Central Virginia HOME 2020 Winter Nov/Dec/Jan

HOME CENTRAL VIRGINIA

design ✦ improve ✦ garden ✦ live

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

CONTENTS Central Virginia HOME Holiday/Winter 2020

21 41

90 features

showcase home

HOLIDAY HOT SPOTS Festive decorating strategies for your home

DECKING THE HALLS Boonsboro Colonial shines bright for the holidays

21

BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

60

BY CARTER HEALD BENDALL

41

THE SEASON OF GIVING Local organizations help neighbors in need

BY MITZI BIBLE

90

THE HOME OFFICE Tips and tricks to make your space work

BY JESSIE THOMPSON

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK HOME Magazine

60 Cover photo by Michael Patch at the home of Sandy and Bill Phelps

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H O L I DAY/ W I N T E R 2020

DESIGN

72

34 STRIKING GOLD

Metallic hardware adds sparkle to your spaces

BY KATE ERICSSON

76 REUPHOLSTERY MAGIC

Give beloved pieces a new look

BY KENDALL ATKINS LIVICK

86 THE WILD SIDE

76

Animal hides and prints add flair to any interior

BY AMELIA POORE

IMPROVE

55 HOT TIPS FOR HOT WATER

What to know about replacing your water heater

BY PAULA PETERS CHAMBERS

83 STYLISH SHELVING

Organize your space with great displays

BY JANE RENNYSON

55

GARDEN

38 WINTER LANDSCAPE

Conifers offer a variety of trees and shrubs

BY BECKY CALVERT

72 GIFTING GREEN

Holiday plants make delightful presents

BY MARGIE LIPPARD

LIVE

28 CREATIVE INFUSIONS

Spice up the holidays with infused spirits and vinegars

BY SLOANE LUCAS

50 SUGAR COOKIE TIME

Deliver big batches of fun

BY MARSHA GALE

79 HOSTING GAME NIGHT

Unplug and relax with old-school pastimes

BY KATHERINE FULGHUM KNOPF

14

28 Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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EDITOR’S note A peek behind the veil: here at HOME, we work in a state of perpetual anticipation of the next season. It’s fun, because in this way, we always have something to look forward to! We talk holiday meals and wire-ribbon bows as we swat away mosquitos; we write about fire pits and snowy sidewalks while the air conditioner hums along. Only this year, we have the added caveat of planning a winter issue in a time when we don’t know what is going to happen in the world next week, let alone in December.

So, as always, here at HOME we’ll focus on the constant: that the holidays are a time to celebrate what’s important to us, which includes creating comfort and making memories at home.

Our feature on holiday hot spots may inspire you to revisit some of your holiday decorations with a fresh eye. Or if year-round sparkle is what you’re after, we offer tips on incorporating goldtoned hardware into your kitchen or bath, and show you how animal prints can bring flair to nearly any space.

In our current cozy, stay-at-home vein, we also offer an article about revisiting game night, pulling out the old classics or trying a new game. Winter weekends call for DIY projects; how about installing some new shelves to create displays and get organized at the same time? Or get a leg up on your holiday gifting with creations from the kitchen. Infused vinegars or spirits in a pretty bottle make a delicious and thoughtful gift.

And how about a big batch of sugar cookies? You may think you know how to make these old faithfuls, but food writer Marsha Gale shows us how to make them next-level. A cellophane bag, a

pretty ribbon and voila—another gift from the heart. Not feeling crafty? Check out our article on gift plants, the gift of green that gives well into the new year.

In this season of giving, we also look beyond our own homes at ways we can help others. Feature writer Mitzi Bible offers a round-up of several local non-profits whose focus is on alleviating homeless and hunger in our community. We hope this inspires you to lend your support as you are able.

Whether you’re celebrating with extended family and friends in person or from afar, we hope this issue encourages you to cherish the holiday season in the home you work hard to make your own. Thanks for reading!

Meridith Ingram meridith@westwillowpublishing.com

LY N C H B U R G | S M I T H M T N . L A K E | F O R E ST

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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HOME CENTRAL VIRGINIA

T’is the Season for Total Home Comfort

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5 PUBLISHER Julie Pierce EDITOR Meridith Ingram ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carter Heald Bendall Mitzi Bible Becky Calvert Paula Peters Chambers Kate Ericsson Marsha Gale Katherine Fulghum Knopf Margie Lippard Kendall Atkins Livick Sloane Lucas Amelia Poore Jane Rennyson Christy Rippel Jessie Thompson PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Patch

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Donna Collins OPERATIONS MANAGER Marianne Schatvet ADVERTISING SALES Kirsten Morey Becker Julia Belvin Julie Pierce Anne Marie Poore SUBSCRIPTIONS

Central Virginia HOME is published five times annually

by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Central Virginia HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B, Forest, VA 24551

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For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@westwillowpublishing.com.

To discuss coverage of an event relating to home or garden, please contact Central Virginia HOME at info@westwillowpublishing.com.

WEST WILLOW PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com Copyright 2020 by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. All pictorial material reproduced in this magazine, whether in a produced ad or by itself, has been accepted on the condition that it is with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer or the artist concerned.

As such, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, West Willow Publishing Group, LLC makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

make your home sparkle indoors and out

BY C H R I S T Y R I P P E L

If your holiday travel plans have been curtailed by the pandemic, it’s the perfect year to create holiday magic at home with spirited decor. If you target a few key areas inside and out, you can have a ho-ho-holiday without breaking the budget, saving plenty of green for what goes under the tree, instead of just on it. Read on for tips on readying your home for the upcoming season and squeezing joy out of a challenging year. c vhomemaga zine .com 21

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Outdoors Mailbox: You’ll be venturing to your curb at least once a day, gathering the mail and holiday cards, and with a little effort, you can make your mailbox festive. Companies like Grandin Road offer a swag made of faux greenery specially for mailboxes, held in place with a strap and buckle that won’t budge on windy days.

If you want to DIY a real arrangement for a few dollars, ask the attendant at the lot where you buy your Christmas tree to give you a few cuttings from the bottom of your tree, and tie a bow on it. Use fishing wire or a pretty ribbon to tie it in place on the mailbox. If you have a street of willing neighbors, consider coordinating mailbox decor for a stunning effect, brightening up the entire street.

Lamp post: If you have a lamp post, it’s a great spot to glam up, and you have a few options. First, you can coordinate with the mailbox and use the same decoration, such as the DIY swag, or a coordinating faux set. A garland wrapped around the pole, with or without lights, is pretty, and a bow, small wreath or holiday sign can be the focal point. A sign might say “Merry Christmas” or “Santa Stop Here,” or even feature a monogram or last name. Shop Etsy online for custom signs, or find one for a steal at a craft shop.

Front door: If you are looking for maximum bang for your buck, the front door, lamp post and mailbox in a coordinated scheme looks like you went to a lot of effort. However, unlike complicated holiday light arrangements, these are easy areas to take down when the season is over. The front door begs for a great wreath, and do go larger than you think you need to. A real wreath with a pretty bow only lasts the season, but is less of an investment. A large faux wreath with cordless lights will cost more, but last for years. A spotlight to show off your wreath at night is a nice touch, and one can be found at local hardware stores, big box stores or online. Simply stake it in the yard, trained on the door, and use a timer to save you from remembering to unplug it before bedtime. If you really want to dress up the door, a swag or garland framing it that coordinates with the wreath scores points. If you don’t want a wreath this year, a monogram sign in holiday colors can also dress up your entrance.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Front porch: Your ability to accessorize on the front porch will depend on how large it is, but there are so many options, you can easily put a personal spin on your decor. If you have a very large front porch, consider putting an extra tree or trees on it, and add lights. If you opt for ornaments, plastic ones ensure that you aren’t dealing with broken glass. Urns that once held summer flowers can also be planted with evergreens and lit up with

lights. Or, empty the urn and create your own affordable filler. Evergreen branches, magnolia branches, holly and some thin birch logs may be all your need for an organic look. If you have porch chairs, swap the summer throw pillows for holidaythemed pillows and put a new holiday doormat in front of your door. Fill outdoor lanterns with plastic ornaments, or wrap the candles in cordless fairy lights for added glow.

THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT BEG FOR A LITTLE HOLIDAY LOVE, AND BY CHOOSING A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITES, YOU CAN CREATE A STYLE THAT IS UNIQUELY YOURS. DON’T BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT WITH SOMETHING FRESH AND NEW THIS YEAR.

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Windows: If you want to light up your house without going Clark Griswold-style with ladders and string lights, you can create a glow at your windows from the inside of the house. An electric candle in each window is a simple, elegant and affordable display; just be sure the window is clean to maximize the glow.

If you don’t have an outlet near the window, there are battery operated models, and candle clamps to hold candles in place for windows without a large-enough sill. An outdoor wreath hung at a window can be affixed from the inside by suspending it with wire, and a wreath positioned for the candle to appear to glow in the center of the wreath is a pretty look. A window swag is another option, which appears to sit at the bottom of the window, and can be illuminated with cordless lights.

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Dining table: A dining table can be the perfect spot to dress up for the season, and the options are endless. A runner on the table can be festive, and you can top it with long-lasting, live flowers of the season, like an amaryllis, paperwhite or poinsettia.

If that doesn’t suit, a dough bowl or clear glass vase full of colorful ornaments is festive and affordable, or simply change out the candles in your candlesticks for ones that match your Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

holiday scheme. A real rosemary topiary (check the grocery store produce section) wrapped in burlap is minimalist but pretty, and you can snip off rosemary when you need the herb for holiday cooking.

Chair backs: You can also dress up your chairs to be as festive as your tabletop, either for a special meal or throughout the season. Start with a big, thick bow for each chair. If you’d like, tie a small piece of greenery, faux pinecone or berry stalk into the bow. A small wreath can also be hung by a swath of ribbon. You can also opt for funny chair covers like elf legs, Santa beards or Santa hats, which are more kitschy, but fun.

Mantel: If you are lucky enough to have a mantel, this is a classic zone for Christmas cheer. If you want to hang your stockings by the chimney with care, stocking holders prevent you from putting nail holes in your mantel. Add in a garland of greenery and plenty of lights (cordless if you don’t have an outlet—dangling wires spoil the mood) and you can call it a day, but you can also add in more if you wish. Try attaching photo holiday cards to your greenery as they arrive in the mail. Small clothespins will secure them.

Ornaments are also pretty here; just be sure they are secured well. Add in some height with candlesticks or small faux trees (try cone shaped) of different sizes for some nice height variation and interest.

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Powder Room: The easiest way to make your powder room feel holiday-ready is to add in some seasonal hand soap (a winter scent is nice) and towels that reflect the season. Inject some humor with a “naughty” and “nice” towel set, or simply update your towels for new ones that feel more luxurious for a holiday splurge. If you don’t replace your go-to towels, consider disposable hand towels that are holiday-themed. If you are having guests, this is a sanitary way to be sure germs aren’t shared on a common towel. If you have the space, a slender tree, lantern or figurine in the corner of a powder room is unexpected.

Try a faux pre-lit birch or twig tree from Restoration Hardware or Amazon, a modern twist for a small space.

Guest room: The guest room is a place to make visiting friends and family feel welcome and cherished. A holiday frame with a favorite memory you’ve shared with your guest is a nice touch, as is a basket filled with some snacks they can nosh on between meals. Special magazines or books you know they’ll appreciate are thoughtful bedside treats. For example, your

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

father-in-law the golfer might appreciate Golf magazine, while your mother-in-law reads Good Housekeeping or British murder mysteries. Knowing you’ve gone to the effort will brighten anyone’s holiday. Holiday-themed sheets are a mood booster as are holiday throw pillows or decor like a small Christmas tree or scented candle.

Staircase: The staircase is another showplace for holiday decor. A garland wrapped around the banister is classic, and decorative bannister ties are both attractive and shield the bannister from scratches. If you lack a mantel, or want to keep stockings from getting too close to the fire, a

staircase is another great place to hang stockings.

Consider adorning the sides of the staircase with poinsettias on the risers, or adding a large one at the base of the newel post—it can hide the unsightly end of a garland and impart extra pizzazz. If a tree is not your style, a staircase and/or mantel can be the stars of your holiday season.

There are so many areas of your home that beg for a little holiday love, and by choosing a few of your favorites, you can create a style that is uniquely yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment with something fresh and new this year. ✦

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LIVE gifts from the kitchen

creative infusions INSPIRATION FOR FLAVORFUL, HOMEMADE HOLIDAY GIFTS

BY S LOA N E LU C A S

There are few things as wonderful to receive as a homemade gift. In a time where we are all looking to feel closer to the people in our lives, be they near or far, taking the time to create something tailored and unique can go a long way toward letting friends and family know just how much they mean to you.

Some skills, like knitting or crocheting, take years to master. Not everyone is a natural baker, not everyone 2 8

can sew, and not every gardener has the experience (or equipment) to be able to can the fruits of their labor.

If that’s you, no worries. There’s an easy, lowbudget project idea that allows for creative use of upcycled materials and results in tasteful and tasty gifts for multiple occasions. (Or—just make them for yourself!) Consider making infusions as your crafty contribution.

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

happy holidays Some of the easiest infusions to make are infused spirits and infused vinegars. Base ingredients are simple to acquire, and the method for infusing both is very similar. Both are easy, fun and allow for flavor creativity to flourish.

The process for creating infused spirits and vinegars is, at its core, simple. Choose your base spirit or vinegar, add ingredients to create your flavor profile, leave it be for a while, strain, and enjoy.

Stock up on supplies

To start, you’ll need some basic supplies that you can probably already find in your home. Collect large, wide-mouth containers, such as Mason jars with plastic or other airtight lids, or upcycle some empty glass containers from your pantry, like large pickle or spaghetti sauce jars. Prep them just before use by washing them in your dishwasher on a sanitize setting.

You will eventually need to strain your finished product, which you can do with coffee filters or cheesecloth, and a kitchen funnel or fine-mesh colander.

Infusions will look wonderful in beautiful decorative bottles.

But you don’t need to buy them. Start saving nicely shaped spirits bottles or unusually shaped wine bottles to showcase your finished gift. Save any and all cork toppers like those from spirits bottles, which can be used to stopper various types of glass bottles. Again, you will want to wash and clean them well just before “bottling.”

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Selecting ingredients

To begin making infusions, you’ll want as blank a canvas as possible, such as plain vinegar and simple spirits. For vinegar, look for basic white wine, red wine or apple cider varieties. While you can certainly flavor balsamic vinegar, it tends to already have a strong taste, so your newly infused flavors might not stand out.

When choosing spirits, aim for plain vodka, plain light rum, plain white tequilas or basic bourbons and whiskeys. (While you can certainly create your own infused gin, that spirit is already flavored with botanicals like juniper, so it isn’t a blank canvas.

