Afton Mountain Vineyards’ motto is “grapes don’t grow in ugly places,” and a trip up the mountain in Nelson County confirms that. Morning mist tumbles over the estate’s 82 acres and lingers above the 15 acres of grape vines pretty as a picture. It was precisely this romantic scene that wooed Tony and Elizabeth Smith […]
Afton Mountain Vineyards’ motto is “grapes don’t grow in ugly places,” and a trip up the mountain in Nelson County confirms that. Morning mist tumbles over the estate’s 82 acres and lingers above the 15 acres of grape vines pretty as a picture. It was precisely this romantic scene that wooed Tony and Elizabeth Smith […]
With only a few hours left until the curtain goes up, you are seeing the score for tonight’s show for the first time.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs remain dormant during these short, low-angled days, their tight buds still furled over sleeping embryos. Yet mild temperatures teased out coral quince and pale yellow winter jasmine just after Christmas. As the little bulbs lead us into spring we can be grateful for the early flowers of a benevolent winter. […]
There is an epically fabulous mirror in 13-year-old Nan Marsh’s room. This particular antique was found in the basement of the 100-year-old house that she shares with her parents, Charles and Karen, and occasionally with her brothers, Will and Henry (who are both in college). The baroque frame has been touched up with highlights of […]
Cold winter weather and hunger can both be answered with a hunk or two of hardwood and an iron pot bubbling with beans and bone. Dried beans are an economical source of vegetable protein in all corners of the world; including a few marrow bones or some scraps of smoked meat would increase the rich […]
Sky-high student loans, a sluggish job market, inflated health care costs, and diminished retirement savings —it’s no wonder multiple generations of families are deciding to cut costs by moving under one roof. More than 51.4 million Americans—roughly one in six—have moved in with family, representing a 10 percent increase in this type of living arrangement […]
Andrew Montgomery can’t remember a time when he wasn’t interested in building. In fact, he claims he built his first chair when he was five years old. “It was this tiny little armchair made out of pine wood, with a small square seat. Ever since I made that chair, I’ve always had this desire to […]
You’ve got your bed. Now you need the other pieces to let your bedroom hit a certain middle C between dull (so that you’re not kept awake by overly flamboyant furnishings) and interesting (so that, well, they’re not too dull). Find the blend that’s right for you, starting with these pieces from local stores. TOP Good knight. […]
GREEN EYE Home sweet foam Leaky house? Limited funds? As usual, LEAP jumps to your rescue. The area’s go-to organization for energy efficiency is once again offering a GreenMatters workshop to help you tighten up your house. The twist: This time, you can actually practice some of the D.I.Y. skills—like caulking—under the watchful eyes of […]
“Are we in Charlottesville or New York?” my friend asked as she joined us at one of the throne-like circular booths in Commonwealth’s dining room. She and I, both six-year denizens of New York restaurants, were reminded of some of our old haunts, which managed to make large and soaring feel warm and welcoming. The […]