Central Virginia Spring 2017 | Real Estate Issue by James River Media

HOME CENTRAL VIRGINIA

design ✦ improve ✦ garden ✦ live

the

REAL ESTATE

issue

spring grandeur GARDEN DELIGHTS

delicious fresh fare historic garden week

HOME MATTERS

first impressions market trends for 2017

SEASONAL APPEAL

best neutral paints furniture refresh SPRING 2017 SPRING 2017

RAILINGS

FENCING

SCREEN PORCH RENOVATION

COLUMNS

DECKING

PRODUCT SALES WITH INSTALLATION AVAILABLE

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

With over $25 million in Sales, over 76 Transactions closed, & Ranking #2 out of more than 600 Area Agents in 2016, Lauren Bell Knows the Lynchburg Market. If you are interested in buying, selling, or building Put her knowledge and experience to work for you and give Lauren Bell a call.

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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CONTENTS

the

REAL ESTATE

issue

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

20 20

REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK FOR 2017 Local real estate professionals weigh in BY NOELLE MILAM

A PERFECT PALETTE Area real estate agents share their favorite neutral paint colors COMPILED BY RORY RHODES

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Tips on staging your home inside and out for the best sale BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

showcase home

BY ALEXANDRA REYNOLDS

REFINANCING YOUR HOME Understanding options to maximize your financial position

HOME WARRANTIES Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the scoop on this home maintenance option? BY SLOANE LUCAS

AT HOME IN THE VILLA A Lynchburg landmark has been transformed into a gracious family home BY CHARLOTTE A.F. FARLEY

Cover photo of the Villa Maria by Michael Patch

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK HOME Magazine cvhomemagazine.com

S PR I NG 2017

DESIGN

35 THE FORGOTTEN ROOM

Even a hallway presents design and function opportunities BY MEGAN BRUFFY

86 COOL CAKE STANDS

Ideas for using this dessert darling in every room

102

BY RORY RHODES

102 TO REUPHOLSTER—OR NOT?

What to know about recovering your favorite furniture BY MEGAN JANSEN

IMPROVE

48 RETHINK YOUR SINK

What to consider when buying a new kitchen sink BY ASHLEY BLAIR SMITH

83 INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Proper HVAC system care is the key to comfort BY JERRY HALE

GARDEN

29 ON THE EDGE

Various border materials frame garden beds like works of art BY MITZI BIBLE

92 PLANT IT, EAT IT

How to grow and enjoy spring lettuce BY KATHERINE FULGHUM KNOPF

98 BENEFICIAL BUGS

Make your garden a haven for helpful insects BY SARA WARRENDER

106 HISTORIC GARDEN DAY

A sneak peek at Lynchburg’s annual home and garden tour

LIVE

42 SEASONAL FARE

Host a casual dinner with spring’s best flavors BY MARISSA HERMANSON

74 GETTING TO KNOW YOU

How to be a good neighbor BY SLOANE LUCAS 12

42 Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

EDITOR’S note My first spring in Virginia, almost 20 years ago, is something I vividly remember. As a Southern California native, I’d always enjoyed an earlier, subtler spring that began in February. After my first eastern winter, I was desperate for spring. When it arrived in full force that April, I was overwhelmed by the explosion of color and energy. The signs of life all around urged me to get busy on my own projects, and each year I feel that same pull. Spring is well known as the busiest time for buying and selling homes, and I can’t help but think that, in addition to the nice weather and school calendar, something more elemental is also at work. We all want to get things in order for the season ahead, and this edition of HOME has plenty of inspiration. Our second annual “Real Estate Issue” has valuable tips and topics, whether you’re buying, selling, or simply living in a home. Check out our “Real Estate Outlook for 2017” feature to hear input from local experts, and find out what you need to know about refinancing your mortgage and choosing a home warranty. Our “First Impressions” piece is packed with helpful information that will make sure your home looks its best—and if something needs freshening up, we’ve got you covered with reupholstery know-how, professional picks for the latest neutral paint shades, and ideas for adding style to that oft-neglected zone, the hardworking hallway. If, like me, you’re eager to get outside, you’ll find lots of ideas for the garden. We’ll show you how to plant a spring lettuce patch, attract beneficial insects to help keep plants healthy,

and select an attractive garden border to frame your hard work. Once everything’s spruced up, host a garden party with fresh, springtime recipes—or if you prefer to admire someone else’s handiwork, take a Garden Day tour and get inspired! And finally, if you’re a new face in town or notice somebody new on the block, our “Getting to Know You” guide has suggestions for reaching out to your new neighbors. This special issue of HOME has everything but the kitchen sink—oh wait, we’ve got information about that too. Thanks for joining us! Until next time … — Rory Rhodes, Managing Editor rory@westwillowpublishing.com

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PUBLISHER’S note

I want to hear from you!

HOME CENTRAL VIRGINIA

All of us at HOME magazine work hard to keep our content fresh and current so we can provide you, our readers, with useful, practical and affordable ideas to enhance your homes and lifestyles. We showcase local style meant to inspire you and then connect you with the businesses and services than can fulfill your needs right here in Central Virginia. If you’re reading this latest edition then you’re probably one of our loyal, enthusiastic readers and have many inspirational ideas yourself—we want to hear about them! We’d love to hear your ideas for stories or interesting local homes to feature and we welcome your comments on articles we’ve published. What do you think about our fresh, new look? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Since celebrating ten years of publication, we thought a new look was in order! Send me a note—I’d love to hear from you! Now, read on! I hope the ideas, tips and businesses presented on these pages of HOME magazine will inspire you to do something new and fresh this spring. —Julie Pierce, Publisher julie@westwillowpublishing.com

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER Julie Pierce EDITOR IN CHIEF Meridith Ingram MANAGING EDITOR Rory Rhodes ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman GRAPHIC ARTIST Khristina Helmich CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mitzi Bible Megan Bruffy Charlotte A.F. Farley Jerry Hale Marissa Hermanson Megan Jansen Katherine Fulghum Knopf Sloane Lucas Noelle Milam Alexandra Reynolds Rory Rhodes Christy Rippel Ashley Blair Smith Sara Warrender PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Patch OPERATIONS MANAGER Colleen Miller ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Bass Janet Lampman Julie Pierce Anne Marie Poore SUBSCRIPTIONS

Central Virginia HOME is published five times annually by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Central Virginia HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B, Forest, VA 24551

e ide tial a d o a d terior e i

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et a i t o i co leti o r ho e or oﬃce decor with local, i e t e t alit artwor

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24 Reid Street, Chatham, VA 434.203.8062 reidstreetgallery.com

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

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

e al o ha e e eral arti t a aila le or co i io iew o r alwa cha e da rida

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

Reid Street Gallery

Copyright 2017 by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All pictorial material reproduced in this magazine, whether in a produced ad or by itself, has been accepted on the condition that it is with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer or the artist concerned. As such, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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the

REAL ESTATE

issue

REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK

for 2017

BY NOELLE MIL AM

ccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 2016 was a great year for the area’s real estate markets. Central Virginia real estate agents agree that business was brisk, prices were trending upwards, and the Federal Reserve kept interest rates extremely low. Unsurprisingly, as late as October 2016, the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were predicting that home sales nationwide were really going to heat up in 2017. But later in the fourth quarter of 2016, NAR projections had cooled considerably. With national election results that were surprising to many sectors, speculation on what the new administration would mean for real estate in the coming years began. The first concern for many in the business was the Fed’s anticipated hike in mortgage lending rates, the first of which occurred in December 2016, making money for housing slightly more expensive to obtain. The second concern was inventory of what they called affordable housing. NAR conducted a survey in the fourth quarter of 2016, and found that there was a significant decrease in consumer confidence as we enter the 2017 market. But here’s the thing: Consumers’ confidence was not that they couldn’t find a house, but that the house in question would be affordable.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

ACCORDING TO CENTRAL VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE AGENTS, THE MARKET WILL DISPLAY CHARACTERISTICS OF BOTH SELLERS AND BUYERS MARKETS DEPENDING ON A HOMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LOCATION AND AFFORDABILITY. c vhomemaga zine .com 21

Affordability appears to be the new buzzword for real estate in 2017. The definition of affordable encompasses more than just the pricing of the home, but includes possible resale value, condition of the home, and costs associated with owning the home (think homeowners association dues, commuting time, or costs of utilities). Despite a certain sense of healthy caution however, NAR is still projecting a sunny outlook for real estate in 2017 for several reasons: n the interest rates, though rising, are going up at a very moderate pace; n the risk of a housing “crash” is very low for the area; n Millenials are now entering their prime homebuying years; n the continued upward trend of the American economy (the longest positive cycle in history). In Central Virginia, where markets have been on a steady but gradual climb out of the “Great Recession” since about 2010, real estate professionals are upbeat about the outlook for the coming year. Billy Flint of the Flint Property Group cites MLS data for the area of $499 million in closed sales in 2015, and $567 million in closed sales in 2016, and sees the market holding steady in 2017. “The Great Recession did take a toll,” he explains, “and Central Virginia was somewhat slower going into it, and it will be slower coming out, but I remain bullish on Central Virginia real estate in the long term.” Banks are still cautious about lending, and interest rates are on the rise, but in Central Virginia, houses are selling and so is land. In fact, though the past years have seen a decrease in the demand for what Flint calls “recreational rural property,” it is an excellent time to consider buying land. “In 30 years of selling properties, I’ve never seen a better opportunity to buy land than I see now. After all, they’re not making any more of it,” he says. In addition to a robust inventory, area real estate agents see the possibility of increases in housing prices in the coming year, and even the current and projected interest rate hikes are unlikely to deter many buyers. “The market conditions are more favorable now than they have been in a decade,” says Jane Blickenstaff, who has been selling real estate in the Lynchburg area since 1977. She and her team at Blickenstaff and Company Realtors are very optimistic about the 2017 market, citing that their main concern is that there will be enough inventory to meet demand this spring and summer. In December the Federal Reserve announced its first modest interest rate increase since 2006, and they project more increases in 2017. These are very small increases though, and most experts see rates going up less than 1 percent, which really doesn’t change a buyer’s monthly payment significantly. Wendy Reddy, of Reddy Real Estate, Inc., has been watching real estate trends in the area for over 17 years and spends a lot of time thinking about the 22

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Chantal O’Keeffe Nat Perrow

Polly Flint Wendy Lindquist

Victoria Bartholomew Billy Flint

Amy Scott

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statistical part of market trends. She, too, forecasts a 2017 with generally moderate growth. This relative balance between pricing and inventory, Reddy says, is a far cry from the prerecession years of the “housing bubble,” but the flip side is that it is a safer time to buy. Agents and clients have more realistic and pragmatic expectations and are more measured and careful about their research and decision process. “I want my clients to be wise,” she says, “and that means having a thorough knowledge of how much inventory is out there, what the breakdown is.” Compared to the early 2000s, she feels that buyers are much more cautious and discerning. “Current buyers tend to be very practical,” she explains. “Many believe smaller is better, and it’s not uncommon for buyers to ask nitty-gritty questions about the age of the roof, or heating costs. They are concerned about every dollar.” Sellers Market? Buyers Market?

