The in-crowd: How to dress a bridal party that stands out

Clothing for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is no place to cut corners or scrimp on style. Here are six ways local couples got it right. For the bridesmaids Printed (above) When one bride expressed an interest in floral patterns, her matron of honor suggested a dress she’d already purchased as an option. “Once she showed me the […]

Take it from them: Five Charlottesville wedding ideas we love

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then we’d like to flatter the heck out of these couples, whose special wedding-day touches provide bushels of inspiration this season. Living jewelry (above) After bookmarking a few photos online showcasing flower garlands on animals, bride Karen Ryder discovered that one of the garlands in the images […]

Kitchen remodels pay off

Nick and Catherine (who prefer not to give their last name) bought the beautifully furnished model home in their subdivision 16 years ago with top-of-the-line everything and interior design by a professional. They took very good care of things and when they needed to sell because of a new job in another state, they resisted […]

January ABODE: On stands now!

This month’s issue of Abode is available now. Here’s what you’ll find inside: Interior architect Jennifer Greenhalgh‘s definition of design. The Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center goes the nautical mile. Why having stairs doesn’t mean treading lightly on style. Stedman House’s Nicole Fagerli on color, texture and Gone with the Wind. A ’70s rancher takes a […]

Better bathrooms: 14 private spaces that deserve attention

Whether for style or practicality, bathroom design is no place to fall short. This month, we’ve chosen 14 of our favorite local lavatories that get it right. By Shea Gibbs, Erika Howsare and Caite White Let there be light When Elizabeth Birdsall hired Formwork Design to transform her Western Albemarle house, she asked for a […]

Step by step: When creatively designed, stairs don’t have to be space hogs

Thomas Jefferson hated stairs. Not personally. Architecturally. A design nut who conceptualized Monticello and parts of the Virginia State Capitol, Jefferson disdained the space stairs took up. According to the Monticello Foundation, he favored narrow, steep stairs with tight turns so the hulking masses wouldn’t rob him of space for more exciting design features. These […]

Full scale: Jennifer Greenhalgh works from big to small

As an interior architect, Jennifer Greenhalgh of local design firm Jackson + Park oversees multiple aspects of a home renovation project—from its structural design to its décor. Accordingly, the word “design” takes on a few different meanings as she approaches a new client; she and partner Kelly Carwile may be reinvisioning a room’s entire layout […]

On style: Nicole Fagerli’s favorite things

We asked Stedman House interior designer Nicole Fagerli to tell us about her design influences, her favorite room and growing up in the furniture business. Antique or modern? Antique for sure. I love the patina that antiques add to a room. City or country? Country. I just love the city life, but I am a […]