As a child, architect Robert Nichols was always fixing broken things and salvaging other people’s junk. And once he started creating new objects, he became even more hooked on the process. “I loved the thrill of establishing authorship through a deliberate effort—I had evolved from a tinkerer to a designer,” Nichols said. He’s translated that […]
The boomers are retiring, ready for the good life, and they’re not all heading to Florida. Senior citizens make up 14 percent of the population in our area, a number that will more than double between 2000 and 2020 – and is it any wonder? Named by the AARP as one of the top ten […]
So you have an extra room? Lucky you! Maybe it’s the bedroom of a now-out-in-the-world young person. Or an elderly relative has entered assisted living. Or you’ve relocated to a larger home. There are a number of choices you can make for that room, depending on your needs and interests. Home offices popular “The most […]
Today’s homeowners can control a host of innovative home technologies from their tablets and smart phones, and if you aren’t yet acquainted with these innovations you are in for a pleasant surprise. The list of possibilities includes entertainment such as home theatre or distributed audio that lets you enjoy music throughout your home. Making day […]
House-hunters always have “enough storage” near the top of their “want-to-have” lists, along with energy efficiency, a fireplace, a laundry room, and a garage. In fact, having good storage options is a positive selling point for any dwelling. There are two kinds of storage, of course, and it’s good to have options for both. First […]
According to trulia.com’s recent survey, twice as many buyers prefer new homes over existing ones. In fact, the survey reveals that two in five Americans strongly or somewhat prefer a newly built home over one that was previously occupied. That’s a sizeable 41 percent of the population that prefers shiny and new. Interestingly, the results also […]
“We recently responded to a fire started by a pizza box left in an oven,” says Donna Walker, a Master Firefighter with Albemarle County Fire Marshall’s Division,” Actually, she continues, that’s not surprising since kitchen fires comprise the largest category of residential fires. “Clutter around the kitchen stove and things hanging over stoves can start […]
The earliest image Jim Rounsevell and Carol O’Connor have of their house, from shortly after it was built in 1920, includes food. The aerial shot shows chickens and pigs behind the house, along with rows of garden veggies. Almost a century later, the current owners love cooking and entertaining; food is important in their lives. […]
It’s appealing to imagine building anew on open land—making one’s mark on untouched acreage. But one couple in Rappahannock County took on a more unusual challenge. Lynn and Pam Pittinger bought a 93-acre farm and set about adding a modern house to an existing cluster of buildings. In the midst of this timeworn set of […]
A graduate of UVA’s School of Architecture, interior designer Kelly Witt got her start at Elena’s, in the same building where her design studio—a stylish mecca of fabric samples and inspiration—is currently located. From there, she lends a tailored and traditional eye to homes in Charlottesville and, currently, as far flung as Florida. We caught […]