According to Central Virginia real estate agents, the market will display characteristics of both sellers and buyers markets depending on a home’s location and affordability. Forest, in Bedford County, is an increasingly popular area, according to both Reddy and Flint, and so is Downtown Lynchburg— especially along the Riverwalk Trail. There is also steady interest in homes situated along the Route 29 and Route 811 corridors. Both agents also shared that the segment of houses or condos priced between $200,000 and $350,000 are in the affordability “sweet spot.” Inventory in that price range sells like proverbial hotcakes. Blickenstaff adds, “New construction is also selling as fast as the builders can build if they build to the market.” Homeowners or builders who will be looking to sell a house in that range in 2017 will likely be successful, provided it is in good shape and priced appropriately. On the other hand, experts appear to agree that houses in higher price ranges, specifically anything over $400,000, find themselves in more of a buyers market. “There is heavier inventory in the $400,000 and above price range,” says Reddy. “Buyers can be aggressive, and it often comes down to who has made the most improvements.” What can sellers do to increase their chances for success in 2017? Educate yourself about the competition, price the home appropriately, and make sure that it shows well to potential buyers. The best way to educate yourself is to speak with someone who has been in real estate in the area. A licensed real estate agent will be able to give you individualized feedback on your home: its condition, location and current market value. In today’s market, the condition of your home is very important to its selling potential. Real estate agents may recommend updating paint colors, decluttering congested areas and refinishing floors. “Less than 30 percent of your population can walk into a house and be able to envision what it will look like fixed up,” explains Reddy, “so go ahead and make those improvements and updates.” It will help your sale in the long run. In this market, expect buyers to be more sophisticated and savvy, and be prepared to address issues that may come up. For people looking to purchase a home or land in 2017, the advice is clear: Don’t sit on the fence! The days of competitive “buyers markets” when homes could be purchased for a fraction of their pre-2008 value are in the past. It appears unlikely that you will see plunging prices in 2017, so if you 24

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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wait to make an offer because you hope the sellers will drop the price, you are likely to miss out. On the other hand, if you are handy, and willing to do some improvements or renovations, there are still some very good deals to be had, particularly in previously owned, newer homes or even in historic properties. Educate yourself about the type of property you are interested in, talk with a bank about what you can afford, and enlist the services of a real estate professional to assist you in your search to prevent any unforeseen issues or disappointments. Real estate can be a volatile and challenging market to stay on top of, which is why the best real estate professionals will always recommend that you take the time to interview several agents before selecting the one who you feel understands your situation and has the experience and expertise to be the best guide for you. The real estate forecast for Central Virginia is a good one: solid, steady, moderate growth across the market for 2017. The area continues to thrive, with the exponential growth of local universities and healthy diversification of industry from healthcare to nuclear technology, and manufacturing. In addition to newly nesting millennials, the area is also seeing an influx of the newly retired baby-boomers from up and down the Eastern seaboard who’ve chosen the area for its location, climate, charm and historic importance—not to mention the added attractions of features such as walkability, a vibrant city market, and the Riverwalk Trail downtown. With a forecast like this, regardless of whether you are selling or buying, or just taking an active interest in the local real estate markets in the coming year, for Central Virginia the year ahead looks sunny indeed. ✦

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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THE ART OF LANDSCAPING DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN

4 34•546•0657 28

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

GARDEN landscaping borders

choose the right border BY MITZI BIBLE

When you visit an art museum, do you notice the frames? They are always carefully selected to complement the style of the artwork. You may see grand paintings framed with intricately carved, gold-accented wood, or simpler paintings framed in old barn wood. It’s the same for your landscaping—your own living, growing work of art. And it deserves a proper border, so we have compiled some ideas to help you frame your “masterpieces” this spring.

cvhomemagazine.com

TIP Want to reshape your landscape? Be creative and bring out the artist in you by designing borders that wind their way around trees and garden spaces. Use your garden hose to first lay out your design, trying different shapes.

ptions for garden edging have come a long way from the black, plastic border strips and landscape timbers Now you can shop for a variety of bricks, pavers, stone, gravel, and faux styles of all the above that do a very good job of mimicking the real thing. Then, you can create a custom border by combining any of a number of materials. Maybe you are just used to raking the mulch back regularly or using an edger and trimmer to keep your landscaping tidy, but adding permanent garden edging could actually make those jobs less frequent, or even unnecessary. Bricks and pavers may be the most traditional material, and undoubtedly the most affordable, of any hardscape border, but you can use them in many different ways. It can be as easy as lining up bricks on their long sides and embedding them

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

about an inch into the ground, then laying rows of bricks flat up against the standing bricks, creating a level surface. This extends the border and, if done correctly (by using landscape fabric and a sand base), a lawn mower wheel should have no problem rolling right over it. This design also allows for plants to beautifully cascade over the edge without reaching the grass. You can add variety to this look and use a different colored brick for the inner edge and another color of paver for the outer edge. Consider the color of the mulch in your design as well; perhaps you want to pick a white or light-colored paver to contrast with black mulch. If you don’t want to use bricks for the inner edge, consider adding a thick layer of pebbles instead. You can also stack bricks diagonally, buried halfway in the ground, to create a diamond-shaped border, then go a step further by laying a row of gravel or small stones on the outside. In sticking with the traditional, those bendable, fabricated borders still exist, but they’re more durable and more attractive than they were even a decade ago. People still choose them for their affordability (especially if you have a large garden space) and their ease to install (no digging required). Even the rolls of plastic edging come in different colors now and have been designed with stakes to firmly hold them in place. You can also find metal edgings, made of aluminum or steel, and coated in different colors. The metal is effective in fending off grass, but it is not recommended that you use it in an area where people may be walking. Some of these products can be installed to form raised beds and others can be installed to a lower height that is safe for your mower. There are also an astounding number of products available that can play tricks on our eyes. Home and garden stores now carry so many options of stone- and brick-looking borders made entirely of plastic or resin. Easy to transport (to borrow the common but apt phrase, the job no longer hits you like a ton of bricks), the products have been designed with just the right texture and color to give the appearance of the real thing.

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collecting and using river rocks to edge your garden beds, or split logs, halved lengthwise, and placed with the bark facing up. Do you like to bring back souvenirs from the beach? You can use pieces of driftwood or oyster shells in your garden borders. To go for a more primitive look, use a series of stick posts, then stack long sticks woven between them, much like the fences of colonial days. A popular edging design that uses a mix of the natural and a bit of the manmade is the gabion. A cage-like wire container holds rocks or crushed stone and can be built between fence posts. Although there are suppliers of these containers, you can make your own with concrete remesh bought from your local home improvement store. And who says you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a garden border with plants themselves? A row of potted plants buried slightly in the ground will create a firm but natural border. Plants that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wander away too far from the pots are best; consider rosemary, thyme, or ornamental grasses. No matter the style of your garden border, think of it as the frame that highlights an important piece of art, holding everything in place and showcasing your hard work. Bring the art of gardening to life by designing your own borders that will help to usher in spring. â&#x153;Ś

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

DESIGN great halls

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FORGOTTEN ROOM

BY M E G A N B R U F F Y

very morning, I roll out of bed, slide on my slippers and pad down the hallway to the kitchen for my requisite cup of Earl Grey. And every morning, I lean against the kitchen doorway, sip my tea, and peer back down the hallway, my mind swirling with possibilities for that narrow, lifeless strip of house.

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By definition, a hallway is a long passage that links rooms. That is its sole function, to usher you from one area to the next. I don’t know about anyone else, but in my quaint little home, I need each space to serve a purpose, and that includes hallways. That brings us back to my pre-dawn pondering. After months —my husband might argue years—of musing, I determined the best course of action was to prioritize the most important elements of the design and make a plan. What else is a Type A to do in such a situation? As you ruminate on your own corridors, ask yourself the ultimate question: How do you want to feel in the space? The answer to that question will fuel every choice, from colors to fabrics and everything in between. 36

Color

From the Pantone Color of the Year, “Greenery,” to deep plum, rich cerulean, and everything in between, color breathes life into our homes. Imbue your space with distinct hues to add vitality to what could just be a pass-through. Such color can come in many forms: wall paint, a rug, artwork, curtains, light fixtures—anything you dream. To avoid overwhelming your hallway with color, I recommend selecting a palette with one rich color and two or three complementary colors in a more muted shade. When it comes to your walls, unlock your creativity. Instead of a solid color, consider thick horizontal stripes. Pair light walls with a bold hue on the ceiling. A long strip of color visually Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

pulls you through the corridor. What about wallpaper? With infinite options, wallpaper simultaneously adds visual interest and texture, resulting in a distinct space all your own. Variety

A sundry of textures and materials softens a room, gives it warmth—and a hallway is no exception. For instance, after withstanding constant foot traffic, hardwood floors deserve a plush, braided rug. Not only will this add comfort underfoot but also a visual anchor. To enhance color and add light, incorporate metal art or mirrors. These reflective surfaces bounce light and brighten the space. Illuminate your ancestry by mounting a family quilt on the wall—an inexpensive and meaningful option. If the majority of your family photos are collecting dust in the attic, a gallery wall might be just the ticket. Frame a collection of your favorites in a variety of sizes. I like to arrange the photos in a thoughtful order—chronological, by frame color, by size—to give the layout intentionality. In addition to family snapshots, consider hanging works of fibers and mixed media. These disciplines offer beauty and texture in one neat package.

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EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOME, EVEN A HALLWAY, SHOULD SERVE A PURPOSE. DESIGN + PERFORMANCE™

To add architectural interest and depth, consider adding a chair rail, typically mounted three feet from the floor, and a twotone wall. I recommend keeping the lighter color on the bottom. To take your design to the next level, install beadboard, shiplap à la HGTV’s Joanna Gaines, or classic wainscoting to the lower half of the wall. These options will engender your space with classic elegance for minimal cost. Function

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I said it once, but it deserves a replay: every room in your home, even a hallway, should serve a purpose. Think about your space and what functionality it’s hoarding. In a wide hallway, add an accent chair and lamp combo to create a cozy reading nook. Arrange a small desk and chair in the dead space at the end of the hall for a minimalist office. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a narrow hallway is ideal for skinny floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or slender storage cabinets for shoes, gloves, scarves, or anything you’d like. In the Goldilocks of corridors, not too big and not too small, define a staging area for your family. A few storage benches and coat hooks transform a pass-through into an organized catch-all for your everyday items. Hallways are primed to be interactive. Mount a long, framed chalkboard on the wall for to-do lists, reminders, or doodles if you’re feeling creative. For kids, use adhesive vinyl cutouts to create a hopscotch pattern on the floor. Find the artistic possibility in the space and use it to stoke the embers of your imagination. Designing any room can be overwhelming, and hallways are the ultimate challenge. If you find yourself like me, sipping an early morning beverage and staring aimlessly down the corridor, take a deep breath and remember: every space craves color, variety and function. Once you have those elements, the natural charm of your space will shine through. ✦

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VARICOSE VEINS

why me? what can be done?

You can start by thanking your parents and grandparents because most varicose veins and spider veins are genetic. If both of your parents had varicose veins you are twice as likely to develop them yourself. Many men develop varicose veins; however, women are more vulnerable to developing the condition, and studies show that nearly 72% of all women age 60–69 will have spider or varicose veins. In addition to heredity, normal female hormones and pregnancy can cause the condition. Other, less significant factors which could contribute to varicose veins are prolonged standing, obesity, and increasing age. If heredity has spoken there may not be much you can do to prevent getting varicose veins; however, you can certainly slow down how soon they form and how bad they get. There are some preventive steps you can take to minimize the development of varicose veins. Follow a regular exercise routine like walking, running or cycling to keep calf muscles strong. Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods—especially with crossed legs— and if you must sit for prolonged periods, make a point to take a short walk every hour or so to help get blood 40

moving. Maintain a healthy weight and diet. If you’ve already developed varicose veins, medical-quality elastic compression socks can help if worn regularly. While there are many things you can do to help prevent or slow the progression of varicose veins, if you have any visible varicose veins you should see a Vein doctor. Varicose veins that bulge under the skin or are causing symptoms such as aching, burning, cramps, or itching could present a serious health risk and should not go untreated. Varicose veins put you at risk for blood clots, hemorrhage and may result in development of skin ulcers and infection. A qualified Vein doctor will assess the severity of the varicose veins with a combination of physical examination and usually an ultrasound test to actually view the veins and measure blood flow and determine if treatment is recommended. There are now many office-based procedures to treat varicose veins that do not involve surgery. Physicians in established Vein Centers largely perform these newer procedures and most are covered by insurance. One of the most common and effective treatments being used at Virginia Vein Specialists to treat Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

VARICOSE VEIN DISEASE IS VERY COMMON, AFFECTING OVER HALF THE POPULATION BY AGE 65. IF YOU HAVE VARICOSE VEINS, PLEASE CONSULT A VEIN DOCTOR FOR A SIMPLE EVALUATION.

developed varicose veins uses a radiofrequency-heated catheter to burn the varicose veins from the inside. It is done as an outpatient usually taking about 30 minutes. There is very little discomfort or down time and many patients returning to normal activity the same day. For less advanced varicose vein disease, sclerotherapy is usually an option. This involves using tiny needles to inject specialized medicines into the veins. This also has very little discomfort and offers a good result, but depending of the severity of the disease may not be covered by insurance. In summary, varicose vein disease ranging from a few spider veins to large bulging varicose veins is very common affecting over half the population by age 65. The bulging veins put patients at risk for developing complications such as blood clots and ulcers so early evaluation is recommended. Many officebased treatments are available and highly affective in eliminating the condition along with the associated risks. Often these procedures are covered by insurance. IF YOU HAVE VARICOSE VEINS, PLEASE CONSULT A VEIN DOCTOR FOR A SIMPLE EVALUATION. cvhomemagazine.com

VIRGINIA VEIN SPECIALISTS is located at 113 Nationwide Drive in Lynchburg. For questions or to schedule a consultation, call 434-237-5893, or visit www.virginiaveinspecialists.com. JOHN ALFIERI, MD, is a board certified Interventional Radiologist specializing in vein disease and is the director of Virginia Vein Specialists in Lynchburg. ERIC KLINE, MD, is Alfieri Kline board certified in Diagnostic Radiology with sub-speciality certification in Vascular & Interventional Radiology. 41

LIVE culinary corner

from the

garden party THROW A BACKYARD SHINDIG USING THE SEASONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RIPE VEGGIES AND HERBS BY M A R I S SA H E R M A N S O N

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

With the arrival of spring, Mother Nature beckons us outdoors with her sunny disposition and warmth. It’s the perfect time for al fresco entertaining! Dust off the patio furniture, fire up the grill, and invite the neighbors over for a casual backyard shindig. To celebrate the vernal season, you can easily incorporate the season’s bounty into your dishes. Head to your local farmers market and discover spring’s produce. Fresh herbs, earthy root veggies, and leafy greens are ripe for the cooking. Here are a few recipes that let the fruits of spring shine.

