The largest and most elaborately wrapped box under this year’s Christmas tree had my name on it. It was from my husband. And on December 25, I opened it with as much gusto as our 6-year-old. I turned positively giddy when I glimpsed what was inside: a vacuum cleaner. Not any old vacuum cleaner. It […]
The largest and most elaborately wrapped box under this year’s Christmas tree had my name on it. It was from my husband. And on December 25, I opened it with as much gusto as our 6-year-old. I turned positively giddy when I glimpsed what was inside: a vacuum cleaner. Not any old vacuum cleaner. It […]
The more things change, the more they stay the same—that is, if you live at Lake Monticello. Located in the middle of Fluvanna County, Lake Monticello looks pretty much the same since this writer swam at the 3,500-acre gated community’s sandy beaches and skateboarded on the tennis courts near the main clubhouse as a teenager […]
Weather Alert: stretches of balmy temperatures followed by frigid cold. A typical Virginia winter, really. But there’s a whiff of fear in the air these days. Few doubt the climate is warming and weather is becoming more extreme, but is this winter just another blip on the ancient screen of global history or does it […]
The place is perfect. Right size, great neighborhood, fair price. It’s spotless. The walls are freshly painted and the carpet’s brand new. Close your eyes and you can imagine the entire family gathered ‘round the spectacular fireplace on cold winter evenings. Where do we sign? you ask the real estate agent. Slow down there, partner. […]
1. Which of the following is a fabulous remedy for cleaning up spills in your oven?A. Inviting your mom over. B. Tossing a towel in there and waiting a few months.C. Sprinkling the spill with salt while the oven’s still hot, then wiping with a sponge once it’s cooled.D. A hose. 2. Crumpled-up, black-and-white newsprint […]
Changes in latitudeWant to help stave off global warming? Plant a native tree Unusually warm spells this winter feel nice, but not quite…right. The National Arbor Day Foundation’s newly released Hardiness Zone Map reflects quite a shift in temperature for many areas over the past 15 years, and that can mean changes in the tree […]
Let’s talk www.designtalk.homevisions.com/ At DesignTalk, style gurus impart knowledge to those of us who are domestically challenged (or simply in need of a few good ideas). Besides offering well-organized articles on everything from décor tips to step-by-step DIY instructions, the site lets visitors post their own questions, which are then answered by DesignTalk’s interior […]
Feeling artsy?Design your own stained glass—and plates, and clocks, and… Back in the Dark Ages, people used to shop at retail stores, which bought their wares from wholesalers, who in turn had procured the goods from manufacturers. The future looks a whole lot simpler: You, the customer, buy directly from the factory. And while you’re […]
You can’t get away without cleaning your house. (Well, you can hire someone to do it for you, but if you’re reading this we bet you fall just outside that particular category.) And no amount of supermarket-style perkiness can disguise the, well, down-and-dirty nature of the chore. You’re on your knees, you’re up to your […]
Well, now you’ve done it. You’re throwing a dinner party in one hour. The soufflé is in the oven and well on its way to greatness, well-chosen wines are chilling or breathing according to their needs, and oh-so-tasteful music is cued up on the stereo. And your house is a frigging mess. Here’s how to […]