I have written before that the best way to start learning about wine is to read the words on the label—types of grape, place names, vintage. These words matter, which accounts for my annoyance when people refer to sparkling wines from Virginia or Spain as “Champagne” though Champagne is a region in France. But is […]
I have written before that the best way to start learning about wine is to read the words on the label—types of grape, place names, vintage. These words matter, which accounts for my annoyance when people refer to sparkling wines from Virginia or Spain as “Champagne” though Champagne is a region in France. But is […]
Women love giving each other dating advice and “stop looking, you’ll find love when you least expect it” is at the top of the list. On one level, that’s right. When you try to force love you’re more likely to appear needy. And that’s unattractive. However, you can’t just stop getting out there and then […]
Reach for the recycled roll. Soft TP, hard reality Many of us are devotees of the softest toilet paper we can find in the store—after all, comfort is paramount. But the fluffier TP brands are harder on the environment, since the fibers that make the softer papers can only be taken from standing trees. That’s […]
Come over for coffee Looking for the best coffee tables in town? We’ve done the hunting for you. Put on a pot of joe and dust off the biggest, glossiest book you own. Double coffee table from The Second Yard Hello, storage! With book and coasters tucked on the bottom shelf, the top will stay […]
The house of Edward and Jane Ford is nothing if not carefully planned. Sitting on an oddly-shaped lot in North Downtown, the building embodies currents of thought that Edward has explored for decades through his architectural practice and his teaching (he’s been a professor at UVA’s School of Architecture since 1986). In fact, he’s written […]
Plummeting home prices, low interest rates, foreclosure properties galore—if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the opportune time to buy a house in this otherwise scary economy, the current tax season may be the perfect time (that is, assuming you still have a job). The federal government’s newly signed stimulus package has expanded […]
High above it all Location: Charlottesville Price: $385,000 MLS #: 463056 Sixth floor lofty enough for you? How about the most pristine historic block in the City? This three-bedroom condo occupies a prime spot in the Court Square building, and for most of us, living two blocks off the Mall would be enough of a […]
A lot of couples—80 couples last year —see Claire Goodman as the figure who presides over one of the most important moments of their lives. She’s an interfaith minister who officiates at their weddings, and it’s up to her to not only blend various family and religious influences, but to lend an air of holiness […]
Our house had been the victim of some puzzling attempts at renovation before we bought it. For example, one of the two windows in the bathroom had been removed and a storm window tacked into its place. We wanted the real window back, but—alas—it was long gone. Knowing that, if we ordered a brand-new window […]
One of the best tools to keep around the house is also one of the simplest. If you’ve moved a framed picture, opened a door too hard, or fallen into the wall while carrying a fireplace poker, you might have damage to your drywall. But if it’s not too extensive, a drywall knife, drywall tape […]