

Call Laura Hunter to schedule a tour, (434) 386-3305 or (800) 962-3520 A LifeCare Retirement Community 501 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503 www.wclynchburg.org

Their future is brighter with a healthy

Don’t wait, call us today to schedule your appointment!

Children’s Dentistry& Orthodontics of Lynchburg Shepherd Sittason, DDS

Keith Pyle, DDS

105 Paulette Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502

The O riginator of Cult ure d Pe arls.

S i n c e 18 9 3 .

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HOME CENTRAL

Nadine Blakely

(434) 444-2226 email: nadineblakely@remax.net Nadine is the Proud Recipient of these Awards:

REALTOR, ASP, CLHMS, SRES ®

DESIGN

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER

Julie Pierce EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Nadine Blakely Real Estate Team

YOUR DREAM OUR TEAM

HOME

REAL RESULTS IN REAL ESTATE! www.NadineBlakelyHomes.com CHOOSE a Realtor who CHOOSES to give back! ®

Breast Cancer Foundation

The Nadine Blakely Team gives to these and many other charities from every closing!

1st Olympic, REALTORS®

434-832-1100

Meridith Ingram ART DIRECTOR

Edwana Coleman GRAPHIC ARTIST

Khristina Helmich CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Cynthia BeMent Becky Calvert Lucy Cook Charlotte A.F. Farley Jerry Hale Megan Hall Rebekah Hertzberg Meridith Ingram Megan Jansen Sloane Lucas Alyssa Mercadante Noelle Milam Rory Rhodes Christy Rippel PHOTOGRAPHERS

Khristina Helmich KG Thienemann OPERATIONS MANAGER

Satisfying Every Budget & Style

Colleen Miller ADVERTISING SALES

Liz Houhoulis Janet Lampman Julie Pierce SUBSCRIPTIONS

Central Virginia HOME is published five times annually

by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Central Virginia HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B Forest, VA 24551 For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@cvhomemagazine.com.

To discuss coverage of an event relating to home or garden, please contact Central Virginia HOME at info@cvhomemagazine.com.

COUNTERTOPS CABINETRY CLOSETS (540) 719-0128

www.CabinetGallerySML.com

WESTLAKE TOWNE CENTER

66 Builders Pride Drive | Hardy, Virginia 24101 8

West Willow Publishing Group, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com Copyright 2016 by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All pictorial material reproduced in this magazine, whether in a produced ad or by itself, has been accepted on the condition that it is with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer or the artist concerned.

As such, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n EDITOR’S NOTE One of the pleasures of owning a home is having a place for making memories with family and friends.

Sure, all that’s really required for good times is the company of others, but such gatherings can be made that much sweeter by adding a little element of fun. The makings of party time can serve us well in the every day, too; lighting candles during a weeknight dinner, placing flowers on your desk, hanging a special wreath on the front door with the changing of the seasons… all say that you appreciate and celebrate the moment, the day or the season in your home.

This fall, we have lots of ideas here at HOME for elements large and small that will help elevate the ordinary into an occasion. Our feature on firepits—a hot trend, pun intended— may inspire you to add one to your yard, because everyone knows that any outdoor event is much more fun with a fire blazing at the center. And our feature on the many ways to make your laundry room luxe (yes, your laundry room) will help you make this everyday chore a little more pleasant. If you can’t avoid it, find ways to enjoy it!

And then there’s mealtime: how about taking a traditional fall meal (roasted pork loin, anyone?) and making it festive with the addition of some Virginia-made cider? Our feature on this artisanal beverage might teach you a thing or two that you didn’t know. For an occasion-worthy dessert, check out Lucy

Cook’s fresh takes on the old-faithful chocolate cake—it’s not just for birthdays! We also hope to inspire you with an article on revamping your dinnerware well before the holiday frenzy sets in.

In the get-ready spirit of fall, we also offer articles on organizing your closet with a mix of flattering basics and trendy pieces, updating your bed and linens to prepare for your coziest hibernating, planting shrubs for fall garden color, and so much more.

This season, we hope you’ll take a page from this issue of HOME and elevate your every day into something special.

Thanks for reading!

—MERIDITH INGRAM, EDITOR IN CHIEF meridith@westwillowpublishing.com

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SMILE ON YOUR

BIG DAY

Have a reason to show your smile.

At Central Virginia Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve a perfect smile with the best care in a relaxing atmosphere. State-of-the-art technology and the latest techniques ensure that each member of your family receives exceptional care and a smile they are proud to show.

Dr. Eric Baugher | Dr. Jennifer Claiborne

434.385.GRIN (4746) | bracesbycvo.com 7802 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg

I’ll Get You Through It! When you’ve done this for thirty years, you hear a lot of different stories. The one I hear most is that person who won’t come in because they are afraid of what they might hear. They think they have the worst mouth ever. They’re even embarassed. They almost made an appointment a few times... and then just couldn’t go through with it.

If you are that person this is what you should do: Give me one shot. One visit. Come in with someone you trust. Hear what I have to say. There will be no probing, no picking, and certainly no embarrassment. In sixty seconds I’ll make you feel safe.

One thing is for sure. It isn’t going to get better on its own. Sooner or later we have got to do this thing. And I’ll get you through it.

The Promise:

I’ll make you feel better no matter what you have going on. I positively, absolutely will help with the fear. I’ll give you options with your budget in mind.

It’s that simple.

New patients are welcome!

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Kevin S. Midkiff, DDS, FAGD Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 20331 Timberlake Road | Lynchburg, VA 24502 1 2

434-239-8133

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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features A FI RE P I T F OR FA L L

Options for adding fiery features to your outdoor space

BY R E B E K AH H E RTZ B E R G

VI RGI NI A H A RD C I DER

Learn about the local beverage that complements fall meals, gatherings

BY R O RY R H O D E S

LOG C A BI N DREA M S

Rustic log cabin with modern comforts is couple’s dream home

BY C H A R LOTTE A .F. FA R L EY

LOVE Y OU R L A U N DRY ROOM

Luxury touches to hardworking space help take chore out of laundry day

BY CYNT H IA B E M E N T

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK HOME Magazine

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C e nt r a l V irg ini a H O M E Fa ll 2 0 1 6

departments 24

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IMPROVE

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24 U P D AT ING YO UR D I N NER WAR E Options for setting your table with style

35 LUXE LEATHE R How to maintain and repair your leather furniture

31 FA L L F OL I A G E Choose colorful fall shrubs to adorn your garden

BY C HAR LOTTE A.F. FAR LEY

BY B EC KY CALVE RT

48 C L OSET C L E A N -UP Creating a “capsule wardrobe” streamlines your closet and your life

BY ALYS SA M E R CADANTE

70 MIXING OLD A N D NEW Create layers of interest with pieces from past and present

BY S LOAN E LU CAS

66 DRI VEWAY KN OW- HOW The importance of driveway maintenance

93 WA L K T H I S WAY Installing a garden path adds interest to your yard

52 C U L I N A RY C O R N E R Chocolate cake, reimagined

BY M EGAN JAN S E N

BY LU CY C O O K

BY J E R RY HALE

BY C H R I STY R I P P E L

82 T R E NDS IN TR IM Fabric embellishments add that finishing touch

BY N O E LLE M I LAM

75 CATCHI N G YOUR ZZZS Tips for buying mattresses and sheets to improve your sleep

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64 LY N C H BU R G H I ST ORI C AL F OU N DAT I O N G A L A Newly renovated Villa Maria opens doors to patrons

BY M E R I D ITH I N G R AM

BY M EGAN HALL

79 DI Y F L AV O R E D V I N EG A R How to craft your own tangy treat

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BY S LOAN E LU CAS

97 A ROU N D T O W N Local events in our area SP EC I A L I N T EREST 9 8 Index of advertisers

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Custom Homes begin with Custom Service

434.258.9310

Conveniently located in Wyndhurst

wellingtonbuildersinc.com

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burning bright FIERY FEATURES FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

BY R EB EK A H H ER T Z B ER G

Fire is an essential element that provides heat for warmth and cooking. Fire also possesses an entertainment value, which, played with safely, can fascinate for hours—think bonfire. Imagine the fun of roasting marshmallows and drinking cider on a crisp, fall evening where fire is the feature—the center, core, heart of the gathering.

Historically, using fire inside the home within a centrally located fireplace has allowed homeowners and guests to keep warm on wintry days. Today, an indoor fireplace is still a popular source of heat and often offers a distinct aesthetic appeal to its partakers. Because of its all-around appeal and function inside the home, fire often finds its way into outdoor spaces as homeowners decide to extend similar considerations outside the home.

When homeowners integrate a fire feature into their outdoor space, they find the benefits extremely satisfying. Indeed, an outdoor firepit or other type of fire feature offers lighting, warmth, and entertainment and allows homeowners to really use and enjoy their outdoor spaces in multiple seasons— particularly the fall, and throughout the year.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: Southern Landscape Group

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Photo: CLC, Inc. Photo: CLC, Inc.

Options

Once homeowners decide to add a fire element to their outdoor spaces, they must consider the many options. “There are all kinds of things you can do with fire,� says Mark Maslow of Southern Landscape Group. The most popular options are firepits, also called fire bowls, and fireplaces. Firepits can be portable or built-in features. Although firepits come in a variety of sizes and shapes, for built-in firepits, homeowners often opt for a circular configuration, as opposed to square, in order to accommodate more people around the fire.

Other options for outdoor fire include tiki torches and fire walls. Tiki torches are a simple, inexpensive way to add ambiance to an outdoor area. Fire walls are literally walls of fire.

They resemble fireplaces but are open to the air and do not have a chimney. Fire walls can add an aesthetic quality to patio areas, and they emit more heat than traditional firepits and fireplaces.

For modest budgets, homeowners might consider a DIY firepit kit or portable firepit. Often, these types of firepits are constructed of metal and can be purchased directly from a local home improvement store or online. Depending on the specifications, prices can range from under $100 and go up from there.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: CLC, Inc.

Larger budgets garner more choices, of course, and for more expansive projects, a hardscape with a built-in firepit, fire feature, or even a fireplace are all popular options. The hardscape is a complete outdoor area constructed of materials like concrete and stone, often in the form of a patio. As an extension of the house and the space inside the house, a hardscape should replicate the aura of the entire home landscape.

Considerations

Photo: CLC, Inc.

Intent, budget, space and safety are all things to consider when choosing to add fire to your outdoor space.

According to Chris Templeton of CLC, Inc., “The main concern would be how people are going to use the [outdoor] area.” He adds, “Fireplaces are a lot more aesthetically pleasing most of the time” but are also “typically more expensive” than firepits.

There are two options for fueling the fire: gas or wood. Although gas has been a popular source for its cleanliness and ease of use, Templeton says, “Woodburning is becoming more popular, and it’s mainly for the heat.” Wood-burning

fire is a warmer source than fire fueled by gas. When homeowners consider their intentions for their space, they can make the best decision on fuel source.

According to Maslow, professionally installed, built-in firepits “can range from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on whether it’s gas-burning or woodburning, and depending on how large it is.” Costs typically increase from there due to add-ons and other features.

Where to place the firepit is also a big decision. Templeton says that during the design process he takes into consideration how close it is to the house or surrounding trees. On a similar note, Maslow comments, “You don’t want to put it on or around combustible surfaces, like composite decking or wood decking.” Maslow also stresses the importance of ventilation, which can be accomplished by making sure that your firepit or fireplace has the proper draw and airflow. To ensure safety, choose placement wisely.

Location can also affect the cost.

Maslow notes that it’s important to consider the form of the existing site/ landscape because “the harder it is to get

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434.386.3000 | flintpropertygroup.com to the area, typically the more expensive it is because more labor is involved.” The more labor-intensive a project, the higher the cost for that project.

A suggested safety measure when starting, stoking and maintaining a fire is to keep some source of water close by, whether a hose or bucket of water. If there is an emergency, it’s important to be able to extinguish the fire. Gas-burning fire features require an emergency gas shutoff.

Ultimately, by keeping intent, budget, space and safety in mind, homeowners can make the right choices for their fiery design.

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Enlisting A Professional

Obviously, there are DIY options for firepits, but Maslow says that “if people are not sure what they want…they should reach out to a professional.” Indeed, a professional in the landscaping business often offers full-service options, from planning and design to execution and completion.

Once a homeowner decides to hire a professional, the professional can help guide the homeowner through the entire process. Maslow suggests “work[ing] with Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: Southern Landscape Group

somebody who has some experience, a proven track record, who can show the client different projects and scenarios to help ensure that their finished product is a success.”

Planning and Design

Homeowners must have a plan for their project. From a professional standpoint, Maslow stresses, “You should never, ever start a project without a detailed plan.” The flow of people, space and furniture placement are a few considerations when devising a plan. Maslow says, “Every plan starts with questions to the client about what they’re looking for, what their goals are, and what they’re trying to accomplish.”

Similarly, Templeton notes that it’s important for the professional to view the interior of the home to get a feel for the homeowner’s style. The hardscape, as an extension of the homeowner’s taste, should match the exterior of the home as well. By viewing the interiors and existing exterior structures, the designer is able to maintain a level of continuity and congruity from the inside out.

Post planning and design, clients can choose their level of involvement, but once the construction begins, according to Templeton, “It’s usually not a tremendous amount of involvement with the client, because we try to line up all of the colors, the stone selections, the layout and all that well ahead of time.” This, he adds, makes for “a very seamless process once we get started.”

Outdoor Living...Simplified Boxley Outdoor Living Showrooms display our streamlined selection of quality hardscape products in a variety of actual installations to get ideas flowing. Our experienced staff helps select the best materials. And, we promise to have your hardscape selections in stock and ready to deliver. We like to call it Outdoor Living…Simplified. It’s the Boxley Way.

