Stories in stone and wood

Four historically significant sites in our area—including a modernist home, a Black cemetery, and a rural schoolhouse—were added in June to the Virginia Landmarks Register, recognizing their cultural and architectural importance. Thomas and Alena Hammond House (Charlottesville)Designed in 1962 by Herbert Fritz, Jr., a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, this striking one-story home in the Greenbrier […]

Albemarle’s new courthouse brings light, space, and purpose to downtown

After years of planning and study, Albemarle County’s new courthouse, which opened in downtown Charlottesville in June, represents a step forward in local civic design. Located within the city’s historic Court Square, the new structure addresses long-documented needs for more space, improved operations, and updated security in facilities that date back to 1762. The phases […]

Dovetail’s showroom doubles as a gallery

Since 2015, Dovetail has been showcasing Charlottesville artists in its interior design showroom, first on Water Street and now in its current location on Broadway Street in Woolen Mills.  “I always liked seeing local art displayed in businesses around town,” says owner and designer Amy Hart. “When we moved into this space, it felt natural […]

The big idea

Each year for more than 35 years, Southern Living magazine has partnered with builders, architects, and designers to create custom “idea houses.” In 2024, the home was in South Carolina; in 2023, Tennessee.  In February, the magazine announced that this year’s Southern Living Idea House would be just down the road—in Keswick. The selection marks […]

A how-to guide to unexpected details

Ever been somewhere and wondered, How’d they do that? What fun to deliver a couple of head-scratchers for your guests on your big day. From a special sign to romantic cloud cover, here’s how to pull off a few surprising details. It’s a sign The best love stories are destined for the big screen—or at […]

One for the pages

Five days after their November 22 wedding at Potter’s Craft Cider, Rachael Kesler Palm and Carolyn Warhaftig got an email: The New York Times wanted to interview them for its Mini Vows section. At the encouragement of a fellow yoga instructor, Rachael had filled out the application to be featured earlier that fall, never thinking […]

26 date-night ideas—and not a couples’ massage in sight

Whether you’ve been with your person for years or just started seeing someone you think might maybe possibly could be the someone, a fresh idea for date night is always welcome. So we’ve given you 26— one for each letter of the alphabet—to scratch your athletic, creative, and culinary itches. Here’s to love! A Take […]

Charlottesville’s the best backdrop for out-of-towners

If you’re having a wedding in Charlottesville, you already know all of the wonderful things about the area—the wineries and restaurants, the music venues, the art galleries. But you should assume your guests—many of them from out of town—don’t have a clue what the town has to offer. Consider this an official guide to helping […]