Roanoke Valley Home Magazine Fall 2019 by James River Media

HOME R OA N O K E VA L L E Y

design ✦ improve ✦ garden ✦ live

FALL 2019

rural retreat living the equestrian life LOCAL FLAVOR

farm-to-table sml charity home tour

FALL IN LOVE

wallpapers that wow art underfoot

AUTUMN BOUNTY in the garden heirloom pumpkins

HELPING YOU BUILD

A Bright Future

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Photo by Jared Hall, Sharptop Studios

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CONTENTS Roanoke Valley HOME Fall 2019

77 55

18 features

showcase home

FOR REAL CURB APPEAL Front gate to front door

A BARN HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY English-style retreat

BY SARA WARRENDER

BY PERRY PAYNE MILLNER

HOME GROWN CUISINE Farm-to-table dining BY CHARLOTTE A.F. FARLEY

PAPER SWOON For the love of wallpaper BY PERRY PAYNE MILLNER

Cover photo by Craig Shaffer

44 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK HOME Magazine

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FA L L 2019

DESIGN

32 WABI-SABI TRENDS

Easy and eclectic decor

BY KATE ERICSSON

40 ART UNDERFOOT

Historic floor coverings reimagined BY CARTER BENDALL

IMPROVE

63 REFRIGERATOR REFRESH

Icebox organization 101 BY MITZI BIBLE

74 DO IT YOURSELF

Go pro or tackle what you know? BY KENDALL LIVICK

GARDEN

25 HEIRLOOM PUMPKIN PRIMER

More than just a squash

BY BECKY CALVERT

66 LANDSCAPING WITH FRUIT TREES

Add beauty, bounty and value BY CHRISTINA MOORE

82 AUTUMN GARDEN ROUND UP

Local landscaping experts sound off BY ANNE MARIE POORE

LIVE

35 CULINARY CORNER

Quick one pan, one pot dinners BY MARSHA GALE

60 PERSONAL TIME

Reaping the rewards of self-care BY AMELIA POORE

69 LOYAL ORDER OF THE HAM

Local club takes curing seriously BY VICTOR MILLNER

72 SML CHARITY HOME TOUR

35 1 0

R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

Doing whatever it takes to sell your home!

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EDITOR’S note With Labor Day being the last Monday of summer, we must bid adieu to the summer of 2019. I must admit I hate to see summertime go, as I love all the perks and the peaks of the season! However, the heat Southwest Virginia has endured the last three months; I am willing to leave behind. It’s time to revel in cooler mornings that feel crisp and clear. The din of the cicadas is now silenced and replaced by the rumble of school buses heard daily—like clockwork—each morning and afternoon. The September issue of Roanoke Valley HOME is ready to help you turn the page (pun intended) from summer to fall as well. Our writers have been busy all summer gathering information and solutions to help with design, home improvement, gardening, and lifestyle. Wabi-Sabi? This Japanese aesthetic embraces the design theory of the beauty found in the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Vinyl floorcloths— what's old is new again—enjoy the history of this timeless artunder-foot. Peek inside a local barn home, our showcase home this issue, and appreciate the rustic vibe with every modern amenity. Curb appeal is an essential element in outside-the-home design—glean all sorts of helpful ideas as to how to make your home stand out. Perhaps you are planning your next project— do you hire a professional, or is it a DIY? Read and decide which route is most advantageous as you plan for your next home improvement project.

Learn about heirloom pumpkins or adding fruit trees to your urban landscape. Autumn’s cooler temperatures make getting out in the garden a welcome diversion. HOME talks to local landscape professionals who offer the best tips to prepare your yard for winter. Food is a big part of Fall—be sure to read about farm-totable restaurants and enthusiasts in the Roanoke Valley that are advocating this delectable initiative. HOME’s Culinary Corner dishes up quick and easy one-pot, one-pan recipes for healthy weeknight dinners. The Loyal Order of the Ham will regale you with all that transpires between the supine swine to the country ham you’ll enjoy during the Holidays. As summer wanes let’s not underestimate the joy of autumn; the leaves begin to trade their greens for golds and russet reds. Let’s enjoy the vibrancy of Indian summer in Southwest Virginia. All of us at HOME thank you for reading, and we wish you and yours a Happy Fall, Y’all!

Anne Marie Poore annemarie@westwillowpublishing.com

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ROANOKE VALLEY

HOME VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER Julie Pierce EDITOR Anne Marie Poore ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carter Bendall Mitzi Bible Becky Calvert Kate Ericsson Charlotte A.F. Farley Marsha Gale Kendall Livick Perry Payne Millner Victor Millner Christina Moore Amelia Poore Alexandra Reynolds Sara Warrender

Floors for Life. }

} Celebrating 60 Years

PHOTOGRAPHER Craig Shaffer

WHITT

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Donna Collins OPERATIONS MANAGER Colleen Miller ADVERTISING SALES Julia Belvin Lisa Bowers Anne Marie Poore SUBSCRIPTIONS

Senior Moving | Consignment | Auctions | Real Estate

Roanoke Valley 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: Roanoke Valley HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B, Forest, VA 24551 For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@rvhomemagazine.com. To discuss coverage of an event relating to home or garden, please contact Roanoke Valley HOME at info@rvhomemagazine.com.

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WEST WILLOW PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com Copyright 2019 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.

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boost your Roost A BETTER FIRST IMPRESSION IN 72 HOURS OR LESS B Y S A R A WA R R E N D E R

When the months are warm, it can be disheartening to return home after a long day of work, sigh as you scurry up a cracking sidewalk amid a barren landscape. It’s difficult to glance away from your home’s peeling paint. Now, with the cooperation of mother nature, is the perfect time to flex your “keeping up with the Joneses” muscles and boost your home’s curb appeal. Of course, if you plan on selling your home anytime soon, a few projects to increase appeal can also cause the value of your dwelling to jump 5.5–12.7 percent. 1 8

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Some aspects of a home which garner immediate attention and may need some sprucing are the landscaping, mailbox, sidewalk, the front stoop or porch, exterior paint, lighting and more. As the homeowner, you have the power to decide whether these home attributes garner unease or spark the feeling of returning home. These projects range slightly in size and difficulty level, but all can be accomplished by the average homeowner over the course of several weekends. It’s no surprise, a lush landscape dotted with vibrant flowers draws attention and creates an inviting and relaxing environment. But to the untrained eye, this dream can be an overwhelming goal. Choosing leafy friends for your yard and garden doesn’t need to produce anxiety when keeping to some simple necessities—evergreens, flowering shrubs, and vibrant annuals. Use evergreens and semi-evergreens such as boxwood or nandina, for a lush green foundation. Then, use a beautiful, multiplying bush such as hydrangea to add a pop of color, as well as another level of lush greenery. Place these shrubs around any gaps in the porch foundation or a corner of your home foundation that seems bare. Lastly, plant some azaleas

or day lilies around the mailbox to brighten up the otherwisebare mailbox post. These flowers are easy to plant and require minimal maintenance to ensure a colorful show all season. But if your mailbox is outdated, faded by the sun, or in a state of disrepair from years of use; even the brightest flowers won’t make your home’s first impression a good moment. Be sure to update your mailbox if needed. You don’t need an expensive box to be satisfied with its appearance. If there is not a freestanding mailbox at your home currently, consider installing a wallmounted mailbox next to the front door to add some visual appeal. Another aspect of a home which can turn heads is the sidewalk. A cracked, faded, and weathered walkway doesn’t provide an enticing entry into your homestead. To make your sidewalk say “home sweet home,” consider resurfacing the concrete. Resurfacing kits can be purchased from many hardware stores and include step-by-step directions for success. To resurface, you simply need to clean the sidewalk, pour and spread the concrete (while respecting any control or expansion joints) and finish with a broom or edging tool.

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Along with the transformed sidewalk, spruce up your home’s front porch or stoop with a fresh coat of paint. With minimal cost, you can welcome guests with a revived landing area. Before painting, be sure to remove any cracked, chipped, or peeling covering on your porch floor or railings with a putty knife and sandpaper. Next, prime well. Note, this step cannot be skipped. The primer you choose is vitally important, especially if you want the paint to stand the test of time and seasons. Then, select your paint color and apply two coats. Choosing the paint color for your porch can be a challenge. First, take a quick stroll around your neighborhood. Are your neighbors embracing a country/rustic vibe, beachy or bright hues, or vintage and dark tones? Use these colors for your inspiration, and to ensure your home fits in with your neighbors’. If your home emits a country vibe, go for earthy browns and greens; for a beachy feel, pastels look right at home. Vintage homes need darker, matte, moody colors for a cozy touch.

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While painting the porch, you might notice your shutters faded and bleached by the sun. A quick coat of paint can instantly revive them, making your home seem more finished and inviting. To paint shutters, first clean them with a mixture of one part bleach to four parts water and scrub away any dirt, mold, or mildew. Priming with a latex primer is not required, but is recommended, as it will exponentially lengthen the life span of the paint. Next, choose an acrylic latex paint in a color which complements the exterior. To choose a flattering shutter shade, stay in the same color family as your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s siding, brick or stone for a more subtle choice. If you are considering selling your home, avoid bright, bold hues that set it apart. Although a pop of color on the front door is a welcome sight, bold shutters are not seen as attractive to many buyers. For dark-colored homes, consider a shutter color a few shades lighter than the exterior. For lighter-exterior homes, choose a shutter color a few shades darker. Try not to go more than a few shades darker than the shutter color. For example, a white shutter that is painted

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black will absorb exponentially more of the sun’s rays, heating it to a temperature it may not be designed to withstand, and causing unsightly warping. After finishing the porch and shutter upgrades, turn your attention to the front door. Now is your time to stand apart from the crowd. Adding a vibrant pop of color with a bright front door will instantly revive the look of your home—a trendy addition to curb appeal. When choosing the color, allow your personality to shine. Bright colors such as green and teal draw the eye; red is a bold choice for a variety of exteriors. White and black are classic colors which can pop without being gaudy. If you want a safer, cohesive exterior, opt to paint your front door the same color as the shutters. R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

After painting the door, check the hardware. It may be time to update with something unique, such as a bolder handle for a refresh of your home’s charm. With the new hardware, take the chance to replace broken or faded house numbers. Although crisp home numbers are a necessity for easy home recognition in an emergency, they are also the only typography on your home. The numbers you choose are vital to your home’s exterior, and can include vibrant, distressed cast iron numbers, vinyl decals placed on large windows above the front door, reflective aluminum numbers on a decorative post near the driveway entrance, or a classy, simple plaque. After painting the door and updating coordinating hardware and home numbers, finish your creation with a wreath. Although often considered seasonal, wreaths can warmly welcome guests throughout the year. A wreath can be personalized with your family’s initials, favorite colors or sports teams, and, of course, seasonal fun—glitter and snowmen for winter months. Don’t forget to update your exterior light fixtures to ensure that your beautiful wreath isn’t lost in the

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shadows. Vintage, antique, traditional, or beachy; exterior light fixtures are a budget-friendly chance to show off your home’s personality before guests even set foot through the door. Last, but certainly not least, add a few carefully chosen plants to your home’s front porch. If your porch is mostly bathed in sun throughout the day, select tropical plants such as Mandeville, hibiscus, or colorful salvia and lantana. If your porch is sunny but suffers from bugs, choose beautiful and insect-repellent marigolds to brighten your space. For porches experiencing more shade than sun, Boston ferns, begonias, and New Guinea impatiens can bring life into even the darkest corners. Working to improve your dwelling’s curb appeal is personally rewarding; reviving its atmosphere before placing your home on the market can boost overall appeal and value quickly. Once accomplished, these projects will be sure to impress visitors, passersby and neighbors for years to come. ✦

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GARDEN pumpkins

the great pumpkin SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A SQUASH B Y B E C K Y C A LV E R T

Pumpkins, squash, and gourds are ubiquitous this time of year. Available in a wide array of shapes, sizes, colors and textures, their thick skins allow them to rest comfortably for months in cooler temperatures while the interior flesh stays intact. Part of the large and diverse Cucurbitaceae family, which includes melons and cucumbers, these plants are known to be prolific producers, with fast-growing climbing vines, twining tendrils and little to no effort required on the part of the gardener than providing a trellis or enough garden space for the plants to sprawl with abandon.

