The playroom’s the thing Problem: How to keep peace with four kids and three bedrooms “Our house is constantly evolving,” says Jennifer Scott of her three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Belmont. “Every space, every room has changed over time as the kids have had different needs.” Jesse, 14, and brother Wyatt, 6, share a bedroom, as […]
Rethinking the cabbage The term “cabbage” may conjure images of bleak, Eastern-bloc preparations, but in reality it is a succulent, versatile vegetable that can warm even the coldest wintertime heart. Cabbage can be stored in a root cellar or refrigerator for several months, and may even be overwintered in the field in mild climates. Its […]
Red ringer We found this simple, lovely quilt from the Denise Schmidt line at Pillow Mint (queen size, $415). Dig how it combines a traditional pattern with a subtly modern approach to color? We sure do. Security for the rest of us You may not have one of those […]
It’s a grim scene for condo owners in the city of Charlottesville. Among all the real estate options available to buyers and sellers over the past few years, condominiums have taken the steepest tumble. According to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors’ 2009 year-end market report, sales of attached homes in Charlottesville are down 28.6 […]
Not so wired Whatever the future looks like, it’s not likely to be crisscrossed with wires as our homes often are today. A new technology promises to eliminate all those chargers for your laptop, iPhone, and other mobile devices—plus the cord on your coffee maker. What’s called eCoupled Wireless Power Technology is mostly available now […]
Energy guides hitting mailboxes this month The Piedmont Environmental Council is mailing guides to every Charlottesville and Albemarle house this month that will help residents make their homes more energy-efficient. The Energy Smart Solutions campaign will focus on small, affordable fixes—think weatherstripping your old windows, not buying new ones. Check out how-to videos on these […]
The backstory on beef The majority of cattle raised in Virginia are destined for an out-of-state feedlot where they will join the ranks of the numbered animals that are processed, shipped, and eaten around the country. As recent films and books have illustrated, commercially raised beef is one of the most troubling elements of our […]
Get it together Problem: How to corral kids’ clutter into the common areas of a small home The 800-square-foot, two-bedroom city home that Kerry MacFarland shares with her husband, 3-year-old daughter and newborn baby boy is a study in multifunctional use of space and hidden storage. Kerry McFarland and her kids—Hannah, 3, and Sage, 6 […]
The trench in which we buried the two conduits. One of the silliest projects we ever took on was also a somewhat involuntary one. We needed to run four lengths of 3/4" tubing through a pair of underground conduits between our outdoor furnace and our basement. These would carry water back and forth to power […]
Removal specialists An array of devices proves there’s more than one way to pull a cork. Pick these up at Market Street Wineshop (clockwise, from top left, $16.99, $8.99, $6.99). Top chef secrets Ginger scones, spiced quail with cranberries, raspberry chipotle bacon, gingersnap […]