110 Lynchpin Lane, Lynchburg, VA • (434) 846-2766 3830 Blue R idge Drive, Roanoke, VA • (540) 342-3411 w w w.boxleyhardscapes.com

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Many designers consider form and function to be top priorities in the design process, and a fire feature is no exception.

Not only does planning for the fire feature occur, but planning for the entire outdoor area surrounding the fire feature is critical as well. For example, designers plan for furnishings, such as tables, chairs, and benches, to ensure that the area is comfortable and functional.

Trends

“Firepit areas are a fairly large trend right now…whether it be one that’s built-in or one that’s portable…people are just looking for something with fire,” says Templeton. Adding another element, specifically water, to the mix makes an outdoor space even more accommodating.

Photo: Willis Landscaping, Inc. Photo: Willis Landscaping, Inc.

Templeton says that his business has been installing features that include disappearing waterfalls and bubbling fountains.

Both types of water features, he adds, create “the sound of the water and the look without all the maintenance that big ponds create.” Water features add a sense of tranquility and can juxtapose with fire features to keep the space alive and vibrant.

Fire is enthralling to watch and enhances an outdoor space, but it must be handled with care. Gathering all the necessary information is the most important tool when choosing to add a firepit or other fire feature to an outdoor space. Knowing your options and consulting someone fluent in design ideas will help you begin on the right track. Because there are so many positive reasons to incorporate this fierce element, choosing to utilize fire in some way, shape or form in an outdoor space is almost second nature.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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n DESIGN UPDATING YOUR DINNERWARE Photo: Farm Basket

dinnerware

DECISIONS

Y

BY A LYS S A M E R C A DA N T E

our dinnerware can be so much more than a utilitarian object on which to serve food. It can set the tone of your meal, add interest to everyday suppers and parties alike, and help bring your entire spread together. It’s an extension of your decor and an expression of your personal aesthetic. All that from a dinner plate!

Dinnerware varieties include several types of fine china, everyday china, and more casual 2 4

alternatives. In this day and age, it may not be so easy to decide on whether you want to buy and use formal versus casual table settings; with such a vast array of designs and price points to please everyone’s tastes, distinguishing between the two has become less important. It is really all about personal preference; use what makes you happy and brightens up the meal and your space. We hope this look into the many options available will help you decide on dinnerware to fit your personal needs, taste and decor.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

What’s the Difference?

Photo: Farm Basket Photo: Farm Basket

Fine china can be more than just pretty plates gathering dust in a glass cabinet. Maybe you’ve inherited a set from your grandmother; don’t be afraid to use it and show it off when entertaining.

It could even make for an interesting talking point. If you don’t have any hand-me-downs coming your way anytime soon, consider investing in some yourself that you could pass down to your children. Fine china is the more expensive option of dinnerware because of the way it’s made. It gets fired at temperatures of up to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit—much higher than the casual, everyday variety. This process allows for the china’s “ingredients” to merge together so compactly, making it very durable. Bone china and porcelain are the most common types you will see when scoping out fine china. Bone china is called such because it is comprised of bone ash, a white material produced by the calcination of bones, creating its creamy, ivory color. Porcelain contains a substance called kaolin, which helps to make the china that beautiful, vivid white. So, if fine china is in your price range, it can be an elegant addition to your home. You can also scope out local antique stores and yard sales for unique pieces of fine china that are possibly more budget-friendly.

If a more casual, easy-to-care-for table setting is what you’re after, head toward everyday dinnerware. Stoneware, ironstone and earthenware are all types of popular casual dinnerware.

These materials are easier to care for since they are usually dishwasher safe and can handle being transferred from your refrigerator, to the microwave, to your kids’ table settings, and back to the dishwasher so it’s ready for use the very next day. Everyday dinnerware is also fairly inexpensive compared to fine china, making it easier to change out and play around with if you get bored with a certain color or style.

Styles and Patterns

All-white plates are the way to go if you enjoy entertaining regularly and food presentation is of great importance to you, as sauces, drizzles and garnishes can get lost on a colored or patterned plate. White dinner plates are simple, incredibly versatile, and a great addition for those with minimalist tastes. Plus, you never have to worry about them going out of style. If all-white seems too boring, try switching up your tablecloth, placemats, and other table decor to add some color to your table. Invest in some colorful dessert plates and bowls to add some pizazz to the “after party” of your meals, or pair white bone china plates with vintage glasses from the flea market for fun mixing and matching.

If you want to create more stand-alone interest with your dinnerware, colored and patterned plates may be what you are after. Vietri is a popular c vhomemaga zine .com 25

experience and expertise you can trust

Judy

FRANTZ ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES

brand of upscale ceramic dinnerware handcrafted in Italy that comes in all different kinds of colors, shapes and patterns. Pfaltzgraff is another wellknown brand associated with high quality ceramic products that come in a multitude of patterns and colors. Villeroy and Boch makes both fine china and more casual alternatives. Most home decor stores also carry a wide variety of colorful, casual dinnerware.

If you’re having trouble deciding between white and colored, the solution may be to have a caterer’s set of basic, plain white plates that could be used for either a casual or more formal event, as well as a set of colored, fun stoneware that could also be used for a dinner party or everyday use. You could also opt for a style that is mostly white with a colored or patterned rim around the outside of the plate. Or choose a very light solid color with detailing to keep it simple, yet unique.

Setting the Table

www.JudyFrantz.com • judy@judyfrantz.com 434.660.5073 cell • 434.385.6655 office 26

First and foremost, before purchasing your new fine china or eclectic stoneware, make sure you consider your space and storage parameters. Hefty, oversized Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

plates may look great on your table, but you won’t be such a fan if you can’t fit them in your cabinet or dishwasher. Plus, studies show that we tend to eat less if we use smaller plates.

Once you’ve got the sizing nailed down, it’s time to figure out which pieces you need and how many you need. It’s a good idea to look for open stock so you can customize your sets to your own needs. Open stock options let you pick and choose exactly what you want and easily replace something if a piece gets broken. If you never drink tea or coffee, skip the cups and saucers. If you constantly grab bowls out of the pantry, stock up on those.

Be sure to buy enough pieces to host a dinner party. Eight is a good start, but think about what you would need if you were to host a family holiday dinner—12 or more sets would be ideal.

Scoop up some extras, too, such as soup bowls that can also be used for desserts and coordinating platters to serve anything from sliced bread to heaping salads. Chargers placed beneath dinner plates add a great hit of style and dimension.

When it comes to dinnerware, it really is about personal preference and what best suits your home and lifestyle. Have fun picking your perfect plates, mix it up, and don’t dwell too much on the rules of setting a table. Just be sure to consider size (plates should be able to be easily stored and handled) and durability (avoid materials that may chip easily if you have small children or use the dishwasher on a daily basis). Stock up now, making informed choices, and you’ll be ready to host any holiday meal that strikes your fancy.

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A Standard of Excellence Dr. Smock has been practicing in Lynchburg since 1979, and Dr. Anderson since 2005. In 2009, they merged to form Periodontal Health Associates.

We are a specialty periodontal and dental implant practice devoted to restoring and enhancing your periodontal health using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures to deliver beautiful, long lasting smiles. We employ state-of-the-art diagnostics, evidenced-based therapies and procedures, and work in conjunction with your family dentist.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

A standard of excellence in personalized care enables us to provide the quality periodontal services our patients deserve.

Our team is also committed to continuing education. We regularly attend periodontal and implant lectures, meetings and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.

Both Dr. Smock and Dr. Anderson keep up with the latest technical advances in periodontics to ensure your treatment is minimally invasive and will achieve the best possible results.

Not only are we focused on the beauty of your smile, we're also concerned about your general health. As a periodontal practice, we are true believers that ongoing supportive care and education

are vital to long-term optimal periodontal health and comfortable function. We strive to provide "periodontal heath care" benefitting your total body by reducing inflammation and infection.

We are extraordinarily proud of our staff, which is comprised of caring and dedicated professionals. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience.

SHERMAN O. SMOCK, D.D.S. RYAN C. ANDERSON, D.D.S. (434) 455-2444 525 Leesville Rd. Lynchburg, VA 24502 periodontalhealthassociates.com

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Reinvest in your nest.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n GARDEN : COLORFUL FALL SHRUBS

spectacular shrubs for fall bloom in spring, color in fall

BY B ECK Y C A LV ER T

It would seem most gardeners plant with spring and summer blooms in mind, overlooking fall colors, particularly when it comes to shrubs. Don’t let bloom time steal all the attention; there are a number of options that typically offer, in addition to seasonal blooms, glorious fall color as well as texture and other interest all year long.

blueberry

beautyberry

fothergilla

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Among these options is the oakleaf hydrangea. Native to the Southeastern United States, the oakleaf hydrangea is sun and drought tolerant, resistant to deer, insects and diseases, and it’s cold hardy, too—making it an ideal shrub.

Named for their foliage’s resemblance to larger oak leaves, oakleaf hydrangeas have both large leaves (up to 12 inches long!) and large, showy white blooms that begin to bloom in late spring. While they do make excellent cut flowers, they also last indefinitely on the bush, turning shades of pink and brown as they mature.

Oakleaf hydrangeas make excellent dried flowers, and will do so while still on the plant as they age. Come fall, the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, bronze and burgundy, before dropping off to reveal a peeling bark that highlights a dark brown layer underneath. This peeling is a normal for oakleaf hydrangeas, adding interest and texture to the winter landscape.

The oakleaf hydrangea does well in full sunlight, but as an understory shrub, a bit of shade during the hot afternoon sun is preferable. When planting oakleaf hydrangeas, keep in mind they can grow up to 10 feet tall with a spread of 8 feet, so be sure to give them enough space to fill out. They bloom on the prior year’s growth, so if you must prune them, do so after they bloom, giving them enough time to grow new buds for next season’s glory.

Fothergilla, sometimes known as witch alder, is another Southeastern United States native, and a relative of witch hazel.

As a native, it is a low-maintenance shrub that is basically pest and disease free.

Low growing, fothergilla has fragrant brush-like blooms in early spring before leafing out in shades of blue-ish-green.

Come fall, the fothergilla takes on hues that range from golden yellows, bright oranges and intense reds. Once the leaves are shed, their zig zag branches stand out, continuing to create interest throughout the winter. Fothergillas prefer full sun, but can take some shade. There are several varieties, including a dwarf, so their size can range from 3 to 10 feet.

With over 150 species of viburnum, many of which are native, it can be hard to choose just one. In general, viburnum have lovely, often-fragrant spring blooms and attractive foliage that offers a variety of brilliant shades of reds, pinks, yellows and oranges in the fall while also sporting colorful fruits that attract birds and other wildlife. Many types of viburnum can Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

viburnum

oakleaf hydrangea

adapt to various growing conditions, and while they do best in full sun, they’ll also take partial shade. Among the varieties that do well in this area are the arrowwood, nannyberry and mapleleaf. All three boast white flowers in the spring (with the mapleleaf veering towards yellow), fall fruit in shades of green to red to blueblack, and spectacular fall colors specific to their particular varietal. The mapleleaf, pink to deep purple in the fall, can grow up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, while the arrowwood with its yellow to orange fall foliage can grow to a height of 10 feet tall and wide. Nannyberries, which can be maintained as small trees, can grow up to 15 feet tall and sport shades of burgundy come fall, offsetting its dark blue berries.

Beautyberries are another shrub native to the area, sometimes known as serviceberries. They bring color and texture to the fall garden with their small purple berries that hang on the plant well into the winter. The berries are edible, attracting birds to your yard, and can be used to make jam similar in flavor to elderberry. Native Americans were known to dry the berries to make tea to treat illnesses, and the oil in the leaves can be

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used as an insect repellent. In the spring, the beautyberry has small lavender-pink lilac-type flowers and in addition to their purple fall berries, their foliage turns yellow, creating a striking look. Beautyberries prefer light shade and grow to be about 4 to 8 feet tall and wide. They make a terrific informal hedge or planted under tall shade trees for a natural woodland-looking area.

If the idea of edible landscaping appeals to you, why not plant blueberry bushes? They offer lovely bell-shaped blooms in the early spring, delicious berries in the late spring to early summer, and brilliantly colored foliage in the fall, in shades of red, orange and yellow. All varieties— Northern, Southern, as well as rabbiteye, a Southeastern native bush—do well in our region, so why not try a few varieties for a harvest that stretches the length of blueberry season? Blueberries prefer full sun, but can take some shade. They also prefer acidic soil, so soil amendment is generally necessary when planting blueberries. Blueberries take a few years to get established, but once established, they are incredibly low maintenance while offering much to your garden. Depending on the variety, they can grow from 4 to 8 feet tall. It is worth noting that blueberries are extremely popular with wildlife, so some sort of netting is advised if you would like to keep the bulk of your bounty.

Fall is a terrific time to plant, particularly shrubs and trees.

With the ground still relatively warm while air temperatures are dropping, fall planting gives roots more time to establish themselves before winter sets in. Cooler air temperatures mean less insects, less disease and less watering too. Fertilizer, which promotes new growth that can be nipped by winter weather, isn’t necessary when planting this time of year. With the weather a bit more predictable in the fall than the spring, there is far more opportunity to plant than there is during some of those intense cold spells we can see far beyond the date when we want to deal with them in the spring. Best of all, fall is when garden centers are trying to sell off their inventory, making it bargain time for sprucing up your yard. As you take a look around your yard and consider adding color for this time of year, why not go ahead and plant something that a year from now will completely change up the look of your garden? You’ll be glad you did.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n IMPROVE LEATHER MAINTENANCE

luxe

KEEPING LEATHER FURNITURE

BY CH A R LOT T E A . F. FA R L E Y

At first glance, leather furniture might seem like the perfect choice for your family—it adds depth and elegance to any room, and anything spilled on it can be wiped up right away. But anyone who owns leather furniture will attest to the fact that it requires more upkeep than first meets the eye. Couches tear with wear, pets’ paws scratch, kids have accidents, and mugs of too-hot coffee left even for a moment can leave a burn mark on your furniture. Since there’s more to life than babysitting a leather couch, everyone who owns leather furniture— or wants to—should know how to maintain it, when and how to mend it, and when to bring it to a leather restoration professional.