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Squash is believed to be native to the Western Hemisphere, where it was introduced to European settlers by Native Americans and quickly became a reliable crop and essential food source for the settlers. The seeds traveled to Europe and back again, as different types were developed for their looks, flavor, ease of growing and ability to withstand more extended storage. Today there are hundreds of varieties, some better known than others. Technically, the term ‘pumpkin’ has no biological meaning, since pumpkins are classified not as gourds but as large varieties of squash. All squash are edible while not all gourds are. Ornamental gourds have been grown for centuries for their hard shells, valued for use as utensils, cups, water carriers, pipes, musical instruments and more. Planted in the spring and early summer, the thick skin of edible gourds—what we often refer to as winter squash—needs a bit longer to mature. All but ornamental gourds can be harvested and eaten early, they are a more tender vegetable than their fully matured versions. Generally, when one hears the word ‘pumpkin,’ one thinks of a large, orange, round winter squash that is mostly like a Connecticut field pumpkin. The fruit of these squash are not considered the most flavorful; these pumpkins are primarily grown for appearance, but they are edible. Some varieties that do offer that flavor we tend to think of as pumpkin, minus the spice, are the smaller sugar pumpkin, also known as a pie pumpkin. However, the north Georgia candy roaster squash was often featured in Appalachian Thanksgiving feasts at the turn of the twentieth century in the form of candy roaster pie. It is believed the tradition of pumpkin pie stems from a colonial-era practice of filling a hollowed-out winter squash with milk, spices and honey, baked in the ashes of the fireplace. The blend known as pumpkin spice is wildly popular and can be found in just about everything imaginable during the fall months. The mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and sometimes allspice is similar to what the Brits call mixed or pudding spice and is very complementary to fruits and other sweet foods. There is, however, far more to pumpkins than pie. First known as one of the Native American “Three Sisters” plants, it is one of three crops planted near each other in small mounds as companions. Corn, beans, and squash comprise the trio, with corn being the structure for the beans to climb while the sprawling squash plants cover the ground, squashing weeds and acting as a living mulch. The fruits of these plants weren’t just traditionally combined in the garden, but also in the pot that came to the table in a typical Native American stew, introduced to early settlers at Jamestown. In combination, these vegetables contain complex carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and all nine essential amino acids, allowing Native American tribes—and early settlers—to thrive on a mostly plant-based diet. Winter squash, considered a nutrient-dense food, is rich in vitamin A, while also containing vitamin C, potassium, iron, and other healthy antioxidants and fiber. Even the seeds are beneficial to nutritional health. As squash found its way around the world, it adapted to native dishes, from variations on the original “Three Sisters” stew utilizing local beans, herbs and spices to African and Asian curries. It is an excellent substitute for yams and sweet potatoes and vice versa. In Brazil, winter squash, pumpkins or sweet potatoes are combined with butter or lima beans while African countries marry it with okra and peanuts. Depending on the variety’s size and shape, it is roasted or boiled then mashed and 26

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used in a variety of dishes: baked into bread or pies; used in soups or stews; tossed on pizza, into pasta or risotto. It can be folded into fancy versions of mac and cheese for extra flavor and nutrition, or it can stand alone, stuffed with any number of fillings—grains, meat, vegetables, cheese or all of the above—and roasted. It combines well with sweet flavorings—like pumpkin spice—or more savory ones, like rosemary and blue cheese, or sage and goat cheese. Among the more popular decorative pumpkins offered this time of year are the tan cheese pumpkins—their smooth tan to white skin makes them pop in a display, but did you know they keep for long periods and their deep orange flesh is sweet and highly edible? Turk’s turban pumpkins, so named because of the cap-like shape on top, were developed in France and are known for their ability to last during the winter months. The outer rind is quite woody but cut open and

roasted, the flesh is delicious. The slate green skin of the sweet meat squash tastes better the longer it ages. While the hubbard squash is shaped more like a crookneck, its warty green exterior says otherwise; it’s yellow flesh is far mellower than butternut squash. Sadly, the small decorative gourds often found this time of year are not edible, although the seeds can be harvested for growing your own crop should you so desire. Larger decorative gourds require drying time before being used; edible gourds, like luffa, need to be eaten before the fruits mature. Once matured, luffa can be dried and harvested for sponges. Whether you are hitting the local pumpkin patch for seasonal decorations or starting to plot next year’s garden, remember that pumpkins are edible and not just for pie. Select a variety of colors and shapes; once they have done their porch decorating duties, consider adding them to dinner. ✦

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PLANTING YOUR PUMPKIN PATCH n Pumpkins and gourds are incredibly easy to grow in your home garden—for larger, heavier fruits, you’ll want to be able to offer plenty of space for the plant to sprawl out. For smaller ones, a sturdy trellis should be sufficient. n There are several online seed companies that offer heirloom pumpkins that grow well in our region. Among them: Johnny’s Select Seeds, Sustainable Seed Company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds or Virginia’s own Seed Saver’s Exchange, specializing in Southern Heirloom seeds. n Pumpkins, gourds, and winter squashes all require warm days and warm nights to mature properly. Sow seeds directly in the garden with a soil temperature of at least 70 degrees, being certain all danger of frost has passed.

Photo courtesy of Phillip Barrett ,Jr.

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14805 Forest Road, Forest | 1324 Grandin Road, Roanoke ReidsFurnishings.com r vhomemaga zine .com 29

NOW OPEN 4078 ELECTRIC ROAD IN ROANOKE!

ur thoughtfully-designed 6,000-sq.ft. showroom is brimming with quality window, door and decking products to provide you with a new level of home design inspiration. In addition, our in-house design team will ensure success by guiding you from start to finish with your next home remodel or latest construction project. The new Roanoke showroom features Marvin windows and doors (entry and interior), door hardware, composite decking and railing.

ROANOKE’S LARGEST WINDOW, DOOR AND DECKING SHOWROOM.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED AT THE NEW ROANOKE LOCATION: Windows • Doors • Decking • Railing • Building Materials • Installation • Free Estimates • Free Deliveries CAPPS WINDOW & DOOR SHOWROOM • 4078 Electric Road • Mon–Fri 8am–5pm • Sat & Sun appointment only 320

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HOME premier profile 2019

FA M I LY OW N E D A N D O P E R AT E D For over forty years, Capps’ main store at Smith Mountain Lake has remained a staple of the community. Capps has stood at the forefront of the homebuilding industry by offering the highest quality, top brand products at competitive prices ensuring professional results. Stop by and browse merchandise from our collections including: Marvin Windows, ThermaTru Doors, TruStile Doors, Trex Decking, AZEK, Wolf Serenity Decking and Fiberon.

“I love doing business with Capps. The service, response and delivery of products are exceptional. We at Building Specialists prefer them to big box stores. The advantages of personal service and price points are beyond what any chain has offered in our experience.” Robert Fetzer, President, Building Specialists General Contractors

(540) 900-6400

DESIGN wabi-sabi

wabi-sabi a perfectly imperfect home

B Y K AT E E R I C S S O N

arie Kondo sparked a decluttering trend that Western culture has embraced since the publication of The Art of Tidying Up in 2014. But what many people don’t know is that her method (KonMari) grew out of a broader world philosophy with roots dating to 15th century Japan. With early links to Chinese Buddhism, wabi-sabi blossomed out of the Japanese tea ceremonies performed by Zen monks. According to legend, it is Zen Monk Rikyu who is credited with establishing the quiet, simple tradition that made it possible for everyone—not just the wealthy—to practice tea. In an age of peace following long centuries of civil war in Japan, gaudiness was all the rage. Rikyu rejected the gilded utensils used by the upper classes and served tea in bowls by anonymous Korean potters and indigenous Japanese craftsmen. He made his own utensils from bamboo and arranged flowers simply. Rikyu’s ceremony endures in Japan to this day. Thus was born a philosophy from humble simplicity.

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There is no direct Western translation of wabi-sabi. It is an aesthetic that values objects that are more beautiful, bearing the marks of age and individuality. Wabi can be expressed as fresh, simple, and not necessarily perfect. It can describe someone content with little, who makes the most of whatever he or she has. Sabi can mean the beauty that something acquires due to its age. It’s about transience and learning to accept the natural cycle of growth and death, as well as embracing the imperfections that come over time. “It should come as no surprise that the wabi-sabi concept derives from Japan, since it’s all about making modest examined choices in every part of our life: in our homes, with our resources, even in what we consider beautiful,” explains Julie Pointer Adams in Wabi-Sabi Welcome (2017). What does all this mean in terms of home décor? According to Robyn Griggs Lawrence in The Wabi-Sabi House: The Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty (2004), wabi-sabi in home décor inspires minimalism that celebrates the human rather than the machine. “Possessions are pared down, and pared down again until only those that are necessary for their utility and beauty are left.” Unlike the KonMari method of paring down that may seem to some ruthless in its execution, a wabi-sabi home is more forgiving. There is nothing perfect about a wabi-sabi home, whereas a home that has been organized by the KonMari method achieves perfection in its organization and tidiness. A wabisabi home embraces comfort above all in an aim to provide a sanctuary from the outside world. The application of wabi-sabi in decorating has been on the scene for approximately a decade. In 2018, the Etsy Trend Guide predicted it as a growing trend in interior design. Wabi-sabi cookware is even available in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop store. Traditional minimalism has begun to give way to more wabi-sabilike minimalism, allowing for imperfection, personal touches and even a dash of whimsy.

Since it is a fluid concept, a few comparisons and examples are helpful to understand this aesthetic. Wabi-sabi favors dried flowers or branches over fake flowers; cracked or chipped pottery over stained plastic; quilts with patches and frayed hems over synthetic bedding; belongings that reflect personality and meaning—photos, books, letters and collected treasures over mass-marketed art reproductions—flea market finds over big box store purchases. As it is an organic aesthetic, you don’t need to hire an interior decorator to welcome the art of wabi-sabi into your home. How might you begin? Decluttering is always the first step. Marie Kondo suggests getting rid of anything that doesn’t “spark joy,” but don’t feel you need to get rid of family heirlooms, neatly fold everything into tiny squares and find the perfect containers for every possession. “Pare down to the essence, but don’t remove the poetry,” says Leonard Koren’s book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers (2008). Here are a few tips if you want to dip your toes into the wabi-sabi waters: n Embrace beauty and utility: Choose well-designed objects that also assist you in daily life such as baskets that store blankets, a wood-handled dustpan and broom, glass storage for nonperishables. Add a pretty water pitcher to your table. n Add a personal touch: Display family photography, children’s art, and souvenirs collected on trips. n Bring the outside in: Pick wildflowers or distinctive branches for vases or pottery. Display shells collected on a favorite beach walk. Simple arrangements usually adhere to the “law” of uneven numbers; three is always ideal. Use earthinspired color on your walls or fabrics. n Repurpose or create your own wabi-sabi practice: Learn to crochet, knit, or needlepoint. Paint furniture. Repurpose found objects.

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As I write this, I am sitting in my family’s cabin in Western North Carolina. My mother decorated it in her inimitable style. I once described it as a cross between eclectic and whimsical, but now I see clear elements of wabi-sabi. Frayed quilts cover the beds in the children’s loft; art by grandchildren hang in the study; a misshapen bowl that I made as a child sits on a side table alongside North Carolina pottery. My father’s blown glass objects are scattered about, collecting coins, keys, and even dried lavender. Framed pictures of family are everywhere. The overwhelming effect she created is welcoming and comfortable. It is a special place where I relax, wind down, and honor memories of my parents. When not pressured to turn out a perfectly curated home, you are free to welcome people in. In this age of glossy “perfection” splashed all over social media, it can be intimidating to entertain, but in today’s high-tech world, it’s essential to put down the smartphone, slow down and connect in person. Hosting humbly without the impetus to impress allows a host to make guests feel as welcome as possible. A casual outdoor gathering, a cup of tea in the kitchen, or a multigenerational birthday party are all ways to deepen connections. When we open our homes and ourselves, perfectly imperfect as we are, we are richer for that experience. A wabi-sabi house can help us get there. ✦

GE T TING YOU MOVING! Let's get you moving with someone who: • Understands your individual needs

• Knows and lives in your community

• Understands the value of communication • Takes care of the details

• Negotiates the best deal for you • Veteran owned business

With a client focused real estate agent!

Mac Westland REALTOR follow my facebook page | macwestland@kw.com | C: 540-312-9202 | O: 540-208-6102 34

R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

LIVE culinary corner

fall into easy weeknight dinners one pot, one pan or skillet

BY M A R S H A G A L E

fter the long, lazy days of summer, fall is such a busy time; it sometimes feels like someone pushed the fast-forward button on our lives. School is back in session and after-school sports and activities keep parents going non-stop, juggling work and carpool. Sometimes the most dreaded question a parent hears during the after-school hours is, “What’s for dinner?” Even if you don’t have children, frequently the weather is so lovely this time of year, just being outside is a priority and the thought of spending hours in the kitchen is unappealing. As a personal chef, I frequently make up to 15 different dishes on a cooking day. I can’t possibly braise meats for hours or make recipes with many ingredients that require multiple steps and countless dishes to wash. My answer to this dilemma is an easy yet delicious recipe made in one pot, one pan or skillet. These dishes also reheat well, so you can make them ahead of time on the weekend and just heat and serve on a particularly busy night. You can also double the recipes and have extras for healthy lunches— another time-saving bonus! Keeping your pantry stocked with a few staples and a little planning ahead will allow you to avoid the drive-through and put a healthy dinner on the table in quick fashion. r vhomemaga zine .com 35

These recipes are all client favorites, and the ones you’ll want to keep in rotation!

BEST EGG ROLL BOWL

(3 LARGE SERVINGS)

16940 Forest Road, Forest | 434-525-7503 tuesday–saturday, 10am–5pm

All the flavors of an egg roll packed with ground pork, turkey or chicken and lots of vegetables: cabbage, carrot, red pepper and onion. 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1 pound ground pork, ground turkey, or ground chicken 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1/2 onion, thinly sliced 1 cup shredded carrot 1/4 green cabbage, thinly sliced 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste if you are sensitive to heat) 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 4 green onions, thinly sliced toasted slivered almonds to taste

Your Custom Source for American Made Furniture. Hickorywhite.com

Interior Design, Decorative Carpets, Beautifully Selected Furniture & Accessories. (540) 774-3060 | Tuesday-Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-4 4525 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke | halifaxfinefurnishings.com 36

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add pork and cook until no pink remains. Push pork to the side and add the sesame oil. Add onion, shredded carrots, slivered red peppers, and cabbage. Stir to combine with meat and add soy sauce and Sriracha. Cook until cabbage is tender, 5-8 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a serving dish and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and almonds. Kids especially enjoy eating this dish with chopsticks!(Adapted from delish.com).