RED BEET HUMMUS

Red beets not only give this hummus its beautiful fuchsia coloring, but also add a lovely earthy sweetness to the dip. For an appetizer, you can serve this spread straight-up with toasted bagel chips for dipping. Or, if you are feeling creative, you can make mini smørrebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches)—crostini topped with beet hummus, hard-boiled egg, dill, sea salt and fresh cracked pepper. 1/2 cup red beets (approx. 1 small beet) 2 15.5-ounce cans chickpeas 1/4 cup tahini 1 lemon, juiced 3 tablespoons of olive oil 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 1/2 teaspoon of salt Fresh dill, to garnish

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Heat the oven to 400 degrees, wrap beets in foil, place them on a baking sheet, and roast for 45 minutes (until soft and can be pricked with a fork). Remove beets from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. While beets are cooling, roughly chop the garlic and juice the lemon. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt, and blend the mixture until smooth. Rub away the beet skins with a paper towel, making sure not to stain clothes. Roughly chop the beets and add to the food processor, blending the hummus until smooth. Serve hummus chilled and garnish with dill.

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GRILLED WHITE PIZZA WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

While you are entertaining guests, don’t hide away in the kitchen preparing dinner. By using the grill to whip up this pizza, you will be able to mix and mingle outdoors with family and friends. Note: To grill pizza, you’ll need a pizza stone, which you can find at your local culinary store. This recipe makes a personal-sized pizza. So, if making a large pizza, double the ingredients. 14 ounces pizza dough 4 ounces ricotta cheese 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 6 stalks asparagus, cut in half and blanched 1/4 cup peas 1 tablespoon of olive oil Fresh dill, to garnish Salt and pepper, to taste

Turn on the gas grill to medium-high heat, place pizza stone on grill, close lid, and let the grill heat for 10 minutes. Roll out the pizza dough into a circle with a 12-inch diameter. Spread a thin layer of ricotta cheese on the pizza, and top it with shallots, asparagus and peas, and drizzle with olive oil. Also make sure to brush the crust with a little olive oil as well. After the grill has heated, place the pizza on the stone, close the grill lid, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes (until cheese is melted and the crust has browned). Remove the pizza, top with fresh dill, and season with salt and pepper. Recipe adapted from Sweet Paul Magazine

REFRESHING CHAMPAGNE CUCUMBER SPRITZER

Clean cucumbers, bright citrus, fresh herbs, and effervescent Champagne and seltzer make this spritzer a refreshing beverage to serve on warm evenings. Feel free to substitute another dry sparkling white wine for Champagne. 1 bottle of extra-dry Champagne 1 bottle of seltzer water 1 cucumber, sliced into long thin ribbons 1 lime, sliced into wedges Mint leaves, to garnish Place a cucumber ribbon in a wine glass, add ice and then fill halfway with extra-dry Champagne. Top the beverage off with a splash of seltzer water and a squeeze of lime, and garnish with mint leaves.

Recipe adapted from The Forest Feast ✦ 44

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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

If you are that person this is what you should do:

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

The Promise:

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

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IMPROVE kitchen sinks

rethink your

KITCHEN SINK BY A SHLE Y BL AIR SMITH

The kitchen sink is one of the most-used features in the home. From the preparation and cleanup of a meal to daily chores, the kitchen sink sees a lot of traffic. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why when it comes to buying a new one, you should give careful consideration to the material you choose for your new sink, as well as your sink style and installation preferences. Choosing the Right Materials

When you are replacing a sink, take a minute to think about how you use it. Do you cook elaborate meals most days for a big family, requiring major pot and pan clean up, or are you an occasional chef, or re-heater of leftovers? Depending on how and how often you use your kitchen sink, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to pick a material that will suit your lifestyle and will last for years to come. The most popular materials that are currently on the market include stainless steel, porcelain, granite composite and concrete. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel kitchen appliances are quite popular these days. With its sleek look, easy

cleanup, and durability, stainless steel is a great choice for a kitchen sink and will blend well in both traditional and modern kitchens. The downside is that the metal can scratch easily. More often than not, however, those marks and scratches can be buffed out. Still, this is something to keep in mind when choosing your sink. Porcelain

A porcelain sink is the perfect addition to your kitchen if you are looking for a clean and classic style. Often used in kitchens with a vintage feel, porcelain is a wonderful option for those looking for something simple yet elegant. While porcelain sinks traditionally come in white, the

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Photo: Ferguson

WITH SO MANY STYLES AND MATERIALS AVAILABLE, YOU ARE SURE TO FIND THE PERFECT SINK THAT FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE AS WELL AS YOUR HOME.

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color choices are endless. Just know that porcelain can be chipped if treated roughly. Also, some metal pans can leave black marks and scuffs that can be hard to remove. Granite Composite

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a really tough material that will last for years to come, a granite composite sink may be the right choice for you. Made from a combination of approximately 80 percent granite and 20 percent acrylic resin, granite composite is a highly durable material that is resistant to scratches, stains and chips. This material can also withstand high temperatures, making it safe to put hot pots and pans in your sink. Colors range from black and white, to shades of grays and warm browns. Keep in mind, though, that granite composite only comes in matte finish. And due to its porous material, granite composite may be susceptible to stains from waterborne minerals. Concrete

If you watch home improvement shows, you may have noticed the growing sensation of concrete countertops in the kitchen. But 50

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Photo: Ferguson

did you know that you can also get a beautifully made concrete kitchen sink? If you are looking for a sleek and unique material for your kitchen sink, concrete is a great option because no two concrete sinks are alike. Most concrete sinks will have to be measured out and custom made to fit your countertop, which will ensure that you have the right fit and that your sink is one of a kind. This material is incredibly durable and difficult to damage, and should last for years. When choosing a concrete sink, keep in mind that cracks and chips could eventually show up. When this happens, it is important to get those cracks sealed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Also, you’ll need additional support installed underneath the kitchen sink to hold up the heavy concrete. Choosing Your Style and Configuration

Photo: Ferguson

The style of sink you choose will largely depend on how you will use your sink and what you feel will look best with the rest of your

kitchen. Some popular styles and configurations include single sink, double sink, farmhouse, overmount (also called drop in) and undermount. A traditional single deep basin is great for prepping food and easily soaking pots and pans. However, trying to prepare food and wash your dishes at the same time can be a hassle with a single basin sink. A two basin sink is wonderful for performing different tasks at the same time, such as meal prep and clean up. You can choose to do a 60/40 offset sink, which means one basin will be larger than the other. Or you can simply go with two basins of equal size. The farmhouse sink has been growing in popularity in recent years. With its clean lines and apron front, these sinks give your kitchen an upscale vintage look. Farmhouse sinks function just like any variation of a traditional sink, so the choice is purely one of aesthetic. A double farmhouse sink is also an option. You will also want to consider whether you want an overmount or

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an undermount sink. There are some pros and cons to each, but it really comes down to the maintenance of the sink and what look you like best. Overmount sinks are the more traditional style and are easier (and thus less expensive) to install. The outer rim of the sink sits on top of the counter. The only catch here is that this rim can collect food crumbs and dirt, and can become grimy. Undermount sinks are newer to the kitchen scene, and have become more popular with the increase of counters made from natural stone, for homeowners who didn’t want the sink rim on top of the natural stone counter. Undermount sinks are installed underneath the counters instead of being placed on top, and are held in place with adhesive and supports, which gives the counter a smooth, uninterrupted appearance. Keep in mind that condensation can build up on the underside as well and cause mold to form there. Extra Features to Consider

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You may also want to consider adding extra features to get more practical daily use out of your new sink. Built-in drain boards can be a great addition to your kitchen sink if you know you will be washing a lot of dishes by hand or if you would like to have a place for your freshly washed vegetables to dry. An integrated cutting board is also a feature you may want to consider adding into your sink. A built-in cutting board allows for easy access to chopping your fruits and vegetables when preparing meals. Keep in mind that these features will take up more space, thus taking up precious real estate that is counter space. The kitchen sink may not be the most glamorous appliance in your home, but it is used often and helps keep things operating smoothly in your kitchen. With so many styles and materials available, you are sure to find the perfect sink that fits your lifestyle as well as your home. ✦ Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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the

REAL ESTATE

issue

NEUTRALS

YOU’LL NOTICE subtle paint shades to make your home stand out

COMPILED BY RORY RHODE S

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO WHEN PUTTING YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET IS TO UPDATE THE PAINT. Over time, your home’s walls inevitably start to show the effects of daily life, and a fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward making a space feel bright, refreshed and well-maintained. When choosing new paint, neutral colors are often your best bet. A neutral shade will keep the focus on your home’s features and allow prospective buyers to visualize their own furnishings in the space. If your home has noticeably different paint colors in every room, updating to neutral tones (at least in the main living areas) can help enhance the flow of your home’s layout, and solidify its overall impression. Color fads come and go, and what was all the rage a decade ago may not translate as well in today’s market. To a lesser extent, that holds true even for neutrals. Over the past few years, shades of gray have been increasingly popular as an option to beige, and finding the perfect shade of white has become a bit of a design obsession for some. Unless you’re a design expert, it can be hard to know what shades will work best in your home, but a good real estate agent should be able to offer tips and help you select paint that will show your home to its best advantage. We’ve asked some of the area’s top real estate agents for their paint picks to help get you started.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

WHEN CHOOSING NEW PAINT, NEUTRAL COLORS ARE OFTEN YOUR BEST BET. A NEUTRAL SHADE WILL KEEP THE FOCUS ON YOUR HOMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FEATURES AND ALLOW PROSPECTIVE BUYERS TO VISUALIZE THEIR OWN FURNISHINGS IN THE SPACE.

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0024 Just about White

0538 Santo

0539 Place of Dust GROUP ONE ▲

0201 Sparkling Champagne

0195 Mossy Shade

0196 Overgrown GROUP TWO ▲

0523 Felicity

0530 Metro

0531 Snowglory GROUP THREE ▲

0454 Marble Green

0511 Cystern

Jane Blickenstaff, Blickenstaff & Company, Realtors

0574 Sharkfin

n n n n

GROUP FOUR ▲

We’ve partnered with the trusted paint experts at James T. Davis to create neutral color palettes to consider for your home.

