Feature News

Why can’t we get ahead of the traffic? 

In these divisive times, there’s one thing everyone agrees on: Traffic here is terrible. With road improvement projects going on all the time—especially now, in construction season—why does it seem our roads aren’t keeping up with traffic? Because, in fact, they aren’t. Charles Proctor, planning manager for Virginia Department of Transportation-Culpeper District (which includes Charlottesville, […]

Carol Diggs | May 13, 2026

Abode Magazines

A James Tuley-designed house gets an update—without losing its original spirit 

A historic house doesn’t have to be a saltbox Colonial or a gingerbread Victorian—houses built in the late 20th century are also pieces of history, especially when they were designed by notable local architects. And while they may not have historic designation, they often present the same challenges—and satisfactions—as renovating a much older home. That’s […]

Carol Diggs | April 29, 2026

Abode Magazines

An old house gets a timeless new addition 

COVID had Chip and Betsy Tucker thinking things over after living in this area for four decades. A combination of practicality and the post-pandemic real estate market made them consider their next move. Was it time for a smaller house? A transition to one-floor living?  The Tuckers began exploring their options, and found a 1920s […]

Carol Diggs | April 29, 2026

Magazines Weddings

Today’s couples make their own rules

Weddings are full of traditions—some are cultural, some are religious, some are family (like my father and my aunt, both parents of four daughters, threatening to go halfsies on a ladder so we could all elope). But as weddings have changed over the years, which traditions have gone by the wayside—and which traditions still hold? […]

Carol Diggs | April 15, 2026

Magazines Weddings

What’s hot on today’s wedding menus

Weddings are celebrations. And when people get together to celebrate, there’s going to be wonderful food and lots of it. So what’s currently on the menu at big days in our area? We talked to three top wedding caterers in town—The Local, Harvest Moon, and C&O—to get the latest. Since Central Virginia is popular for […]

Carol Diggs | April 15, 2026

Abode Magazines

An historic house renovation becomes a labor of love 

The pandemic changed directions for so many lives. For Chad Pelton and Christie Bazemore, it sent them to a new town and a new home. “We were ready for a change after COVID,” Bazemore recalls. “My business lease was coming due, and we’d fallen in love with the Staunton area. Chad’s father lives on a […]

Carol Diggs | February 11, 2026

Abode

Inspired renovation makes a developer house a custom dwelling

“This was our first house, and we were excited to make it feel like home,” says Nicholas Wilson. He and his wife Rose had spent five years working abroad, mostly in the Middle East, then they lived in the San Francisco area for a time. When they moved to Central Virginia with their young son […]

Carol Diggs | February 11, 2026

Feature News

Volunteers educate residents about their bear neighbors 

“Everybody around here has a black bear story,” says Beth Kuhn.  And Kuhn has likely heard them all. As outreach coordinator for the Rivanna Master Naturalists, the local chapter of the state’s master naturalist program, Kuhn helps deploy a cadre of volunteers to teach Living With Black Bears. Because in Virginia, black bears are our […]

Carol Diggs | October 15, 2025

Abode Magazines

Outside and inside blend in this integrated home

This project started with a vision one couple had of living in the midst of the landscape they love. Once they discovered the perfect spot, the adventure of making that vision come to life began. In 2017 they found about 20 acres in southern Albemarle County that had been left in pasture, close (but not too […]

Carol Diggs | October 2, 2025