JAMIE OLIVER’S PASTA WITH SMOKED BACON & PEAS

(4 GENEROUS SERVINGS)

Technically this uses two pans, but it’s just a large pan in which to boil the pasta, so cleanup is still minimal.

Sea salt 10 slices smoked bacon or pancetta 1 pound dried mini-shell or other small pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon butter Freshly ground black pepper 2 cups frozen peas 2 tablespoons crème fraîche or heavy cream 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves Juice of 1 lemon 6 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese Bring a large pot of water, lightly salted, to a boil. Meanwhile, cut sliced bacon crosswise into thin slivers, or slice pancetta into julienne. Add pasta to boiling water and cook to taste. While pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat, R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add bacon or pancetta and a sprinkling of pepper, and fry until golden and crisp. Immediately add frozen peas and stir for a minute or two. Add crème fraîche or heavy cream and chopped mint.

1 yellow onion, chopped into chunks salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1-2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (be cautious if sensitive to heat)

Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta. Add pasta to the skillet and stir. Add lemon juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. The mixture should be thick; if desired, a splash of the pasta water may be added to the sauce to thin it slightly. Add Parmesan and stir to mix.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop vegetables and slice sausages. On a large sheet pan, add the sausage, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, bell pepper and salt and pepper. Add olive oil and cajun seasoning and toss until coated. Spread evenly onto a sheet pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Add shrimp, stirring ingredients together and spreading evenly. Bake for 10 more minutes or until shrimp is pink and vegetables are tender. (Adapted from the recipecritic.com).

CAJUN SHRIMP & SAUSAGE SHEET PAN DINNER (4-6 SERVINGS)

A quick, delicious meal with tons of vegetables. The variations are countless as you can substitute any vegetables or sausages you prefer. 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 14 ounces chicken or pork sausage links, sliced into rounds (I like the sweet apple chicken sausage for a sweet & spicy dish) 1 medium-sized zucchini, sliced 1 medium-sized yellow squash, sliced 1/2 bunch asparagus, sliced into thirds 1 red bell pepper, chopped into chunks

EASY ONE-SKILLET CREAMY CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN

(4 SERVINGS) 1 pound chicken tenderloins (they cook much faster than chicken breasts or thighs) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 2 cloves garlic (crushed or minced) 1 cup chicken broth juice of 1 lime (or 2 tablespoons lime juice)

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (if you are sensitive to cilantro, substitute parsley) 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy) salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half (or sour-cream or greek yogurt) In a large, heavy-duty skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken tenderloins generously with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning once or twice until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside until cooled enough to handle. (All tenderloins have a tough tendon running through them; after cooking it is easy to remove it by just pulling it with your fingers.) Add onions to the same skillet (without washing it) and cook the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for just 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, lime juice, cilantro, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle boil for 8-10 minutes or until liquid is reduced by 1/4 cup. Whisk in cream during the last minute. Turn off heat and return chicken to the sauce. Garnish with more cilantro. Serve with a side of steamed veggies or rice. Enjoy! (Adapted from gimmedelicious.com) ✦

You never know what’s around the corner. Stolen car. Burgled house. Business fire. Major workers’ comp claim. Who knows what fate might have in store.* We have 20 years’ experience of providing the highest-quality personal and commercial insurance solutions right here in the Roanoke Valley. And with two convenient locations, peace of mind is closer than you might think. *

To the best of our knowledge, fear of scary clowns is not an insurable risk.

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540-375-9078 ROANOKE VALLEY | SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE | FRANKLIN COUNT Y 540-483-5648

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AWARDING-WINNING CONCEPT IN “SYSTEMS-BUILT” HOMES VIRGINIA BUILDING SOLUTIONS is a custom systems built/modular home builder in Rocky Mount, serving all of Southwest and Central Virginia, Roanoke, Lynchburg and the New River Valley. Virginia Building Solutions offers the best combination of custom quality finishes demanded by the most discriminating homebuyer and the superior off-site building methods of systems built modular construction. We use the same brand name building materials and builds to (or exceeds) the same building code requirements as an “on-site builder.”

HOME premier profile 2019

Established in 2004 in Williamsburg and the Northern Neck of Virginia by John Garrett, a Class A builder and Rocky Mount native, Virginia Building Solutions also offers hundreds of custom home plans ranging in size from under 1000 to over 4000 square feet. We are proud to offer an extensive line of energy-efficient, green-friendly, off-site built modular homes with hundreds of unique options—so you can customize with ease and style. At Virginia Building Solutions, a “custom home” means exactly that—your home will be finished with the colors, materials and features of your choosing. We take great pride in our ability to customize your home— inside and out—to your specifications.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR TEAM TO GIVE YOU THE BEST SERVICE AND INFORMATION POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE READY TO BEGIN YOUR BUILDING PROJECT. WALK IN VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME. YOU CAN ALSO BRING US ANY PLAN FOR A FREE FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE. 38

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THE VBS DIFFERENCE Custom builders and design specialists, not home dealers. Owned and operated by a Class A builder. Full time carpenters and framers to install their homes. Highly experienced construction staff and site management specialists. Over 50 years of combined experience in kitchen design. Meets or exceeds local and state building codes and IRC.

RECENT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Virginia Living named Virginia Building Solutions as their 2018 and 2019 Readers' Choice for Best Home Builder in Eastern Virginia. Modular Home Builders Association Home of the Month: May 2019 November 2018 September 2018 August 2015 Modular Home Builders Association 2017 Home of the Year Home Builder Digest recently named Virginia Building Solutions as a Top 15 Custom Home Builder in Virginia.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A QUALITY HOME AND SUPERIOR BUILDING SYSTEM AT A FRACTION OF THE TIME AND COST

New Design and Model Home Center 18210 Virgil H Goode Hwy, Rocky Mount

(540) 445-4663 vabuildingsolutions.com

DESIGN floorcloths PHOTO: BEIJA FLOR

walkable art vinyl floorcloths B Y C A R T E R B E N DA L L

hat once was old is new again. With a rich history of adorning floors in the south, vinyl floorcloths are making a comeback. More casual, durable and easily maintained than rugs, vinyl floorcloths protect floors from grime and wear, while dressing up spaces with versatile design options that can be vintage, modern or whimsical. Floorcloths are popular today even with buyers who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tethered to history. Because any pattern that you can imagine is possible, creative design freedom is truly within reach, with product designs that feel personal rather than mass-produced. Since every inch is hand-made by an artist, the addition of a floorcloth to your spaces sums to art, geometry, and history combined. Floorcloths are about as vintage as you can get for a good reasonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they are wonderfully durable and lie flat on the floor; these classics are easy to clean and bring a burst of color and fun to any space. Non-slip vinyl floor cloths are perfect for kitchens, dining areas and laundry rooms.

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PHOTOS: SPICHER AND COMPANY

Historic treads

Though elemental in early American design heritage, the textile tradition of painting canvas floorcloths originated in France in the 1400s. These early pieces were small and generally used on tabletops as decoration, considered too precious to place on the floor. In the 1700s, American colonists took the idea one step further and transformed old ship sails into floorcloths. The cloths proved to be an inherently great product—they were durable and stood up to insects, heavy foot traffic and muddy boots. Floorcloths were also easy to clean and helped to control the interior climate by blocking out cold drafts in winter and staying cool underfoot in summer. Floorcloths were used in every area of Colonial homes—in entryways, under dining tables, in kitchens and bedrooms. Originally, floorcloths were designed to resemble imported woven rugs and expensive marble and parquet floors. Primarily imported from England and usually with just one color, early cloths were produced using stencils; eventually, the palette grew to include chrome, blue, black, vermilion and malachite green. Floorcloths used a common material of the era—sturdy woven cotton—to address an equally common problem—protection and adornment of bare wood floors. The design staple had extra appeal in the sweltering South, where floorcloths often replaced heavy wool rugs in summer and were used as insulation under carpets in colder months. President Thomas Jefferson had at least two floorcloths—one in the great hall at Monticello and another in a small dining room—in his words, “to secure a very handsome floor from grease and the scouring that it necessitates.” George Washington had a cloth at Mount Vernon, and John Adams listed floorcloths in his exit inventory when he left the White House. These original, historic floorcloths are rare—literally worn to pieces; only fragments remain to be found, primarily in museums. The Golden

Age of the American floorcloth spanned the late 1700s through the mid-1800s; when Sir Frederick Walton invented cheaper, mass-produced and easily available linoleum in the 1850s, it cornered the market. The process of creating an old-style floorcloth in modern times is not lost; each is a work of art. Each floorcloth begins with stretching cotton duck—the tightly woven canvas used in awnings and theater sets—on a simple wooden frame. The canvas is sealed and stiffened with six coats of exterior-grade latex. Period floorcloths used linseed oil mixed with pigments and turpentine, but weren’t as durable and adept at handling high traffic and humidity as modern products. Nevertheless, the traditional art form survives. After a light sanding, an artist hand paints and employs custom stencils to apply artwork; Greek keys, compass roses, and faux marbling are mainstays. Finally, three coats of clear acrylic and a top layer of bowling alley wax make the one-of-a-kind floor art resistant to cracking, warping, and rolling. Walk on the wild side

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you might want to make your own floorcloth; consider buying a remnant of vinyl flooring and painting your design on the underside. Remnants are easy to cut to size, extremely affordable and have no need of special edge treatment. It’s a fun process, but the tricky part can be coming up with an original design. A few hints: keep it simple or free-form; use two colors or multiple hues. Above all, make the process an expression of your creativity. Any good acrylic paint will work for your design, but don’t forget to protect your work of art with a couple of coats of Trewax once you’ve finished. Most purchased floorcloths come with a skid-proof backing already applied. If you are making your own, use clear silicone painted around the backside edges to keep your floorcloth from slipping.

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PHOTOS: BEIJA FLOR

Everything old is new again

Miriam Riggs is an area artisan who recently created three traditional floorcloths for the bedchambers at Point of Honor in Lynchburg. A veteran of her craft, Riggs has been making floorcloths for 35 years now, many of them custom designed for historic interiors. For her inspiration at Point of Honor, Riggs looked to laurel wreaths on the carved mantle detail as well as colors and styling from the custom wallpaper found in the house. Riggs explains, “In historic houses such as Point of Honor, I always seek to make the floorcloth based on historically appropriate designs and colors, while also adapting the design to the interior decoration currently in use.” Miriam Riggs doesn’t just create historical floorcloths. She also makes modern custom designs based on her clients’ specifications; those floorcloths can be very personal. In her words, “I see my custom designs often as an extension of the client’s imagination. I can help them visualize a concept, and turn it into a functional piece of ‘walkable art.’” Interior designer, Moyanne Harding, is a great fan of new floorcloth styles,

preparations and products available, and is especially fond of using them in kitchens, mudrooms, and laundry rooms. In her words, they belong, “Anywhere kids, animals or husbands might bring in dirt.” She says floorcloths have come back en vogue due to their availability in a variety of sizes, patterns and colors. Further, because of their thin profile, modern vinyl pieces present no trip hazards. In her design studio, she showcases samples from a number of lines; pieces can be ordered outright or custom-made, with pricing typically from $20 to $40 per square foot. A leader in the vinyl floorcloth design space, Spicher and Company of Carlisle, Pennsylvania has a fantastic line of vintage-inspired vinyl floorcloths designed by Kolene Spicher. Another line of vinyl floorcloths; Beija Flor specializes in traditional designs recreated in a contemporary medium; their floorcloths are produced from high quality, layered vinyl sheets. These beautiful pieces are strong, flexible and movable; they are made partly from recycled materials and finished with finely printed designs using a sand embossing technique. ✦

magnolia . . interiors art gifts

PICCADILLY SQUARE - 3117-3 FRANKLIN RD

540.204.4774

MON - SAT 10 TO 6

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5440 Ridgelea Estates Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018 Spectacular French Tudor in Ridgelea Estates! Architectural details abound in this custom-built home by D. Dalton 5 bedrooms, 4-full & 2-half baths Over 6000 sq. ft. on 1.52 acres Main floor master w/ En Suite & huge walk-in closets Gourmet kitchen with specialty granite & butler’s pantry leading to the formal dining room Finished Lower Level w/ media room, kitchenette + in-law suite In 2013, the owners added a ONE-OF-A-KIND Lounge for Indoor/ Outdoor Entertaining! It’s not just a “man cave” or a “She-shed”! It’s AN OASIS FOR FAMILY GATHERING! Call to Tour today!

Offered @ $995,000

7356 Nandina Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018 in Old Mill Plantation A Southern Jewel with 360° views of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Wonderful amenities and fantastic floor-plan! Custom-built in 2014 by R. William Reid 5 bedrooms, 4-full & 1-half bath 4814 sq. ft. living space on 1.43 level acres First-floor master suite with soaking tub and His & Hers walk-in closets Gourmet kitchen with quartz counters and eat-in island, Custom Cabinetry & Viking appliances. Lower level is finished too! If you’re looking for near-perfection, look no further! Plus, there’s a subdivision swimming pool and clubhouse!