In the case of damage, take into consideration the severity before embarking on a DIY home repair. If you only have a few minor scratches or marks, you might be able to conceal the damage with inexpensive techniques and products you probably have at home. On the other hand, if you’re throwing a blanket over the damaged area or considering replacing the piece due to the level of damage (no need to do so if the furniture’s structure is in good repair and the damage is only cosmetic), you might want to consider calling a leather restoration professional.

Before attempting any repairs on your own, look for the manufacturer’s suggestions, which can be located on any tag that is on the furniture or on the manufacturer’s website. The recommendations may advise you to use a certain cleanser or conditioner, as well as what not to do to your leather furniture.

Look for leather conditioners, cleansers and adhesives at your local furniture store, from the manufacturer, in the auto section of big box stores, or through an online vendor like Amazon.com.

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If you own an antique or previously cherished piece of leather furniture, you likely enjoy a gorgeous patina, but will generally have a more difficult time keeping the leather clean and stain-free.

Modern leather furniture usually comes with a protective coating, which makes it both easier to clean and to maintain.

In order to see if you have finished leather, sprinkle a single droplet of water onto an inconspicuous place on the furniture and quickly wipe it up.

If the water didn’t leave a dark mark, then you have finished leather. Note that if you are dealing with unfinished leather that has stains, don’t attempt a DIY fix—consult a leather repair professional since the stain is trapped under the leather’s surface and thus cannot be removed easily.

The key to stain removal from finished leather is to attack it while it’s fresh. To remove a stain from finished leather, vacuum the furniture with a soft brush attachment so that the surface is free from debris, and then blot the stain with a lint-free cloth. Next, lightly dampen a cotton cloth with water and blot the stain again. Leave to air dry.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Repairing Scratches

REMEMBER TO APPLY MOISTURE TO YOUR LEATHER EVERY OTHER MONTH IN THE FALL AND WINTER, ONCE IN SPRING, AND ONCE IN SUMMER.

Whether you are working with treated or untreated leather, scratches are treated the same way. The trick here is to avoid making any scratches appear larger than they are—so slow, steady and gentle wins the race. Clean the area with a vacuum as you would for stain removal, and then lightly dampen a lintfree or cotton cloth with leather conditioner.

Lightly buff and rub the cloth into the scratch mark. While you are doing this, point a hair dryer on low heat at the scratch (just make sure not to let the hair dryer come into direct contact with the leather). The heat will coax the leather’s natural oils out to lubricate and repair the scar. It may not vanish entirely, but after this point, it should fade into the rest of the leather. Leave to heal for 3 to 4 hours.

Tears or Cuts

If you have a very small tear or cut in your leather in a relatively unnoticeable spot, then it might be kinder to both your schedule and your budget to try to fix the tear yourself; otherwise, consult a leather professional so you don’t risk damaging the leather even more.

In order to fix the cut or tear, you need to patch it. You can do this by either purchasing

a leather patch to match your leather or by removing a swatch of leather from beneath the chair, sofa or settee you’re fixing. Make sure the patch is larger than the tear by at least one inch on all sides. Next, smooth away any tough edges near the tear by scraping them with the blunt edge of a butter knife. If any threads or jagged edges remain, trim them carefully with a pair of small scissors (like cuticle scissors). Carefully place leather adhesive along the edges, apply the patch, and smooth out any wrinkles. After one full day, apply leather conditioner to the entire area by buffing it in circles with a lintfree cloth and rubbing it in lightly.

The Best Solution

As it tends to go, the best solution is prevention. Remember that real leather is made from real animal skin, and skin dries out. Creases, peeling, flaking—all of these are caused by dry skin, so remember to apply moisture to your leather every other month in the fall and winter, once in spring, and once in summer. By keeping your leather moisturized and conditioned, you will not only help keep away stains, but you will also delay (or even possibly avoid) long-term damage to your furniture.

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Virginia Hard

CIDER

Traditional Drink Pairs Perfectly With Today’s Foods

BY R O RY R H O D ES

It’s no secret that Virginia is good apple country. Every autumn, farmers markets burst with bins full of apples from local orchards. Seasonal recipes abound with apple ingredients, the perfect complement to mellow golden days and crisp evenings. It’s the time of year when everything apple sounds inviting, including hard apple cider!

And if you can get locally-sourced cider, so much the better. Virginia cideries are on the rise, and while the refreshing beverage they produce has a long tradition in the colonies, today’s hard cider is all about moving forward.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: Albemarle CiderWorks

Often, a variety of apples are blended in hard cider to provide additional components, such as tart, sweet, spicy, and aromatic notes.

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Photo: Foggy Ridge Cider

In Britain, the world’s top producer of the drink, the term “cider” refers to the alcoholic beverage. Here in the States, “cider” often refers to unfiltered apple juice, so we use “hard cider” to distinguish the grown-up version, which, like wine, is a fermented drink. You’ve probably heard of hard ciders such as Angry Orchard, Woodchuck, and Virginia’s own Bold Rock. This style of hard cider is packaged in long neck bottles and marketed as a craft beer alternative. Like beer, water is added, giving it an alcohol content of around 5 percent. While it is tasty, popular and commercially successful, there is another style of hard cider that is garnering attention. Virginia cideries such as Foggy Ridge Cider, Albemarle CiderWorks and Castle Hill Cider make an artisanal drink that can be enjoyed much like wine, both by itself and with food. This type of hard cider comes in a wine bottle and, though there are many different styles, often has an effervescent freshness similar to sparkling wine. Ciders can be dry, off-dry, semi sweet, or sweet like a dessert wine or port. It all depends on how it’s made and, more importantly, the apple.

Our Commonwealth has a long and storied love affair with the apple, beginning in the 1600s, when English colonists began importing apple seeds and seedlings from England. Apples Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: Foggy Ridge Cider

Photo: Foggy Ridge Cider

were one of the earliest crops grown by settlers, and it wasn’t long before hard cider became a staple of the colonial diet.

These days, Virginia cider circles are wellacquainted with the oft-told tales of our country’s Founding Fathers’ love for the drink. Yes, George Washington secured his first political post by providing cider to voters; yes, John Adams supposedly had a tankard a day; yes, colonists preferred the drink to water. Diane Flynt, owner and cidermaker for Foggy Ridge Cider in Floyd, says that where cider is today is an interesting tale in its own right. “The more uncommon story is that, before industrial farming, there were many varieties of fruits and vegetables, eaten and grown for different reasons,” she says, and apples were among the crops cultivated for specialized uses. “Apples for drying, apples for apple sauce, apples in June and apples in November—not just the five in the grocery store.” Flynt says that, in the same way that no one expects to make a good wine from a supermarket grape, the same holds true for cider. Making a quality artisanal cider depends on selecting the right fruit, which is more of a challenge than it seems.

While there were once thousands of apple varieties, many have been lost to time and the demands of commercialization. Hard cider’s prominence on the American table began to slowly decline in the 1800s due to various factors, including the Temperance movement, urbanization, the rise of beer with a wave of German immigration, and then, during Prohibition, many cider orchards were destroyed. So today’s cidermakers face the prospect of working to find enough fruit and to cultivate heirlooms from the past. There’s an adventurous, innovative feeling afoot in many orchards and cideries. Geoff Robinson, director of sales and marketing (and former cellarmaster) of historic Castle Hill Cider in Keswick, says, “We have 26 varieties in an experimental orchard, and we see what grows, what we like.” Charlotte Shelton, owner of Albemarle CiderWorks in North Garden, is also CEO of Vintage Virginia Apples, a specialty orchard with over 250 varieties of apples, both new and old. Some, like Roxbury Russett, Albemarle Pippin, and Thomas Jefferson favorite, Hewe’s Virginia Crab, have survived since colonial times,

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Photo: Castle Hill Cider

Photo: Albemarle CiderWorks

while others, such as Gold Rush, were developed in recent years.

Shelton says that, like wine grapes, apples are “terroir conscious,” meaning that they are influenced by the soil and climate in which they are grown. What grows well for cidermakers in Central Virginia can be quite different from the apple trees which produce the desired results for Flynt, whose orchard stands at 3,000 feet in the Blue Ridge mountains. According to Shelton, “The English shire varieties have not done as well for us, so we are more interested in American varieties,” whereas Flynt says at her elevation she has been able to grow high-tannin apples of both English and American origin. As Robinson puts it, “We look for the finest expression of the apple that we can get.” Thus, each cidermaker tends to have favored apples that work best for what they’re trying to accomplish.

What they all have in common, however, is an understanding of what makes a good cider apple. It’s not generally the same as what makes a good eating apple. Two key components of an American cider apple are tannin and acid, which give the drink body and brightness. Often, a variety of apples are blended in hard cider to provide additional components, such as tart, sweet, spicy, and aromatic notes. However, like wine, ciders can also be made from a single apple varietal. In addition to their blends, Albemarle CiderWorks offers single varietal ciders from apples such as Winesap, Albemarle Pippin, and Hewe’s Virginia Crab, the latter their first reserve cider, which quickly sold out. Castle Hill offers two 100 percent Albemarle Pippin hard ciders; one, a sparkling cider named Levity, is aged in an 8,000-year-old technique using clay storage vessels/jars. While Flynt prefers blending her acclaimed ciders, which have been lauded in The New York Times and Wine Enthusiast, she also produces a dessert 4 2

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Photo: Castle Hill Cider

Photo: Castle Hill Cider

wine from Newtown Pippin (another name for Albemarle Pippin) and apple brandy, called Pippin Gold.

In short, there is an impressive variety of artisanal hard ciders to be found in our area, and many different ways to enjoy them. Any pork dish will pair wonderfully with hard cider, especially one with a hint of fruity apple sweetness.

Shelton says, “I enjoy pairing cider with traditional American cuisine, as well as anything pork, and I love cider with Norman French cuisine, with its cream sauces.” Normandy, a cool coastal region in northern France, is famous for many things apple—cider, Calvados apple brandy, apple tarts—as well as shellfish, creamy cheeses, butter, and rich sauces that are offset nicely with the crispness of cider. Shelton, keen on preserving the early American tradition of cider, also loves pairing it with Thanksgiving, with its rich autumn flavors. She also notes that “a dry, crisp cider is gorgeous with the richness of oysters on the half shell.”

Flynt says that hard cider is very foodfriendly, and is as diverse as wine or beer.

For pairing food with dry cider, such as her Serious Cider, Flynt says, “Think

fat—creamy goat cheese, French fries, crab cakes, and pork chops pan seared in butter and bacon.” Off-dry ciders such as Foggy Ridge’s First Fruit are versatile and work with a range of flavors, including grilled foods and vegetables, quinoa, and a variety of cheeses, including pimento cheese, since an off-dry cider will still have enough acidity to balance out the fat. Fruitier ciders, such as her Stayman Winesap Cider, which she likens in sweetness to a drier Riesling, are a terrific complement to spicy foods, such as Thai, Indian, chili, and pulled pork barbeque with a spicy vinegar sauce. Flynt notes that, unlike wine, cider can handle being paired with sour, pickled flavors. Foggy Ridge regularly hosts a Chef Series, where chefs from noted area restaurants pair three tapas with three hard ciders.

Castle Hill Cider hosts seasonal full dinners at the cidery, showcasing local chefs and restaurants with inventive food and cider pairings. Robinson is also a big fan of hard cider with pork, and likes paring Castle Hill’s dry ciders, such as Levity and Terrestrial, with shellfish and seafood. Serendipity, their best-selling cider, is made from 100 percent Albemarle

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ANY PORK DISH WILL PAIR WONDERFULLY WITH HARD CIDER, ESPECIALLY ONE WITH A HINT OF FRUITY APPLE SWEETNESS.

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Pippin, and retains just enough sweetness to make it an excellent choice for lighter fare, such as picnic foods and cheese boards.

Robinson, a former restaurant owner and professional chef, enjoys cooking with hard cider as well. “Any time you think of a light white wine in cooking, you can substitute a dry cider,” he says. He likes to replace white wine with a dry cider in a classic beurre blanc sauce, which he serves with cod or white fish with capers and lemon. A sweeter cider can be used in place of honey or brown sugar in dishes such as braised cabbage or glazed carrots, and to deglaze a pan when creating sauces. It’s fun to get creative with cider—try using it instead of beer in a shrimp boil, and in place of wine or beer in cheese fondue, for a subtle boost of flavor.

Foggy Ridge Cider, Albemarle CiderWorks, and Castle Hill Cider, along with many other regional cideries, are open for tastings and a variety of events throughout the year. Though Virginia Cider Week is officially in November, right now is a wonderful time to visit a cidery and orchard, and see what’s new with an old-fashioned favorite. If you can’t make the trip, you can always enjoy a crisp autumn evening on the porch with a zesty cider from your local store, paired with a plate of cheese and cured meats. Hard cider is a tasty seasonal alternative to beer at your next football party, and you can even make cider-based cocktails. For a nod across the pond, try a British “Snakebite,” made from equal parts cider and lager, but beware—rumor has it that some British pubs won’t serve it, because it goes down too easy!

Whether served at a meal or enjoyed by itself, this colonial tipple has ridden the recent wave of interest in craft and artisanal beverages into a new era of innovation. Today’s cidermakers combine both heirloom and modern apples with contemporary cidermaking techniques to create a refreshing and versatile drink that embodies both tradition and the locavore trend. As Shelton says, “We’re recreating American cider—perhaps as it was, but certainly as it ought to be.”

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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BRINGING BACKYARD DREAMS to

Life

BEFORE

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

BACKYARD RENOVATION

This project took place in a backyard space of less than 1,000 square feet.