However, if you or a gift recipient love flavored gin, start with as basic a gin as possible, and aim to add only one additional flavor.)

As for how much to spend, when it comes to spirits, aim for middle of the road. Don’t buy the least expensive alcohol, hoping

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your infusion will make it better, and don’t buy an expensive, aged brand, because your infusions will override any subtleties in flavor that make expensive brands worth the cost. With vinegars, aim for better than distilled white vinegar, but don’t buy products like expensive aged balsamic either, the flavor of which will be impacted by your infusions. Mid-priced options will get you a quality base, but nothing extraneous that you don’t need.

For flavors, think about what you like, or what the recipient of your gift might enjoy. While it might be tempting to layer many flavors, you might want to keep it simple, with one or two dominant flavors, so they stand out.

Herbs and fruits will work equally well with both vinegars and spirits. You could make oregano-lemon vinegar, perfect for Greek salads. Or raspberry-blackberry vinegar for summer salads. You could make mint-infused bourbons to kickstart your homemade juleps. Or lemon vodka for Lemon Drops. Want to kick your Bloody Mary up a notch? Make spicy vodka by infusing with hot peppers.

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Getting started

The process couldn’t be simpler, and it’s also very flexible and forgiving. After sanitizing your wide-mouth jars, add your preferred flavor-inducing ingredients, then cover with your spirit or vinegar. Seal and agitate a few times daily. It might look nice steeping on a windowsill in the sunlight, but don’t. Instead, store in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Plan to infuse for at least a week, knowing you can taste it after the first few days to see how it’s progressing and leave it longer if needed.

As for what volume of fruits or herbs to add, there’s no set ratio or recipe. It depends on flavor intensity desired. Some amount of trial and error will be needed to achieve the ideal flavor for each person. However, you can always start with less and add more. Once the liquid has the desired intensity, strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and funnel into clean bottles.

There is an endless array of options—whatever suits your recipient’s fancy (or your own). However, here are some general suggestions for prepping your ingredients: Buy organic, and wash well before use: No matter what you buy, aim for organic if possible, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted chemicals. Wash everything with soapy water and rinse well, even the outside of citrus fruits.

Citrus fruits: Orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime peels provide rich oils that will infuse spirits especially with a lovely, deep flavor. Using a sharp peeler, remove only the outer layer of the peel, leaving the pith behind. (Squeeze the insides and save the juice for other uses.) Strain with a mesh sieve instead of coffee filters, which will remove much of the citrus oil.

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Herbs: Use only the leaves and not the stems of herbs, to prevent a woody taste. Some classics include mint, basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary—strong flavors that can stand up to both spirits and vinegars.

Berries: Muddle before adding your spirit or vinegar.

Peppers: Slice in half to increase surface area and speed up the infusion process. For milder flavor, remove the pith and seeds—which hold the most heat—before adding.

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There are some fun ways to showcase your creations. You can make multiple batches of each, creating gift sets of different flavors. Tie bottles with twine and add decorative labels. Print out cocktail or salad dressing recipes on nice stationery to include with your gift. Wrap bottles with cellophane or cloth, tied with colorful ribbons. Your infusions will impress friends and family with their unique, one-of-a-kind flavors. More importantly, they will charm recipients by showcasing your true gift—time and creativity. ✦ Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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DESIGN hardware trends

STRIKING GOLD

DESIGNING WITH TODAY’S METALLIC HARDWARE B Y K AT E E R I C S S O N

M

etallic hardware is striking gold in the design world. But forget about the shiny gold and glossy brass finishes that were popular in the 80s.

They have taken a back seat to today’s softer tones. Gold, copper, brass and bronze hardware with various finishes have taken center stage.

Whether it be oil-rubbed, matte, brushed or antiqued, gold metallic hardware can add a touch of elegance to any space. These warmer tones are updating the brushed nickel and chrome finishes that have dominated the market for years.

PHOTO AND PROJECT: TERA JANELLE DESIGN 34

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

PHOTO AND PROJECT: TERA JANELLE DESIGN

PHOTO AND PROJECT: TERA JANELLE DESIGN

Tera Janelle of Tera Janelle Design incorporates gold and other metallic hardware in her designs to add “a timeless sense of style.” She often uses a dominant finish of brass or gold, and mixes in other elements to create layers and depth. Janelle warns that not all finishes mean the same thing to manufacturers.

“Always get a sample,” she says.

A breakdown of metallic finish terminology is helpful when selecting hardware. A polished finish is created by using polishing compounds and a fast-spinning brush to smooth out the gold surface.

Brushed finishes are created by brushing a finegrit surface in one direction against the gold. The

varying applications of buffing and grinding result in the subtle difference of the finishes. Oxidizing and patinating occur chemically in copper and brass. Oxidized copper and brass are typically blackish, green or blue, and the surface hardens like a thick crust. “People either love the look of patina or hate it,” says Janelle. She believes unlacquered brass and copper that have aged naturally can add a historic feel to a home. “The natural patina of unlacquered and aged brass is a beautiful partner to natural materials and textures, such as marble, quartzite, soapstone, linens and natural wood tones,” she says.

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hardware finishes So just how do you decipher manufacturers’ hardware finish descriptions? In addition to getting a sample, it’s helpful to know: Brushed gold is a dull polished metal that has a unidirectional finish.

Satin gold will appear more matte than a polished finish, but will lack the texture that a brushed finish offers.

Vintage brass, or antique brass, is a metal that will naturally patina with age, giving it depth and history.

Polished lacquered brass is shinier and has taken a back seat to vintage brass.

In the copper family, champagne bronze is a brushed copper tone with more yellow than an antique bronze; it is a deeper version of gold.

Honey bronze has a finish reminiscent of brass or gold, but it tends to be a softer, lighter shade.

Oil-rubbed bronze is a chemically darkened surface designed to simulate aged bronze. It is very dark and varies from a deep chocolate brown to a dark gray and usually has copper undertones.

Copper hardware has a distinctive reddish hue. It is malleable and supple and makes for beautiful cabinet hardware. Sometimes it comes with hammered indentations.

PHOTO AND PROJECT: TERA JANELLE DESIGN

Can you mix metals? Absolutely. Mixing metals is a wonderful way to add depth to a space, but it should be approached with caution. Warm metals (like gold, brass and nickel) read as a rich pop of color and texture when placed with cool metals like silver and chrome. For example, if your kitchen hardware is in an oil-brushed bronze, copper accent pieces will add a warm glow.

If you have a modern, stainless steel kitchen, choosing a chandelier or vintage piece with gold can add charm and texture. Or if you love the gold and white look, add in a chrome table, mirror or pendant light for metallic balance.

Janelle often mixes metals when designing spaces. “It needs to look intentional rather than a mistake,” she warns. She might choose two or three metal finishes and use those finishes in at least two or three areas within the space. Contrast is key. Janelle believes it is more forgiving to match brass and gold hardware with painted finishes. “Dark paint colors on cabinets and walls are a beautiful backdrop for gold accents,” she says. Adding a brass chandelier or pair of sconces is a trick of hers to introduce metal into a space.

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Central Virginia HOME Summer 2020

When considering hardware as part of the whole room’s design, Janelle likes the look of brass with oak floors. “Brass is a beautiful complement to European Oak and whitewashed floors, but be careful when pairing with stained oak floors that have heavy gold or orange undertones,” she says.

