The idea of uncovering a buried treasure is not impossible in Virginia. With its rich history, the Commonwealth allows a homeowner to embark on a farmhouse renovation and suddenly find herself unearthing historical documents dating back to the early 1800s. At least, that’s how it happened for Julie Dixon. While removing the attic flooring in […]
We asked the founder of Blueply Design how she got into architecture, what she’s working on right now, and where she finds inspiration (did she say “a coffee mug”?). Why architecture? Architecture has the ability to bring something special to everyday life, to help us see things in a new light. Beautiful space connects with […]
Aristotle once observed that “the speculative life is the highest life of man.” When I think about the University of Virginia’s design, I see a physical embodiment of the speculative life. Thomas Jefferson was a farmer, an inventor, a writer, a dreamer, a statesman, an archivist, and an architect—but through all of that, a teacher. […]
Four years ago, a winery in Madison County was named Sweely Estate, it was facing foreclosure, and its 18,000-square-foot visitors’ facility was decorated in a dark French chateau style. Today, it’s called Early Mountain Vineyards, it has new owners, and the tasting room is light and bright. All in all, a hopeful change. Current owners […]
“Do you ever worry about falling off the roof?” “No, it’s hitting the ground I don’t like.” Colin McGhee jokes about his career, but the Staunton-based master thatcher is one of only two people in the U.S. to achieve that designation. McGhee is putting the finishing touches on the new roof at First Colony Winery […]
If you’re wondering whether to repair or replace your existing roof due to its age or its condition, there are a few things to keep in mind. You might choose tearing off the current roof and starting from scratch, patching a portion of it, or “roofing over” your existing one. (Always make sure your roofer […]
1. Antique or modern? I’m best known for interpreting my clients’ taste. That can range from very accurate historical interiors to modern, classic clean lines. 2. City or country? Again that depends on my clients and their location. From historic homes in Albemarle County to very modern urban ones in Florida and Las Vegas. 3. […]
It’s easy to say that occupying a pavilion in UVA’s Academical Village is akin to living in a museum. Which is true: The 10 pavilions, 54 student rooms, Rotunda, and surrounding grounds—in their totality, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—are dripping with significance. Every brick, every timeworn doorstep, and every garden bench is documented and preserved. […]
Here’s a fairly well-kept secret about Charlottesville: If you walk uninvited into one of the gardens just off UVA’s Lawn, in the Academical Village, you will not be breaking any rules. They are open to the public. You wouldn’t necessarily know this, because the gardens are surrounded by Thomas Jefferson’s famous serpentine walls; the design […]
Back in the winter of 2012, the Mayan calendar supposedly predicted the end of the world. That didn’t happen, but big changes were about to come to one little farmhouse in Crozet. After years of neglect, it was totally obscured from view by vegetation. “You needed a hedge trimmer to get to the front door,” […]