BM Pale Oak BM Revere Pewter BM Quiet Moments SW Silver Strand

As a Realtor, paint is my friend. It makes a huge difference in the overall appeal of a home. Clients often say that they don’t want to get rid of old wallpaper or do any painting because they don’t know what color a new buyer may want. Bad idea. Everyone can see themselves in a fresh, neutral space, and my response is that I know the colors. One of my “go-to” colors is Benjamin Moore Pale Oak. It’s a soft neutral color that is a blend

of gray and beige, and it usually works well with existing trim colors. Another favorite is Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, which is still neutral but has a little more color if you want to make the woodwork really pop. Picking colors for new construction is a little different. I usually keep the main spaces neutral but will put some color in bedrooms. Some of my favorites for the master are Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments and Sherwin Williams Silver Strand. Both colors complement most bathroom tile. I like to use semigloss on the trim, and either flat or eggshell paint on the walls. Flat hides imperfections and can be touched up, but eggshell is easier to scrub. Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Lauren Bell, Lauren Bell Real Estate n SW Repose Gray

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray is my favorite neutral color right now. It’s a light gray with a beige undertone. Karen W. Hall, John Stewart Walker, Inc. n n n n n

BM Collingwood BM Balboa Mist BM Revere Pewter BM Palladian Blue BM Guilford Green

Neutrals are definitely the way to go with updating decor, because you can easily personalize to your taste with furnishings such as pillows, rugs and window coverings. Also, rich woods stand out more with these colors. Neutrals rule in today’s housing market in terms of making your home more appealing and selling it faster. Buyers don’t want to do the updating—they would rather move in and continue their lifestyle. Benjamin Moore Collingwood and Balboa Mist are great with white trim accents. They are more of a “greige” color—a blend of gray

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©2017 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their ©2017owners. Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks respective 16CSMAGNAC1

used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. 16CSMAGNAC1

and beige that is lighter than the taupe that was popular several years ago. Revere Pewter, also a Benjamin Moore color, is another no-fail shade. For a little color, BM Palladian Blue and Guilford Green are both light but have just enough color to provide warmth in a room. Nadine Blakely, RE/MAX 1st Olympic n SW Dorian Gray

My buyers are definitely drawn to the sophisticated hues of grays that are all the rage right now, especially younger buyers. Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray is appealing to me. It’s a warm shade of gray, yet sophisticated, and it really makes white trim pop. It’s subtle, not too bold. Also, dusty blues and pale greens are very comforting. Billy Flint, Flint Property Group n BM Simply White

A decorator friend of mine recommends Benjamin Moore Simply White. It allows the home’s architectural details to take center stage. Robert Dawson, Dawson Ford Garbee & Co, Realtors n n n n n n

SW Dapper Tan SW Rice Grain SW Otter SW Basket Beige SW Lakeshore SW Jetstream

I used several Sherwin Williams colors in my own home renovation last year. Most of the shades I prefer are a bit darker than beige or tan, because I think they make the rooms warmer, stronger, and give a feeling of home, but still go with everything. I also used a couple of blues on my ceilings. I’ve used Sherwin Williams paints since the ‘90s, because I feel the quality is there and you get what you pay for. Wendy Reddy, Reddy Real Estate, Inc n BM Decorator White

I like Benjamin Moore Decorator White because it has a hint of gray, which keeps it from feeling like a cold white. It has a clean, warm palette for you to work with. You can use pastels against it, or introduce bold splashes of primary shades as accent colors. ✦ 58

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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VILLA MARIA

How A Lynchburg Landmark Became a Family Home BY C H A R LOT T E A . F. FA R L E Y Photography by Michael Patch

From the sprawling green lawn to the wrought iron fence that surrounds it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to miss the brick Georgian mansion anchoring the corner of Rivermont Avenue and Langhorne Road. The 1911 building has gone through many incarnations since its initial construction as the personal home of Phillip Krise. Some may know it as Kriselea or Oaklawn, others call it the Villa Maria Academy, but Todd Leap and Mark Little simply call it home. 60

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Mark and Todd essentially rescued the Villa from disrepair when they purchased the estate in 2013. Like many Lynchburg locals, Mark, who grew up in Campbell County, remained fascinated by the landmark. “We joke that a few hours after he was born at Virginia Baptist Hospital, Mark looked out over his car seat and turned his head to look at the Villa, and that’s what started it all,” laughs Todd. In the 15 years the couple has been together, Mark has maintained—half-jokingly—that if the Villa ever went up for sale, he wanted to buy it. Todd, who is from Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, met Mark in 2001 while they were both living in Washington, D.C. Mark worked as an executive for Neiman Marcus and Todd owned and operated a company that handled government contracts in IT and healthcare. When Mark’s mother suffered complications from a series of strokes, he decided to return to the Lynchburg area to take care of her and his twin sister, Christy. For nearly a decade, Todd traveled every weekend from Washington to Lynchburg. Mark and Todd, who are now private investors, will be celebrating five years of marriage in October. Todd still recalls the exact moment he knew that the longtime dream of living in the Villa could potentially become a reality. He was out running errands while Mark was home battling a cold. As he drove down Rivermont Avenue, he noticed a for sale sign at the Villa. “I sent Mark a text that

said, ‘I have no idea why I’m sending you this text, but Villa Maria is for sale.’” (Mark still has this message saved in his phone.) Mark immediately got on the phone and called local Realtor Robert Dawson and said, “I’m sick and I’m in bed, but I want to buy this house.” Because the property had gone into foreclosure, the bank was reviewing residential bids before considering commercial bids. At the time, many locals speculated that pop star Britney Spears made an offer since word got out that she, too, had seen the listing. Todd says, “We were bidding and made it into the top two bids, and they came back to us and said ‘Give us your best and final offer,’ and we just happened to make that offer.” From a structural standpoint, things looked solid: Previous owner Krise implemented as much fireproofing as was available in 1911, so the walls are brick covered in plaster. However, the interior and

Mark and Todd used existing bricks where possible to create the pathways’ decorative borders. 62

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exterior cosmetics had fallen into a serious state of disrepair. In addition to the grounds, Mark and Todd knew that they would have to completely reinvent a kitchen, repair plaster, and gut the basement in addition to their plans to install an elevator for disability access. The family hoped to have Mark’s mother join them in living in their dream house, but Mrs. Little passed away in 2015 before the interior renovations were complete. Even though they had general ideas of what needed to take place in the house, they waited a solid six months before beginning any work and solidifying plans. “We wanted to respect the architecture and grandeur of the home and wanted to spend sufficient time within the space prior to making any significant changes,’” Mark explains. As general contractor, Mark spearheaded the undertaking and elected to use the same subcontractors he hired when he renovated his Diamond Hill district home, including local carpenter Sam Buck. 64

Mark and Todd enjoy hunting and collecting unique pieces. The Villa’s decor stems from Mark and Todd’s own collection, as well as items from estate sales and other art collectors.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

The couple stayed put during their last construction project; this time they chose not to take full residence of the Villa until the bulk of the work was complete, and officially moved in in July 2016. Mark and Todd have worked to create a gracious and welcoming family home. They live with Mark’s twin sister, Christy, and their yellow lab named Roman and Great Dane named Sansa. In fact, the dogs are one of the reasons they felt compelled to add a fence around the entire perimeter of the property. While a wrought iron fence surrounds the Villa now, a wall of hedges used to be in its place. “We really wanted to keep the original hedging, but after examining the plants, we learned that there was too much rot and disease to ever make them truly healthy and viable again,” Todd laments. They determined that a longer-lasting solution that kept in line with the integrity of the landscape’s design was to install the iron fence. “We wanted the dogs to just go out and have the freedom to run.” The space is massive at 15,000 square feet, containing seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, a study, a gym, and access to a widow’s walk from the third floor. Rumor has it that the widow’s walk offers the highest vantage point in all of the Hill City. Mark and Todd have certainly introduced their own aesthetics into the space through their personal collection of unique art, heirlooms, chandeliers and antiques. “The Villa feels like us—it definitely feels like our house—but it also feels like the past,” Mark says. The couple has a particular interest in historic preservation; Mark has been an officer on the Board of Directors of the Lynchburg Historical Foundation for the past four years.

A formal stairway features intricate spindle designs, and original molding with Greek key and floral carvings.

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Charles Freeman Gillette’s original 1930s design for a reflecting garden on the property included a reflecting pool, serpentine wall and brick arbor.

They love Lynchburg for many reasons, and the architecture in the area really resonates with them. “Actually, Lynchburg is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve been to in the U.S.,” Mark admits. Todd adds, “It’s nice to see people purchasing these older homes and putting in the time and money to take care of them.” The first phase of the garden restoration began with the landscaping, with Charlottesville landscape architect Charles J. Stick at the helm of this project. Mark and Todd are currently preparing for the second phase of their five-year landscaping plan, with phase three on the calendar for 2018. “Every single tree and plant around the property needed tending or replanting,” Todd explains. They also had to remove all the English boxwoods around the perimeter of the house due to neglect and disease, replacing them with 3, 4, and 5-foot American boxwoods. They have also added 330 boxwoods of various sizes where needed. Another modification to the exterior includes the removal of a drive to the carriage house in order to terrace the land for a new potager garden, along with new hardscaping and a new swimming pool, implemented and installed by Land Tech, a Lynchburg pool and landscaping company. Charles Freeman Gillette’s original 1930s design for a reflecting garden on the property included a reflecting pool, serpentine wall and brick arbor; this space was barely recognizable when Mark and Todd purchased the property. As historic preservationists, they have worked to revive and replicate the Gillette garden as closely as possible to its initial outline and to use existing materials Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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The morning room expands entertaining space, and provides a sunny spot for relaxing weekend breakfasts.

when viable. For example, when Mark and Todd saw the need to repair and replace the sidewalks, they opted to use the bricks that were still in good condition to create the pathways’ decorative borders. Out front, the original portico leads straight into a grand hallway, featuring an egg-and-dart ceiling. A formal stairway features intricate spindle designs, and original molding with Greek key and floral carvings. The wide hallway is bathed in light from ample windows and French lanterns that date back to the 1820s, a find from the family’s visit to Louisiana. To the left is the formal living room, with one of the home’s nine fireplaces as the focal point. Complete with fine furnishings, oil paintings, pottery and plants, the muted reds and blues of this room shine thanks to light gray walls and neutral drapes. “The gray is just so versatile and classic, and so elegant with the white trim and the artwork,” Mark says, noting that this color scheme makes it easy to add color with pillows, rugs and other accessories. From the lighter shades like Sherwin Williams’ Mindful Gray and Dorian Gray all the way to darker variances of pewter, such grays provide the backdrop for the family’s personal treasures to shine. Adjacent to the living room lies a dramatic charcoal-colored dining room with a long oval pedestal table at the center that seats eight and can extend with its two leaves. The gas coals in the fireplace (ideal for smaller fireplaces and period decor), made in England, illuminate the original marble surround. A gilded mirror and chandelier add shine and refinement to the space; the chandeliers are another design mainstay throughout. The temple jars on the mantelpiece add mystique and history; they are just a few of the furnishings that remain from the first homeowners. Mark and Todd obtained those, along with a 68

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planter and ewers, from a private dealer. Todd and Mark enjoy hunting for and collecting unique pieces; at the Villa, the decor stems from pieces from their own collection as well as items from estate sales and other art collectors. The room flows into what Mark and Todd refer to as their morning room, which is ideal for expanding entertaining space—like when they host holidays with Todd’s large family (23 relatives came for Thanksgiving). Otherwise, the morning room provides a perfect sunny space for enjoying relaxing weekend breakfasts. Most mornings, however, Mark and Todd choose to eat a simple breakfast at the kitchen table in their all-new, eat-in, chef’s kitchen. Among the interior renovations, not only did Mark and Todd need to replace the heating system and add air conditioning, but there also wasn’t a place to prepare food. “There was no kitchen, per se—no appliances or sink. The room where a kitchen had been was there,” Mark explains. While in the throes of this major renovation, the couple also decided to add a small mudroom and run the elevator through this back wing. When first seeing the custom cabinetry painted in a custom color and the double-thickness statuary Carrara marble countertops, one could barely imagine the work that went into creating this space from scratch. Mark designed the kitchen himself, serving as general contractor and using

The temple jars on the dining room mantelpiece are just a few of the furnishings that remain from the first homeowners. cvhomemagazine.com

The chef’s kitchen, where the family eats most of their meals, was designed by Mark and created from scratch. It features custom cabinetry and doublethickness statuary Carrara marble.

subcontractors for specific tasks. Peter Kerschbaumer fabricated the cabinets, reconfigured the staircase and completed all of the woodwork and millwork, including an exact replica of banisters on the steps that lead to the second floor back hall and bedroom with en suite bath. In addition to the staircase project, Mark and Todd removed all the interior walls, including a bearing wall, which necessitated craning in a steel beam to install between the exterior walls in order to make the room structurally sound. With so much effort taken with the kitchen, it’s no surprise that the family eats almost every meal here. With amenities like a designated prep sink, Subzero refrigerator, and double oven Wolf range, it’s a true cook’s kitchen. Both Mark and Todd love to cook and joke about who the better chef is: “Todd is absolutely the better cook…even though I cooked for Thanksgiving!” Mark laughs. Passing back through the morning room leads to the solarium, a spot for reading, chatting and relaxing featuring cheery orchids, plants, and a planter from the original owners of the Villa. Custom draperies dress the windows here and throughout most of the home; all of the drapery hardware comes from Restoration Hardware. Across the hallway from the dining and living rooms lies a spacious library that spans the length of its opposing rooms. Todd explains that this room served as the chapel during the era of 70