PHOTO AND PROJECT: EMILY MANGUS INTERIORS

PHOTO AND PROJECT: ELAINE STEPHENSON INTERIORS

Playing with hardware is an easy way to transform a look without breaking the bank. Trying out some of the gold-toned hardware pieces trending in today’s design world is much easier than switching out countertops, replacing cabinetry or repainting walls. Like wardrobe accessories, they can easily be switched out if you want a change. ✦

PHOTO AND PROJECT: EMILY MANGUS INTERIORS

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GARDEN all about conifers

winter’s landscapes Conifers offer majestic trees and shrubs B Y B E C K Y C A LV E R T

While many conifers are evergreen, not all evergreens are conifers. Nor are all conifers evergreen.

Confused? It’s easy to be, at first glance. The name “conifer” stems from Latin and means “cone bearer,” a nod to how conifers reproduce via cones, not blossoms. The cones contain seeds that allow the plants to reproduce without pollination. In addition to cones, conifers tend to have needles or scale-like leaves. Evergreens like firs, pines, spruces, junipers, cedars and hemlocks are conifers, but hollies, boxwoods and azaleas, also evergreens, are not.

However, not all cones are easily identifiable as such. Take, for instance, the ginkgo tree. What are often referred to as “berries” produced by ginkgo trees are, in fact, cones. In a similar vein, the yew, an evergreen, is a conifer because the red “berries” it produces are actually cones as well. Now you know!

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Planting to thrive

When considering adding any tree or shrub to your landscape, it is of utmost importance to consider the conditions of the area as well as your reasons for planting it. Are you working with full sun versus shade and in what type of soil? How fast and how big will the end result be? Do you want the tree to provide shade or privacy from a road, or do you just want something to break up the landscape? When planting a conifer, consideration must be given to the type of cones they produce; while conifers can be a dramatic addition to the landscape, they can also be considered messy for the cones they shed. The ginkgo is an excellent example, as well as the Eastern white pine. Thankfully, this is not true of all conifers; junipers have much smaller cones that don’t make quite the same mess as their conifer relatives.

You’ll also want to ensure whatever you plant will thrive in our geographical area. Native trees are best suited to withstanding our weather patterns, and also fit into the local eco-system, where birds and other wildlife are adapted to utilize them. It is recommended to purchase whatever you plant from a reputable local nursery and ask if it was propagated from local stock. Ensuring a tree was propagated locally means it is adapted to our climate. For instance, a tree grown in Alabama will be able to withstand our summers better than a tree grown in Maine, but it will struggle with some of the colder winter weather our area sees.

The Eastern red cedar is a native conifer that can withstand most soil types and has almost no serious pests or diseases. Reaching a height of 30 to 60 feet with an 8 to 25-foot spread, the tree has small purple blooms that become a small pale green to dark blue berrylike cone. Its scale-like foliage ranges in color from gray to blue to dark green, with scented bark that ranges from an exfoliating gray to red-brown. The Eastern white pine, the Table Mountain pine, and the Loblolly pine are among the numerous native conifers to our area that reach heights of anywhere from 30 to 100 feet in height, but many take up only a few feet in diameter. Another native conifer is the bald cypress. A deciduous tree, it prefers stream banks, swamps and river bottoms. The soft, needle-like leaves resemble feathers, turning from c vhomemaga zine .com 39

yellow-green to orange, cinnamon and coppery in the fall before dropping. With a height of 50 to 70 feet and a spread of 20 to 35 feet, these trees need a large space, but are fantastic in areas that see a lot of water.

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Not all conifers are so tall. There are any number of dwarf conifers available that can be used to add texture and interest to the garden without needing large amounts of space. Often used as foundation or border plantings, these shrubs either don’t grow large or are well suited to being pruned and maintained at a certain size. There are creeping junipers that don’t get above 18 inches in height that act as groundcovers, while spreading junipers may only achieve a height of 2 to 8 feet but will spread to 5 to 8 feet. Other dwarf conifers include shrubs like the bird’s nest spruce which grows to be about 3 to 5 feet tall with a width of 4 to 6 feet while slowly forming a rounded mound. The dwarf Alberta spruce is another shrub for consideration; the classic Christmas-tree shape combined with its fuzzy, densely packed short needles doesn’t grow over 13 feet tall, making it a popular foundation planting or specimen tree in many landscapes.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

ors for ghb i elp e ed H r N Ne ou in LOCAL NON-PROFITS WELCOME DONATIONS, TIME AND SUPPORT

BY MITZI BIBLE

Homelessness. Hunger. These two H words are very different than Happy and Holidays. And although we may be in the season of giving, there are people in our own community all year long who are struggling without the basic needs of food and shelter.

HOME has talked to just some of the local organizations that work hard every day to end homelessness and hunger in our own backyard. If you’re looking for a worthwhile project this winter, or maybe you want to make a resolution to become more involved in the community in the new year, there may be no better gift you can give than a part of yourself. c vhomemaga zine .com 41

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Most of us take for granted a comfy couch to plop down on at the end of the day and a soft bed to sleep in every night. Our only worries are whether our furniture is out of date or it’s time to launder the duvet.

But for the over 800 men, women and children who are homeless in the Lynchburg community every year, there are more important concerns, like having a safe place to live and raise a family.

Miriam’s House With a mission of “ending homelessness by rebuilding lives and empowering our community’s most vulnerable,” Miriam’s House has provided over 2,500 homeless persons with safe housing and supportive services since 1994. Special emphasis is placed on children, who can experience developmental, emotional and cognitive delays from being homeless. In 2019 alone, 135 homeless children were reconnected with the safety and security of a home.

Miriam’s House has four main initiatives. In the Community First program, families from emergency and domestic violence shelters are assisted in finding stable housing and steady jobs so they can become self-sufficient. A facility on Magnolia Street offers housing to chronically homeless women. The Aftercare Support program ensures families have the resources they need to maintain adequate housing. And more recently, the organization is seeing positive results through its new street outreach program, HOME (Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement), where staff members locate persons who are living under bridges, in cars or in parks, and build a connection with them right away so they can assess their barriers to housing and get them immediate help.

On top of this work, Miriam’s House is a hub for all area agencies serving the homeless. “Every community has a lead agency on homelessness that reports to the state, so Miriam’s is that for our community,” says Sarah Quarantotto, executive

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director. “We collect data for a shared database that all homeless response organizations use. We do trainings on the best way to serve others, hold meetings, and keep a binding list of every person who is homeless in our community. We have regular calls with our partners and have created a system where we don’t want to have any gaps [in services] and we’re all sharing info and everyone gets served.”

Volunteers deliver supplies to families.

The biggest needs currently are cleaning supplies, paper products, hand sanitizer and hand soap. Financial contributions (you can join a monthly giving group) often help families with initial rental and utility costs. For more information, call 434-847-1101 or email info@ miriamshouseprogram.org.

YWCA’s Town Center Women’s Residential Housing Program Another longtime community partner in ending homelessness is the YWCA. Up to 35 women are being served through the Town Center Women’s Residential Housing Program.

“The women are granted the gift of safety and space,” says Ashley Reynolds

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Marshall, chief executive officer. “With that security of having affordable housing, many of our residents work diligently to increase their income and savings—and then, inevitably, are able to move out of our program into traditional mainstream housing.”