What was once totally unusable as well as a landscape maintenance nightmare for the homeowners was a diamond in the rough for landscape designer Mark Maslow. When called to the property to meet with the homeowners, Mark listened carefully to the homeowners and immediately understood their concerns.

They wanted to create a low-maintenance area with an oversized spa (to double as a small pool for their two-year-old daughter), some type of ambient noise to listen to while outside, and a place to entertain friends and family. Practically speaking, they also wanted to address drainage concerns. After some intense design work, a plan was created to deliver the clients all of the things they dreamed of and hoped for. From the oversized, partially elevated spa with seat-sized steps, to the bluestone seating walls, the talented landscape teams were able to

create a space that could comfortably accommodate a large group of people, but simultaneously feel cozy and warm for the family of three. By including landscape lighting and a recirculating water feature, this space really comes to life at night!

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n LIVE WARDROBE ORGANIZATION

simplify your closet– and your life

BUILDING A CAPSULE WARDROBE THAT WORKS

BY S LOA N E LU C AS

T

When it comes to getting dressed each day, we may be needlessly taxing ourselves. Some of us relish taking time to put together creative outfits; for others, it’s more of a chore than we may realize. Studies continue to show that the fewer choices you need to make in any given day, the more you can avoid wasted time and preserve your emotional bandwidth.

he popularity of Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less opened our eyes to the reality that less choice can mean easier decisions and less overall stress in your life. People continue to embrace this overall trend toward minimalism, which reached new heights with Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which inspired people to purge everything from clothes to books to knick-knacks, keeping only the items they truly love.

This trend toward simplicity set the stage for the resurgence of the “capsule wardrobe,” a smart fashionista technique that women have been employing since the 1970s. The concept is usually attributed to Susie Faux, a London boutique owner who espoused the idea that women should invest in a basic wardrobe of excellent quality pieces in classic, flattering designs that will stand the test of time, and then update them seasonally with a few trendy pieces.

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A typical capsule wardrobe might consist of a few pairs of well-fitted pants and a few tailored skirts—mostly in neutrals like black, beige and gray, or one or two in an eye-catching color or pattern. You might have a few dresses—again, a mix of neutral and patterned, and perhaps ranging from casual to cocktail. You would have tops in mostly solids and a few colors and patterns that could be mixed and matched with the bottoms, and perhaps a few cardigans, scarves and belts that complement and jazz up these outfits.

A selection of dress flats, heels and casual shoes—and a complementary assortment of bags—would complete the collection. All clothing would be in materials and colors suited to the current season. And since you are curating your items to the best of the best, you would naturally only keep items that fit and flatter—creating a wardrobe of 100 percent favored pieces.

If the idea of simplifying a key aspect of your day-to-day life appeals to you, consider trying to build your own capsule wardrobe.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

You can start by doing a full audit of all the clothing you already have—and not just the clothing you have hanging in your main closet, but the clothing in your spare closets, the clothing stored in bins around the house. Everything.

Take a good look at each piece. Do you love it? Or is it something you reach for with a distinct feeling of “settling” or, even worse, distaste? Forget about what you paid for it, who gave it to you, or how you used to look in it. If you don’t feel fabulous wearing it now, today, set it aside. Remember that your goal is to create a smaller wardrobe of items that make you feel fantastic when you put them on.

Another way to help you decide? Look in your laundry bin.

Review your Facebook or Instagram photos. Do you find yourself washing the same pants every week? That’s a keeper. Are you in the same cute top in many photos? Another winner.

Most people who embrace the capsule wardrobe usually only do so for clothing they would wear day-to-day, for work, and for the weekend, with a selection of evening attire that suits the

season. So feel free to separate your clothes into different groups based on use. Your exercise clothes and pajamas should be part of your purge, getting rid of old, threadbare or otherwise uninspiring items.

Shoes, bags and accessories should also be subject to your mass purging, especially if they are worn out, or you just don’t like them. Then sort by season and store whatever is not part of your current capsule wardrobe.

You will find it easier to part with items if you have a game plan for where to send them.

If you have some designer brands in excellent shape that you don’t just want to give away, see if there are local consignment shops that will take your pieces, re-sell them, and share the profits with you. Another option is to sign up for a site like ThredUp (thredup.com). You can order a “clean out” bag for free, pack it with items, and ship it back, also for free. You may only make a small amount back, but it’s extremely easy and you may earn enough to buy some new seasonal clothes. Items that are not

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designer or slightly worse for the wear, donate to your local Goodwill or other favorite charity, and keep that receipt for tax time.

As you start to finalize your capsule wardrobe, it’s important to take into account your lifestyle. If you’re a stay at home mom, you may need more casual items than someone working full time in a formal office, who may have to wear suits on a regular basis.

Women working part time or volunteering may benefit even more from a capsule wardrobe, since the ability to dress up or down will make a smaller selection more versatile.

Now that you have a newly curated selection of your favorite “staple” items, decide which are appropriate for the current season. Store off-season clothes, shoes and accessories in a spare closet or bins, out of sight. The only items that should be in your closet should be ready-towear for the current season.

If you already have a few fun, on-trend items that you love (patterned shirts or cozy cardigans in fall colors, for example)—great! Use them as a starting point.

Now, the fun part—adding to your wardrobe. First, the staples. If you find that you really don’t have some basics—like a good pair of black pants or a basic wool skirt for fall and winter—invest in something of quality. Shop local boutiques like The Columns or Gladiola Girls for ideas, inspiration and assistance in helping you find the right items to fit your style and existing wardrobe. Both have a selection of quality basics, as well as the trendier pieces you’ll want to supplement the basics. These might be items you spend a little less on but that you still love to wear.

Again, the goal is to focus on mix-and-match items. Shirts that match multiple pants. Dresses that can be casual with a scarf, or gussied up with a belt and blazer for work. You’re looking for flexibility and maximum ability to interchange items.

At this stage, you should now have a closet that’s orderly, thinned out, with a heavily curated selection of seasonal clothing, shoes and accessories. When you wake up in the morning to dress, you should have an easier time choosing what to wear, picking only from your favorites and layering and mixing flattering items that make you feel fabulous.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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n LIVE CULINARY CORNER

Chocolate Cake FROM BELOVED BIRTHDAYS TO DECADENT DESSERTS

BY LU CY CO O K

I

n many households, the conversation is the same around each family member’s birthday: “What kind of cake would you like for your birthday this year?” Some have a different request every year, but some are creatures of habit, requesting the same thing each time. (My niece, who has a July birthday, has an old-fashioned ice box recipe that my family calls Zebra Cake: layers of chocolate cookies alternated with fresh whipped cream.

As the cookies and cream sit overnight in the fridge, they morph into a striped cake-like consistency. An old favorite, it can be found on the back of the box of Famous Chocolate Cookies.)

As a restaurant owner, I discovered that there were other types of households that had a specific item called “birthday cake.” I found this out when customers would call to order a birthday cake, and I would ask for details. The answer was usually just the customer repeating “birthday cake” a little louder. I’d ask, “What type of birthday cake?” again, to be met with the same two words: “Birthday Cake!” After going round and round, they usually told me what their family defines as birthday cake; in 90 percent of the cases, it was yellow cake with chocolate buttercream—but sometimes it was something else. If anyone is asking me, the more chocolate the better! I may choose a cake or a pie, but in every case, it includes chocolate!

Chocolate cakes run the gamut—from layer cakes all the way to cheesecake, but all get their flavoring from either solid chocolate or cocoa powder. Cocoa powder comes in two forms: regular and Dutched, a type that has added alkaline. Because 52

of the alkaline, it’s very important to read the recipe carefully and not assume that they’re interchangeable. If you’re making a chocolate cake and the instructions call for greasing and dusting the pans with flour, cocoa is a great substitution for the flour, because it doesn’t leave a dusty ring on the finished cake. In every case, just be sure to sift or whisk cocoa with the other dry ingredients as it often is lumpy.

Solid chocolate comes in bars, squares, wafers and chips, and unsweetened, bittersweet, semisweet, milk and white. You can use semisweet and bittersweet interchangeably (depending on your taste), but unsweetened, milk and white chocolate cannot be substituted. To melt chocolate, I usually use a microwave.

After measuring out the right amount, I chop it into small (about ½-inch) pieces. Then I microwave it in short bursts— about 30 seconds at a time—stirring between each. Chocolate will sometimes keep its shape after it’s melted, so it’s important to stir to check how far it has melted and to release any hot spots that may build up. Alternately, chocolate can be melted in a double boiler over low heat. Remember in both cases that the goal is to melt the chocolate, not cook it—so go low and slow with the heat!

I’ve included some of my favorite chocolate cakes—a flourless chocolate cake that can be mixed in just a few minutes in one bowl, a throwback favorite that performs a little bit of magic by moving the frosting to its core, and a decadent triple chocolate cheesecake. Try each of them—just make sure to save me a piece! Happy Cooking!

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Flourless Chocolate Cake (serves 8) This is one of the quickest, most delicious desserts in my repertoire. I can knock this out in one bowl and bake it while we’re eating dinner!

Everyone loves its rich, chocolatey flavor.

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa 1 cup unsalted butter 8 ounces semisweet chocolate 1 1/4 cups sugar 6 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment cut to fit, then grease the parchment. Dust pan with 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, then knock out the excess. Set aside.

In a microwave-safe container, melt the butter and chocolate until smooth and just melted. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, whisk sugar and cocoa to combine. Add eggs, vanilla, salt and melted chocolate and whisk until smooth. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top.

Bake in preheated oven about 40 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then slide a knife around the outside and remove the sides of the pan. Serve at room temperature with freshly whipped cream and berries.

Tunnel of Fudge Cake (serves 12) As a kid in the 70s, this was the cake of my dreams!. Don’t mess with the recipe—don’t even omit the nuts, or it may not work. It’s a fun throwback, and a rich, delicious cake!

CAKE 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon cocoa, sifted 1 3/4 cups sugar 1 3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened 6 eggs 2 cups powdered sugar 2 1/4 cups flour 2 cups chopped walnuts GLAZE 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup cocoa 4 tablespoons milk Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan, and dust with 1 tablespoon cocoa. Knock the pan on the sink to release any excess cocoa.

In a mixer, beat sugar and butter on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low, and beat in the eggs, one at a time, stopping regularly to scrape down the bowl. On the very lowest speed, add in the sugar. Scrape the bowl and add the flour, walnuts and cocoa. Spoon the batter into the pan, and smooth the top.

Bake exactly 52 minutes. Cool in the pan for one hour, then invert onto a cake plate. When the cake has cooled, sift the powdered sugar and cocoa into a small bowl. Add most of the milk, and whisk until smooth.

Dribble in more milk until the glaze is just loose enough to pour over the cooled cake.

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Triple Chocolate Cheesecake (serves 8–12) What is more decadent than cheesecake? This chocolate crust, chocolate filling and chocolate-topped cheesecake is worthy of being anyone’s birthday cake. For sweet/salty fans, this would be great topped with flaky sea salt!

CRUST 1 package Famous Chocolate Wafers (found near the ice cream cones in most groceries) 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted FILLING 1 pound good-quality semi or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup espresso or strong coffee 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature 1 1/4 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla GLAZE 1/3 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 3 ounces semi or bittersweet chocolate chopped

For the crust: Learn more at: www.lcsedu.net

In a food processor, grind up the cookies. Mix with melted butter. Press in the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Wrap outside of the pan carefully with one large single sheet of foil, making sure that it reaches at least 2 inches up the sides.

Freeze for 15 minutes. (The foil will come into play later; cheesecakes benefit from the even, humid heat that a water bath provides. Since the springform pan may not be water-tight and we will be putting it in a pan of water, we need the foil to keep the water from seeping when we bake it.) Preheat the oven to 325. Place a rack in the middle of the oven.

For the filling: Heat the chocolate and coffee in a double boiler, just until melted. Stir until smooth; set aside.

In a mixer, combine the cream cheese and sugar. Beat for 2 minutes, then scrape the bowl well. Beat 2 more minutes, and scrape the bowl again. Add the eggs, one at a time, and scrape the bowl well between each addition. Add the chocolate mixture, salt and vanilla and beat well.

Scrape the cheesecake batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan (foil and all) in a larger pan, like a roaster, and pour boiling water in the roasting pan until it reaches about an inch deep around the cake.

Carefully move the whole thing to the oven. Bake for an hour, then check with an instant-­read thermometer that the temperature has reached 160 degrees. Continue baking until 160 degrees, then remove from the oven and cool in the water bath for 30 minutes.

Carefully remove from the water bath and cool another 30 minutes.

Chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours in the pan before carefully running a knife around the edge and releasing the pan.

For the glaze: Put the remaining chocolate in a small bowl. In a small pan, heat the cream and butter to almost boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir calmly until the chocolate has melted. Pour over the cheesecake, and spread to cover within an inch of the edges.

Chill 30 minutes until set.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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a welcome home One Dream Cabin on the James

BY CH A R LOT T E A . F. FA R L E Y P h ot o gr a p hy by KG T hi e n e m a nn

IF YOU EVER VENTURE ALL THE WAY DOWN TRENTS FERRY ROAD, you might be surprised to find that such tranquil countryside could exist mere minutes away from the Hill City. If you continue to traverse the curved mountain paths, you’ll find a quiet neighborhood tucked into the hills, spotting one log home perched high above the roaring James River.

In the spring, the front yard fills with daffodils, “the scrambled-egg kind,” June Masencup offers. “They’re Bob’s favorite!” It’s fitting that the daffodil, a symbol of cheerfulness, renewal, vitality and inspiration is the flower that dominates June and Bob Masencup’s garden, when you consider the story of how they came to this log home.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Bob always nurtured the dream of having “a little cabin for a weekend place,� he explains. He purchased the property known as Stony Point Farm in 1982.