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a barn house

in the country

Farmsteading family creates a dream estate BY P E R RY PAY N E M I L L N E R Photography by Craig Shaffer

“Bella and Sterling—they’re why we bought the farm,” says Thistlewood Farm owner Meredith Elliott. Bella is a winsome Bashkir Curly Clydesdale Cross and Sterling’s a stately Tennessee Walker. When Bella was born, a horse thief swapped her out to replace the fancier-pedigreed foal he stole; Bella had been taken from her mother at a young and perilous stage and could have died motherless, but Sterling laid down beside the leggy newborn and fell in love with her on the spot. When the Elliott family came across an ad for the two in 2016, they were smitten with the charismatic and aptly-named Bella. Sherry Foy of Moneta had come to the rescue of the equine duo and placed an ad on Craigslist for approved adoption only; she stipulated that the bond between Bella and her adoptive mom could not be broken, so the Elliotts committed to the pair on the spot. Meredith remembers, “We wanted them both; the only problem was that we needed a farm.” Foy waited patiently and continued to give them love on her family farm for three months when, “A friend of ours told us about a farm coming on the market in Bedford County,” Meredith recalls. 4 4

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Reflecting on their life in the barn house, the Elliotts agree that farm life suits their large family perfectly. Meredith is madly in love with the view: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels like a new view every morning when I wake up.â&#x20AC;?

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Elliott marries design with nature and location; “If it feels good, it generally looks good,” he explains.

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cott Elliott, founder and owner of CS Custom Structures, Inc., grew up in Campbell County and met Bedford County native Meredith Hicks 25 years ago; they fell in love over dirt bike excursions, married in 1998 and bought their first home near New London. Scott finished his first homebuilding project in Appomattox and immediately began his next in Bedford County. When that one was done, they put both new homes on the market and agreed to move into whichever one didn’t sell first; Appomattox went fast, so Bedford County would be the family’s home. They decamped to their Smith Mountain Lake cottage for a few weeks until the new home was move-in ready; the movers came when their son was two and the baby just two weeks old. “It was a whirlwind,”Meredith remembers. “After that,

Scott‘s business flourished. Those were his first big home projects.” Scott looks back, “It was good to have that first build complete, a great showcase for new clients.” CS Custom Structures, Inc. is a local design and build firm. “We serve our clients with design and construction services under one roof,” says Elliott. His mission—to bring good architecture to the communities he serves—is supported by inherited vision and skills. Scott’s paternal grandfather was a builder and his maternal grandfather was an artist; both were decorated World War II veterans. With his inborn passion for design and construction and a work ethic of commitment, timeliness and discipline, Scott honors the legacy of his grandfathers. Over the years the firm has evolved from a one-person operation to a vibrant firm employing over 25 professionals—architects, designers, project managers, master carpenters and a general contractor.

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Buying the farm

“It feels like a new view every morning when I wake up,” says Meredith of the effect of light and seasons on the landscape.

“The farmhouse was the reason for purchasing the farm,” says Meredith. “We purchased Bella and Sterling and thought, ‘Well, now we need a farm.’” Scott explains, “We were putting up fences in Brookstone, prepping for the horses’ arrival and not even sure if we’d be allowed to keep them there.” Charlie Watts of Watts Auction Realty Appraisals, Inc., called them about a property in Bedford County on Forest Road. “We opened that red metal gate and saw the old farmhouse,” Meredith remembers. “Our breath was taken away; we felt as if we were in a dream. The view was unlike anything we had ever seen.” Scott adds, “We were like two kids in a candy store. Ideas started flooding our minds. We could envision all that could be done. We walked the property and told each other, ‘We’ve got to buy this place.’” The farmhouse was built in 1949 on 107 acres with Peaks of Otter views, river frontage, a pond, creeks and pastures. Structurally it had good bones, but the interiors were rough. What looked like roof shingles were stapled to the walls; the home’s carpet was infested with fleas. Undaunted, the Elliotts got to work, restoring what could be saved and replacing the rest. The farmhouse at 1750 square feet was a tight fit for the growing family; the plan was to spiff it up and sell it along with a few acres, then move on to build extensively on the enormous parcel remaining. The renovations took a little over two months. They found an entire kitchen in Charlottesville for sale on Craigslist; Scott took a crew to remove the elements for retrofitting back at the farm—in the original master bedroom. The renovation was an act of love, with thoughtful consideration of the home’s history and recent owners influencing their design choices. Meredith recalls, “There was this funky old brick landing for the woodstove. We took it out and put in an antique mantel from another old farmhouse.” They coated all the brick with a “parge” coat—a thin layer of mortar applied with a trowel and pressed into the bricks’ surface. They added shiplap, commonly used as exterior wood siding, throughout the farmhouse; the finished spaces felt open, airy and welcoming. Hardwood floors were stained a deep espresso; plantation shutters, sliding barn doors and casual, slip-covered pieces were installed throughout. They

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“Rustic-chic” elements include circular-sawn, 100-year old headers and beams, and old fenceboards for floors.

listed the house along with three acres for sale and moved back to the lake for the duration. They didn’t have to wait long; the farmhouse showed four to five times daily and they found a buyer two weeks later. The couple moved on to build the next phase of their vision: the barn house creation could now begin. Raising the barn house

There’s a whole world of horse lovers who dream of sharing living space with their equine family members, being able to spend time with and care for their horses downstairs or just next door. That’s what the Elliotts wanted, and they’ve built it as phase two of their master plan. One of Scott’s many gifts is marrying site-specific architectural design with nature and location. From the spectacular seating area under an immense and ancient pecan tree out front, 4 8

the property could just as easily be somewhere in the British countryside. Scott and Meredith look out over the property, with open views to the Peaks of Otter. “This was nothing but pasture last year,” he recalls. Construction began in June 2018; they moved in four months later (note to reader: stop for a moment to let that sink in). “The cool thing about design is that if it feels good, it generally looks good,” he says. Living in the farmhouse before they built their current home gave them time to study the property with care and imagine their family’s life there. “We had time to figure out what to design that would fit our lifestyle to a tee,” says Meredith. The barn house design they came up with is English-inspired; its roof shingles reference historic metal tiles. “The rough-hewn lintels over building openings, the ‘x’-patterns within railings, carriagestyle barn doors with long iron straps—all suggest an English R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

The barn house features exposed wood, pitched ceilings and rustic beams, all inherent in barn house style.

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country farm building,” Scott explains. The barn house features exposed wood, pitched ceilings and rustic beams, all inherent elements of barn house style. The structure totals 8800 square feet with 2500 dedicated to living space on the upper level. There are nine stalls, a woodwork shop and garage below. “The back of the place is for horses, boarders and students; the front is for us,” Meredith adds. The family’s living space is decidedly “rustic-chic.” Local supplier of reclaimed wood Bruce Reed sourced 100-year old oak headers and beams—circular-sawn hardwood—and old fenceboards for the floors. These were neither sanded nor polyurethaned, but finished with shellac—a natural product made from the dried secretions of the female lac beetle, which first came into widespread use for furniture and floors in the 1500s. Shellac-finished surfaces feel permanent and old—rough, unpolished and easy to clean. Meredith loves the floors’ lowmaintenance finish: “These hardwood floors have made for easy living—no more scrubbing and mopping twice a day.” Glen Hawks of H&S Concrete took on stamping duties for patios and landscaping features, and Lynchburg Stone and Brick handled the unique blend 5 0

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whole world of horse lovers who dream of sharing living space with equine family members, downstairs or just next door.

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The barnhouse totals 8800 square feet, with 2500 dedicated to living space on the upper level.

of stone for the property’s roads and paths. Jeremy Funderburk forged the beautiful and rich ironwork fixtures for stall fronts and decorative detail. Interior design tasks were taken on by Meredith; she ordered furniture and slipcovers that will wear well for the long haul. She chose granite for the kitchen’s island and countertops, set off by a ceramic backsplash in a deep denim blue; she opted for a gas range for its durability and utility. As the project moved along, the couple was happily surprised to realize that extra space under the eaves would accommodate a spacious master suite, with a sitting room overlooking the massive great room. Scott installed a vintage pinball machine, accessible by a sliding, library-style ladder from the main level below. They added a spiral stairway and cozy walkout patio for their private aerie. Reflecting on their life in the barn house, the Elliotts agree that farm life suits their large family perfectly. The Bedford County location is convenient and close to Scott’s projects in the Lynchburg area as well as his business in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. Meredith is madly in love with the view: “It feels like a new view every morning when I wake up.” The look of the 5 2

landscape changes constantly with dramatic shifts of light over the mountains. They did not realize when they bought it that the property was not only connected to the Otter River; they were delighted to discover a massive rock at river’s edge to relax upon for lazy afternoons, with swirling rapids that are fun for their four children to ride on boogie boards. They have built two miles of dirt bike track and a 1.5 mile, cross-country track for horses ,with 20 jumps. With their student riding program expanding, a second stable is in the works. The final phase of the Elliotts’ plan will be construction of a retirement home to compliment the barn house, with additional structures on the property, also in the English country style. When these are complete over the next three years, the barn house will become the property’s guest home and the couple’s vision for their Bedford County estate will be complete. They say the realization of the master plan might take awhile, but if past is prologue, the visionary and hard-working couple won’t wait for long. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

The couple was happy to discover room under the eaves for a spacious master suite and walkout terrace, their private aerie.

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“Barndo” Tips and Cautions Thinking of building a “barn-dominium” of your own? HOME offers these tips and considerations before you begin: Zoning. Depending upon where you live, zoning may be a factor in whether you’re even allowed to build a barndo. As a first step, check with local zoning and building departments for relevant codes. Some areas don’t allow “residential” in the same structure as animals, and some require commercial firesuppression systems that can increase costs. Buying land. Clearing land and adding electrical and water sources can be expensive. Financing can also be delicate, since many banks don’t consider barndo projects “conventional” for financing. Find a local banker who can think of creative financing options to work around FHA and farm credit/agricultural restrictions; FHA programs generally do not finance agricultural projects, and farm credit programs don’t list residential builds within guidelines. Insurance. Traditional policies generally don’t cover the bases needed for a barndo project. Find a local broker who can work with you to create a policy that works for you.

2020

best of

HOME

READERS’ FAVORITES AWARDS. YOU ASKED, WE’RE GOING TO DELIVER. Share your favorite local stores, service providers and businesses for all things home improvement, design and garden. We will compile all the FAVORITES on the pages of HOME in 2020. NOMINATIONS OPENING SOON! RVHOMEMAG.COM

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dining

FARM-TO-TABLE BY C H A R LOT T E A . F. FA R L E Y

From Hanover tomatoes and Halifax cantaloupes to the basil and mint growing in your kitchen garden, the Commonwealth is rich with locally grown delectablesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and thanks to a growing interest in local foods, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming easier than ever to find Virginia-grown foodstuffs and beverages at the market. Home cooks and professional chefs agree that ingredient quality contributes significantly to the outcome of a dish. Beyond improved flavor, purchasing locally sourced foods provides countless benefits to consumers, vendors, and the economy. With that in mind, several local restaurants strive to tap into the farm-fresh goodness available in our area. r vhomemaga zine .com 55

Pomegranate

Spring isn’t the only time to try something new. This fall, make Our Lady of the Valley your new home. Our superb reputation for quality, 24-hour nursing care is complemented by activities you’ll enjoy, cuisine you’ll crave, and a friendly and caring staff that will embrace you like family. Call 345-5111 today to schedule a tour and fall in love with Valley!

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Nestled in Troutville, Pomegranate serves farm-to-table meals in a variety of ways, including fine dining, small plates, catering, and its food truck (cleverly called “The Seed”). Owner Diana Dixon opened Pomegranate after a thirty-plus career in education as a science teacher and administrator. During her time in the classroom, she taught nutrition courses. That experience, coupled with her knowledge of processed foods, led her to open Pomegranate over a decade ago. “Even though we have so many restaurants available to us, it’s hard to find a place where you can find freshly-prepared, simple ingredients.” Dixon keeps what she refers to as “a huge garden” near Buchanan, but the list of what she grows in her garden makes it seem more like a farm: corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, radishes, beets, some lettuces, kale, and Swiss chard comprise just a portion of Pomegranate’s organic garden. Other produce selections come from a local teacher who keeps a greenhouse and from vendors within an hour’s drive of the restaurant. In addition to their mixed green salads, many Pomegranate customers come for the seafood, which Dixon sources from North Carolina. “We try to get seafood that is harvested in the US since most of it comes from Asia these days,” Dixon explains. Blackened red snapper, shrimp scampi, and Chesapeake-style lump crab cakes are among the most popular entrees, finished off by one of the desserts that Dixon makes herself in-house, such as double chocolate wine cake or caramel pumpkin cake. Local Roots

Since its inception in 2007, Local Roots has been serving up goodfor-you food and philosophy. The restaurant is located in the heart of vibrant Grandin Village, across the street from the Roanoke Co+op and a few doors down from The Grandin Theatre. Owner Diane Elliot believes in serving and eating food that’s local, organic,

2065 Electric Rd Roanoke, Virginia 24018 /betterwoodroanoke 540.266.7420 betterwoodroanoke.com

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and sustainably produced, which aligns with Local Roots’ mission: SOLE food stands for Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical. “And delicious!” Elliott adds with a smile. That mission informs everything from Local Roots’ menu creation to its vendor selection and beverage program (Local Roots prefers to work with small wineries or breweries—those who care about their products’ flavor and their impact on the earth). Bramble Hollow Farm in Montvale brings in heritage chickens. Homestead Creamery supplies various dairy items, and 22 other Virginia farms provide meat, produce, fish, and seafood to Local Roots. Elliott sees the benefits in sourcing ingredients locally and keeping financial resources invested in the local and state economy. “We’re all in it together for the mission of working with the earth and the people.” The restaurant also hosts numerous fundraisers for local organizations. “It’s really about strengthening our community,” Elliott explains. “For me, it’s a mission of working with how everything is connected, serving food in a way that feeds the earth and feeds us in a healthy way.”