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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the Villa Maria Academy. The library and living room both have entrances marked by pocket doors. “We had the doors recreated and had Ken Faraoni completely recast the hardware to replicate the original,” Todd explains. Faraoni, a local bronze artist and sculptor, is also working on a sculpture for the garden. In spite of the 12-foot ceilings, the room manages to affect a cozy atmosphere by using warm earth tones, natural wood, and spots of turquoise. Adorned with filled bookcases, family portraits and a fireplace, the room offers several comfortable spots for reading, reflecting and working. “I love sitting in the nook at the back of the library, because of the chairs and the lighting,” Todd says of this cozy spot. The only room that might provide an even greater sense of coziness is the den, tucked away from the other rooms in the back of the first floor. Layered with textures and shades of gray, this is where the family gathers to relax together, and even the 55-inch flat screen TV gets a dose of history; it resides in an authentic wedding armoire dating back to 1765, with newlyweds’ initials carved plainly into the front of the furniture. A box made by Mark’s grandfather sits prominently on the coffee table. This house comes with a lively history, and Mark and Todd have invested much time, resources and effort to return it to its original purpose as a family home. Todd sees it this way: “You’re only the custodian of your home for your lifetime, so it’s your job to take care of it and maintain it for someone else to find in good shape one day.” ✦

The den is tucked away from the other rooms in the back of the first floor. Layered with textures and shades of gray, this is where the family gathers to relax.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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LIVE love your neighbor

getting to know you A NEW NEIGHBOR’S GUIDE BY S LOA N E LU C A S

We all remember what it was like to be the new person in town. You may not have a social network close by, you don’t know where to go out at night, and if you have kids you’re worried about them making friends. On the flip side, when you’re the longtime resident, you may be curious about new neighbors, maybe even upset if they are replacing a family you came to call friends. Whether you’re moving to a new town yourself, or trying to meet the new family on your street, there are many ways to reach out and connect with the new kids on the block. 74

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Welcoming New Neighbors

You saw the real estate sign go up, spied on the foot traffic during open houses, and watched as the moving van pulled away. If you were close to neighbors who moved away, it can be bittersweet when others take their place. You’re excited to meet some new people, while sad to see your old friends depart. But a few kind gestures can go a long way toward building relationships with the new additions. The most traditional way to welcome new neighbors is to stop by when they are home with a simple batch of baked goods in hand. Cookies, brownies and blondies are easy to make. Or you can make a themed breakfast basket, such as pairing a baked (or purchased) coffee cake with a bag of coffee. If the new family has kids, enlist your own kids to bake and bring the sweet treats with you, to help alleviate the stress the new kids must be feeling after leaving friends from their old neighborhood. If your new neighbors are moving in during the summer, and you grow vegetables or flowers, share some bounty from your garden. Another practical, creative way to welcome new neighbors is to collect menus from local restaurants, providing critical intel on the best takeout in town. You can also compile a list of your favorite plumbers, electricians and other home repair contacts—perfect for people discovering the quirks of their new house. Whatever you bring over, include a welcome card with your name, cell phone and email and encourage them to reach out and contact you if they need anything. If you really want to go the extra mile, and you see them unloading their own belongings from a truck, offer to help. On the flip side, if arriving with gifts in hand or offering up manual labor isn’t your style, just make the effort to walk over when they are out and about and introduce yourself, point out which house is yours, give them your email and phone number, and simply welcome them to the neighborhood. Of course, breaking bread is a timehonored way to get to know people, so the next step might be to invite them to a social gathering. If you’re ambitious, organize a small block party. If you prefer something more casual, invite them over for an easy pizza night. With a few simple gestures, you are on your way toward making your new additions feel right at home. cvhomemagazine.com

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood

Lynchburg City Schools serves more than 8,000 unique students through various quality initiatives, including advanced opportunities, college and career prep, competitive extracurricular programs, and alternative educational settings. Our staff of 1,500 remains committed to student success, and we have more than 250 community partners who have joined us in our mission to meet the needs of every child, by name and by need, to graduation.

www.lcsedu.net

What if you’re the new neighbor? How can you proactively reach out to the families on your block and start building your social circle? In an ideal world, your neighbors would be arriving with baked goods and menus to welcome you, but if not, don’t wait for them to make the first move. Don’t be shy about sharing your information. Print up a letter introducing yourself, listing your cell and email. Buy some festive envelopes and drop letters off in people’s mailboxes. If you have kids, walk them to the school bus in the morning and see if there’s an opportunity to meet the other parents. Hosting a party in your new home is a great excuse to reach out and meet your new neighbors. If you are planning any major decor updates to the home, pass out invitations to neighbors for a “Before” party with a promise to invite everyone again after the house is updated. It’s also a great opportunity to ask folks what they know about the house, and perhaps glean some helpful nuggets—for better or worse. (“Oh you know, there was that time when the basement flooded.”) You can also ask for names of contractors and other recommended home repair companies. Depending on the closest holiday, you could host a themed party. A Halloween costume party, a cookie swap and tasting competition with fun prizes at Christmas, a St. Patrick’s Day feast—anything festive and fun that encourages folks to stop by. As you introduce yourself to new families in your neighborhood, keep track of names. Draft a sketch of your block with all the houses mapped out. Write down people’s names as you meet them, assigning them to the correct house. Collect emails and cell phone numbers and enter them into your phone for easy access. Pretty soon you’ll have everyone’s name, numbers and emails, and can start to develop one-on-one relationships with your neighbors. Before you know it, you’ll be part of the established neighborhood, all the better to extend a greeting to the next new family on the block. ✦

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

the

first impressions

REAL ESTATE

issue

OUTSHINE THE COMPETITION WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME BY CHRIST Y RIPPEL

“YOU NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.” It may be a tired adage, but it rings true—particularly in real estate. The decision to buy a house is emotional, and how potential buyers feel when they view photos of your house online, or drive up to it for the first time, can make or break a sale. At the least, a first impression is the time to wow them and ensure your home is on their short list. If you are thinking about listing your home this spring, the following tips can help you go from “For Sale” to “Sold!” Make Your Home’s Online Profile Stand Out

An encyclopedia of information is available online, and that includes most details about a home. Often, the first impression of a listing comes from the internet, where anyone can pull up local listings and browse the online photo galleries. Your real estate agent should be able to guide you about his or her preferences for online photos. Some agents may suggest paying extra to hire a professional photographer (or may pick up the tab for this service) and some are accomplished photographers in their own right. Before you hire an agent, make sure you discuss how they handle this important aspect of home marketing. High-resolution, well-lit photos are a must, or a potential buyer might bypass your home with the click of a mouse before ever seeing it in person. For fantastic photos, lighting can only do so much; staging your home for those photos is just as important. What should you focus on before the photographer shows up at your door? Make sure you have ample time to prepare so you don’t feel stressed. If possible, give yourself a week or more to clean and declutter, and if you can, pick the time of day when your home cvhomemagazine.com

gets the best natural light. While professional photographers’ lighting tools and tricks can work wonders, as much natural light as possible is best. Deep Clean and Declutter

If you can, hire a cleaning service to deep clean your home, because chances are they’ll notice dusty nooks and crannies that you may overlook. The goal is to have your home appear clutter-free, while showcasing its best features. You and your agent should discuss what you feel are the home’s best-selling points, and communicate those to the photographer. For guidance on clearing out clutter, pick up a catalog for a furniture company that you love. Notice why you respond to the photos—they are free of broken lamp shades, bad lighting, loud paint colors and general clutter. Try to view each room in your home with new eyes— your agent or a trusted friend also can help tremendously with this. While people feel emotionally attached to their furniture and decor choices, try to remember that your home is now a product for sale, and you want to position it as best as possible to accomplish your goal. That might 79

include getting rid of your stacks of magazines, putting your multiple bins of toys in storage, and covering up that bright red paint in your dining room that could appear garish in an online photo gallery. This may also include removing as many personalized items as possible—photos and other mementos you have on display. You want homebuyers to be able to envision themselves in the space. If you are willing to repaint some rooms for a fresh look, opt for neutral paint colors. When potential homebuyers are imagining their own furniture in your home’s spaces, they can do so more easily with a neutral backdrop. Ask your real estate agent for suggestions, consult with an interior designer in your area (many offer color consults), visit a paint store and talk with them about their most popular neutrals, or reference the article about neutral paint colors on page 54 in this issue. Invest in Curb Appeal

Once you’ve got an online photo gallery and description that will make a potential buyer swoon, continue to impress them in person with great curb appeal. As HGTV junkies know, the network dedicated an entire show to this topic alone, because it is so vital when selling a house. If your home’s exterior is well 80

cared for, a buyer knows that you are conscientious and that the rest of the property and mechanicals are probably in good shape, too. Start with the actual curb—is your mailbox rusted or is the wood rotting? Spruce it up or replace it. Walkways to the home should be in good shape, and well swept. If necessary, contact a mason to fix broken stone or crumbling brick, or have concrete power washed. If landscaping lights are present, make sure they work and look sturdy. Bushes should be trimmed and flower beds tidy—a fresh layer of mulch goes a long way. Inspect your railings and front porch for rot and rust, making sure they are free of both. Your porch lights should work, be cleared of cobwebs and debris, and your front door should look freshly painted and welcoming. Does the door knocker work? How about the doorbell? If these details are off, the buyer might wonder what else is broken, and may be extra critical when they step inside. Carefully go over the rest of the outside of your home. Is your roof missing shingles, or your gutters stuffed with leaves? Is one of your shutters crooked, or is paint peeling anywhere? Take care of these issues before your home comes on the market. It will show better and ensure that you hit less snares during the inspection stage once you are under contract. Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Keep the Staged Look Going Indoors

It’s tough to live in a home while showing it, especially with kids—but extra effort put forth will hopefully pay off with a faster sale. You’ve likely decluttered and had the house deepcleaned for the photo shoot, and now you have to maintain it. While shoving items in closets and cabinets may have worked for photos, it won’t work for showings. Crammed closets give the impression that the house doesn’t have enough storage space—a red flag for potential buyers. It may be worth it to rent a storage unit to store off-season decorations, clothing and extra bins of toys and other items. Having storage spaces in the home, like attics and basements, clear of your own belongings allows the potential homeowner to see how spacious these areas are. Make sure that carpets, curtains and upholstery are clean and fresh-smelling, and that you have a plan for dogs and cats during showings. Nothing ruins a first impression faster than a dog charging toward an agent and his clients, and it may be hard for someone with pet allergies to see the best features of your home through watery eyes. If you have kids, enlist their help with making their own beds and putting away toys when they are done playing. These are good practices that you can keep going, so that even when your house isn’t on the market, everyone is contributing to keeping a tidy look. Make a Vacant Home Appealing

Suppose you’ve moved on to a job in a new state, or just the house down the street—and you’ve had to leave your now-vacant

home on the market. You can still make it appealing, though you may have to go to some extra effort to do so. If there are no furnishings, the buyer pays more attention to the walls and flooring. It may pay off in the long run to spend the money to have holes patched and the house painted after you’ve moved— hooks and holes left in the wall look sloppy. If the carpet has stains, have it replaced. If wood floors are in rough shape, have them refinished. Nothing says polish like a glossy new floor or fresh carpet. If the walls are bare, the light fixtures and finishes stand out more, so make sure light switch plates aren’t cracked or dirty, and replace any light fixtures that look especially dated. It may be worthwhile to have a professional stager come in and stage the home with some furnishings—perhaps just a table and chairs in a dining area, and some furnishings in the living or family room so a potential buyer can imagine how the floorplan might work for them. Your real estate agent should be able to provide some names of home stagers in your area. If you are leaving town, hire a landscaper to take care of the property so that your hard work on curb appeal doesn’t go to waste. The grass should be cut, the leaves collected in the fall, and plantings maintained. Have a discussion with your agent about whether he or she will be responsible for checking on the property at intervals, or if you should enlist someone to help with this task. If winter hits and the house is still not occupied, you’ll need to winterize the house to prevent pipes from freezing (and bursting). However, if you’ve followed these tips and your home is priced competitively, you should be well-positioned for a fast sale before winter’s chill. ✦

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

IMPROVE indoor air quality

HVAC

your key to indoor air quality and comfortable living BY J E R RY H A L E Despite having been saddled with a rather unglamorous acronym, your home’s “HVAC” system—Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning—is the big kahuna when it comes to living chill-free, sweat-free and dust/allergy-free. Indeed, “HVAC” could just as easily stand for “Indoor Air Quality and Comfort” if you’re willing to take liberties with acronym assignment. After all, your HVAC system, hidden away in the basement, attic or utility closet, is heavily responsible for keeping your home comfortable—snuggy warm during the wintry months, perspiration-free cool in the heat of the summer, and reasonably free of germs, airborne allergens and other irritants year-round. As such, it deserves periodic attention to keep it purring.