Marshall says community support of the program has been astounding. “The single biggest way that our community can love their neighbor is through understanding,” she says. “We are so fortunate to work in a community that is filled to the brim with compassionate people who are willing to reach out and help those in need—whether that is due to escaping the trauma of domestic or sexual violence (the YWCA also operates two of these shelters), or whether they are low-income women seeking safe and affordable housing. That compassion has led our community to do everything from donating needed items to our programs, such as laundry detergent, gift cards and hygiene products, to volunteering with our non-profit and others in our community, to providing a donation, large or small.” For more information, visit ywcacva.org.

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Salvation Army When you hear a bell and see a red kettle, you know the Christmas season is in full swing. The Salvation Army has been relying on community support in Lynchburg for 115 years, making it the oldest organization in the city to serve the less fortunate. Currently, it operates the Center of Hope, an 80-bed facility that is the largest homeless shelter in Lynchburg; the Community Feeding Program, where shelter residents and others in need can receive two meals a day; and a social services program, where families receive help with food, utility and rent expenses, clothing, and other necessities.

People are truly finding hope at the center, says Tammy Shank, director of development. People like a father on dialysis who lost his home due to mounting medical bills, a local teacher whose child had significant health problems and was also struggling to pay bills, and a young man who was adopted from another country but found himself at the Salvation Army on his 18th birthday because his family situation had become incompatible.

“It’s not always individuals who are sleeping on a bench or living in the park,” Shank says. “And there are misconceptions that homeless people don’t work—that’s not true; we have several who do—they just have a crisis happen to them, like a medical emergency, and they get behind on rent and bills and eventually end up with no place to go.”

The Center of Hope is the only shelter in Lynchburg operating as an emergency shelter, taking walk-ins in addition to those who have been routed through government assistance programs. “The only predetermining factor is that you have a need,” Shank says.

The center is also unique among homeless shelters in that it can accommodate entire families, with suites set up for parents and children. The shelter also has a men’s floor and a floor for women and children. Residents receive a breakfast and dinner every day, yearround, at no cost.

Most people stay at the shelter an average of 30 to 90 days. They commit to following a program that will help them secure housing and transition out of the center.

“Initially, the need might be an emergency, but we want to help get them on their journey and get stabilized. If they Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

don’t have a job, we help them secure a job, and we collaborate with other organizations to help them find a place to stay. We help them learn how to budget their money and learn life skills,” says Shank.

Volunteers work in the kitchen, assist with a clothing closet, and find ways to use their own skills to benefit the shelter, such as landscaping, or teaching community classes on financial literacy or health and wellness.

“At the Salvation Army, we’re also a ministry,” Shank says. “The whole reason why this organization does these programs is that we know the best way to serve God is to serve others.”

Donations are always accepted. The Red Kettle Campaign actually makes up 25 percent of the organization’s budget, so community support for this program is vital. The campaign also has a virtual option this year, with an interactive platform where you can encourage others to help you reach your goal. To join the campaign and to learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit virginiasalvationarmy.org/ lynchburgva.

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PROPER NOURISHMENT According to a 2018 study by Feeding America, Central Virginia counties have an 8 to 11 percent food insecurity rate, a term USDA uses to refer to households who don’t have enough food for family members to live an active, healthy lifestyle. These families often experience hunger at certain times because they have to trade off their income for housing, medical, or other needs. In the City of Lynchburg, the study found 13.8 percent living with food insecurity, or about 11,000 people. With the COVID-19 pandemic and rise in unemployment, food insecurity rates have jumped even higher. A number of local organizations are working together to meet the nutritional needs of area families year-round.

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in Western and Central Virginia.

The Food Bank operates a branch in Lynchburg, distributing food through a network of partners, including over 15 food pantries and soup kitchens. The food comes from three main sources: donations (corporations and community food drives), the federal government, and through purchases. Some is even obtained from local farms.

In fiscal year 2020, the Lynchburg branch provided 5.1 million meals to families. With the effects of the pandemic and a weak economy, the food bank saw the number of people seeking food assistance for the first time quadruple in April.

But, as the food bank’s website states, “If there’s any silver lining in our new normal, it’s the evidence that we live and work in communities where people care about each other and about folks in need.” People can donate (typically, $1 can provide four meals); volunteer at local food pantries and soup kitchens, such as Lynchburg Daily Bread, Lighthouse Community Center, and several church pantries; and advocate by engaging others through social media and even hosting a virtual food drive as a “hunger hero.” Use the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s pantry locator atbrafb.org for volunteer opportunities at nearby pantries.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Park View Community Mission At Park View Community Mission on Memorial Avenue, “community” is an important part of the name, says spokesperson and volunteer Earl Larkins. “We’re not a rescue mission or church; ‘community’ illustrates the kind of cooperation we have with other non-profits, local government, schools, churches, and anyone who can help. With the poverty rate in the 24501 zip code at 42 percent, we have to work together.”

Three of their programs focus on food insecurity. It started with a free Wednesday night meal, which they now call the Park View Café, Larkins says, and out of that came Food for Families, the city’s largest pantry, where produce, meat, dairy, baked goods, and non-perishables are distributed to about 800 households every month. The third food program is the weekend backpack program called Food for Thought. Bags are packed with seven simple, nutritious meals, and distributed every Friday to any students who aren’t sure if they will eat well until they return to school on Monday. (With COVID-19 and remote learning, delivery has shifted to five pick-up sites at the city’s

secondary schools, plus a dozen apartment complexes and community centers.)

“But help with food is just the touchpoint,” Larkins says. Like many other organizations, as the staff serve clients, they also become aware of additional needs. Park View offers a Life Skills Institute to help them acquire employable skills as well as a Community Resource Center, where staff can coordinate with other agencies to find answers, assist in emergencies, connect with mentors, and build relationships.

“When someone thinks of a pantry, they usually think of a handout. We go beyond that, and not just to a hand up, but to a handshake,” Larkins says.

Park View has only been an independent non-profit for three years, but the outreach is extensive. They depend on 1,000 volunteer hours each month to operate Food for Families and 300 per month at Food for Thought. Learn more about the organization, including ways to volunteer, at parkviewcommunitymission.org.

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Meals On Wheels Sometimes there are reasons other than poverty for why people may go without a meal.

For those who are homebound and face physical or mental challenges that keep them from preparing their own food, receiving a meal at their doorstep is the highlight of their day.

Long before Door Dash became popular, Meals on Wheels was the ultimate food delivery service, serving up hot lunches to a vulnerable population. Last year, Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg celebrated its 45th year and delivered its 2.5 millionth meal.

The organization provides balanced, nutritious lunches five days a week (and a supper for those who medically qualify).

Routes, running primarily through the city and just into the neighboring counties, last about an hour. Recipients range in age from 24 to 102.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Like other non-profits, service has expanded dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2019, Meals on Wheels was serving 312 people in Lynchburg, but as of Sept. 1, 2020, they were serving 486. Most of the new recipients requesting assistance received a meal the next day after they called.

“During the pandemic, our program became even more necessary as people were staying home and limiting exposure because of their very serious health concerns,” says Executive Director Kris Shabestar. The rapid response was “only possible because of the incredible volunteers who deliver the meals,” she adds.

But the job description is much more than a delivery driver. Their visit is also a daily safety check, making sure recipients haven’t fallen or are in a health crisis, and they help them make a connection to their community by forming friendships.

“Isolation is a huge health risk, physically and emotionally, especially now,” Shabestar says. “Knowing someone is going to knock on your door every day can help. Volunteers are often the first

eyes on our recipients every day, and checking in can give peace of mind to them and to their families.”

Volunteers can sign up individually, with a friend, or with church members or coworkers.