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his is a friendly home, evidenced from the cozy, cheerful colors in the decor to June herself standing on the front porch to greet you. “Come on in! Let’s sit down!

Would you like something to drink?” June and Bob, lifelong residents of the Lynchburg area, have lived in this log home on 42 acres overlooking the James River since the late 1990s. Bob always nurtured the dream of having “a little cabin for a weekend place,” he explains. He purchased the property known as Stony Point Farm in 1982 and believes it bears the appropriate name. “If you go out and stick a shovel in the earth, you’ll find loads of smooth river rocks and tiny pebble rocks,” he says. Turning this dream into reality, however, was going to take some work.

Originally, a version of a log home existed on the property, but it was uninhabitable. “It was in a state of collapse,” Bob explains. “Can you imagine this: Cows used to stand around in the old, dilapidated cabin!” After contacting a representative from Appalachian Log Homes, it was determined that the wood from the cabin was sound. “He said the logs were in good shape, so use them!” says Bob. Still, there wasn’t enough existing wood to create the Masencups’ dream log home: the 1890s cabin was only 22x24, a tiny house before the tiny house movement. While the original structure provided enough space for a large family room and a bedroom, it wasn’t sufficient square footage for Bob and June and their two school-aged children. Where would the rest of the wood come from?

Bob began advertising in the paper for any barns, cabins or farms in a “state of collapse,” and got a few leads. One came from a log cabin on a tobacco farm in Amherst and another from a centuryold cabin in Concord, Virginia. The logs from those two properties now serve as the walls for the Masencups’ kitchen and dining room. The house was dismantled, “removed log by log and numbered,” Bob says. He explains that it needed to happen this way so that the pieces would all fit together and correspond properly when being rebuilt.

Like most first-time homebuilders, June believed their home “would be up in no time!” Alas, that wasn’t the case,

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

The centerpiece of the room—the fireplace—was the original, but the Masencups enlarged it using rocks from the original kitchen.

particularly with a project like this that calls for such expertise.

The Masencups hired Pat Woody of Woody Wood Chinking in Amherst County to build this dream home, whom they say is a real expert in this area. “You have to have someone who is a specialist for sure,” says June.

Once through the front door, you’ll enter a large, airy space— yes, airy, even in a log home! The door opens into a living room with a staircase on the right. You’ll notice immediately that even though you are entering a log home, there are some “regular,” sheetrock walls. June enjoys having some traditional painted walls in the house; she says, “It gives more brightness.”

The centerpiece of the room—the fireplace—was the original, but the Masencups enlarged it using rocks from the original kitchen. Soft beige-skirted chairs flank the fireplace; a sofa and ottoman as well as curtains in a cheerful magenta and green plaid provide softness and comfort to create a colorful, cheerful

space amid the browns of the logs and steely grays of the rocks.

An Oriental rug from Greenfront Furniture anchors the room, a perfect place to unwind and enjoy one of the many books from the custom built-in bookcases that also display family photos and ginger jars. Old family books live on this shelf—“my father was a book nut!” Bob smiles—as well as a volume of poetry written and published by Bob’s father. Other sentimental touches include an artistic rendering of the family cabin created by a relative, in a prominent position by the front door.

The Masencups built a custom cupboard around a return vent in the living room to create more usable and functional space. “When you jam three cabins together, you wind up with corners and nooks…you gotta do something!” says Bob. Extra storage abounds in those nooks and crannies, like the Alice-inWonderland-like closets of different heights with doors that hide Christmas decorations and other off-season belongings.

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The kitchen is off the living room, a bright French country cooking space complete with yellow and blue curtains and bouquet of hydrangeas atop the butcher block that serves more as an island than just a chopping station. Except for the new quartz countertops and the touchless faucet, most of the kitchen remains unchanged from when the Masencups originally built it in 1997; June has an eye for timeless style. Her cabinets are as chic today as ever in beadboard and antique white; the heart pine floors are ideal for kitchens as well as beautiful, and her original range “works like a charm� with six gas jets, a griddle, a double oven, and a warming light, perfect for hosting their holiday dinners. The Masencups often host large holiday dinners, inviting family and friends, which speaks to their warm and generous sense of hospitality: Everyone is welcome to kick up their feet and make themselves at home in the cabin.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

A big drum pendant illuminates a large dining table with two leaves and a clock from Bob’s father’s office hangs on the wall—a special family memento. The dining room is such a large space for entertaining and convenient to both the kitchen and the screened porch, but June laughingly admits that they typically eat together in front of the TV on regular weeknights.

A side door leads into a screened porch that offers a magnificent view of Potato Hill and Tobacco Row Mountain. A wrought-iron patio set with floral trim provides a great spot to sit and enjoy the soothing sound of wind chimes ringing in the breeze. Even though the views of the 42 acres are breathtaking, keeping up the pastoral vista requires work. Bob does the bush hogging several times during the summer, but he employs nature’s best when it comes to lawn maintenance. “Most summers we get cows—some young steers—so that they can eat the grass,” June explains. June is no stranger to the aspects of farm life; she grew up on her family farm in Forest and keeps the milk can from her grandmother’s dairy on proud display on the screened porch.

June keeps the milk can from her grandmother’s dairy on proud display on the screened porch.

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ff the living room, a turn up the steps displays a collection of walking sticks, serving as a nod to the local landscape and a whimsical greeting to climbing a staircase. The second floor houses all of the bedrooms, but most of them now serve as quiet places for pursuing hobbies and relaxing. Bob and June are recent empty nesters; daughter Elizabeth, a graduate of Ole Miss, is the athletic director at E.C. Glass High School and son Carson, who was named after Bob’s father, graduated from Liberty University and now lives on June’s family farm in Forest. Even though the Masencup manor is just minutes from the city of Lynchburg, the home is in Bedford County. When they were growing up, June was dedicated to hauling her kids back and forth to town, especially Carson, since “he played basketball, so that was another ride out to the school and back!” June remembers. Now Bob and June live in the cabin with their dog Cosmo.

The first room at the top of the stairs is Elizabeth’s old room, which June has decorated with fun, upbeat touches of robin’s egg blue and complementary orange and a brilliant chandelier that June jokingly refers to as her “disco ball.” June likes to use this room as her own personal space for relaxing.

A step up and down leads to Carson’s old room, which features a steep staircase right within the bedroom—these were the steps providing access to the kitchen area in the original cabin. June laughs at the memory of Cosmo (the family dog) barking like mad at Carson: “Cosmo did not like him going up these steps from the dining room!” As empty nesters tend to do, the room is now the official guest room but more regularly

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

The simple, rustic outdoor shower provides a place to shower with a view of the rolling river and countryside, but with plenty of privacy to enjoy outdoor bathing.

Photo: Bob Masencup

serves as a daily creative retreat for June to pursue her new hobby of painting. A small easel displays her first piece, a bouquet of colorful flowers upon a robin’s egg blue background. “June likes to paint up here because the lighting is just so good,” Bob explains, motioning to the outpouring of natural light from the room’s large, clear windows.

The end of the hallway leads to the master bedroom, which happens to be the only room in the house without logs in the walls. Bob explains that the room doesn’t have logs because they didn’t exist! “I didn’t have any more wood,” he says, noting that all of the wood from the three cabins stayed within the parameters of their original floor plans. The Masencups like having just one room without any logs in it, adding that a log home doesn’t have to contain only logs. June hung a sunburst

mirror on these “real” walls along with the poems Bob wrote upon the birth of each child in frames. The room is furnished with built-in cupboards and cabinetry used for storage and displaying favorite everyday items. A glass-paned door leads out to a private deck with a shower, or what Bob jokingly refers to as the other “half-bath.” The simple, rustic outdoor shower provides a place to shower with a view of the rolling river and countryside, but with plenty of privacy to enjoy outdoor bathing.

A morning spent at the home of June and Bob Masencup not only reveals a home made of truly reclaimed materials, but shows that it’s entirely possible to live in and decorate a log home where the logs serve as the backdrop to the story taking place—a story of pursuing a family dream.

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n LIVE GALA AT VILLA MARIA

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or many decades, many in the Lynchburg community have walked, run or driven by the Georgian mansion at 3012 Rivermont Avenue; many have even matriculated there when the home functioned as a Catholic school for girls. For the past two years, locals have watched a flurry of construction activity come and go. Now, Mark Little and Todd Leap, the new owners of Villa Maria, are opening the doors of their newly renovated home to

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host the Lynchburg Historical Foundation Gala at the Villa on September 24 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Little, who is originally from Lynchburg and serves on the foundation’s Board of Directors, says that the couple is happy to open their home in this way, hosting this important event for an organization that is so dear to their hearts.

“Architecturally, Lynchburg is such a beautiful city,” he says. “Hosting the gala is a way to raise awareness of repurposing old homes…The old homes here are amazing, and renovating [Villa Maria] has been a way to showcase my love of architecture and design.”

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

At the black-tie-optional gala, patrons will enjoy music by Apple Butter Soul Band, catering by Avenue Foods, a door prize of fine jewelry from Finks, and a live auction of a luxurious destination getaway. Partygoers will also have the opportunity to tour two floors of the home, seeing first hand the results of what the homeowners deem a two-year labor of love.

When Leap and Little purchased Villa Maria in 2013, the 10,000 square-foot home was in need of attention. “The bones were in good shape; all of the original characteristics were intact,” says Little. However, he explains, the home had no kitchen and all of the baths were either builder grade or had commercial stalls and fixtures; all the functional systems of the home were antiquated as well. So with Little as the lead designer—handling everything from interior design, preservation of historic architecture, and contractor management—the couple completed a total renovation of Villa Maria. Highlights include a cook’s kitchen featuring custom cabinetry, marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances, and a stunning master suite in which they transformed a sleeping porch into a master bath, complete with historically accurate replicas of original windows. They also redesigned and renovated much of the exterior landscaping; Leap has played a major role in this aspect of design and implementation.

Lynchburg Historical Foundation Executive Director Sally Schneider says she is thrilled with this year’s venue, and grateful that Little and Leap are generously providing a welcoming, grand and historically significant space for the gala. She also notes that the gala’s importance extends well beyond the fete on Saturday evening. “This event also helps gather people together, to help

“ARCHITECTURALLY, LYNCHBURG IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CITY. HOSTING THE GALA IS A WAY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF REPURPOSING OLD HOMES…THE OLD HOMES HERE ARE AMAZING, AND RENOVATING [VILLA MARIA] HAS BEEN A WAY TO SHOWCASE MY LOVE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN.” — MARK LITTLE raise community awareness of the things we do at the foundation and why they matter,” says Schneider. The foundation works to promote the understanding of history, architecture and culture in the Lynchburg area, partnering with many local organizations for preservation and education projects. Recent projects supported by the foundation include the restoration of the second floor balcony of the Academy Center of the Arts, restoration of the Presbyterian Cemetery, and recording oral histories from community members.

To be sure, a big part of preserving history is protecting structures and artifacts, but she says there’s also a greater purpose behind such projects. “It’s more than fixing up and saving old properties. It’s about preserving bits of the past,” Schneider says.

“We need to make sure our history is intact.”

To inquire about ticket availability or for more information, contact the foundation at (434) 528-5353 or visit lynchburghistoricalfounation.org online.

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n IMPROVE: DRIVEWAY MAINTENANCE

Driveway Sealing

Black Magic or Black Hole?

T

BY J ER RY H A L E

alk to a half-dozen homeowners about whether or not it’s a good idea to periodically topcoat an asphalt driveway, and you’re likely to hear dissenting opinions. Some may call it a “waste of money”—basically a “paint job” with little or no value beyond aesthetics. Others say periodic seal coating is essential for long-term driveway health—like regular oil changes for your car. The ones in the middle have likely heard both arguments and haven’t decided who to believe.

THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR REGULAR TOP-COATING OF AN ASPHALT DRIVEWAY IS THE SEALER’S ABILITY TO FILL IN THE CRACKS, KEEPING WATER ON THE SURFACE WHERE IT CAN HARMLESSLY EVAPORATE RATHER THAN COLLECT IN THE CRACKS. 6 6

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Asphalt driveways are a less expensive alternative to concrete, and though typically less durable, are often preferred for their rich black coloration as well as their lower price. Commonly called “blacktop,” this paving is a simple mixture of gravel aggregate and petroleum-based binder. Applied hot and then compressed smooth by a heavy roller, it yields an attractive and functional surface for car, bike and foot traffic. It’s been in use for roads, driveways and paths for well over a century.

Like the roof on your home, your driveway gets full exposure to the elements. Sun beats down hard, its heating effect magnified by the black color. (If you have any doubts about that, just take a step or two on your drive, barefooted, on a sunny day.

Better yet, trust the science on how effectively color attracts and holds the heat!) Whatever falls from the sky—rain, snow, sleet, hail and airborne pollutants—hits your driveway full on. Then there’s the matter of traffic—not just your relatively lightweight personal vehicles, but trucks delivering packages, fuel, propane, mulch and the occasional piece of furniture.

Indeed, asphalt’s proclivity to fade from rich black to dull gray over time is its way of confirming that it is weathering. In essence, the aggregate gradually shows through as the top film is eroded by sunlight, precipitation and tire traffic.

Driveways must also contend with the effects of temperatureinduced expansion and contraction. That, combined with surface erosion, will gradually produce cracks where water can collect and further attack the surface as it runs, freezes and thaws.

So the best argument for regular top-coating of an asphalt driveway is the sealer’s ability to fill in the cracks, keeping water on the surface where it can harmlessly evaporate rather than collect in the cracks and, in cooler climates, freeze into expanding “chisel” mode. Small cracks also harbor seeds that germinate into unsightly weeds, with penetrating roots acting as damaging levers. A fresh coat of sealant will also help protect asphalt from corrosive auto fluid drips.

Bottom line: Experts seem to agree that sealing an asphalt driveway every three to four years is prudent and cost-effective preventative maintenance.