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GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH POACHED EGG, PARMIGIANO, AND LEMON ZEST (SERVES 4)

1 bunch asparagus, woody ends removed Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 slices crusty Italian or French bread 1 clove garlic, peeled 4 large eggs, organic and local 2 cup hearty organic salad greens (i.e. baby arugula or baby kale) 2 tablespoons lemon juice Zest of 1 lemon 1 cup cup.freshly freshlygrated gratedParmesan Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons white vinegar Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium-high heat. Prepare the asparagus: Toss the asparagus with oil and salt to taste. Grill the asparagus until slightly charred and pliable on all sides (3-6 minutes depending on thickness of stalk). Remove to a platter; set aside.

APPLE BREAD PUDDING (SERVES 8)

1 pound lb. brioche, brioche, torn torn into 1/2-inch into 1/2pieces inch pieces to total to 12 totalcups 12 cups 5 tablespoons sweet butter 2 large local apples, peeled, cored, and diced 1 cup sugar, divided 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup brandy 4 large eggs, beaten 3 cup c. milk milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste Whipped cream, crème fraiche, or ice cream for serving Preheat oven to 350F. Spread brioche pieces on a baking sheet and toast until golden and dry (13-15 minutes). Stir occasionally while toasting. While the brioche toasts, melt the butter in a large skillet. Reserve 3 tablespoon T. of melted of butter melted in a separate butter in a separate bowl. bowl. Add apples and ¼ cup c. sugar sugar to skillet to skillet and and cook cook over over medium medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until apples have softened (again, about 15 minutes). Stir in the cinnamon

Prepare the bread: Grill each slice of bread until crispy and slightly charred on both sides. Rub garlic clove well over each slice of bread. Set aside.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the brandy. Return skillet to heat and cook until the pan’s liquid is syrupy (1-2 minutes).

For the salad: Gently toss greens with lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt. Divide the arugula among 4 individual plates. Arrange the asparagus on top of the arugula on each plate.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with remaining sugar and vanilla until pale yellow. Add to the skillet. Toss with apples until the fruit is coated evenly. Allow to stand for five minutes.

Poach the eggs and add one egg on top of each salad. Sprinkle with remaining While dressing the salad, bring the saucepan of poaching water to a simmer. Immediately place 1 egg on top of the asparagus on each plate. Sprinkle each with salt, grated cheese, and lemon zest. Drizzle each piece of bread with olive oil and cut in half on the bias. Serve alongside salad. (Adapted from Anne Burrell’s recipe.) 5 8

Brush an 8x11 baking dish with 1T.tablespoon 1 reserved melted reserved butter. melted Pour apple butter. Pourmixture apple mixture into the baking into thedish. baking Drizzle dish.remaining Drizzle melted butter remaining melted on top. butter on top.

Local Roots offers its regular menu as well as several featured items that change each week based on what’s plentiful and inseason. In the winter, Elliott relies on root cellars, hoop-house produce, and farms that extend their growing season. Guests relish the charcuterie, cheese plates, and homemade bread pudding. The bread pudding varies seasonally; apples, peaches, and blueberries all take their turns finding their way into the dessert. “This recipe came as a way to use brioche from our brunch—we don’t waste!” Elliot says. Isabella’s Italian Trattoria

Cheri Barauskas and her family own and operate Isabella’s, an upscale, comfortable restaurant serving contemporary northern Italian fare in the Boonsboro neighborhood of Lynchburg. Even though the farm-to-fork movement is trending, Isabella’s adopted the philosophy when it opened more than twenty years ago. “If we don’t support local, we will lose the connections and the farmers. We need to support them and help them succeed; in turn, we will all succeed,” Barauskas notes, adding that “local and in season always tastes better, and the better the ingredients, the better the dish!” Isabella’s sources as many of their ingredients as they can from local growers such as Lynchburg Grows, Three Springs Farm, Seven Hills Meat, Trager Brothers Coffee, Good Karma Tea, Scratch Pasta, and other seasonal growers who provide beautiful summer tomatoes and other produce used in northern Italian cuisine. “We term ‘local’ as within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant,” Barauskas explains. Most of the local vendors are Virginia-based, but Isabella’s has occasionally received goods from North Carolina. In autumn and winter, Barauskas and her team adjust the menu to reflect the change in available ingredients. They’re still able to obtain farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, beets, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, arugula, and winter squash. In addition to its extensive wine list, Isabella’s has a beer menu that features Virginia draft beers, handcrafted Virginia bottled beers, and Virginian hard ciders. Along with its standard menu, Isabella’s offers daily specials that showcase the seasons and farm-fresh ingredients. A recent summer dinner menu included a local peach and blueberry salad with fruit from local orchards and greens from local growers, and a traditional Italian prosciutto and melon salad—the cantaloupe is from an area vendor. Isabella’s signature recipe, however, is the lasagna Bolognese, a classic from the Emilia-Romagna region. Barauskas says “we have always used a local meat provider for this dish, and it is the perfect marriage between imported Italian cheeses, classic Italian recipe and preparation, balanced with our local Seven Hills Meat Company ground beef.”

Bake for 50 minutes or until the top is golden and the custard has set. Cool slightly and serve with cream of choice or a la mode. (Recipe adapted from Food and Wine.)

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The Virginian

In 2018, downtown Lynchburg welcomed the grand re-opening of its historic hotel, The Virginian. The hotel is home to three restaurants: Marigold (an elegantly appointed coffee shop and luncheonette), Skyline (a rooftop bar and dining room), and William and Henry (a classic steakhouse). The Parry Restaurant Group oversees these three restaurants along with fifteen other dining establishments across Virginia. Parry’s general manager, Mike Nevarez, says that his group uses one supplier for the majority of items but that each restaurant uses local companies to supply local produce. “We wanted to be able to provide the finest and freshest ingredients while helping support the local farmers and economy,” says Nevarez. He and his team look to Conner Produce in Lynchburg and Cavalier Produce in Charlottesville for greens, vegetables, and fruit at the Virginian’s restaurants. Several beers from Virginian breweries are available at Skyline’s bar, as well.

All three restaurants change their menus based on seasonal preparations. In just a year, a few guest favorites have emerged, such as the W&H Steakhouse Salad. The restaurant was named after owner Steve Parry’s and Chef Partner Roger Murphy’s fathers. “Both of them always enjoyed a fresh salad before their meals,” explains Nevarez. The salad created in their memory combines local mixed greens with tomatoes, red onion, chopped egg, herbed croutons and dressing. Another crowd pleaser made from locally sourced ingredients is the grilled asparagus with ParmigianoReggiano cheese and lemon vinaigrette. Like his professional peers, Nevarez sees the benefits of buying locally grown food. “Locally grown food helps create economic opportunities, provides health benefits, and reduces negative environmental impact,” he says. When you’re dining out, consider one of these hometown eateries, and then make a trip to the farmer’s market or local orchard to continue savoring the flavors of the season. ✦

POP Powerfrom Warhol to Koons

Masterworks from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

September 28, 2019 - March 8, 2020 | TaubmanMuseum.org/POP Downtown Roanoke, VA Images: Jeff Koons (American, b. 1955), Gazing Ball (da Vinci Mona Lisa), 2016, Archival pigment print on Innova rag paper with acrylic disc, 41 7/8 x 28 7/8 x 2 1/16 inches, 106.4 x 73.3 x 5.2 cm (framed), © Jeff Koons; Keith Haring (American, 1958–1990), Pop Shop V, 1989, silkscreen, edition 153/200, 13 1/2 x 16 1/2 in., © Keith Haring Foundation; Donald Baechler (American, b. 1956), Coney Island Portfolio: V, edition 59/75, 1994, screenprint with sand, 29 x 29 in.; All from Collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation

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LIVE self-care

self-care

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR YOUR BEST MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH BY AMELIA POORE

SELF-CARE DAILY PRACTICE Follow a healthy, nutritious diet. Sleep well—get a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours for adults). Exercise daily. Vary whatever type of exercise you do and do what you enjoy! Stay current on medical care and appointments; don’t procrastinate. Take time each day to do an activity you enjoy (Read, walk, paint, see a movie). Spend time with friends and those you love. Learn when to say “no” to obligations you don’t enjoy, email, and technology. Adopt a meditation and/or relaxation routine to practice daily. Laugh everyday!

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“Self-care” is one of the buzzwords heard on social media and pop culture news lately. Though it is often shrugged off as a Millennial/Generation-Z trend, many physicians are heralding self-care as one of the healthiest “trends” in recent decades. With measurable benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional health, this trend is definitely one worth exploring. Women especially are much more prone to care for everyone else before taking the time to really check in with and care for themselves. Consider self-care as filling your own tank so you can continue to do your best in all areas of your life. R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

Many people associate self-care with vanity—seemingly frivolous spa treatments or overpriced cosmetics. However, many spa visits provide users with physical health benefits beyond simple relaxation. The classic self-care staples of facials and massage provide improved flexibility and circulation as well as lower blood pressure and promote better sleep. There is also evidence that lymphatic facials and massage can enhance our immunity. These benefits are enriched when using a skincare regimen during and after treatment. Common skin troubles such as acne, rosacea, dryness, and discoloration are often improved with facial techniques paired with appropriate skincare, and as we can all attest, calm and clear skin can improve our mental and emotional well being, right alongside our physical appearance. Working closely with an expert dermatologist, who works out of a medical spa or office, or aesthetician, found in most salons and spas can guide you in selecting the best regimen for your specific skin type. Facials are perhaps the most flexible and customizable of spa treatments because everyone’s skin is wholly unique, especially the more sensitive skin on our faces. Facials can be valuable self-care treatments for people of all ages. Many aestheticians require a meeting with their clients beforehand to hash out their age, skin type, skin issues, sensitivities, preferences and what they’re hoping to get out of the facial, whether therapeutic or relaxation-based. There are facials available for healing and fading acne marks, under-eye circles, uneven skin tone and overall rejuvenation, just to name a few. Most aestheticians are more than happy to work with you to find a facial technique that fits one or more sensitivities you’d like to address. Many of us are fighting acne and wrinkles! Massage is one of the most easily customized spa treatments you can find. Most massage therapists are more than happy to communicate with you regarding your body’s ideal pressure, strokes and overall style. From Swedish to Deep Tissue and Hot Stone to Reiki, anyone can find a massage that genuinely helps them best care for themselves. Additionally, many massage therapists provide a variety of intensity in the actual experience. If you’re looking for an immersive, real spa experience, Body and Sole Therapy Salon and Spa in Roanoke provides the classic private room, full body event we often equate with a massage. But if your self-care time has to happen during your lunch break, a 30-minute session may be more in line with your schedule. And for those who like their self-care with a spiritual flair, a therapist who offers Japanese Reiki services (such as Essentials Massage Therapy in Roanoke) may be right up your alley. As an addition to a facial or massage, many spas such as Crystal’s Healing Hands in Roanoke offer salt caves, a whole-body wellness experience. Salt caves are essentially rooms—often with salt floors and/or walls—that guests sit in to glean the benefits of the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory advantages of Himalayan salt. Guests simply sit and relax for 25 minutes, breathing deeply to experience the salt’s therapeutic effects. Salt therapy, or halotherapy, is a holistic method for improved breathing, clearer skin, and better overall wellness. Halotherapy uses micro-particles of salt, inhaled during the salt cave session, to alleviate a variety of respiratory and dermatological issues. A halogenerator breaks the salt into micro-particles and disperses them throughout the room. The salt is also said to produce negative ions, which combat and balance the positive ions we are exposed to through computers and smartphones. Some spas also offer salt beds, which are said to be more beneficial for dermatological issues because the guest can r vhomemaga zine .com 61

MASSAGE TYPES AND STYLES

disrobe and apply the salt directly to their affected area. Many patients suffering from skin ailments such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema have found that salt spas help their skin stay healthy and clear. Another spa experience many people are finding beneficial is oxygen therapy—specifically oxygen facials. Long favored by celebrities, oxygen facials use a small airbrush tool to blow purified oxygen onto the face gently. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used by doctors for decades to help speed healing for patients; the oxygen facial follows the same line of thinking—using oxygen can provide healing to our faces, specifically when it comes to anti-aging. Oxygen facials deliver oxygen to the outside layers of the skin, so after a good exfoliation and cleansing, aestheticians spray the oxygen over the client’s face. The results can mimic that of fillers, leaving clients with a glowing complexion. Self-care doesn’t necessarily have to cost money. Treating yourself to a good night’s sleep or a walk around the neighborhood with a friend (two- or four-legged) can have the same impact on us mentally and physically as a 30-minute Swedish massage. A self-care regimen can be expensive, but a good night’s sleep and some time to meditate and check in with yourself can be the small bit of selfcare you need to be your personal best. The whole point of self-care is to care for yourself, which means you and you alone can decide what that entails. ✦

DEEP TISSUE focuses on restoring deep layers of muscle and connective tissue; ideal for back, neck, and shoulder pain. SWEDISH focuses on relaxing the body by using long gliding strokes toward the heart. HOT STONE uses heated basalt stones placed directly on the pressure points to more quickly and easily melt tension to provide the most therapeutic massage possible (often paired with deep tissue or Swedish techniques). REIKI focuses on the transfer of energy between the client and the universe. Reiki massage is often designated as a natural therapy, providing an option for a spiritual element to other massage therapy.