“If the drive is longer than an hour, it’s often because you’ve been talking to some of the most interesting people in town,” Shabestar says. “There are so many fabulous people in our community who have done incredible things and lived fascinating lives and are so kind and sweet. Having an opportunity to know someone you wouldn’t have crossed paths with before is so rewarding—for both of you.”

There are also “a la carte” volunteer opportunities at certain times of the year, beyond regular routes. The organization does not receive any state or federal funding, so donations are appreciated: $5 will pay for a meal; $110 will provide a month of meals; and $1,300 will provide a year of meals. Visit mealsonwheelslynchburg. org or call (434) 847-0796. ✦

ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE MANY MORE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO INCLUDE, HAVE THEIR OWN NAMES, FACILITIES AND STAFF, BUT THEY ALL SHARE COMMON GOALS. THEY ARE COOPERATING TO END HOMELESSNESS AND HUNGER IN OUR COMMUNITY—AND THEIR WORK IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. AS WE END 2020, PERHAPS THE BIGGEST LIFE LESSONS WE CAN TAKE FROM THIS UNUSUAL YEAR OF “SOCIAL DISTANCING” IS HOW TO COME TOGETHER TO SERVE OTHERS IN NEED.

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sugar cookies

LIVE cookie time

MAKE DELICIOUS MEMORIES

BY MARSHA GALE

Cookies are the quintessential holiday treat in many homes—especially sugar cookies.

There is something special about making cookies at home because you end up making memories as well. Recently I was looking back at photo albums and was struck by the fact that every year there are pictures of us baking and decorating cookies together as a family. As our children got older, we moved from buttercream icing and sprinkles to royal icing and more elaborate designs.

Even if you feel like sugar cookies are a bit ho-hum or too time-consuming, a few flavor substitutions and frosting options can make them unique and delicious, and the methods can be as quick and simple as a bar or a drop cookie.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Correct measurement is key in baking success. To measure granulated sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder, scoop out with the proper measuring cup or spoon, mound it up, and then use a knife edge to level it off. When measuring flour or confectioners’ sugar, spoon it into the cup, then level it off. Always use a liquid measuring cup for liquids. Place eggs in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to bring them to room temperature.

TIPS

Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

You can also cut the recipe in half and use a 13-by9-inch pan; baking time should be about the same.

Makes about 30 bars.

4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups granulated sugar 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract Optional for decorating: gel food coloring Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 13-by-18-inch half-sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on high speed until it’s very lightcolored and fluffy, about two minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

Add vanilla and almond extract and mix well.

With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients into the batter and mix until well combined. Spread

the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12-16 minutes or until set.

The edges should be a light golden brown. Don’t overcook! They will set up as they cool.

Once cooled completely, frost and cut into squares. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 4-5 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract)

Beat the butter and cream cheese together with a hand or stand mixer until smooth and creamy, then add vanilla and mix.

Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, with the mixer on low speed. Mix well until smooth. You may not need all of the powdered sugar; add enough to make a nice spreading consistency and taste to see if you need more sugar or maybe a little bit more salt. If desired, add sprinkles before the frosting dries. Store bars in an airtight container for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

VARIATIONS

To elevate the everyday, make lemon rosemary sugar cookies by adding 2 tablespoons of lemon zest to the sugar and work it in with your fingers to release the oils. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice when you add eggs and vanilla.

Add 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary along with the dry ingredients. Use lemon extract in the frosting instead of vanilla.

For spiced sugar cookies, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the basic recipe.

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VARIATION

Make chocolate mint cookies by adding mint extract in place of the vanilla to the chocolate cookies, as well as the frosting.

Chocolate Sugar Cookies For those who don’t consider anything without chocolate worth calling dessert. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 3/4 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar, and mix until just combined.

Add oil, eggs, water and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixer bowl. Using a cookie scoop or large spoon, scoop out golf-ball-size portions on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Roll each cookie dough ball until it is smooth and round.

Slightly dampen the bottom of a drinking glass. Dip it in sugar, then press down on each dough ball until the center of the cookie is flatter than the edges.

Repeat on all cookies.

Bake for 8-12 minutes or until edges are just slightly starting to brown. It is important to not overbake the cookies.

Undercooked is better than overcooked here! You want the cookies to remain soft after they cool, not turn dry and crumbly.

CHOCOL ATE FROSTING 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted 1/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup butter, melted In a mixing bowl, blend all ingredients using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Spread over cooled cookies.

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Rolled and Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen mediumsized cookies, depending on the size of cookie cutters. You can cut the recipe in half, but I wouldn’t recommend doubling it, as it would be too much dough for most mixers.

5 1/2 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups butter, room temperature 2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 1 teaspoon almond extract Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on high speed until it’s very light-colored and fluffy, about two minutes.

Add the eggs, vanilla and almond extract. Beat at high speed until well combined, about one minute. Scrape down sides of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until well combined. If your mixer came with a plastic shield, you will want to use it, or place a dish towel over the mixer and bowl, as flour seems to fly a bit at first, due to the large batch.

The dough will be soft but not sticky. At this point, it is too soft to cut out shapes, but you can roll it out.

Many recipes call for chilling the dough before you roll it out.

Unfortunately, the dough is then difficult to work with, and by the time it’s rolled, it’s warm again.

This is my favorite way to roll and cut sugar cookies: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts.

Place each portion on a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Continue with all 4 portions. Picking the dough up by the parchment or baking mat, stack the rolled out portions of dough on a baking sheet, making sure there is parchment between the layers to prevent sticking. Cover the stack with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to two days.

Once the dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Carefully remove the top piece of dough from the refrigerator by picking it up by the parchment. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes.

Arrange cookies on baking sheets three inches apart. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting out shapes until you have used all the dough.

Bake for 11-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges, rotating the baking sheets after six minutes to ensure even baking. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. Decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing, or use your favorite buttercream or cream cheese frosting.

VARIATION

Instead of icing or frosting, dip part of the cookie in melted chocolate. This works well with geometric shapes like circles and stars. Lay the cookies on a rack to dry and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy or festive sprinkles.

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Royal Icing

Royal icing has a reputation for being difficult. Don’t be afraid to try this icing; this one is great for beginners and advanced bakers alike. The results are dependable, it sets up quickly, and has a lovely taste and texture—not dry and grainy like many store-bought types.

4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted after measuring 3 tablespoons meringue powder 9 tablespoons room temperature water 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract Optional for decorating: gel food coloring In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, mix ingredients until combined, stopping to scrape down the bowl’s sides. Beat together on high speed for about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir the icing with a spoon and drizzle back into the bowl to test the consistency. A ribbon should remain on the surface for 5–7 seconds. You can beat it another 30 seconds if it’s too thin. If it’s too thick, add a little water; just be careful to add a teaspoon at a time. If it’s still too thin, add a little more sifted confectioners’ sugar.

If desired, separate the icing into bowls and stir in gel food coloring. You can use this icing for both outlining and flooding your cookies (flooding is the step where you fill in the cookie with a base color, giving the cookie a glossy, smooth surface). The outline doesn’t have to be completely dry before you do the flooding. I usually outline all the cookies and then go back and flood them. Draw tight zigzags within the outlined area to fill it in. You can use a toothpick to help the icing fill in spaces on the cookie. If you are layering details on top of the flooding, you will want the cookies to be dry to the touch so the colors won’t bleed. It usually takes about two hours for the icing to be completely dry. While you work, keep a damp paper towel on any icing that you aren’t working with, as it will harden when exposed to air.