Contractor or DIY?

That said, there’s another contention to wrestle: Is this a job I tackle myself…or purchase from a pro?

Doing the sealing job yourself using buckets of top coating purchased at home improvement stores will definitely save you money, but there are downsides. Lots of driveway owners try this once and then decide that lugging, opening and stirring the unwieldy buckets, getting hands and face splattered with hardto-remove black goop, destroying a set of work clothes and pair of shoes, and tracking black footprints into the garage and/or mudroom all become part of the cost equation. As for aesthetics, a DIY job often results in brush marks, swirls and start-stop lines that the pros know how to avoid.

Pros will also be experienced at addressing major cracks, crumbling and root bumps prior to applying the sealer. Going beyond a superficial treatment of problem areas may well forestall the need to repave for several years.

Angie’s List, for example, gives a range for using reputable contractors at $200–$400 per thousand square feet (a 10' x 100' section) which you can eyeball for a ballpark to check against what the contractor reports after using a measuring wheel. Several web experts caution that fly-by-night providers

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(who typically knock on the door proposing a bargain job using material left over from “another job in the neighborhood”) often apply substandard material and won’t be around for retribution should you be dissatisfied. They suggest using only established firms with a reputation to protect locally.

Another consideration is when to seal. For best appearance of the finished job, avoid months when leaves or other tree debris are falling. If this is on your fall to-do list, do it soon, before the big leaf drop. If your driveway has a steep slope, wait until spring to seal it to minimize slippery-ness under tires and feet when cold winter rains and/or ice and snow arrive. Steep driveway owners should also be sure the sealant used includes sand to improve traction.

Whether you hire a contractor or do the job yourself, make plans to stay off the driveway until the sealant has fully cured— usually a minimum of 48 hours, and somewhat dependent on ambient temperatures and sunlight. Any less and you’re likely to get tread marks that will bug you until the drive is resealed in three to four years, especially on slopes where your car isn’t tracking a perfect straight line.

Like most other aspects of your home inside and out, driveways will fare best with proper care along the way. Most experts agree top-coating with a quality sealer will extend your driveway’s life while improving appearance. And if you’re like most homeowners who notice a freshly-sealed blacktop drive, you think, “Wow, that looks really GOOD…maybe I should get it done at my place!”

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Asphalt driveways that are heaving and crumbling won’t be helped by a top coat of sealer. An asphalt contractor should be consulted for advice on repair options. Most expensive is repaving— tearing out the old asphalt and starting over. About a third to a half less expensive is putting a new layer of compatible asphalt over the old, which may be an option depending on what is causing the old asphalt to fail.

As in most repairs, the effort spent in proper preparation will determine how good the finished driveway looks and how long it will last.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

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n DESIGN MIXING OLD AND NEW

in the mix

COMBINING OLD WITH NEW CREATES LAYERS OF INTEREST

BY CH R IS T Y R I P P EL

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, the on-trend home was often heavily themed, like Southwestern or country, and furniture that matched was the look of choice. Since that time, popular style has evolved to embrace an eclectic look, but many do-it-yourself home designers find this style tricky to pull off. How can you look collected and eclectic without looking cluttered and chaotic? And what exactly are you supposed to do with pieces you’ve inherited? How do you integrate these heirlooms into your current decor? Keep reading for some easy ways to combine old with new to get the chic look you’re after.

Consider Your Architecture

If your home has some years behind it, include some furniture pieces or accessories from the time that it was built (a nod to midcentury modern for a 1960s rancher, or some 1930s-era antiques in your foursquare) for an organic tie-in. “One of the reasons to decorate your home with a few antique pieces is that these golden oldies never go out of style,” says Troy Deacon, co-owner of Estates and Consignments in Lynchburg.

Layer in some pieces that create contrast; modern art paired with more traditional furnishings is surprising and fresh, and modern rugs, like bold stripes or geometric patterns, can work well with traditional furniture.

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In a newer build, consider bringing in older elements to create warmth and character, like reclaimed wood planking on a wall or ceiling, or a vintage light fixture, fireplace hearth or banister. A design scheme can be built around these initial contrasts of old and new.

Know What You Need When You Treasure Hunt

If you like to go on the hunt for pieces with potential, a tape measure is a must—in a big open space of a showroom the piece can appear smaller than it will in your living room. Have an idea of what you are looking for, like chairs to flank your buffet, or an interesting piece for a bookshelf, so you don’t Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

“YOUR HOME IS SUPPOSED TO COME TOGETHER PIECE BY PIECE. DON’T PURCHASE SOMETHING JUST TO FILL A SPACE WITH THE INTENTION OF FINDING THAT SPECIAL PIECE YOU WANT LATER. YOU WILL ALWAYS REGRET BUYING SOMETHING THAT WASN’T WHAT YOU REALLY WANTED.” — Troy Deacon

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Special thanks to Troy Deacon and Ted Delaney.

wind up with rooms that are overstuffed—a surefire way to look cluttered.

Don’t be afraid to paint something (chalk paint and milk paint are easy to use for novice painters) if you think a fresh coat will transform it. Keep in mind that painting diminishes the value of the piece drastically, so don’t reach for a paint brush before you know if the furniture is worth anything. If you inherit a piece, have an antiques dealer take a look first.

If you find an upholstered piece with great lines but shoddy springs and worn, dated fabric, it can be fixed. “Make sure the wood has not dry rotted and is in good, stable condition; otherwise if you love it, buy it,” states Deacon, who says a good upholsterer can work wonders and bring almost anything back to life. He likes Phil’s Upholstery in the Lynchburg area; a fabric store can also give recommendations.

Stick to Tried and True; Edit Accessories

If you have a mix of styles and eras in a room, a way to make it look intentional is to stick with a color scheme that always works, like soft neutrals or black and white. A vintage, tufted curvy-lined sofa or chair looks breezy and current redone in a light linen Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

fabric, allowing the lines of the piece to stand out. Neutrals are never boring when you mix textures and have great contrasts in the room (such as curvy pieces with straight-lined modern ones, a vintage vase on a lacquered tray).

Collected doesn’t have to mean cluttered, and items you love shine better if they aren’t competing with too many elements in the room.

If you want to highlight your vintage typewriter or a unique piece of pottery you inherited from family, give it a place of honor on a buffet or bookshelf. A second look from an honest and style-savvy friend can be a second eye in a room, and can help you edit down to banish clutter.

When You Can’t Bear to Paint a Piece

When you’ve inherited furniture from family and painting it is out of the question, you can make it look more current without altering it.

That secretary your grandmother left to you?

Think about how you could use it—maybe it comes out of the living room to the top of the upstairs hallway to hold guest towels and toiletries. Remove an attached mirror and a dresser becomes a buffet; a collection of fine china plates that will go unused in a cabinet can be hung on a wall to enjoy every day.

“Just because it worked in someone else’s home does not mean it will work in your home…you have to tweak it a bit to accomplish the style you are going for,” says Deacon. “You have saved a piece of family history that had sentimental value…make it work for you.”

When you have dark-stained vintage furniture, lighten up what’s around it to avoid a heavy, dated look. Light colored walls won’t compete (try Benjamin Moore’s Ivory White for a warm, creamy white), and a natural fiber rug like sisal, makes a great neutral backdrop.

Break up groups—your inherited dark-wood table will look instantly fresh contrasted with contemporary chairs. In a bedroom, consider moving the nightstands or the dresser to another room to avoid an excessively match-y look.

And remember that a collected home is one that evolves to reflect your priorities, interests and experiences. “Decorating is supposed to take time,” says Deacon. “Your home is supposed to come together piece by piece. Don’t purchase something just to fill a space with the intention of finding that special piece you want later. You will always regret buying something that wasn’t what you really wanted.”

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n IMPROVE SLEEP COMFORT

let’s get cozy

YOUR GUIDE TO REFRESHED BEDDING

BY M EG A N H A L L

As much as I adore the warmth and bliss of summer, the crisp air of fall has always held a certain magic for me. It makes the world seem fresh and clean again, the muggy air suddenly erased by the fragrance of Russian Tea and a wood-burning stove.

I also gravitate toward cooler months because I’m an unapologetic lover of my bed. As such, I revere fall as the perfect weather-appropriate time to reassess my sleep comfort. After all, restful sleep is a vital component of good health. At first glance, the seemingly endless options for mattresses, toppers and sheets can be overwhelming, but with a little help your path will become clear!

Mattresses

We’ve seen the mattress commercials— and secretly dreamed of being the person who sleeps without a hair out of place or embarrassing drool!—but how do you actually shop for a mattress?

Where to buy Grab your pillow and head to the store!

No, seriously. Experts recommend taking your favorite pillow and laying on a potential mattress for 10 to 15 minutes in your preferred sleep position, simulating slumber. Also, keep your wallet top of mind. Many stores will price match their competitors. If you don’t feel like leaving the house, take advantage of online retailers. With reviews, reviews, and more reviews at your fingertips, it’s easier these days to make decisions to buy things online. The most important two words to remember are: return policy. Before you shell out the big bucks, make sure you can get them back if you don’t love your new bedding.

What to consider The best mattress will give your spine a nice curvature and properly align your buttocks, heels, shoulders and head. If a mattress is too firm, it will push on pressure points, causing pain; similarly, if the mattress is too soft, it won’t effectively support those points, leading to an achy morning.

So now you know where you’re going and what you need, but what are your choices?

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Innerspring: The most widely sold and affordable option, innerspring mattresses contain metal coils. In most modern versions, each coil is individually wrapped to help disperse motion. While it can be comfortable for most anyone, firmer versions are especially beneficial for those with back pain. When shopping, keep in mind that the coil count is important, but anything above 390 won’t make a noticeable difference.

Memory or latex foam: Tempur-Pedic has emerged as the most recognizable name for this mattress type. Memory and latex foam are both quickly gaining popularity and embody the same basic principle: a slow-responding foam that molds to your body and eliminates pressure on the body. Sounds great, right?

Memory foam has an excellent reputation for relieving aches and pains, as well as absorbing movement, making it an ideal option for couples. However, it can retain heat, which makes for a warm sleep. Thankfully, newer options boast gel-infused or plant-based options that dissipate heat and provide better motion diffusion.

Latex foam is more durable than memory foam and maintains a more consistent temperature, but is not as effective at relieving pressure.

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Protective layers: Lightweight and machine washable, cotton is a splendid choice of material for a topper, while wool absorbs heat to keep you cool and resists mold and dust-mites. If you tend to sniffle and sneeze, a hypoallergenic option could make pollen-heavy months more comfortable.

Mini-mattresses: If you opted for an innerspring mattress, you can simulate the memory-foam experience with a mattress topper composed of the same material. The egg crate is another great foam product, featuring ridges and grooves to help disperse pressure on the body. An iconic option, featherbeds are just as luxurious as they sound! This type of mattress topper, filled with down feathers, is lightweight and soft, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Best of all, snagging a plush foam topper or featherbed is an excellent alternative to buying a new mattress!

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Sheets

You have a heavenly mattress and a cushy topper, now it’s time for the grand finale: sheets! As the part of bedding that actually touches your body, I consider cozy sheets to be a high priority. In advertisements, thread count seems to be the determining factor, but rest assured there are plenty of other elements to appraise including material, weave and beyond. Here’s the quick-and-easy guide to soft sleeping: Thread count: Sorry friends, contrary to popular belief, a higher thread count does not necessarily denote a softer sheet. Defined as the number of threads per square inch of a fabric, thread count is actually influenced by many factors, with material being the most important consideration. Experts recommend sheets between 300 to 600 thread count composed of a high-grade fabric (learn more about materials in the following section).

Anything more than 800 will not make a noticeable difference. Options greater than 1,000 can often begin to feel stiff due to the tightly compacted threads and will be less breathable, resulting in a warm slumber.

Material: Any self-respecting Southern woman will tell you that 100 percent cotton sheets make for the best sleep—cool,

breathable, and less likely to stain…what more could you want? Sure, they can be a bit crisp at first, but after a few wash cycles you’ll swear you’re sleeping on a cloud. If you are partial to a freshly ironed look, try a cottonpolyester blend which resists wrinkles. Also very important is the fiber length. Long-fiber cottons such as Egyptian, pima, and Supima offer a distinctly softer sheet. Additionally, combed cotton fabric, true to its name, is combed to remove lingering short fibers, creating a strong but soft sheet.

Weave: The weave is the undercurrent of the sheet, determining how it feels, how long it lasts and how much it costs. Percale dominates the upper end of the basic weave spectrum, offering durability and a silk-like feel. Specialty weaves, such as sateen, provide more vertical than horizontal yarns, resulting in an extremely soft fabric.

Traversing the wild world of bedding can seem like foreign territory, but embrace the challenge. If you take your time, ponder all your options, and make informed choices, the end result can drastically improve the quality of your sleep. Now is the time to seize the sheets and take your sleep comfort into your own hands!

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n LIVE DIY FLAVORED VINEGAR

a tangy, tart treat

HOMEMADE WINE VINEGAR

BY S LOA N E LU C AS

If you’ve perused the aisles of grocery stores and seen the choices—and prices—of fancy-flavored wine vinegars, you have surely been tempted to buy some. Instead, why not create your own, tailored to your taste, from scratch? Bottled and beribboned, homemade vinegar makes a great gift, too!

Making wine vinegar is easy. It just takes planning and patience. You may already have almost everything you need to create a delicious finished product.

Collecting Containers

The first step is simple: Start saving containers. You will need two different kinds: large for making the vinegar, and smaller for final bottling.

If you use distilled white vinegar for cleaning, those large plastic jugs work really well. Do you buy large jugs of distilled water? Save those too. You can also use plastic pitchers or beverage dispensers, like those used to serve

lemonade or iced tea. (The process may stain them, so use something you won’t need in the future.) The bigger the container, the more vinegar you can make at one time. Or you can make one or more smaller batches.

