Abode Magazines

Couple makes a mountain house their Western-themed retreat

Cory and Sherry Beisel were in the market for a second home. The couple lived and raised their family in Virginia Beach, but now, with their two children grown and gone, they were ready for a vacation place where they could also host the kids and entertain with friends.  The Beisels started out thinking they would […]

Carol Diggs | September 23, 2026

Abode Magazines

A California artist finds a Virginia home

There’s a lot of cosmic coincidences in Anouk Steinke’s story. A few years ago, when she decided to semi-retire and leave her California home, a friend here “just happened” to find an online listing for an Orange County property he thought she’d like. The place was a renovated farmhouse in the middle of a large […]

Carol Diggs | September 23, 2026

Abode Magazines

DIY couple creates a cozy quonset retreat

Think the quonset hut is just for soldiers or storage? This humble structure has been used for everything from a mission church in Arizona and an American Legion Hall in Tennessee to a tavern in Kansas (yes, it was painted to look like half a beer can). But Erik and Janelle Davis decided they would […]

Carol Diggs | September 23, 2026

Best of C-VILLE 2026 Services

A fixture in the community

For the last two decades, local folks knew who to call with their plumbing problems: Mr. Faucet. From his first forays into pipes and toilets, Mr. Faucet gradually branched out to become a general bathroom handyman. And his success was all word of mouth (and lately, Nextdoor). “I never had to advertise,” says Mr. Faucet, […]

Carol Diggs | August 26, 2026

Best of C-VILLE 2026 Weddings

On the record

Imagine that an average day in your job includes processing felony criminal cases, civil legal actions, deeds, mortgages and refinancings, wills, concealed-carry permits—and marriages. When people ask what you do, what would you say? Llezelle Dugger’s response: “I’m Clerk of Court for Charlottes­ville Circuit Court.”  “There are 850 duties in the job description,” she says. […]

Carol Diggs | August 26, 2026

Best of C-VILLE 2026 Weddings

Edible delights

“I was fond of my Easy-Bake Oven as a child,” admits Rachel Willis. So it’s not a big leap to learn that she grew up to become founder, owner, and chief baker of Cakes by Rachel. There was a little preparation along the way. Willis attended the New England Culinary Institute and spent several years […]

Carol Diggs | August 26, 2026

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

Caspari brings a touch of art to your table, your patio, your parties…

What is the Caspari style? “There are certain themes,” says Gaea Rich, head of design, licensing, and product development for the store. “Our inspiration is international—Chinoiserie, classic French, botanicals, textiles from India and Asia, ceramics, European 19th century but also modern influences…”  Mark Bergadon, director of marketing, retail and e-commerce, nods: “You know it when […]

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