You can find cookie decorating supplies at your local craft store or online. Most people use pastry or piping bags, which can be disposable or reusable. You’ll also need decorating tips and couplers to attach to the bag. Instead of piping bags, I like to use plastic squeeze bottles to outline, flood and add details. I find them to be easier to fill and not as messy to use. You can find them online. ✦

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ften overlooked, a home’s water heater sees as much use in a day as the refrigerator. Just as the fridge keeps food cold and accessible, the water heater makes sure that warmed water is readily at hand, whether for laundry, dishes or a relaxing bubble bath. Even though it lacks the flash and central location of shiny kitchen appliances, the water heater commands roughly 18 percent of a home’s total energy use—second only to heating and cooling. And while a heater usually lasts 10 to 15 years, its operational costs are significant: $400 to $600 annually. c vhomemaga zine .com 55

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Many homeowners replace a heater only when pressed—when water that’s supposed to be inside the heater or coming out of a faucet instead floods the floor. Leaks can originate from any of the heater’s several valves: cold water, hot water, temperature/pressure, and drainage. Over time, any of these valves can corrode and weaken, generating a leak.

A slight leak that’s obviously originating from a valve may be easily fixed. More significant leaks are often caused by build-up of sediment inside the tank. Over time, the weight and corrosive elements of the sediment will cause the heater’s base to crack and give way. That’s when it’s time to shop for a new heater.

To begin the search for a replacement, decide what kind of power will fuel the tank. The most common power sources are electric and natural gas, but solar- and geothermal-powered are also available. Solar power is best for sunny and warm climates, and may have high up-front costs that would take years to recoup if solar panels are not already installed. Heating water geothermally requires a geothermal heat system already in place.

Natural gas uses less energy, reducing the cost of running the heater, but converting from an electric heater to a gas heater entails significant plumbing changes, which increases initial out-of-pocket expenses. And natural gas heaters themselves are more expensive to purchase, so the savings from the energy cost are not realized for some time.

Once the power source is determined, the next choice is form: tank or tankless. The most common type is the tank heater, which comes in varying sizes to hold (and heat) a family’s water supply. The tank heater has changed little from the version patented by Norwegian-American Edwin Ruud at the end of the 19th century. There’s a tank to hold the water; a heating element and coils to heat the water; and temperature and pressure gauges. Hot water is always available, sitting inside the insulated tank.

The electric tankless heater was invented by Stiebel Eltron in the 1920s but began attracting attention in the U.S. in the 1970s as a result of the energy crisis. Also known as an instantaneous or on-demand heater, the tankless option heats water as needed, so energy isn’t wasted on keeping sitting water hot. Tankless heaters will save on energy costs over time, but converting the plumbing from a tank heater to a tankless option will take more effort from a plumber, leading to high front-end installation costs. Also, tankless heaters don’t work well in homes with high demand for hot water. A busy family that expects to take simultaneous hot showers or run the dishwasher while also doing laundry will likely Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

find lukewarm or cold water instead of hot.

The largest tank heaters usually hold 80 gallons. While a typical family of four might use 85 to 100 gallons a day, you don’t need a heater that large, because the heater will warm additional water during the day. In general, a household with two to three people can manage with a heater of 40 to 50 gallons, while a family of five or more will want a heater of 60 gallons or larger.

When purchasing a heater, look for a long warranty.

Consumer Reports has found that water heaters with longer warranties are often outfitted with larger heating elements and thicker insulation, so they really do last longer.

Heaters may also offer digital temperature displays, which make it easy to adjust the temperature when away on vacation or to protect small children from burns.

As with any appliance, regular maintenance is a good idea. The heater’s manual will give specific guidance, but general upkeep includes flushing the tank every few months, which will reduce sediment build-up and extend the life of the heater. It’s also wise to check the internal anode rod—a metal rod inside the tank that attracts rustcausing ions naturally occurring in water. Over time, the rod will disintegrate. The tank flush is an easy DIY job; replacing the anode rod is somewhat trickier. A professional plumber can provide a full check-up and may identify correctable issues before permanent damage occurs.

As a key player in the workings of a home, paying attention to the water heater will keep the water—and your family’s comfort—flowing. ✦

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shining bright Holidays at home

with the Phelps family B Y C A R T E R H E A L D B E N DA L L Photography by Michael Patch

Holiday wonder and joy greet visitors at the home of Sandy and Bill Phelps.

With four grandchildren brimming with the love of Christmas, the Phelpses have tailored many of their holiday decorations toward pleasing these younger family members.

Whimsical fairies, Steinbach nutcrackers and crystal ornaments are the main collections found throughout their holiday wonderland.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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riginally hailing from Indiana and Pennsylvania, the Phelpses have lived in many houses and cities over the years since moving south. Married 50 years, Sandy and Bill bought their house in the Boonsboro neighborhood of Lynchburg in 2012. Built in 1942, the Colonial-style house features four bedrooms and a master bedroom and bathroom addition off of the main floor at the back of the house. Since moving in, the Phelpses have updated the kitchen and master bathroom as well as added a screenedin porch and a new deck. Sandy says, “We chose this house because it is a walkable neighborhood that is close to restaurants, the grocery store, shops, and most importantly Starbucks.” The Phelpses also like the close proximity to Oakwood Country Club where they love to play tennis on a regular basis.

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Sandy decorates for many of the holidays, but when November rolls around, she starts to get particularly excited about the coming Christmas season. Because she loves the spirit of the season so much, she gets her decorations up right after Thanksgiving and leaves them up well into January. This ensures that even with their own busy schedules, all of her grandchildren are able to visit and see the decorations each year. They love to find the new additions to the decor each year. The Phelps’ holiday home has two distinct color themes throughout the house. The den, porch and kitchen feature pops of red while the dining room, front hallway and living room are turquoise and gold. These rooms flow naturally into each other, with the hallway dividing the color scheme.

Approaching the house, visitors are greeted with large gold ornaments hanging at varying heights from the ceiling of the front porch. The Phelpses added this porch along with a new front

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

walkway a few years after buying the house.

A treasured dogwood tree in the front yard used to house the large ornaments, but it was lost in a storm. Not one to fret, Sandy came up with the idea of using the newly installed porch instead. Now, each year Bill hangs the ornaments from white teacup hooks he installed in the ceiling. On either side of the front door are two large Christmas trees in gold pots and a wreath with gold sprays that picks up the gold from the hanging ornaments.

In the front hallway, greenery is aplenty.

Pine garland with white lights and pinecones is swagged down the staircase. Wired teal ribbon bows adorn the garland on the steps as well as the garland draped around the hallway mirror. A long-time friend, designer Jim Wirt, found this ribbon for Sandy and she has tried to find more of it ever since, to no avail. For that reason as well as her affinity toward Jim, who passed away a few years ago, she carefully packs it away each year in hopes of extending its lifespan. A pair of gold resin flying angels with trumpets, as well as a small wreath on a stand, sit beneath the garland around the mirror.

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The elegant dining room, which extends off of the front hallway, continues the teal and gold theme. In the center of the dining room table is a gold Santa sleigh filled with greenery and gold flowers. Two brass candlesticks with gold candles flank either end of the sleigh. Tiny wooden gold stars are scattered on the table, and crystal snowflakes hang from the brass chandelier. Sandy sets the table with a gold charger, teal plates, gold napkins and silver snowflake napkin holders. On the nearby sideboard sits the “Father Time” Steinbach nutcracker that has a working clock within it. Sandy adores collecting Steinbach nutcrackers.