For your finished product, you will need practical, but preferably decorative, glass bottles. Empty screw-top wine bottles in clear white or unusual colors like cobalt blue are perfect—especially gewürztraminer and Riesling bottles, which have a taller, leaner silhouette. If you have empty liquor bottles in creative shapes, they work wonderfully. Even glass salad dressing or vinegar bottles will do.

Most labels can be scraped off after a soak in hot water. (Leftover glue residue can often be removed with acetone nail polish remover.)

Bottles with cork stoppers are fine, but do not re-use old wine corks. Use only proper stoppers like those that come with liquor bottles. Even if you don’t like the bottle it came with, wash and dry the stopper for future use on other bottles.

Stoppers shouldn’t be loose, but have a nice snug fit.

For all containers, make sure everything is washed with soap and water before using. Don’t use containers that you can’t clean thoroughly inside.

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Style

Wine Time

While you are amassing containers, start stockpiling wine. If you purchased wine that you didn’t enjoy or opened a bottle that seemed “off,” save it. You can make vinegar with red, white or rosé, and can even mix varieties of the same color.

If you need to buy wine, choose inexpensive bottles. Watch for sales on boxed wines, which are extremely economical and have come a long way as far as quality and taste.

Introducing “Mother”

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To jumpstart fermenting, you need unpasteurized, unfiltered “starter” vinegar that has active “mother.” Mother contains a very acidic strain of bacteria, which, when exposed to oxygen, causes the fermentation that converts wine to vinegar.

Most unpasteurized vinegar brands should proclaim the presence of mother on the label—don’t buy it if it doesn’t.

This type of vinegar should appear cloudy, with residue on the bottom. First check your pantry to see if have some. If not, your local grocery or natural food store should have it.

Pour wine into your large jug, filling about one-half to twothirds of the way. Leave room to ensure surface area for air to circulate. Then shake up your bottle of starter vinegar (so the mother is fully loosened from the bottom) and add to the jug.

If you have multiple smaller jugs, divide the wine and starter vinegar equally.

The process is very forgiving. You can vary the wine-tovinegar ratio from 2:1 to 4:1, and can even add some water if you don’t have enough leftover wine.

Do not seal your containers. Instead, cover with a small kitchen towel, a coffee filter or a few layers of paper towels Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

and secure with rubber bands. The goal is to keep dust and particles from getting in, while still allowing airflow. Store in a location with moderate temperature, away from light.

Then leave it alone—and be patient. Start tasting it after one month, but it could take up to three months before it achieves the tang and flavor associated with good vinegar.

When the taste is to your liking, it’s time to transfer to your glass containers for use. Using a basic strainer lined with a few paper towels or a coffee filter, strain the vinegar to remove any large lumps of mother that will likely come out as you transfer. Strain directly into a stainless steel pot.

The mother might be a little startling once it’s grown—it should look like a scary gelatinous blob. If you were to leave the jug alone for a long time, the mother would eventually take over and you would have no liquid left. But however goopy it looks, embrace it. You can even keep using it.

Once you have a batch of active mother, you can continue to use it. It will continue to be active for a while, as long as you “feed” it with wine. So leave as much mother in your large jug as possible and simply add some more wine to keep the cycle going. (If, however, the mother has settled to the bottom and coagulated into a dark, rubbery layer, that mother is no longer active.)

To stop the mother from continuing to grow in your ready-to-use vinegar, you will need to pasteurize it. Heat and hold to a light simmer for 10 minutes. Cool and transfer to your containers.

(It might be cloudy instead of the clear look of commercially filtered vinegar.)

If you really want to kick your vinegar up a notch, after your pasteurized batch has cooled enough to work with it, but while it’s still warm, pour it into your glass containers and add herbs or other flavor-inducing items. These could include garlic cloves, chives, thyme, tarragon, basil, rosemary or chilies. Leave the flavorings in the bottles for two weeks, then strain again and put back into bottles. There is no need to re-pasteurize.

Throughout the pasteurization and flavoring process, be sure to use only glass or stainless steel bowls. Aluminum or other metals will negatively impact the color and taste of your vinegar.

You can bottle your vinegar for your own use or share with friends and family as housewarming or holiday gifts. Jazz them up with fun labels or tie tags on with twine. And because the ingredients you chose along the way to craft your own vinegar were unique, the finished product will be a truly one-of-a-kind creation.

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n DESIGN TRENDS IN TRIM

embellishments for upholstery, window treatments and more

BY N O EL L E M I L A M P h ot o gr a p hy by K hr is t in a H e lm i c h

When you see a beautifully decorated room, whether in person, on television, or in glossy photos, it is the small but exquisite details that really seem to transform a design from functional to fabulous. Using decorators’ trim—tassels on a valance, cording on a pillow, even a simple gimp covering upholstery tacks—is a designer’s go-to method of fully customizing a design project. These are the final touches that elevate a project to the truly personal and one of a kind. Trims are used to draw the eye to certain elements of design, such as pleating along the skirt of a club chair, or to accentuate a structural feature, such as high ceilings or an oversized window.

Rebekah Moody, owner of Southern Provisions Company, which provides design services and decor to customers in Central Virginia, describes trim, tassels and fringe as “the details that take a project up a level, from what you might be able to purchase ready-made.” According to Moody, these types of fabric embellishments are used as a way to reinforce a featured color and add another layer of interest or texture to a room, and of course, to fully customize orders based on a client’s individual tastes.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Special thanks to Southern Provisions Company for product and staging for the photos in this article. c vhomemaga zine .com 83

Trim Types

S O U T H E R N P R O V I S I O N S c

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Today’s homeowners are blessed with almost endless choices of trims. There are gimp trims—a woven trim of various widths (regular gimp, scallop gimp, braided gimp, up to the very wide galloon gimp). These are used to cover seams or tacks in upholstery or to make transitions between the fabric and other types of trims. Cording, also known as piping, is commonly used at seams of cushions and pillows, adding decorative interest as well as additional reinforcement for the seams. Various fringes, such as bullion fringe, brush fringe or tassel fringe, are also popular statements on window treatments, throw pillows, and along skirting at the bottom of chairs, sofas and table covers.

Trim tapes, available in a variety of widths, colors and patterns, are perhaps the most popular trend in fabric embellishment at the moment due to their versatility and affordability. Whether you are looking to add a touch of whimsy to a formal room or lend a feel of understated elegance to a more casual room, there is a trim to fit that goal.

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Like all elements of design, there are certain things that are currently on trend and others that are more timeless. Often this has less to do with the trim and more to do with where and how you use it. While we are familiar with trim edging a pillow or a drapery panel, it might be a little more adventurous to think about adding trim to a lampshade or an upholstered headboard.

“Banding and decorative tape is by far the most popular option for embellishments at the moment,” says Moody, who uses it in multiple projects. “We are in the South,” she laughs, “and trim will never go out of style!”

Trims can also be layered— though experts, Moody included, caution that this should be done with care to prevent a dated look.

This is where professional guidance can come in handy. For example, she avoids using brush trim on curtains. “It’s just a bit much,” she says. “I’d use pom-pom trim all day long in a nursery or a child’s playroom,” Moody says, “but not in a sophisticated master bedroom.

Trims should complement both your style and the room they are in.”

Care and Upkeep

One thing many homeowners are concerned about when thinking of fabric embellishments is ease of upkeep. Will those darling tassels along the bottom of the sofa’s skirting get caught in the vacuum cleaner? Is it safe to wash or dry clean the drapery panels with the Greek key decorative tape, or will the tape run or pucker? Will the contrasting cording on the throw pillows bleed if thrown in the washer? First of all, choose carefully. If the trim will be 84

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

attached to something like a couch throw pillow, that in the course of family life will likely need to be removed and washed on occasion, then plan accordingly and choose trim (and removable pillow covers!) that can be either machine washed or dry cleaned safely.

The key to keeping your fabric trim and embellishments looking their best is to keep them clean and dust free.

Prevention is key. Shake, fluff, or carefully vacuum to remove dust, spot clean as recommended by the manufacturer, and as a last resort, wash by hand, in the washing machine or dry clean. Be sure that your trim is firmly attached before vacuuming or washing—most trim is either sewn on or glued, depending on the project. Make repairs, and trim any snags or loose strings as necessary before cleaning.

Whether you are contemplating a new design project or looking for ways to update and add a “pop” to your existing decor, today’s beautiful trims, tapes and embellishments are sure to provide you with inspiration to bring out your home’s unique appeal.

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LAUNDRY ROOM

love

BY CY N T H I A B EM EN T

S

ort, wash, dry, fold, iron, repeat. Life in the laundry room rarely (okay, never) feels like a thrill ride, and it’s not usually on the top of the list when it comes to home-style updates. But considering that clean clothes are one of the necessities of life, why not ask for more—from both a functionality and a design perspective—from the space you spend so much time in to get those clothes clean?

From a budget-friendly freshen-up to a total overhaul, whether you’ve got a closet or a ballroom-sized laundry space to work with, showing your laundry room a little affection can help the whole process of getting clothes clean go more smoothly—and, dare we say, make you enjoy caring for your clothes a whole lot more. Here, we’ve got some ideas to get you on the path to an updated, organized and efficient laundry area.

Sort it out.

First things first: take stock of your laundry area’s form, function, available space and condition of the key appliances that help you get the job done. If you’re remodeling or building a new home, look to locate your laundry area closest to the area of your home where the most dirty laundry collects, or near bedrooms where clean laundry is put away.

Another potential location would be between the garage/house entry and kitchen—a strategy that could turn your laundry area into a multitasker, doubling as a mudroom or entry drop zone. Last but not least: consider the location of your washer and dryer within your laundry space in terms of noise and vibration that may travel to other floors or rooms.

If you’re working with an established area, look for places to make space-use improvements, such as moving walls if your budget allows, purchasing a stackable washer and dryer, or creating or installing additional storage. Next up, evaluate your main work horses. Washer/dryer need an upgrade? Washer/dryer technology has changed considerably in recent years, so do your homework on what kinds of features you want and can afford. You’ll also have to decide on top-loading versus front-loading washers, and stacked versus side-by-side. Be sure to evaluate the energy consumption and costs of any units you’re considering.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

WITH A LITTLE PLANNING, CREATIVITY AND SPACE-USE CONSIDERATION, A HAPPY LIFE IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM IS WITHIN YOUR REACH.

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Happiness is

Call 434.455.4763 today to schedule a tour. www.jamesriverdayschool.org

Virginia Hamrick Photography

Create a smart-working space.

In short, look up. Is your laundry room taking advantage of all the vertical space it can? Look for opportunities to capitalize on space by going vertical: Install shelving units above the washer/ dryer, or up the entirety of one wall. Or consider installing a laundry center with a fold-down ironing board and iron storage to take up less floor space that can double as a mini folding station if you’re short on space. Another option is to hang an ironing board over the laundry room door.

Could your laundry room benefit from the addition of a sink with sprayer faucet head for pet baths and hosing off muddy shoes? Or perhaps upgrade an existing, dated sink, swapping the white plastic tub for a farmhouse porcelain style with bronze fixtures, a stainless or granite model, or an industrial-look sink.

Cabinetry and countertops are another key design and function opportunity if you choose to upgrade. For a quick, budget-friendly yet impactful update from a design standpoint, paint your cabinet surfaces and go for new hardware in crystal8 8

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

look glass, polished metal or bronze finishes. Another fast update that’s light on the wallet is to remove cabinet doors and let open shelves create opportunities to showcase clever and colorful storage within, such as matching, labeled baskets in either rattan, printed fabric or a solid color family. Open storage also allows quicker access to your mostused items and the opportunity to see at-a-glance what you’re running low on when you’re headed to the store for supplies.

If your budget allows for new cabinetry, find your favorite look that also offers intelligent storage solutions such as ironing boards that roll out of drawers and drying racks that pull down from cabinets.

Add ambiance with up or down-lit glass doors and stash extra dishware or pottery collections to turn your laundry room into part collectible showcase.

Another laundry room attribute that makes laundry life easier is, of course, a folding station. If you don’t have one, look for spatial

opportunities to house a big enough solid surface to get clothing, sheets, towels, and your biggest items folded and ready for distribution— spanning the top of the washer (if it’s a front loader) and dryer, folding down from a wall, or on a readymade or constructed island, for example.

Also up for consideration in laundry room updates are pets.

If yours doubles as a place for your furry friends to kennel, nap or eat meals, consider upgraded functionality like built-in dog or cat beds, cleverly concealed cat box cubbies and extra cabinet space for pet food and grooming supplies.

Have a little fun.

Why not entertain yourself? Install a flat-screen TV or add portable speakers and pipe in music via a home media player, or create a device station so you can view media, video chat with family or friends, or listen to your favorite tunes or audio books while you get the job done. While you’re at it, if

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your laundry room is in a much-accessed area of your home, consider creating a charging station for electronic devices as well (far from water sources, of course).

Bring some “wow” to the walls, windows and doors.

Walls, windows and doors are not only necessities—but opportunities. Use them.

Bold, blue-and-white or floral printed wallpaper says “fresh” and can bring instant cheer to your laundry area. Or install a glass or subway tile backsplash behind your washer/dryer or sink and watch it catch and reflect light around the room and introduce a new color scheme that can be echoed in window curtains, painted walls and doors.

If your laundry room is one highly trafficked by family, consider painting one or more walls with chalkboard paint and let kids decorate the space with artwork, institute a family message center, or even use it as an extra space to brainstorm your next big coup at work while waiting for the air fluff cycle to finish.

Could your laundry room door use an upgrade? Splurge on a paneled, wooden door in a rich wood, or install a Dutch door, painted or stained in your favorite hue to keep

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pets in or little ones out with the bottom door closed while you let extra light in or listen for the dryer chime by keeping the top door open. Bonus: a window in the top half lets light in through this novel yet classic door style.