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USEFUL “DIRT” REGARDING FURNACE FILTER SELECTION Furnace filters are graded on their particle-trapping abilities using the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Rating Value) scale. Most residential filters range from 4 to 14 on the 16-point MERV scale. Manufacturers like to use traditional spun fiberglass filters with low MERV ratings because they filter out the big particles but with very little restriction of airflow, allowing for efficient operation of the unit. Maintaining manufacturer’s specified airflow is also important to getting maximum life from the system’s blower motor and heat exchanger. An inexpensive MERV 4 filter captures 80 percent of airborne particles 50 microns and larger, but only 25 percent of the particles in the 3 to 10 micron range. An upgrade to a MERV 7 or 8 pleated filter, which will capture 80 to 95 percent of particles 5 microns and larger, provides more aggressive filtration and a reasonable balance between cost and filtration efficiency. If you’re obsessed with clean air or have family members with allergies or low-immunity issues, high-efficiency (MERV 11 and higher) filters can be considered, but will need to be changed monthly to preclude particle buildup. Such buildup can severely inhibit airflow, overtaxing the blower motor and leading to system freeze-ups. An ultra-high efficiency filter should only be installed on advice of an HVAC technician who may be able to make adjustments that will help the unit operate properly despite increased airflow resistance. In sum, the choice of which filter to buy for your furnace is influenced by how much you want to spend, how pure you want the air, and how diligent you are about changing the filter.

“Checking filters once a month will quickly give homeowners a feel for how often they should be changed,” says David Moseley of Terrell E. Moseley, Inc., Heating and Air, which has served Lynchburg and surrounds for 81 years. “While homeowners with pets or with lots of dust-raising activity—a house full of kids, for example—may find their filters clog faster, two to three filter changes a year is typical in our area.” As with your cars and most other mechanical equipment, annual inspection and maintenance by qualified professionals is critical to long and problem-free operation. Says Moseley: “Numerous studies have shown that preventative maintenance is the key to avoiding home heating and cooling emergencies, and that periodic ‘tune ups’ pay for themselves in energy savings due to more efficient operation.” Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Springtime, before your system switches over from heating your home to cooling it, is an excellent time for an annual servicing, Moseley suggests. “We’re doing less repairs than we do during the heavy conditioning seasons, so our scheduling is more immediate and flexible,” he says. Besides giving your system a thorough cleaning, a technician will inspect for wear and tear that could lead to an inconvenient breakdown and expensive repair. He’ll also make sure refrigerant levels are sufficient for air conditioning to work efficiently. Another possible “trigger” for your annual HVAC maintenance visit might be anticipation of the arrival of a batch of holiday or weekend company. Breakdown of the AC or heating system when you have guests in the house is a major stress and discomfort producer that can tarnish an otherwise delightful visit. Older systems may also benefit from replacement of the original thermostat with an upgraded programmable model that will automatically adjust HVAC operation (and thus energy usage) based on living patterns. “You don’t need your system running at full capacity when no one is home,” Moseley notes, “and most families can do with less conditioning during sleeping hours.” The $100 to $250 investment involved (though highend wifi enabled units may run upwards of $500) has a relatively short payback period, Moseley asserts. “These can also be purchased in home improvement stores for DIY installation, but we get lots of calls to come out and make the interface with the HVAC system work properly,” he adds. Another recommended HVAC accessory is a humidifier, an add-on unit that will keep indoor humidity at recommended levels of 40-60 percent (somewhat lower with really frigid outside air) during heating season. “Really dry indoor air leads to weakened furniture joints, spaces in hardwood floors, separations in moldings and trim,” Moseley says. “It’s murder on pianos and guitars, and leads to scratchy throats, crusty nasal passages and reduced resistance to airborne germs.” While your HVAC system isn’t the most glamorous feature of your home, it’s among those that have the most influence on comfortable living. Giving it the attention it deserves will help make sure it stands at the ready to deliver problem-free operation. ✦ cvhomemagazine.com

DESIGN cake stands

Sweet & Neat

CLEVER USES FOR DESSERT STANDS ARE ICING ON THE CAKE

IT’S HARD TO RESIST A CUTE CAKE STAND. If you have one (or several), or if you’ve eyed them at the store or at your friend’s house, you might wonder what to do with them when they aren’t fulfilling their designated purpose. But these sweet treats are actually too useful to let them stand alone! In addition to cakes and desserts, they’re fun for canapés or tea sandwiches, and for storing fruit, snacks and condiments. What about a charming tea or coffee station, outfitted with pretty mugs, and a sugar bowl and creamer? They make excellent bases for spring centerpieces— try a charming posy, bird’s nest, and painted Easter eggs or objet d’art. Fill a low bowl with blooms and use the cake stand as a decorative base to add height, or top one with a collection of candles. They also make stylish clutter keepers, holding collections of makeup, perfume, jewelry, craft bits and bobs, and even office supplies like paperclips, Post-it notes, and business cards. The possibilities are practically endless! ✦

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

c vhomemaga zine .com 87

the

REAL ESTATE

issue

refinance WITH CONFIDENCE BY ALE X ANDR A RE YNOLDS

hen considering a mortgage refinance, homeowners may be overwhelmed by the many possibilities and programs available to them. Here, HOME asks local mortgage experts to share their expertise to help homeowners understand their options.

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

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Reasons to Refinance

There are many reasons and scenarios in which it makes sense for homeowners to refinance. Many want to refinance for a shorter loan term to “save thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan,” says Billy Woolridge of Embrace Home Loans. “Others choose to extend the term of an existing loan to lower monthly payments and ease monthly cash flow pressures in the event of a job loss or death of a wage earner.” Some homeowners choose to switch to a new loan program that offers a lower mortgage insurance premium or no insurance costs at all. Retired homeowners may choose a reverse mortgage as it can be used to provide additional retirement income based on available equity. Cindy Stultz of Virginia Mountain Mortgage notes, “We also see a lot of requests for a cash-out refinance to consolidate other debt, fund home improvements, or invest in other ventures.” She says that these transactions require a considerable amount of equity in the home.

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The Current Market

“Rates are still at historic lows, but they are on the rise,” Stultz says. She says that anyone considering a refinance should do so as soon as possible, as there is no way to know where rates will be, going forward. The Federal Reserve has raised their rate twice with .25 percent increases since late 2016, according to Woolridge, and mortgage rates have risen almost 1 percent in the same timeframe. “The predictions are that we will see further increase in 2017, but no one knows how much or exactly when,” he says. Fixed Rates vs. Variable Rates

“A fixed rate means that the rate will never go up or down. You know exactly what you have. With fixed rates so low, most clients would be best served in this type of product,” Stultz says. However, she notes that homeowners who do not plan to live in their home for more than a few years may want to consider an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM, in which the rate tends to be locked in for five to ten years. cvhomemagazine.com

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Woolridge explains, “Adjustable rates are designed to start out at a lower-than-market rate and then adjust to market over the life of the loan. The longer someone keeps an adjustable rate loan, the greater the chance that it may cost more than a fixed rate loan would have. Depending on the terms of the loan, homeowners are more susceptible to significant payment shock if rates continue to rise.”

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Considerations and Fees

Homeowners should be aware that there are closing costs and additional fees attached to a refinance. Woolridge cautions that advertisements for loans promoting “no closing costs” can be deceiving, explaining that this usually means that the lender is paying the fees on the borrower’s behalf in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate. Stultz says, “You want to be certain any improvement in rate offsets the costs of the loan, so that you walk away with an improvement in your financial condition.” She also notes that homeowners considering a move may want to hold off on refinancing, as they may not have enough time to recoup the costs of the loan. Finding the Right Lender

Love HOME magazine? We’re currently looking for someone to represent HOME as an advertising account executive. If you love HOME magazine, are confident and professional with strong communication skills and know how to build successful relationships, we’d like to hear from you. Some sales experience is preferred but not necessary if you have the ability to approach business owners with enthusiasm, confidence and professionalism. The account executive is responsible for maintaining a base of advertisers and developing new business. Must be able to work in a fast-paced, deadlineorientated environment and meet sales goals by building relationships through positive solicitations, effective print advertising strategies and exceptional customer service. You should be a hard worker with a strong desire to win. This can be a full or part-time position and compensation is negotiable depending on skills and experience. Please send your resume along with a cover letter outlining your interest in this position to Julie Pierce, julie@westwillowpublishing.com or mail to West Willow Publishing Group; 2003 Graves Mill Road, Ste B; Forest, VA 24551 90

“Since the collapse of the mortgage industry in 2007, there have been many federal regulations put in place to protect the consumer,” Stultz says. She urges homeowners to find someone who is up to date on the current guidelines. Furthermore, Woolridge states, “Homeowners should look for the same qualities in a lender that they would look for in any of their day-to-day business dealings: honesty, integrity, professionalism, product knowledge, sincerity and competitive prices.” A lender should inquire about the homeowner’s plans for the house, home improvements they have made, the home’s current value, and the details of their current loan, he notes. “Communication is key to a clean transaction,” Stultz says. “Having a local lender where the client can meet face to face is always a plus. Local lenders are your neighbors and thus they have a higher degree of accountability to their clients.” Equity

Homeowners may wonder how much equity they need to qualify for a new loan. Woolridge says, “Depending on the current loan type, there is an option to refinance up to 100 percent Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

of the current value for some.” The exact amount varies according to the requirements of each loan program and the individual’s reason for refinancing. Stultz says, “The federal government initiated a refinance loan program designed to allow homeowners who owe more than their home is worth, or who have very little equity, to refinance into a lower rate. The program is called HARP—Home Affordable Refinance Program.” The rates are based on the current market, and the homeowner’s current loan must be an eligible Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan to qualify. She also notes that this program is set to expire at the end of September 2017. Final Tips

Woolridge encourages homeowners to always seek professional assistance when planning a refinance. “Do not get caught up in the hype of television or radio commercials and end up in a transaction on the internet or via an 800 number with no clear goal in mind,” he says. “Do some homework before jumping in.” Furthermore, Stultz says, “In today’s environment, there is very little gray area. The documentation requested by one lender will be required by all lenders. Being compliant with the lender’s requests will make the loan process run much more smoothly.” If the homeowner has an issue related to credit or property, they should tell their lender up front, she says, as the lender serves as an advocate for the homeowner. Stultz encourages homeowners to “be patient and understand that the lender’s number-one goal is to successfully close their loan.” ✦

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GARDEN spring lettuces

B Y K AT H E R I N E F U LG H U M K N O P F

rowing a variety of greens is easy this spring. You will find lettuce seed packets everywhere—from local garden shops and hardware centers to big box stores. Spring lettuces are simple to grow, provide quick results, and are full of vitamins and minerals. And fresh greens have so many uses: They fill the salad bowl, top sandwiches and fill wraps, and provide the base layer on a good plate of salmon, chicken or sliced beef. Here’s how to grow your own spring mix.

Creating a Spring Mix

If you are planting a garden, add several rows of different spring lettuce varieties. These are the leafy varieties that make a salad or sandwich colorful—not the traditional Iceberg lettuce that grows into a big head. It is hard to choose just a few as they have wonderful names to captivate your attention. “Spring Mix” in the grocery store’s produce department becomes exotic when it’s found in seed packets bearing catchy names such as Ruby, Tango and Black Seeded Simpson. You can’t just buy one or two! Read the back of each packet for a description of each variety’s taste, texture and colors. There are so many varieties, and they grow so easily from seed that you will be pleased with the quick results. If you aren’t planting a garden or just want some greens within easy reach out your back door, consider planting in pots. A big clay pot with one or two selections, or a group of pots each containing a single 92

type of lettuce will add color and warmth to those early spring days. Lettuces can be planted to fill in between your spring flowers too. Just plant your pansies in a pot with some space between the flowers, make a few holes in the potting soil, and sprinkle in lettuce seeds. Cover with soil, and in about a week, you should see sprouts. Once greens grow to maturity (60 days or less), begin cutting them for your meals. With water and pruning, they will continue to grow and provide you with delicious meals all season long. Lettuces can be planted any time beginning in mid-spring. April is a great time to start, as you don’t have to cover seedlings as often due to fewer frosty nights. Once you plant seeds, all they need is water and sunlight to germinate. These little seeds will grow into beautiful little bunches of lettuce within eight weeks. When the heat of mid-summer arrives, these spring lettuces will begin to dwindle, and you can either plant a Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

Use an old Mason jar or other recycled glass jar to make dressing. Simply add the ingredients to the jar, screw on the top and shake to blend the ingredients. Here are two simple, fresh variations. 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon sea salt Â˝ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Freshly grated parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar 1 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon sea salt Â˝ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Use endive, baby romaine or arugula, or a combination tossed in a salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing, and add your favorite toppings. Rustic bread always makes the spread a little more inviting. Bon appetit!

