Playing dress-up: When a little goes a long way

James and Rob Robertson of Robertson Renovation think this four-bedroom, four-bath brick home is a beautiful property in a perfect location that’s convenient to everything. It’s also just the place for a fantasy update, because some upgrades and small changes could turn a nice home into a great one. 1760 Lambs Rd. $499,9000, MLS #517875 […]

From Carthaginians to Virginians: Tile is one of the world’s oldest, most flexible building materials

Your bathroom is cool, comfortable, and clean. Your kitchen is stain-resistant, sleek, and stylish. Why? Tile, of course. “Tile is a good choice because it’s timeless, can complement any look, and has unmatched durability,” SariSand Tile’s Dawn Catlett said. According to Wayne Murphy of Wainwright Tile and Stone on Preston Avenue, tile is typically used […]

Outer edges: A landscape unifies a modern complex

Time marches on! Last time ABODE visited Turkey Saddle—the Free Union home of Elizabeth Birdsall and Eric Young—it was 2008 and the house had just undergone a major renovation, led by local architecture firm Formwork. It was a serene, minimalist retreat, like a treehouse overlooking the Moormans River. Now, the vibe has changed a bit, […]

Mellow yellow: A vibrant city kitchen stays surprisingly calm

Stephanie Tatel and Christian McMillen had only a vague idea of what they wanted their new kitchen to look like—nothing too firm or detailed, but they knew it had to be functional for a busy family of four. Enter Alloy, a Charlottesville-based architecture and design studio that specializes in construction and production. “We didn’t really […]

Make it your own: How to upgrade an oldie (but a goodie)  

Glenn Robertson, of Smith & Robertson, cast his remodeler’s eye on a Free Union two-story. Here are his ideas for bringing it up to date. 5315 Free Union Rd. $279,000 MLS# 516858 This home is worthy of a major remodeling project due to the excellent location and house site. The house is suffering from a […]

Back at the ranch: A midcentury home gets a new look and new life

Perhaps it’s true that you can’t go home again. But Sarah Lloyd found a way to bring her childhood home, built in the 1950s and woefully outdated, into the 21st century. The ranch-style house, tucked into the Western Albemarle woods, had seen Sarah and her four siblings through their growing years—and not always in the […]