SCOTT KITTS SALON

Betsy Bannan

Gerry Bannan

A Full Service Salon A place where everyone knows your name. 540.904.3783 1102 Brandon Ave. Roanoke VA 24015 62

Courtney Cronin

Genesis Chapman R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

IMPROVE food storage

chill out! organizing and cleaning the fridge BY M IT ZI B I B LE

OPEN. CLOSE. OPEN. CLOSE. There probably isn’t a door in our home that gets more of a workout each day than the refrigerator door. But as much as we use it, the fridge—the lifeblood of our kitchens—often becomes the most unappreciated appliance we own. When we close the door, the contents are “out of sight, out of mind,” and we try to forget about attacking the sticky spills and rotting food,not to mention the “lovely” odor combinations. Our mothers were right, though: it won’t clean itself. And others likely won’t do it for you, either. Even if you’re fortunate enough to hire a housekeeper, you may be out of luck because many cleaners don’t include fridge services. Like any chore, the longer you neglect it, the harder it will be to get it back under control. And in the case of a refrigerator that stores your body’s fuel, neglecting its cleaning could ultimately affect your health. The tips below will help your family store food properly and stick to a cleaning regimen. Because there’s not a more welcome sight to behold at midnight than a clean refrigerator stocked with just what you need to stave off that late-night craving. Order up some order

I don’t know about your family, but in my household, piles of randomness develop when items aren’t returned to their rightful homes. At the bottom of the pile are useful items, of course, but

they’re just hidden (or “lost” as my children would say). That’s the same case in our refrigerator. Someone will yell, “We’re out of ketchup!” and then off to the store we head, only to find out when I clean the fridge a week later that we’ve been hoarding five bottles. Sound familiar? Believe it or not, refrigerator designers did have a purpose in mind. Whether you have a basic or deluxe model, there are spaces created specifically for certain types of food. Stick to keeping foods where they belong, and you won’t be throwing out containers of expired or rotten food on a steady basis. Even by making use of the drawers and shelves you already have, it is worth checking out the new storage bins and containers available in the housewares aisle. Manufacturers know that the refrigerator is a hot spot for disorganization, and have created bins in all sizes marketed for refrigerator use. Many are clear and come with labels so you can keep smaller items like yogurt cups, soda cans and those popular

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It’s 7am - Do You Know Where Your Pants & Shoes Are?

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sauce packets from your favorite restaurant from getting pushed around and falling between larger items. It’s also a good idea to walk down the bath aisle too—the baskets with suction cups for your shower are useful for stashing grab-and-go snacks for the kids, such as cheese sticks. One hard and fast rule in food storage is to place your raw meats on the lower shelves and your ready-to-eat and already cooked foods on the top, so there is less chance of them dripping and contaminating other foods. Always remember that the door is naturally warmer, so place eggs and egg products on the shelves. Everyone knows that crispers—the bottom drawers—are meant for fresh produce, but few people know how to use them properly. The humidity controls are there for a reason. Most models have two drawers, so set one to low and one to high. Basically what you’re doing is opening or closing a vent in the drawers to either retain the cold air and moisture (closing it for high humidity) or to allow more airflow (opening it for low humidity). Low-humidity foods are generally foods that tend to rot faster; they need more air circulation. A general rule of thumb is to place fruits in low humidity and vegetables in high humidity. (For a handy list of which produce to place where, visit thekitchn.com.) Trust me, using your crispers the right way will extend the life of your food and cut down on food waste, and the guilt that comes with it! Grouping items is a must for organization, but quantity matters, too. Refrigeration relies on good air circulation, so don’t crowd the shelves. Freezers shouldn’t be compacted either, because air circulates from the freezer to the refrigerator; packing the freezer tightly can cause your fridge to run poorly. If you find yourself creatively stacking products to fit them in, that’s a sure sign you need to get rid of some of your inventory. (Crisper drawers are fine to pack half full, but beware of placing the heavier foods on top of the lighter and softer ones). I use small bins in my freezer to help with organization, too. I have one for grab-and-go items like frozen waffles and ice cream treats, and ones for frozen vegetables and frozen meats. It helps me to see what I have so I don’t purchase unnecessary items. Safe storage

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I’m sort of a geek when it comes to knowing how long food can be stored in my refrigerator and freezer. I keep a bookmark on my cell phone’s browser to a storage chart from the Food and Drug Administration (fda.gov/media/74435/download). The chart is mainly for meats and egg products. Raw hamburger, for instance, a staple in our house, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days and the freezer for up to four months. If keeping meats in the freezer longer than two months, the FDA recommends that you wrap it in extra airtight plastic wrap, foil, or freezer paper or place in a plastic bag. Opened packages of luncheon meats should be kept no longer than five days in the fridge and two months in the freezer. The FDA site also offers lots of tips for properly storing food to prevent foodborne illnesses, such as: n Put refrigerated and freezer items away as soon as possible after bringing them home. (Check the labels to make sure that refrigeration is required). The “two-hour rule” is appropriate for items that are left out at room temperature. That also means leftovers and take-out foods. n Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C) and the freezer temperature at 0° F (-18° C) and check the R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

temperatures periodically. (Buy an appliance thermometer at any hardware or big box store; many cost less than $15.) n Throw out any food that looks or smells suspicious. Discard all food that is moldy. n Keep foods covered at all times. Use covered containers or sealed storage bags, and check leftovers daily for spoilage. To keep my fridge from getting out of hand, I set aside the same day each week to sort through expired food and assess the life expectancy of leftovers. (I’m not lucky enough to have a garbage disposal, so I do this deed the night before garbage collection day, so I can take the trash right out to the curb). Sanitize and deodorize

Wiping down all surfaces regularly can help keep bacteria at bay. But every couple months, a thorough cleaning is needed. Again, refrigerator designers know what a hassle this can be, so they’ve made the shelves easily removable. I like doing a sorting/tossing

blitz in one day and then tackling the shelves and drawers over a few nights. This way, I can still keep food in the refrigerator; I just move it to the side I’m not cleaning. Just a small amount of dish detergent and water can usually do the job. I’ve found that the bathtub is the best place to scrub the entire shelf and rinse it thoroughly. Before placing shelves back in the fridge, I use detergent and water again to wipe down the walls. The best way to fend off stuck-on mess is to clean up spills immediately—even if it’s just wiping with a wet rag or paper towel, then cleaning with detergent when you have more time later in the day. Don’t forget the seals around the door, and the door handle, which can easily become one of grimiest places on your entire fridge. I’ve seen people use whitening toothpaste on a toothbrush to get in the crevice of the seals (if you do this, make sure you wipe down with soap and water afterward). Baking soda is still the natural deodorizer of choice; mix ¼ cup with 1 quart of warm water to wipe down everything. Place an opened box in the back of your fridge to cut down on odors. The invention of refrigeration greatly transformed kitchens in the early 1800s. Today, I’m afraid, like many modern appliances, we take it for granted. The refrigerator deserves our respect every day, and our health depends on it. Cut down on food waste and prevent illness by storing your food properly and safely. And if your family could use a reminder every now and then to help keep the refrigerator clean, maybe you could post this article where it is most likely to be seen—say, like, hmmm, maybe the refrigerator door? ✦

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GARDEN fruit trees

landscaping with fruit trees BY CHRISTINA MOORE

Imagine walking outside your home and plucking delicious fruit right from a tree just steps away! A great improvement to outdoor space that delivers delightful returns is the addition of fruit trees. Fruit trees can add value to your property and hardy installments in your landscape for generations. Not only can they provide beauty and shade, fruit trees deliver organic, healthy food that you can trust and take pride in cultivating yourself. Fall and winter are great times to make your landscape plan for the next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;many trees are becoming bare, annuals are dying out and replacement plantings are on your mind. This is a great time to evaluate where you can add fruit trees and other edible plants and shrubs to the landscape plan, and to replace dying or unwanted plantings. 6 6

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Growing fruit trees requires a bit of planning; consider climate, site selection, tree size and varieties. When choosing fruit trees for your yard, the first consideration is your area’s growing zone: our region of Virginia is located in Zone 7, which means we have the best of both worlds—mainly mild winters and the absence of the long-term, scorching heat found in the deeper south. Some great fruit tree options for our zone are apple trees (Virginia is the 6th largest producer of apples in America); apricot, cherry, fig, nectarine, peach, pear, Asian pear, persimmon and plum trees also flourish in our region. A next step before planting is to consider the intended site’s soil and sun exposure. Fruit trees require soil that offers good drainage and full sun to thrive. A standard fruit tree grows to be 25-30 feet tall; if yard space is an issue, there are dwarf varieties that only reach about 15 feet and are great for tight spaces. It is also good to remember that fruit trees require commitment and patience; they generally don’t produce fruit until they are three years old and sometimes not until they are five or six. Keeping mature size and fruit production schedule in mind when developing your landscape plan will help alleviate future frustrations. Though fruit trees were traditionally relegated to the outer perimeter or back of properties in small family orchards; modern landscaping techniques often incorporate edible landscaping which enhance the aesthetics of a yard. This requires thinking about fruit trees in a different way and integrating them within the landscape plan. If you want trees with vibrant spring flowers, consider a fruiting cherry tree rather than the ornamental variety. Want a shade tree? Consider a pecan rather than an oak, a dwarf apple tree rather than a dogwood. Traditionally, fruit trees were often relegated to the outer perimeter or back of the property as a small family orchard; however, modern landscaping techniques often consider edible landscaping without sacrificing the aesthetics of your yard. This requires thinking about fruit trees in a different way and integrating them within the landscape plan. Lance Moore, ISA Certified Arborist and owner/operator of Mills Associated Arborists in southwest Virginia often suggests

using an espalier technique with fruit trees for clients who have small landscape areas or terraced yards. Moore explains, “Espalier is a practice of pruning and tying fruit tree branches to a frame for space-saving growth and ease of harvesting fruit, which also offers a beautiful decorative aspect to your space.” While this technique was made popular in the Middle Ages to grow fruit alongside castle walls, it is still commonly implemented in modern times in our region, most commonly with pear and apple trees. “A great side benefit to planting fruit trees in this manner,” he adds, “is that the sun more easily reaches the foliage, increasing the quality and quantity of fruit that ripens compared to a traditional fruit tree planting.” An additional consideration for planting a fruit tree is whether you need to plant a pollinator; you will if the tree you choose is not a self-pollinating variety. Apple trees, for example, generally require another apple or crabapple tree nearby for pollination. Cross-pollinators do not have to be of the same variety, just the same species. If you have close neighbors, perhaps they have a tree of the same species; if so, cross-pollination can occur across the property line without additional investment. Pruning fruit trees is necessary—not only to maintain trees’ aesthetic, but also to ensure that they remain healthy and productive. Lane Dellinger, ISA Certified Arborist and Landscape Management Professional at Southern Landscape Group in central Virginia offers the following advice: “Pruning of fruit trees is performed to improve fruit quality and size, regulate tree growth and maintain tree size, as well as help reduce production costs.” Pruning activities are normally performed during the dormant season, but young trees can tolerate summer pruning for structure and training purposes prior to fruit-bearing years. “A couple of things to remember,” Dellinger adds: “Pruning reduces fruit yield but invigorates shoot growth; heading and thinning cuts are the two pruning cuts used for fruit trees. Limb position and orientation have an impact on the vigor and fruit-bearing capabilities of the limb; it is best to avoid excessive removal of limbs and shoots. Less is better in most circumstances.”

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Adding fruit trees to your property will likely attract additional animals and pests in search of food and habitat. Measures will need to be taken to eradicate these pests in a manner that is safe for humans and pets; remember that trees that are properly planted, watered, and fertilized have the best chances to resist pests and diseases. Dellinger offers this advice to reduce pests and diseases in fruit trees, “Cultural practices can greatly reduce pest and disease incidence in your fruit trees.” He explains, “These simple steps are a great start: choose a sustainable location for your tree so that critical air and light can penetrate the crown of the trees; prune out and destroy any dead or diseased limbs; rake and burn any fallen fruit tree leaves. Finally remove and destroy dropped and mummified fruit remaining in or under the tree.” While there are a variety of natural and organic pesticide treatments on the market, specific treatments are dependent upon the particular type of pest or vermin and the type of tree affected. The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) office is an excellent educational source for local tree and plant research, planting and pruning techniques and pest and disease eradication. The VCE is built on a partnership with Virginia’s two land grant universities—Virginia Tech and Virginia State University—and offers a wealth of knowledge for horticultural and planting practices. VCE offers divisions in each city and provides educational resources, seminars, and a wealth of location-based information. Be sure to check out their website at ext.vt.edu to find an office near you. ✦

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LIVE ham

a pig tale

FROM HOOK TO PLATE BY V I C TO R M I L L N E R

It’s a chilly morning in late October when we meet at the smokehouse and get into the pickup. After the obligatory stop for coffee and something unhealthy to eat, we head west to Virginia Pride’s warehouse in Evington to pick up the hams ordered from a processing outfit in Wisconsin. We load the cardboard boxes into the back of the truck and head to our secret hideout. We are not the only ham club in the area. Each has its own way of doing things— where the hams come from, how long they cure, how much smoke, the secret coatings are all particular to each group. r vhomemaga zine .com 6 9