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new crop in early July (just remember these lettuces will require more care and attention due to heat) or wait until fall to try the autumn varieties. Lettuces come in so many different types that you should choose selections that offer different colors and textures to make your salads interesting. You want the appeal of various leaves and tastes, so read each seed packet carefully to understand the variety’s characteristics. Some lettuces, such as arugula, are quite bitter and add a spicy element, which can be preferred (or not). From Planting to Plate

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Most lettuce varieties sprout in a week to ten days, and are ready to eat in five to eight weeks. You want to harvest them when the first leaves mature, and continue to water them well. The lettuce in pots will need more frequent watering, unless the pots are quite large and can retain more water. Planting in April will give you salads for late May and June. What’s even better is that the more you cut for your salad bowl, the more your plants will grow and produce for you. To harvest, cut the lettuce leaves off one inch above the soil, and they will sprout another crop in no time. Having fresh greens on hand offers a multitude of quick meal options. Fresh salad is the essence of spring, and planting your own is an easy spring project that can be fun and even involve the whole family. Growing your own greens benefits your garden, your table, and your health, and adds creativity to your meals and your outdoor space. ✦ Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

the

The 411 On

REAL ESTATE

issue

HOME WARRANTIES BY S LOA N E LU C A S

When buying a new house, some homeowners opt to purchase a home warranty to afford peace of mind in the event that there are problems with expensive mechanical systems or major appliances. If you are selling your home, adding a home warranty to the deal for the first year after the sale may make your house more attractive to buyers. But what are home warranties? What do they cover? How much do they cost? And whenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if everâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;do you need one? cvhomemagazine.com

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is not to be mistaken for an insurance policy. An insurance policy covers things like theft or damage to your home from natural disasters. A warranty is a service contract with a company that agrees to fix, and possibly replace, specific things in your home. The contract won’t address structural disasters, like a cracked foundation. But it could cover your plumbing or a heating system. For an additional fee, major appliances can be covered, like a washer and dryer, an AC unit or even a fancy whirlpool tub. If you have a pool or an independent septic system, you can pay extra to have those covered as well. The homeowner pays an annual fee, from around $350 to $500 a year, although possibly more. In addition, there will be a service fee for each repair call, likely around $50-$75 a visit. Even if a house includes a year’s warranty with the sale, the new homeowner will have to pay any service fees. While the warranty will cover major repairs, ongoing maintenance is your responsibility. You will need to save paperwork to demonstrate that you have been diligent with maintenance to ensure your warranty is honored. What are the benefits?

If your newly purchased, older house does have multiple issues—or even just one big one, a warranty can more than save the day, repairing or replacing something for only a few hundred dollars that might have cost thousands otherwise. It’s also simple to manage. Instead of compiling a list of myriad local repair companies, just add the warranty company to your speed dial. Plans are also flexible. If you are purchasing new appliances, you can omit that coverage. Since warranty companies will try to repair before they agree to replace, if you plan to upgrade something anyway, leave it off the contract. If you’re an excellent DIYer, leave out anything you can fix yourself. If you plan to sell your home a short time after buying it, keep the service warranty in place for the duration of your ownership and plan to include a year’s worth of coverage in the sale price. Potential buyers will be impressed that repairs were handled when needed by a reputable company, and they can then continue to use that same company. You may even enjoy a higher sales price. The Service Contract Industry Council reports that sales prices of homes with warranties are an average of 3 percent higher. 96

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

When to skip it

If your home is new construction, it will have built-in warranties for many parts of the house, albeit for different timeframes. New appliances come with limited warranties, and you can buy extended warranties from the appliance store at the time of purchase. Your credit card may offer additional coverage, so check before you purchase anything. In addition, things with pre-existing problems or significant wear and tear, or items that weren’t installed or maintained correctly, can’t be covered. Read your contract carefully to determine what might fall outside contract. The service contract will also have specific pre-determined repair firms to handle the work. If you only trust one plumber, a warranty might not be for you. Closing the deal

When looking for a warranty company, ask your real estate agent and friends for multiple recommendations to compare services and costs. Further vet recommended providers by checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if they are accredited. Be sure to understand cancellation policies. You could potentially have the contract in place for a limited time (say, 30 days) and then cancel if the house seems to be A-OK—or continue with it if you start to see a need for repairs. Depending on the condition and age of the home you are purchasing, your individual finances, and your plans for upgrades, you should feel confident making an informed, smart choice about a home warranty. ✦

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

GARDEN protecting your plot

BENEFICIAL BUGS

insects and host plants work together to protect garden

B Y S A R A WA R R E N D E R

or many gardeners the task of keeping vulnerable plants safe from the hungry grips of pests can be a frustrating task. All too often a season of carefully tended crops yields only a meager basketful of vegetables spotted with festering holes. But, gardeners can fight back and send in an army of their very own, with less need for protection from artificial pesticides. The members of a gardener’s insect army include “beneficials,” which are essentially the predatory good guys. Such beneficials include lacewings, lady beetles and hoverflies (syrphid flies). These beneficials, along with pollinators like bees, help sustain a balanced garden. But, beneficials must be welcomed into a garden and persuaded to stay with the presence of nectar, pollen, water and shelter from the wind throughout the seasons.

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Lacewings may be brown or green, usually one-half to threefourths-of-an-inch long, with transparent wings. They feed on garden threats like aphids, mealybugs, scale, thrips, mites, and various larvae and eggs. Lady beetles are one-fourth-inch long yellow-orange or red insects with black spots which feed on aphids, scale, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites, mealybugs, and other soft-bodied bugs. Hoverflies resemble bees which dart like hummingbirds and feed on aphids, mealybugs, and other small insects. Providing a nurturing environment for these good guys does not need to be a daunting task. To begin farmscaping—the deliberate use of plants and landscaping techniques to attract and conserve beneficials—it is recommended to devote five to ten percent of a garden or farm space to these plants. Choose an area near or bordering your garden where these plants can thrive and provide a relatively undisturbed area of retreat for beneficials. Plants secrete volatile chemicals when pests are feeding on them to naturally call beneficials to the scene of the leafy crime. If your army is poised for action nearby, they are willing first responders. To choose your plants wisely remember a few key aspects of beneficial gardening. First, insects typically favor tiny clusters of flowers with exposed nectaries such as Queen Anne’s lace. Secondly, flowers of diverse colors and forms will likely bring a larger variety of pollinators to your garden. Third, herbs (dill, cilantro, oregano and thyme) attract many pollinators when in bloom. And fourth, don’t forget beneficials often spring into action after damage by pests has already begun. Slight damage to plants is unavoidable, but should be viewed as a necessary part of the process. When choosing plants to host beneficial insects, strive to plan your gardening around each season. To avoid beneficials flitting to your neighbor’s yard during the off season, the insects need to have an ample supply of food and shelter throughout the year. Some plant choices to consider include sweet alyssum (early season), buckwheat (mid-season), and dill (mid-to-late season). Sweet alyssum are hardy, annual plants which will often selfsow for year after year of blooms. These flowers attract hoverflies, require moderate moisture, and prefer full-sun or partial-shade environments. They can often be planted from seed straight into your garden. Sweet alyssum flowers bloom from June to October and can be encouraged to rebloom by cutting back withered flowers. While they require little maintenance, be sure to avoid planting this flower in an area with excessive shade to prevent botrytis blight, a fungus which grows when the leaves and soil do not completely dry between watering. Buckwheat is a favorite of many beneficial bugs and often attracts hoverflies and lady beetles. It is recommended to plant buckwheat around mid-July or early August. Buckwheat will bloom just four short weeks later, enticing beneficial insects and pollinators to the shallow white blossoms. These flowers can be planted easily simply by scattering seeds, but remember to cover the seeds with a quick blanket of dry leaves or soil to discourage birds from eating their fill. Dill is an annual, self-sowing plant which encourages lady beetles, hoverflies, and predatory and parasitic wasps. This plant features feathery green leaves and should be sown as early as two or three weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring. It flowers from summer to autumn and should be planted in full sun. Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

dill

buckwheat

sweet alyssum

Be sure to leave the soil undisturbed to encourage self-sowing for the following year. In addition to these selections, plants which are native to the area typically are a sure way to attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Insects tend to be drawn to large perennials such as wild parsnip, elderberry, and viburnum shrubs, or vines such as silver lace or wild clematis. Sunflowers also provide a natural winter habitat for insects when the seeds are left intact. These native plants can be used to equip your garden with a permanent beneficial border to ensure insects are not fair-weather friends and keep patrolling your garden on a long-term basis. When carefully planning and planting a wide variety of flowers, herbs and shrubs to bloom throughout the season, you can successfully encourage beneficials such as lacewings, lady beetles and hoverflies to call your garden their home. These insects encourage the healthy growth of your garden and positively support overall plant growth and a healthy ecosystem. ✦

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DESIGN to reupholster…or not?

reupholstery WE’VE GOT IT COVERED BY M EG A N JA NS EN

If you’ve noticed that a room in your home is looking drab, with tired or threadbare fabric on the furniture, or a piece has been cleaned one too many times, it’s probably time for a furniture reboot. You can choose to start over and buy something new, or you can consider reupholstering—and sometimes this is a tough decision, since both options can carry significant costs.

So how do you make the decision to reupholster… or not? Start by carefully inspecting the piece of furniture in question, or ask an upholsterer to help with this. Examine the piece’s frame, and make sure it is made of hardwood. Inspect the corner braces to be sure they are strong and intact. The underlying construction should be stable; test the piece to make sure that it doesn’t rock while being used. A recognizable manufacturer’s name, such as Henredon, Vanguard or Michael Thomas, usually indicates a good quality piece. Though if you bought the piece in question many years ago, and it is showing signs of structural wear and tear, it might not be worth updating. If the piece seems to be in good shape, and is of long-lasting quality—and if you like the look and comfort the piece offers, reupholstering might be a good choice. But how much will an 102

upholstery job cost? This varies greatly according to the fabric you choose, the size of your piece, the details—welting, trims, buttons, skirts—as well as your location and who completes the job for you. Experts suggest a very broad range of estimates for labor only: n a wing chair with contrasting welt, decorative trim and tailored skirt: $450-$700; n a 3-seat and 3-back-cushioned sofa: $850-$1,250; n a 1-seat and 1-back-cushioned club chair: $550-$700; n an unskirted ottoman with attached cushion: $225-$300. At these prices—and the fabric will be an extra cost—you may decide to buy a new piece of furniture after all. But let’s assume that the upholstery project is a go because, after all, it is your Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

TO REUPHOLSTER OR NOT? THIS IS ONE DESIGN DECISION THAT IS ENTIRELY PERSONAL AND UNIQUE TO YOUR SITUATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; INCLUDING THE QUALITY OF THE EXISTING PIECES, WHAT YOU WISH TO ACCOMPLISH, AND WHETHER YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING NEW THAT FILLS THE BILL.