If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your laundry room, use it to bring living room-like charm into the space. Layer bamboo shades and curtains, or install a printed roller or charming plantation shades for an instant, upstyled look.

Light it up.

Nothing brings new life to any room faster than a new light source. Up the design and functional wattage on your laundry area with a statement chandelier dripping with crystals, a shiny, oversized industrial pendant, sleek recessed lighting, rustic barn-inspired fixtures or demure and traditional shaded sconces. Also consider areas in which you might incorporate table lamps in your favorite design to mimic a cozy living room and disperse soft, glowing light. Examine your light sources and consider changing light bulbs to LED versions; a single LED bulb can last up to 25 years and provides a whiter, brighter light source.

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

Turn an eye toward trendy storage (and accessories).

Storage: it’s the backbone of any successful laundry operation, and whether it’s a single shelf or a room full of cabinetry, where you stash your supplies can be a chance to change up your look. Bring in texture and warm wood with rattan or bamboo laundry baskets and/or coordinated shelf bins. Add function and gleam with industrial-look metal rolling baskets or entire shelving units. Punch things up with pattern and save some space at the same time with collapsible baskets in chevron or floral print for sorting laundry or stashing detergent and fabric softener.

Up the luxe factor on your countertops with colored or patterned glass containers for laundry soap tabs, clothes pins, dryer sheets and lint rollers. Use wood, glass or high-shine metal candle holders with flameless candles with programmable timers to make a statement and provide a little romance in the laundry room (why not?) and pull double-duty as night lights for pets or lonely laundry at

night. Lastly, look for decorative hooks and stagger them on the wall, where they’ll not only help delicate clothing to air-dry but can also keep hats, umbrellas or coats within easy reach in a laundry room near the garage or front door.

Get in on the ground floor.

If your plan calls for new flooring, consider contributing to a new look with patterned or wood-look laminate flooring, marble-look ceramic tiles or glossy white subway tiles, or opt for natural materials such as real wood or even brick. No budget for new floors?

Find your design groove with chunky, easy-care cotton tie rugs or washable looped rugs in a rich or ethnic pattern for an instant update underfoot.

No longer do you need your laundry chores be a mind-numbing affair, nor the space in which you launder to be the design eyesore of your home. With a little planning, creativity and spaceuse consideration, a happy life in the laundry room is within your reach.

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Building Central Virginia Since 1996 COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL (434) 258-2832 www.coulsonbuilders.com 92

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n GARDEN GARDEN PATHS

A PATH ADDS INSTANT

charm

TO THE GARDEN

BY M EG A N JA N S E N

H

ave you ever considered taking that boring plot of grass in your yard and creating a garden path with some interesting features?

Who can resist the allure of a path through a garden?

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CONTACT US TODAY ABOUT OUR

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You may be wondering, “Why would I ever want to make extra work for myself, or hire someone else to do the job when the grass is just fine?” Just as pictures, art, mirrors and travel artifacts on interior walls add interest and character to a home, so does a specially-created garden area, often with a path as the element that beckons, “Come, join me!” It ramps up the uniqueness of the property. It also shows that someone cares about this part of the yard; it’s not just lawn that gets mowed once a week. Even if the path leads to a bench where you might never want to sit—too buggy, too hot, too noisy—your eyes will go down that path and visually rest at the bench, providing a calming, peaceful effect. And such a charming vignette can add to the value of the property.

Fall is the perfect time of year to add this garden feature, because the weather is still comfortable for working outside, and with some plants dying back, you can more clearly see the big picture of your garden.

Let’s be clear: we’re talking about a pathway, not a walkway. Walkways are necessary parts of the property leading to doors or outbuildings. A pathway, on the other hand, is a frill, a cherry on top—but like art on indoor walls, it is a welcome addition. It’s also an extension of the home that makes ignored or neglected space usable. Pathways not only can increase real estate value, they can also provide outdoor living value.

Your pathway should reflect the style of your home. Is it traditional, cottage-style, coastal, contemporary, Asian-inspired, Southwestern or just plain neutral— meaning no real definitive style? While

Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

straight, clean lines in pathways harmonize with a contemporary look, most paths—and landscaping—are enhanced by curving lines. Elements of the path can play off the home’s exterior colors: a Tuscan look uses terra cotta and muted olive-green colors; coastal style emphasizes whites, beiges and light blues; a Southwestern feel comes from earth tones. The path may incorporate stepping stones similar to the home’s exterior stone, or brick may edge the path to complement brick on the house. And even if brick isn’t a part of your house, it lends a cottage or Americana look to a path—just add a white picket fence, and you’re all set, if that’s your style.

You’ll need to determine where to locate this landscape feature. Ideally it will be visible from inside the home, drawing you outside to walk there and luxuriate in the outdoors.

It may be visible from a window, porch, deck or patio, and ideally the start of the pathway will be near or visible from a home egress for easy accessibility.

Pathways, being less formal and less used than walkways, are often constructed of natural materials: simple stepping stones, mulch or pea gravel. A pathway should be two to three feet wide, and a curved pathway is more attractive than a straight one. If you’re simply placing stepping stones to create a path, consider surrounding them with ground cover (creeping thyme is a popular, non-invasive choice) to add visual interest.

Constructing a casual path is relatively simple; basic steps include removing a few inches of existing sod/soil, spreading some landscape fabric to prevent weeds from poking through, and filling with your material of choice. Mulch is probably the easiest and least expensive option, with a pretty straightforward prep and install. Pea gravel is a good choice and has a European flair— think about how it’s found around castles and gardens on the Continent.

Plus, it’s inexpensive (only about $5 per square foot installed; about half of that if you do it yourself), prevents

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weeds, improves drainage, prevents erosion, acts as a rodent barrier around the base of the house, and is easy to maintain.

Installing pea gravel is relatively easy, too.

The soil should be worked to about 6 inches deep, then should be covered with a 2-inch layer of coarsely textured crushed base rock.

Next, lay down a barrier of landscape cloth and cover that with a 3-inch-deep layer of pea gravel. The base rock stabilizes the pea gravel to provide a firm surface.

Pea gravel does have some additional requirements. It must be contained with edging material, be it wood, brick or metal— an added cost. It will shift underfoot if the layer of base rock is omitted in installation.

It will eventually pack down into the soil and need to be replenished about every four years or so, whereas mulch, being organic and subject to decomposition, needs to be refreshed every year. You’ll probably need to neaten up a gravel path’s surface with a rake every so often, or if stepping stones are set in the gravel, you’ll need to sweep and perhaps adjust them occasionally. Also keep in mind that a gravel path may be less sturdy and more difficult to navigate, so consider who will be using this path. Gravel sticks into anything except flat-soled shoes, so there should be a

gravel removal mat at the entry door near the path to avoid tracking it inside the house.

In addition to making your pathway reflect your home’s style, the corresponding landscaping might have a specific theme. Give the pathway a destination; it could lead to a formal herb garden, to a shady garden or bank of shrubs, to a flower garden of perennials, to a garden arbor with trailing vines, to an area that attracts hummingbirds, or butterflies, or both. Or how about a mini-garden designed around your favorite color of flowers?

Remember that your garden pathway isn’t something for viewing only. It can be a useful, tranquil place to relax, enjoy nature, read a book or share a cup of coffee. Furniture might be required: a bench, a table, a couple of chairs or some lounge chairs. With today’s materials, you can leave sturdy furniture and even fabric-covered cushions out in the weather without damaging them.

Once you have built your pathway and installed its surrounding greenery, you can revel in the closeness of nature— hummingbirds, butterflies, herbs, flowers or whatever you have used or attracted to populate your pathway and landscape area.

Enjoy!

CARPET · HARDWOOD · LAMINATE · TILE · VINYL · AREA RUGS

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

n LIVE AROUND TOWN Design On Stage Series Kicks Off with Esteemed Speakers

The Academy Center of the Arts will launch an annual educational design series called “Design on Stage.” The new series will make its debut in the Joy and Lynch Christian Theater on Thursday, October 6 with celebrated Atlanta-based interior designer and Lynchburg native Barbara Westbrook and Veranda’s Editor-in-Chief Clinton Smith as its first speakers.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and Westbrook and Smith will take the stage at 11:30 a.m. for an hourlong discussion on design followed by lunch and book signings. Westbrook’s first book, Gracious Rooms, was released in Spring 2015, and Smith’s first book, Veranda: The Romance of Flowers was released in Fall 2015.

The dialogue between Westbrook and Smith will focus on historic preservation in light of their mutual passion for restoration and preservation, and in celebration of the Academy’s recent success in exceeding its Music Theater Restoration campaign goal.

“Historic homes are really time capsules for the work of talented craftsmen, artisans and brilliant architects, loved and cared for by people who, like us, are inspired by great design and understand the need to preserve it,” says Smith.

Westbrook also knows the topic well, having painstakingly restored a home in the Whittier Mill Village Historic District in Atlanta. The aging village was one of the first to rise from the ashes of the Civil War and survives today as one of Atlanta’s Smith oldest residential communities.

While some of its structures are no longer standing, the storied mill houses and a few commercial buildings, like the old country store, remain. It is the latter that Westbrook made her home.

The new series is part of the Academy Center of the Arts’ Westbrook continual effort to enhance the Greater Lynchburg community with innovative arts and culture-driven programming.

Tickets to “Design on Stage” are available for purchase for $85 through the Academy Center of the Arts. A limited number of event sponsorships are also available to local businesses and individuals. Sponsors will receive recognition in all marketing efforts. All proceeds will benefit the Academy Center of the Arts. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit academycenter.org.

YWCA 2016 Design House

YWCA 2016 Design House

Plans are well underway for the 2016 YWCA Design House—a showcase of local design talent and vendors open for public tours later this fall to support the mission and programs of the YWCA, including the Domestic Violence Prevention Center. For this event, each room in the Design House is assigned to a local designer who transforms it with the latest styles and techniques for a total makeover. Visitors gather ideas and inspiration as well as a unique chance to see the work and vision of the area’s best designers. This year’s home, at 1418 Harrison Street in Historic Diamond Hill, will be open Saturday, November 12 through Sunday, December 4 at various times Thursdays through Sundays, with special events on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

This year’s special events include a Fashion Showcase, a Mother Daughter Tea, and a Bridal Show. A preview party with the opportunity to meet all participating designers will be held the evening of Friday, November 11. Also part of this special event is an on-site boutique and Christmas shop, sponsored

by Farm Basket. The home will also be available for community members, groups and companies to use for events of their own. All proceeds from this amazing event—put on solely by volunteers—will directly support the YWCA programs and local community. For more information, contact Caroline Hudson at (434) 847-7751 or info@lynchburgdesignhouse.com. You can also get updates at lynchburgdesignhouse.com or by visiting their Facebook page.

The Ghosts of Historic Lynchburg: October 20, 21, 22

Enjoy an evening on a walking tour of Federal Hill Historic District with a guide that will delight and entertain you with stories of the haunts of days gone by. The walks will start at the Federal Crest Inn, where tickets can be purchased each night beginning at 6 p.m. First come, first served; limited walks each evening. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 years and under. No rain dates; group reservations for 10 or more can be made by calling the Lynchburg Historical Foundation office at (434) 528-5353. All proceeds go to the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association and the Lynchburg Historical Foundation. Sponsored by Whitten Funeral Home.

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n INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 4 Seasons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Lynchburg City Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Lynchburg Retail Merchant Association. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Access Advisors, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Meals on Wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Bank of the James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Member One Federal Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Blanchette Orthodontics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Merry Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Blickenstaff & Company Realtors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Nadine Blakely, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Bowen Jewelry Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

National Pools of Roanoke, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Boxley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Next Time Consignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Centra Medical Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Paisley Gifts & Stationery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Centra Senior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Periodontal Health Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Central Virginia Orthodontics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Perry Pools and Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics of Lynchburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Persian Rugs & More. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Cindy Bryant (Mary Kay). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Piedmont Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

CLC Incorporated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Pink Ladies Cleaning Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Cornerstone Cabinets & Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Pinnacle Cabinetry & Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Coulson Builders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

PIP Printing and Marketing Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Curtains Blinds & Bath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Precision Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Custom Structures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Rainfrost Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Daniele Mason, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Reddy Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Davidson & Garrard, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Reliance Title & Settlements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Decorating Den Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Riley Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Design on Stage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Rush Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Embrace Home Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

S&S Window Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Estates & Consignments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Select Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Farm Basket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 80

Simply Clean by Stacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Southern Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Fink’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Southern Landscape Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

First Bank & Trust, Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Southern Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Flint Property Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Spectrum Stone Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Givens Books & Little Dickens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Terrell E Moseley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Gladiola Girls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Grand Home Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

The Art Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Harman Eye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

The Cabinet Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Head and Neck Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

The Columns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Hill City Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

The Corner at Rivermont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Interiors by Moyanne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

The Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Isabella’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

The Vinyl Porch Rail Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

James River Day School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

The Williams Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

James T. Davis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Vaughn Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Judy Frantz, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Virginia Neurospine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Karen Hall, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Watts Petroleum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Kevin S. Midkiff, DDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Wellington Builders, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Lauren Bell, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Westminster Canterbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Liberty Christian Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Willis Landscaping, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Lola’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Wired Up Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Lou’s Auto Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@cvhomemagazine.com.

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Central Virginia HOME Fall 2016

R e l a x . D i n e . E s c a p e . E n j oy.

W e’ll make your back yard work for you!

Talk to us about bringing your back yard dreams to life!

Want an area to dine? Another area to enjoy a cozy fire? How about a secret garden getaway? No problem.

Our national award-winning team can help you explore an array of exciting possibilities.

Whether you are interested in an elegant patio, beautiful back porch, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pool, hot tub, pergola or complete outdoor living space, we’ll make your back yard your favorite destination.

Call us at 434.821.6004 or on the web at www.soscapes.com for a consultation.

Warm Days & Cool Nights