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Our group is The Loyal Order of the Hams. I cannot betray club secrets, of course, but for those of you who may wonder how that tender salty meat morsel on your ham biscuit came to be, this is roughly how our process goes. The mission here is to turn what in its raw form is known as a fresh ham into a country ham. Katie Mundy’s To get a country ham, it must be dry cured. The alternative would Country Ham be to wet cure the hog, which 1 cup brown sugar would result in—you guessed ½ cup honey 2 Tablespoons dry mustard it—a city ham. For the dry curing Cloves process, we set the hams out in large wooden boxes lined with Soak a country ham in water thick plastic. Our group normally to cover for 24 hours. If the gets around 20 or 25 hams ham is over two years of among us, so we have a couple age, soak it for 48 hours. of these large boxes. The pork is Scrub the ham well, put coated with a salt mixture, well in a boiler, and cover with covered with plastic and left to water. Simmer (30 minutes per lb.) until shank bone cure for several weeks in a cool, will come out with ease. dry location. The salt draws out Cool ham in the water you moisture in the meat and imparts cooked it in. Remove and its own flavor in the process. skin. Cut off most of the The longer the salt stays on, the fat, leaving ¼ inch fat to dryer and saltier the ham will be. score. Mix brown sugar, honey, and dry mustard and I imagine the length of time and spread this mixture over the amount of salt is a group-specific fat. Stick a whole clove in detail, as the taste and texture of each scored section. Bake the end product can vary greatly at 350 degrees until lightly based on this step. Once the browned. (Recipe from salting process is finished, the Fashions in Food) hams are washed and set out to dry thoroughly. In the next step, another mixture is applied to the hams to complete the curing process. The recipe for this potion, once again, varies widely as to the preferences of the individuals doing the curing, but often includes sugar, brown sugar, molasses, sorghum syrup, salt and pepper and other spices. This concoction is rubbed into the hams thoroughly and allowed to dry and soak into the meat. It can take several weeks as well. For our group, the curing is complete at this point. While it is not necessary, most groups smoke their hams; The Loyal Order of the Hams hangs ours in a rather rudimentary, custom-built structure. As a result of its long history, the smell from the smokehouse when the door is opened is enough to make R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

your mouth water; inside, a small wood stove is installed with a pipe to vent the smoke. Our group smokes with hickory; some folks find oak, apple or persimmon wood—more to their liking. Generally, the wood should be on the greener side to produce more smoke and burn more slowly. The nuances of smoking are endless; this part of the process is where differences in the taste of the hams emerge. I don’t pretend to be a smoke master; I do know that the ideal conditions for smoking are when the air is heavy and humid; this keeps the smoke from escaping as quickly and hovering around the meat longer. The number of hours the hams are smoked is also a matter of preference, but it certainly sums to double digits. The master smoker minds the fire and regulates its smoke and heat for hours, even into the late evening. There may well be a cooler of beer or bottle of bourbon nearby for members who stop by to visit. It’s mid to late March by now and the process is finally complete. Our group gathers at the smokehouse for our final part of the ritual—the Blessing of the Hams. Whenever possible, we try to have

a bona fide person of the cloth perform the blessing to ensure the best outcome; if there is no clergy to be found, whichever of the group that went to church most recently will fill in. From the freezer, a mason jar of the smoothest, coldest, clearest elixir of moonshine goodness I think I have ever tasted is poured into antique silver cups. A toast for good health and good hams is made and we adjourn the Loyal Order of the Hams until the next season. We take our hams home and put them in linen bags or white cotton pillowcases to be hung in our basements or closets; the entire house will smell like a smokehouse for the next several weeks as the hams age. Six months on the hook seems to be the minimum; a year is about right for the smaller hams we cure. Larger ones can hang for up to three years, but will get dryer with time. I like to cook a ham around the holidays. I start by putting mine into a pot or cooler deep enough to allow the ham to be completely submerged in water. Soaking the ham serves to rehydrate, as well as remove some of the salt from the curing process. I normally soak mine for

48 hours, changing the water once or twice along the way. Because the ham has been cured, it could be eaten at most any point afterward. I, however, boil my ham with spices for two to four hours to give it more of a traditional country ham texture as opposed to one that’s more prosciutto-like. Once the ham has been boiled, it’s time to prepare it for presentation. There is a thick layer of fat and skin that should be removed. It comes off quite easily at this stage, when the ham is hot. It can also be deboned easily at this point. The final step is the glaze for the ham; there are many options; so it’s mostly a matter of taste. I use a recipe given to me by the founder of our club which I cannot share, though I have included a similar recipe (see sidebar). Whatever glaze you choose, apply it now; the ham should be put under high heat to melt the fat and seal it with the glaze. When most of it runs off, it can be reapplied and heated again as many times as desired to get that good, crusty coat from the glaze. The end result is a golden brown, sweet and shiny crust of goodness that blends beautifully with the saltiness of the meat. ✦

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TOUR FOR A CAUSE

LIVE charity home tour

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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

CHARITY HOME TOUR

Now in its 29th year, the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour showcases eight spectacular lakeside homes in Franklin and Bedford counties—and it's all for a great cause. The three-day tour, October 11-13, 2019, is a truly collaborative community effort to raise funds for eight regional charities that provide critical services for those in need.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit smlcharityhometour.com.

➊ ➊

1. The Breckinridge home is a ranch style home with a walkout lower level. There are white oak hardwood floors, pine ceilings, wainscoting and several quilts on display. The owners have an extensive collection of wooden houses from places they’ve visited, a thimble collection and an organ that came from the home of Confederate General Jubal Early. Ron has a collection of antique cameras, and Linda displays her medals from her Dragon Boat racing days. A gallery shows historic family pieces and pictures from the Civil War and of relatives with ties to Presidents Jefferson and Buchanan. 1250 Hidden Waters Lane, Moneta.

➋ ➋

2. The Mallen home in Park Place has five bedrooms, four full and two half-baths, and ten-foot ceilings, many with double trays to twelve feet. Entryway, living and dining room floors look like marble, and columns are painted to match. There are fireplaces in the keeping room near the kitchen, the master suite and on the lower level. One home office serves as a guest bedroom with a handicap-accessible bathroom. The home also has an elevator. The lower level is as chic as the upstairs, with two guest bedrooms, entertainment area with bar, builtin aquarium, colored mood lights and a secret door. 19 Atlantic Avenue, Moneta.

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3. The Shea home on Hatcher Creek has a great view of the mountains and features main floor living with a finished walkout lake level. This four-bedroom, four and a half bath home has an open floor plan; a vaulted ceiling in the great room lets the stone fireplace soar. Each room enjoys a lake view, except one. A screened porch and a large deck with a glass railing extend along the lakeside of the house. The lower-level family room has a “shabby chic” vibe with painted furniture. The large dock sports fun furniture and décor. 2422 Patmos Church Road, Huddleston.

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4. The Koury home on Craddock Creek is a Craftsmanstyle home with a large stone deck and a pool on the lakeside. The house has an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. There is manufactured hickory flooring in the living, kitchen and dining areas. The living room has a stacked stone fireplace and a beautiful lake view. The master suite, replete with tray ceilings and 100-year-old antique lamps. The lake level has luxury vinyl flooring in the main area and mini-kitchen. From here, walk out to the covered porch,pool, hot tub and tiki bar. 308 Pine Drive, Huddleston. R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

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5. The Kellstrom home in Mountain View Shores is a Craftsman-style house with three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and a large bonus room. There is a cottage atmosphere with soft grey walls, white trim and touches of aqua throughout. The kitchen contains a large sunroom with an antique sewing machine. The dining room has rough beadboard and a ship-lap wood ceiling. The homeowners have included older furniture from their previous homes, painting the pieces various colors. Enjoy beautiful paintings from Norway and some by local artist Ruth Cole throughout the house. 2222 Capewood Drive, Huddleston.

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6. The Nester home, built in 2016, is situated on a flat lot on Tranquility Road with a splendid view of Smith Mountain. This one-level smart home has four bedrooms and five baths plus a bonus room over the garage for a game area, bar and kitchenette. Unique details include vaulted living room, dark stained hickory flooring, antique dining table, plantation shutters, vaulted barrel ceiling in the master bedroom and bath, barn doors in the guest bedroom and white ship-lap ceiling. There are two docks—one for boats and one for fishing and relaxing. 715 Tranquility Road, Moneta.

➐

➑

fun fact

This is the only tour in the nation in which all homes can be accessed by car or by boat! r vhomemaga zine .com

7. The Thompson home in Union Hall was a tear down that was rebuilt in three levels. The main floor has the master suite, kitchen, family room and living room with a vaulted pine ceiling and a stone fireplace featuring a one-of-a-kind mantel from Black Dog Salvage. The upper level has a bedroom, bath and a sleeping loft. The lower level has a family room, a darkroom, a man cave with a sauna, and an office with a barn door and a Murphy bed. Model train collections are on display in a glass case. Of particular interest is an original Ann Harwell fabric art quilt. 257 Dudley Road, Union Hall. 8. On the Blackwater, the Borum home, loved for twenty years, no longer met the family’s needs, so they opted to demolish and rebuild. Gone was the four-bedroom, two-bath home with seven-foot ceilings, now replaced by a contemporary farmhouse designed to maximize the lake view while highlighting the remarkable Zelkova tree at the entryway. Enter through the kitchen, and view the open eating area and living room. The master suite and two guest suites are also on this level. The oversized covered deck with seating and adjoining dining porch are inviting. Two more bedrooms and a bath are on the lower level. Just outside, is a delightful stilt cottage, which houses Nancy's studio. 3576 Kemp Ford Road, Union Hall.

The SML Charity Home Tour is the community fund drive to support critical services for those in need in the Smith Mountain Lake region. The tour accomplishes this through partnerships with volunteers, charities, businesses and individuals. During its 28-year history, the tour has raised nearly $5 million for local charities. This year’s tour benefits eight regional charities: Adult Care Center of Central Virginia, Agape Center, Bedford Pregnancy Center, Tackfully Teamed Riding Academy, Faith Network of Franklin County, Franklin County YMCA, Helping Hands of Franklin County and Smith Mountain Lake Good Neighbors

IMPROVE diy vs. pro

DIY VS. PRO the true costs and benefits of doing it yourself B Y K E N DA L L AT K I N S L I V I C K

It starts innocently enough. You’re watching an HGTV marathon. Hours pass as you consume a buffet of 30- to 60-minute tales on house flipping, smart designing, and DIY tackling. Property Brothers, House Hunters, Good Bones—oh my! Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, Hidden Potential—time flies! The addictive factor is built upon a foundation of instant gratification in quick successions of “before” and “after” images with a bit of blood, sweat and tears mixed in. “I bet I can do that,” you muse as you recruit a bit of “expert” help à la YouTube and then roll up your sleeves. Fast forward a few hours, and you are knee-deep in a smoking heap of debris, clumsily clutching a power tool of some sort. Sirens can be heard not too far in the distance. “How did I get here?” you wonder with disenchantment. Misguided DIY undertakings have left many a homeowner with more regret than return. When should you get your hands dirty, and when should you call in a contractor? It all comes down to several factors.

R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

Time availability

If you have a true passion for DIY, lots of free time, no urgent tasks competing for your attention, and desire for a challenge, then more power to you. Accumulate any knowledge necessary for your DIY project and go forth. On the other hand, if you currently have a full plate of work, community activities and childrearing duties, proceed with caution. Sometimes less is more. Painting, for example— although requiring some planning with set-up and brush stroke precision—can be an excellent first DIY venture. YouTube can equip you with all the information you’ll need to get started. The drastic aesthetic change will be instantly gratifying. Landscaping similarly offers the opportunity for a relatively low-risk creative adventure. Pick the brain of an expert at a local garden shop, and quickly learn the ins and outs of local climate conditions and soil, as you work toward enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Another area for lower effort beautification is interior décor. Depending on your budget, you can delight in decorating your home to suit your personal taste. Home staging is a topic that abounds on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. Flip through your latest issue of HOME or browse your favorite apps for some inspiration, and then shop to your heart’s content for furniture, art, or inexpensive novelty knickknacks.

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If you grew up as the son or daughter of a contractor and spent summers in your youth renovating residential or commercial properties, you’re better prepared to flip a home than someone whose sweat equity consists of hours spent viewing Love It or List It. No need for regret or looking back at roads not taken. Simply take an inventory of your current skillset. If you want a complicated task completed soon, neither YouTube nor any other howto reference will suffice. Listed on Realtor. com, among “6 DIY Projects You Should Never Do Yourself,” are molding, floor refinishing, electrical work, tiling, roofing, or any trade that requires permitting. There’s a good reason why plumbing and hot water heater repairs are typically handled by a plumber, electrical work by an electrician, and roofing by a roofer. These are highly technical skills that require knowledge and licensure beyond that of the average homeowner ,

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Safety

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to safety, a little common sense goes a long way. If you struggle with lightheadedness, for instance, do not climb on your roof to attach shingles. Even if you are physically agile, always ask yourself if the reward is worth the risk. The National Safety Council has reported more than 6,000 deaths yearly from falls resulting from cleaning gutters or repairing roofing. Potential for fires, flooding, falls, water damage, electrocution, burns, explosions, and gas poisoning are risky territory better left in the hands of a true-blue tradesman. It is also worth noting that if your home or commercial property is noncompliant with code requirements, you may find yourself in a heap of financial or legal trouble with no quick fixes. If you lack the qualifications, save yourself the headache and risk and go with a pro. In the words of the late great, Sir Francis Bacon, “knowledge is power.” To best ensure a positive outcome, do yourself a favor and seek knowledge before revving up that first power tool. ✦

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When mulling over a potential DIY-do or don’t, consider the 4 Fs FINANCES: Will this project add resale value to your home? Does tackling this project as a solo mission free up your funds for other pursuits? If you sit down and crunch numbers for the cost of supplies and time required, can you prove bang for your buck? Would that buck be better spent on an expert’s touch? According to nerdwallet.com, a whopping 43% of homeowners have admitted to messing up a DIY home effort at least once. How much would this project cost to fix if you don’t succeed? FRUSTRATION: Do you have a long attention span and patience that goes on for miles? Is mastery your middle name, or has your life been a series of passion projects begun in enthusiasm and abandoned in boredom? There’s no wrong or right way to be. Some are better equipped for short-term ventures. FLEXIBILITY: Will learning these new skills position you to pursue additional interests? Maybe you would like to get involved in the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps you’ve decided flipping houses is a worthwhile investment for saving for your kids’ education. Which skills will help with future pursuits? FUN: What tickles your fancy? Are you drawn to paint swatches or pipes? Beauty or utility? Quick and easy, or slow and steady? Follow your bliss, and decide what you are happy to pay NOT to DIY?