favorite chair, and it is structurally sound. Or perhaps everything in the room in question looks too matchy or too traditional, and just needs a pop of color or a bit of interest. Perhaps reupholstering just one piece will breathe new life into a whole room and ultimately save you some money, at least in the short term by allowing you to put off a full remodel. In selecting fabric, the appropriate weight will depend on where and how the piece of furniture will be used. Living/family room furniture thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to see a lot of traffic requires heavy duty upholstery-grade fabric, whereas a bedroom chair that is seldom sat upon could use a lighter, more decorative fabric. Select a fabric that will update the piece; go from a solid to a pattern, or a complete change of color instead of taking the safe route. Take home a fabric sample or borrow a bolt, and drape it over as much cvhomemagazine.com

of the piece as possible. Live with it for a few days before making a final decision. Keep in mind the current trend of mixing styles for interest; a blend of traditional and contemporary, or a modern fabric on a traditional piece can go a long way to keep a room from looking stuffy or dated. Retailers who sell fabric as well as designers and upholsterers can (and should!) help you determine how much fabric you will need. One website that can give you a ballpark figure is FabricGuru.com, which illustrates over 60 styles of chairs and sofas with measurements, to give you an idea of the amount of fabric required for a project. However, always confirm the amount of fabric you need with the person doing the job. The upholsterer will know the exact amount needed, and will take into account the fabric repeat as well as all the folds and overlaps 103

that will arise. When purchasing fabric, make sure you order enough—you want to be sure all the fabric for the project comes from the same dye lot and that you have extra available if you need it. You can change the shape and contour of a piece by adding contrasting welt to define the lines. This works best on a sculptural piece like a wing chair that has curves. A new look can result from a change of the skirt: add one, remove one, or install the skirt higher on the piece giving the piece a more elongated look. Removing tufting or channeling will change the shape of the piece, transforming it from old-fashioned to modern. Embellishments are exciting! Trims, tassels, fringe and cording—whether beaded, braided, fabric or lacy—provide the icing on the cake, adding pizzazz to your upholstery project. Decorative upholstery “clavos” (Spanish for “nails,” also known as decorative tacks) have been used for many years to accent furniture pieces and continue to be a hot trend. You can choose from literally hundreds of different decorative nail looks and sizes to add a special touch to your newly reupholstered piece. So...to reupholster or not? This is one design decision that is entirely personal and unique to your situation—including the quality of the existing pieces, what you wish to accomplish, and whether you can find something new that fills the bill. If you do decide to reupholster, make all the involved decisions with care. Only then will the result add that “Wow!” factor to your home. ✦

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RAILINGS • FENCING• COLUMNS • DECKING SCREEN PORCH RENOVATION Product Sales With Installation Available cvhomemagazine.com

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GARDEN blooms about town

HISTORIC GARDEN DAY in Lynchburg

All are invited to enjoy a piece of the historic city of Lynchburg during Historic Garden Day, to be held Tuesday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Hillside Garden Club and the Lynchburg Garden Club, this year’s tour includes five vintage homes and one cottage garden, each reflecting its own original architectural charm complemented by the current homeowners’ style and updates. The day includes special events as well, including refreshments and lunch offerings, and the opportunity to visit other points of local interest. Please see vagardenweek.org for information on purchasing tickets and to view the most current schedule of events. Here, enjoy a preview of what’s in store during Lynchburg’s Historic Garden Day. 106

Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

EACH SPRING VISITORS ARE WELCOMED TO OVER 250 OF VIRGINIA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL GARDENS, HOMES AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS DURING THE GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA’S HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK. A BELOVED TRADITION, THIS 8-DAY STATEWIDE EVENT PROVIDES VISITORS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE UNFORGETTABLE GARDENS AT THE PEAK OF VIRGINIA’S SPRINGTIME COLOR, AS WELL AS BEAUTIFUL HOUSES SPARKLING WITH OVER 2,300 FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS CREATED BY GARDEN CLUB OF VIRGINIA MEMBERS.

The iris is the “signature flower” for this year’s tours. cvhomemagazine.com

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Photo: Michael Patch

engaged

Photo: Michael Patch

3012 Rivermont Avenue

campus – life at The Summit means

This local historic property has captivated community interest for more than 100 years. The Villa has served as a single-family residence, private Catholic school (Villa Maria Academy, 1952-1983) and event venue. Situated on 10 acres, this Georgian mansion was built in 1911 for a prominent Lynchburg businessman, Phillip Asa Krise, and was originally called Kriselea. Architects Chesterman and Frye were commissioned to build the house on the original 150+ acres. The current owners purchased the property in 2013 and have meticulously renovated this architectural gem. Interior and exterior renovations took over two years. A kitchen was added, and bathrooms renovated, all with a focus on preserving the architectural integrity of the home. In its early history, the Villa boasted a garden designed by Charles Gillette. Many of the English boxwood remain. A comprehensive renovation, implementing a new landscape plan and design in conjunction with the original Gillette garden, is in varying stages of completion. Visitors will experience a rare and fascinating look at a significant example of historic Lynchburg’s architectural and landscape grandeur.

peace of mind. Fill your day and

Mark Christopher Little and E. Todd Leap, owners.

IN LIFE

We’re just getting started! With enhanced services and amenities, expanded walking trails, new lakeside garden homes and diverse opportunities for enjoyment, The Summit Life Plan community makes getting the most out of life easy! Offering you customizable and maintenance-free homes, plus priority access to healthcare right on

evening with a variety of activities on and off campus, or sit back

Photo: Michael Patch

and relax in your new home... the choice is yours.

Call today to plan your visit: 434.582.1500 1400 Enterprise Drive / Lynchburg, VA 24502 SummitLynchburg.com

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A COMPLETE TOUR OF 3012 RIVERMONT AVENUE IS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE BEGINNING ON PAGE 60. Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

2934 Rivermont Avenue (The Woodstock, Apartment 20) Looking back to Lynchburg’s early years when the streetcar buzzed up and down Rivermont Avenue from downtown to “the country,” this spacious condominium was a new concept for Lynchburg in the 20th century, as it provided elegant apartment living. Designed by noted Lynchburg architect Stanhope Johnson, The Woodstock was constructed in 1917. This premier multi-family apartment-style building still offers the original 10 apartments. Visitors will tour one of the two larger apartments on the second floor. This grand space features architectural detailing and custom craftsmanship found in some of Lynchburg’s finer private homes of the period. Modern updates have been added by previous owners without compromising the original architectural features of the 3,125-square-foot footprint. The light-filled interior has an elegant yet comfortable feel. A miniature figurine collection, art acquired when the owners resided in Korea, paintings by the owner’s mother, and fine Oriental rugs and antiques make this a fascinating home to explore. A small but delightful communal garden is located behind the building. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Timmons, Jr., owners.

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4224 Hilton Place Located in the cul-de-sac of a quiet neighborhood built in the 1960s, this classic brick one-story home reflects the current owners’ love of world travel. A massive Buddha head in the foyer, saved from a temple in Macao, sets the tone for the exotic wonders found in every room. The cabinets in the master bedroom and office are from Tibet, and the den features an impressive Huichol collection. The trunk at the foot of the master bed belonged to the homeowner's great grandmother and contained all of her food and clothes when she immigrated from Germany to America. In the guest room is an antique doll collection, many dressed in the latest Parisian fashions of the day. Paintings by local artists adorn every wall, including several by Greg Osterhaus. The art collection also contains several pieces of Dreama Kattenbraker's ceramic and mixed media work. Visitors are invited to meander through the lush informal shade garden featuring a "fairy" pond surrounded by peonies and boxwood. Gilson Lincoln and Richard Rubin, owners.

Something for every gardener! NEW PLANT MATERIAL ARRIVING WEEKLY IN SPRING! Hanging Baskets • Bedding Plants Perennials • Shrubs • Trees

LOCALLY OWNED!

Landscape design & installation available by appointment. GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE IN ANY AMOUNT!

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Hours change with the seasons

2452 Bethel Church Road, Forest 434.525.3107 | rainfrostnursery.com

Serving Lynchburg & surrounding counties for over 30 years. Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

4208 Hilton Place (garden only) This charming cottage garden began as a backyard project 12 years ago with a few English boxwoods and an old mulberry tree. The owner’s vision for the garden was to build it with things she loved. Whether a “prize plant or a gentrified weed,” she filled the garden with plants that held a memory for her or were especially attractive. Begun as an “amateur garden,” it has been transformed with the help of Lynchburg landscape designer Don Lee over the past several years, and has evolved into an elegant garden space. Flagstone paths lead visitors through plantings of boxwood, viburnum, spirea, hydrangeas, Lenten rose and peonies. A variety of perennials bring the landscape to life with color and texture, and accent the patios that are used for entertaining. As the owner of Enchanted Antiques in downtown Lynchburg, the homeowner’s travels and buying trips afforded her an opportunity to acquire interesting garden art and statuary. Visitors will appreciate one-of-a-kind pieces in this cottage garden. Mary B. Brockman, owner.

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4209 Hilton Place Gas lanterns adorn the columned front porch of this stately two-story painted brick home in a quiet Boonsboro neighborhood. The home was built in the 1960s, with an update in 2000 by local architect Robert Garbee, which includes a breakfast room, family room and porch. Classic but comfortable, the updated floor plan appeals to a busy family of five. The homeowners acquired an extensive collection of antiques c.1700 and 1800s, which they've incorporated beautifully into the decor. Pieces of interest include a Georgian mahogany partner’s desk, Chippendale armchair, demilune table, pillar and scroll shelf clock, mahogany washstand and butler’s table, as well as a rare antique Chinese garden seat. A section of a Syrian bridal donkey cart is a focal point in the remodeled family room. Portraits of the owner’s three children, along with many other works by local artists, hang throughout the home. There is a pond in the large backyard, which includes golden sweet flag, iris, blue bullrush, colocasia, hyacinth and water lilies. Mr. and Mrs. George M. Lupton III, owners.

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Central Virginia HOME Spring 2017

600 Trents Ferry Road This is the second home built on the 5.8-acre property, the first having burned in the late 1980s. Built in 1992 in the style of an English country cottage and constructed of wooden moldformed Old Virginia brick, it is sited on the original foundation so that the rolling landscape could be preserved. The current owners moved to the home in 2008 and have nurtured and developed the original landscaping. In keeping with the philosophy that a garden should always respect the â&#x20AC;&#x153;genius loci,â&#x20AC;? or essence of the place, the gardens follow the contours of the property. Old flagstone stepping stones, originally used as paving in downtown Lynchburg, were reconfigured into walkways and stairs leading into the woodland garden. Highlights of the property include redbud, dogwood, Japanese maples, beech, hellebores, epimediums, ferns, hydrangeas and boxwood. The interior of the home features a recently remodeled kitchen and master bedroom, inherited and acquired antiques, a collection of original 1859 3rd edition octavo Audubon prints, and paintings by the ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; daughter-in-law. Dr. and Mrs. David M Wodicka, owners.

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ADVERTISER index 4 Seasons Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Member One Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Merry Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Access Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Nadine Blakely, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Alpaca by Jaca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

National Pools of Roanoke, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Berkshire Hathaway-Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate . . . 31

Next Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Blickenstaff & Company, Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Next Time Consignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Bloom by Doyle’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Outtasight Window Tinting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Bowen Jewelry Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Paisley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Capps Home Building Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Periodontal Health Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Centra Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Persian Rugs & More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Central Virginia Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Phoenix Custom Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Chestnut Hill Baptist Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Piedmont Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Childrens Dentistry & Orthodontics of Lynchburg . . . . . . . 77

Piedmont Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CLC Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Pink Ladies Cleaning Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Coulson Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Pinnacle Cabinetry & Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Custom Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

PIP Printing and Marketing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Daniele Mason, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Precision Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Decorating Den Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Rainfrost Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Dr. Kevin Midkiff, DDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

R. Coffee Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Embrace Home Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Reclaimed @ Smith Mountain Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Farm Basket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Reid Street Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Favored Flavors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Riley Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Ferguson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Scott Weiss Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

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

Select Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

First Bank & Trust Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Southern Edge Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Flat Creek Pet Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Southern Landscape Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Flint Property Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Southern Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Flor Midkiff, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Spectrum Stone Designs, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Givens Books & Little Dickens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Structure Foundation Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Gladiola Girls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Terrell E Moseley, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Grand Home Furnishings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

The Art Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

High Cotton Fine Home Furnishings & Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

The Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Interiors by Moyanne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

The Corner at Rivermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Isabella's . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

The Little Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

James River Day School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

The Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

James T. Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

The Vinyl Porch Rail Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 105

Judy Frantz/John Stewart Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

T. Y. Realty, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

La La’s Salon and Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Vaughan Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Land Tech Group of Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Vinton Appliance Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Lauren Bell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Virginia Garden Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Liberty Christian Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Virginia NeuroSpine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Liberty Landscape Supply & Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Virginia Vein Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Love Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Wellington Builders, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Lynchburg City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Westminster Canterbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Lynchburg Dental Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Willis Landscaping, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Lynchburg Retail Merchants Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Wired Up Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Maven Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your Outdoor Living Dream?

At Southern Landscape Group, our passion is turning your outdoor dreams into reality. Our award-winning team will listen to your hopes and desires for your back yard and turn them into a dream space that feeds your soul. Whether that includes an elegant patio, beautiful back porch, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pool, hot tub, pergola or complete outdoor living space, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you live your dream.

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