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Paper Swoon

For the love of wallpaper BY P E R RY PAY N E M I L L N E R

Ah, wallpaper, how I love thee; I can’t begin to count the ways. There’s no faster, can’t-fail route to dramatic space transformation than a trip down the paper trail. Wallpaper possibilities are unending, with a universe of variation available in color, texture, material and pattern: on-trend contemporary panels and murals; large-scale bold graphics; subtle and moody watercolors; traditional paisleys, dots and stripes—time-tested classics, both original and reimagined, in patterns that feel fresh still.

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Yesterday’s paper

The earliest European block-printed wallpaper dates from the early 1400s, though the Chinese may have been using this method as early as the fifth century. According to Grove Dictionary of Art, early wallpapers were hand-painted, woodblock printed, or stenciled. Medieval and Renaissance decorators used wallpaper hangings as a stand-in for rich tapestries unattainable to any but the a-listers of the day; paper hangings presented a beautiful alternative to their more expensive and difficult-tosource textile cousins. These papers featured designs and scenes emulating woven tapestry contemporaries; they were hung loose from ceilings in the same way as tapestries and provided an extra layer of insulation to large and drafty rooms. The end of the 18th century brought the first scenic wallpapers to America via France, with enormous, panoramic paper installations in only the finest homes. According to the Bulletin of the Pennsylvania Museum, designs like the 20-strip panorama depicting the adventures of Captain Cook, Sauvages de la Mer du Pacifique (Savages of the Pacific), designed by the artist Jean-Gabriel Charvet for the French manufacturer Joseph Dufour, graced fine homes here; this important installation may be viewed now at Ham House in Peabody, Massachusetts. “It was the largest panoramic wallpaper of its time,” according to the Museum, “and marked the burgeoning of a French industry in panoramic wallpapers.” A day trip to downtown Lynchburg’s historic Point of Honor reveals a Dufour closer to home: the Virginia landmark features a wallpaper, Les Monuments du Paris (The Monuments of Paris), designed by Xavier Mader, an expert draftsman and engraver who worked for Dufour. In an article by that name referencing the wallpaper installation, the Lynchburg Museum reports, “It took several years to prepare the paper, with over 250 workers including Mader, draftsmen, block carvers, colorists, printers and chemists.” Dufour derived fabulous success from the sale of his papers, much in demand in America at the time. 19th century Victorian artisans including Louis Comfort Tiffany and William Morris created designs which came to be known as Art Nouveau. By the early 20th century, wallpaper was available to the masses, widely distributed and vastly popular. Mainstream manufacturers included Sears and Roebuck; noted among designers was the avant-garde Andy Warhol (Wallpaper and the Artist: from Durer to Warhol. London: Abbeville Press, 78

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1992). For more on wallpaper history, see Wallpapers in Historic Preservation, by Catherine Lynn Frangiama for the National Parks Service. Paper cuts

The 20th century brought wallpaper into the tech sphere, as manufacturers merged paper and light to add ambience in interiors. 21st century papers are machined by varied printing techniques including digital and screen printing. Patterned wallpapers are created with “repeats,” so that pieces cut from the same roll can be hung adjoining one another; the pattern continues and the “join” is not obvious. Modern wallpapers are easy to hang and come in rolls to be adhered vertically— usually with wallpaper paste. Some papers are made of washable vinyl and come pre-glued or not; some are even removable, a plus for those who bounce around nomadically or identify as commitment-averse. Paper chase

Local designer Moyanne Harding works extensively in central Virginia and the Roanoke Valley: her condominium project, The Lofts on Commerce, just hit the market; earlier this year she designed the St. Jude’s Dream Home in Roanoke. A big fan of wallpaper, the vivacious designer is quick to proclaim its virtues: “Wallpaper is back and stronger than ever, with all the amazing new textures and patterns designed to make your house beautiful!” Her favorite design houses include British firms Farrow & Ball, Cole & Son and Anna French. What’s on trend now? “A resurrection of pinks and burgundys along with a dark rich palette of greens and whites,” she says. Wallpaper can play a leading role or lend support as a background player, adding dimension and harmony to home interiors.

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n Textured grasscloth in a neutral tone sets an elegant stage for traditional furnishings. Philip Jeffries offers beautiful—and pricey—products; Thibaut’s are a bit more affordable. Proceed with care when choosing grasscloth: those beautiful, dimensional natural fibers can differ in shading from roll to roll; it’s important to match tones as the job progresses. n A bright animal print lends an air of whimsy to humdrum dens and lackluster baths. At the high end design houses include Scalamandre, with patterns like Chinoise Exotique, a cheerful pattern of impish monkeys on a range of backgrounds including tomato and ecru. More economical are Cole and Son’s Savuti and Canopy Creatures by Anthropologie; both depict old-world monkeys hanging out in trees, as they do. At the low end, York Wallcoverings’ Mandarin Prose delivers the playful simian vibe at a fraction of the cost. n For drama in the dining room, try a largescale, vivid floral to energize gatherings and celebrations. Thibaut’s Honshu is available in a range of hues, moderately priced and sure to please. For the “wow factor,” Anewall’s extra-large-scale Dark Floral Blossom is uber-dramatic and comes in five rolls to create a showstopping mural. Easier on the budget are Big Floral from Roostery and Albany Wallpapers’ Bohemian Flower. n For “mess-magnet” rooms—kids’ play areas and bedrooms—consider vinyl or washable wallpaper, impervious to even the most dedicated finger painters and pint-sized muralists. Schumacher’s Madame de Pompadour is a beauty and potential bank breaker; for a more down-to-earth budget, try East Urban Home in the mid-range. Zoomie Kids and Brewster Home offer patterns that deliver great style for little investment. Removable wallpapers are also great for kids, and no-brainers for college students, renters and commitmentphobes; check out Drop It Modern, Chasing Paper and Urban Outfitters for fresh, modern design. Paper plans

❺ ❶ Thibaut: Honshu ❷ York: Mandarin Prose ❸ Anewall: Dark Floral Blossom ❹ Chasing Paper: Mermaid ❺ Anthropologie: Canopy Creatures 8 0

Take a dip before you dive. Plan a visit to your local design professional for tear sheets and memo samples of the designs that strike your fancy. Buy one roll and tack it to the wall; live with it for a week or so before you go all in. Check back at different times of the day to see how it interacts with your home’s light and decor. Rein it in. If you’re in love with a particularly bright, bold or avant-garde pattern but nervous about its staying power, try it in a guest bath first. The jewel box of a powder room that emerges might embolden inspired choices in larger spaces. Go big AND go home. Don’t be afraid of bold, colorful patterns, large-scale graphics or abstract prints in small rooms; a den may feel surprisingly intimate and vibrant against an unexpected, dramatic backdrop. R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E F a l l 2 0 1 9

No distractions, please. In rooms with windows and beautiful views, avoid off-trend “accent” walls; opt instead for subtle, textured papers like grasscloth—tone-on-tone natural fibers in subtle textures that lend the room a feeling of warmth, keeping focus where it belongs. Enough is enough. The journey from eclectic to chaotic can turn south in a skinny minute; plan your design itinerary carefully. Let one element lead the way: if your furniture and accessories are bursting with color and pattern, choose wall coverings that are subtle and neutral; conversely, if the decor is tailored and stodgy, a bold choice in paper might just be the secret “zing” that takes your space from staid to spectacular. Endpapers. What to do with those last few pieces after wallpaper duty is done? Make liners for drawers, adhere to bookshelves or front faces of stairs; frame as artwork or add to door panels on a vintage hutch or armoire. Wallpaper remnants and samples are fabulous materials for ornaments, envelopes, gift wrap and other paper crafts.

There you have it, your HOME wallpaper primer. There’s no time like now to start your own journey down the paper trail. Bon voyage and happy hanging! ✦

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GARDEN autumn garden round-up ADVERTISER index Baron Enterprises.................................................... 22 Better Building Works.............................................21 Better Wood............................................................... 56 Brandon Oaks ........................................................... 65 By Design Interiors..................................................20 Capps Home Building Center...........................30 Closet Storage Organizers.................................64 Construction Marketing..........................................4 Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services.... 16 Dixie Products........................................................... 24 Elaine Stephenson Interiors............................... 79 Ellie Proctor Antiques and Fine Things.........15 EZ Rampz..................................................................... 75 F&S Building Innovations.......................................8 Ferguson.........................................................................12 First Bank and Trust...............................................20 General Shale Brick................................................ 23 George's Flowers.....................................................64 Grand Home Furnishings.......................................13 Halifax Fine Furnishings....................................... 36 Harmony at Roanoke.............................................. 81 Holiday Retirement / Elm Park Estates....... 70 Kevin Hurley Photography.................................. 76 LinDor Arts..................................................................... 3 Mac Westland, Realtor..........................................34 Magnolia Decor......................................................... 42 Member One Federal Credit Union.................. 7 Middleburg Financial...............................................17 MKB Realtors.............................................................. 28 N-Hance..........................................................................15 National Pools............................................................. 14 Neathawk Window and Door...........................68 Our Lady of the Valley.......................................... 56 Pat Joiner, Realtor................................................... 43 Prescott Construction............................................ 71 Reid's Fine Furnishings......................................... 29 Richfield Living...........................................................27 Ronnie Mitchell and Son Landscaping............6 Ryan Harris Group....................................................37 Scott Avis, Realtor......................................................11 Scott Kitts Salon...................................................... 62 Seven Oaks Landscape Hardscape............... 83 Skyline Door & Hardware.................................... 70 Skyline National Bank............................................ 57

FALL LANDSCAPE TODO LIST IS TA-DONE!

oanoke Valley HOME caught up with Landscape professionals in the area and asked for tips and chores to ready our yards for the dormant season. The following are suggestions for making the most of September and October days to finish the 2019 growing season strong.

Mark Burton of Roanoke Landscapes offers: “Fall is the best time to plant most anything—shrubs, trees, perennials, Spring flowering bulbs and grass. Soil temperatures remain warmer and promote root growth, the most important part of the plant.”Now is also an excellent time to fertilize shrubs and perennials with a slow-release fertilizer. (Roanoke Landscapes uses Earthworks 3-4-4.) Readying your property for winter goes beyond the landscape, adds Mark. Taking care of your tools and machinery is also important. September/October is the ideal time to sharpen your mower blade and clean your mower’s air filter. You’ll still be mowing a few more times in 2019, but having this maintenance done will start the spring mowing season off nicely. The Maintenance Department at Seven Oaks Landscape Hardscape suggests fall chores to include mowing, trimming and edging the lawn before aeration and overseeding. Next, apply a winterizing fertilizer. Inspect plantings and lawns for pest problems. As the months turn cooler, spend some time cleaning up perennial beds and fading spring and summer annuals. Applying a pre-emergent for cool-season weeds will help keep the beds weed-free as spring approaches. Cold months can still enjoy colorful pansies along with ornamental cabbage and kale. October is a great time to decide your color combinations for the winter months. Also plan for spring color by mapping fall bulb plantings. For those great splashes of early spring color in your landscape, plant tulip, daffodil, crocus, and other hardy bulbs in the fall. The best planting time is from September through midDecember. To best prepare your gardens for spring bulb planting, use one part cow manure and one part existing soil. Add bone meal to the hole before placing the bulb. Once the bulb is placed, cover with the soil mix. Keep the bulbs moist after planting and well-watered while growing. Use your favorite mulch to cover the bulb bed with a 3" layer for protection during the coldest months. At the first sign of leaf growth in the spring, use a 5-10-5 fertilizer over the top of the bed. Are mice, moles, or chipmunks a problem? If so, Seven Oaks advises to plant bulbs in wire cages to keep the pesky marauders out. Remember, after blooming, it is essential to allow the foliage to yellow and die naturally as this provides nourishment and feeds the bulb for the following spring’s flowers. Lastly, Seven Oaks suggests re-programming your irrigation controller and make preparations for winterizing the system. There you have it—merely following these guidelines from local landscape professionals will have your property ship-shape for winter and full of color come spring! Get started on this Landscape To-Do list this fall, and you’ll enjoy fantastic rewards in the spring of 2020. Ta-Da! ✦

Susan Bailey / Long & Foster Realty............84 Taubman Museum................................................... 59 The Columns............................................................... 36 The Little Gallery......................................................... 5 ValleyStar Credit Union........................................... 2 Virginia Building Solutions................................. 38 Virginia Mountain Mortgage.............................. 75 Whitt Carpet One..................................................... 16 YARID’S......................................................................... 22 82

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