She searches online, locally at TJ Maxx and Tuesday Morning, and wherever she travels. On a trip to Oberammergau, Germany, Sandy found “The Mouse King” from the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker,” as well as a shepherd; these are two of her most treasured nutcrackers. She tends to prefer the natural wood-color nutcrackers and says these are harder to find, thus more fun to look for. These nutcrackers are found all over the house and are favorites of her grandchildren as well.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

The living room rounds out the teal and gold scheme found in the house in a stunning fashion. One of the two Christmas trees in the house resides here. Dripping in crystal, it reflects light all over the room. Back in 2006 while living in a different house with a large bay window, Sandy had dreams of hanging crystal ornaments from tension rods in that window. From that starting point grew the Christmas tree that now stands in her living room. Sandy and Bill visited a close family friend living in England and picked up a few Waterford crystal ornaments there. Over the years, this friend has since sent six more to add to their collection. Sandy seeks out Baccarat, Waterford and

Orrefors crystal ornaments to add to her tree. To add depth, gold glass balls are spread around the whole tree. Gold butterfly clip-on ornaments add dimension. A few teal ornaments are interspersed throughout, tying in the color theme. Crystal garlands and white lights amp up the sparkle effect. The angel on the top was purchased from Jim Wirt at one of his open houses at Oakwood Country Club and was actually how the friends first met. It is one of Sandy’s favorite Christmas decorations.

The most magical part of the tree for the young and young at heart is the how it is turned off and on. Four years ago, Sandy

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

was given a “magical wand” by her daughter for her birthday.

Sandy remembers thinking, “What was she thinking giving me this?” With the waving of the wand by a flick of the wrist, a mystical sound is emitted and the tree lights turn on, as if by magic. The neighborhood children as well as Sandy and Bill’s own grandchildren are smitten with this wonderment. Sandy says she has had “so much fun with it and have given it as a gift myself on many occasions.”

The rest of the living room feeds off of the glamour of the crystal ornament tree. Silk curtains in teal, cream and gold stripes adorn the windows, while a pair of chairs upholstered in soft blue and gold damask sit in front of the fireplace. A cream sofa resides opposite of the fireplace. A green wreath with gold accents and three gold wise men figurines sit on the mantel. The wise men are another special favorite of Sandy’s, purchased at the Silver Thistle, because they remind her of the true meaning

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MANY OF THE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS ARE GEARED TOWARD PLEASING THE PHELPS’ GRANDCHILDREN. STEINBACH NUTCRACKERS, WHIMSICAL FAIRIES AND CRYSTAL ORNAMENTS ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THEIR HOLIDAY WONDERLAND. 6 8

of the season. Hanging from the mantel are gold stockings. Gold fairies, small brass Christmas trees, snow globes and gold candles are found on tables around the room.

In the den, kitchen and screened-in porch, the color red reigns supreme during the holidays.

Whimsical decor emerges in the den, with a redthemed tree that Sandy calls her “Charlie Brown Tree” due to its smaller scale than the tree in the living room. This tree shows off pictures of the grandchildren, as well as red glass ball ornaments, garlands and tassels. Sprite elves and red tennis racquets round out the tree decorations, with the feet of elves playfully emerging as the tree topper.

Sandy says she buys “what catches my eye when it comes to this tree.” The den mantel features more of Sandy’s beloved nutcracker collection, tucked in a green pine garland. These nutcrackers have more color to them than the rest of her collection—

mainly pops of red. A large wreath resides above the mantel with red berries, flowers and a bow.

Monogrammed red stockings hang from the mantel. Two red Santa pillows sit in chairs on either side of the fireplace, each chair with a Santa hat hanging off the back.

The den also has a wall of bookshelves that lends itself to more holiday collections. A grouping of Santas and elves are located here. Additionally, a miniature Erzgebirge Christmas church scene found its way back to the Phelpses after the passing of Bill’s mom. It had originally been a gift to her, many years ago.

The kitchen, located off of the den, also features bright pops of red. Sandy chose all of the finishes for the kitchen herself. The main cabinets are white Shaker-style doors with white quartz countertops.

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the island painted this color and switched these countertops to black quartz. She had bead board added to the island as well for texture. Hanging from the light above the island are red balls. The island has seating for two so Sandy keeps out a pair of her Debbie Mumm Christmas tree plates with a napkin folded like a Christmas tree placed on top.

Two red reindeer also reside on the island, to keep whomever is eating company. A Christmas ornament rug from Ruggables runs in front of the stove. Sandy loves this company because the rugs are machine washable and perfect for high-traffic areas.

The screened-in porch, also off of the den, carries red out onto it as well. Bright solid-red pillows are mixed in with smaller throw pillows with red Santa cardinals on them. Two three-foot Christmas trees with white lights add sparkle to the porch, especially when enjoying a cup of coffee with a holiday throw blanket before the sun rises. Sandy says she and Bill “love a screened-in porch and try to use it as many months of the year as possible.”

The Phelps’ Christmas decorations manage to be both elegantly formal and whimsical at the same time. By mixing traditional elements with a few funkier pieces, there is something for every guest.

From the nutcrackers to the magical tree wand, their home brings out the childlike wonder in all of us. ✦

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Holidays in Bloom

GARDEN gift plants

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Fall’s cool and shorter days herald the holiday tradition of decking our homes with fresh greenery and winter-blooming plants. Some favorites for seasonal displays and gifts include paperwhites, amaryllis, Christmas cactus and cyclamen.

Festive presents for teachers, friends and family, these showy plants are simple to grow and maintain, but they require a little planning so that your home will sparkle and shine with resplendent Yuletide blooms.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Forcing paperwhite bulbs

Forcing paperwhite bulbs is the art and science of coaxing them to bloom indoors and out of season.

Indigenous to the Mediterranean, paperwhites differ from their daffodil relatives because they aren’t frost-hardy. They thrive indoors in potting soil, water or pebbles but languish outdoors in cold climates. The delicate, white blooms of the Ziva bulb variety—popular because they are easy growers—make outstanding centerpieces and windowsill adornments, especially when planted in impressive clusters of seven to 10 bulbs.

Art Helbling, founder of Lynchburg’s Virginia Garden Supply, recommends forcing paperwhite bulbs in small stones, with constant watering and bright sunlight. He explains, “If they get dry, they don’t bloom. If you keep them in bright light, they will bloom but won’t get tall and leggy.”

Care: Nestle the bulbs in three to four inches of pebbles in a watertight container, point side up. Water to the top of the stones, then set the container in a warm, sunny spot. Rotate the bulbs every couple of days to keep the stems straight as they lean to the sunlight. If the stems grow leggy, stake them with bamboo sticks and twine.

After Care: Since paperwhite bulbs bloom in three to five weeks, force them in early November for beguiling Yuletide blooms. When the flowers fade, add the bulbs to your compost pile as they won’t rebloom.

Growing amaryllis bulbs

Native to the tropics of Peru and South Africa, amaryllis bulbs boast exuberant trumpet flowers in variegated, saturated colors of red, burgundy, rose, pink, salmon and apricot. The amaryllis bulb flowers in six to eight weeks, so plant it early in November for holiday blooms.

Care: The bulb contains everything the amaryllis needs to grow, once planted in a container (with drainage) half-filled with potting mix, placed in a warm, sunny spot, and watered sparingly. Helbling notes, “The biggest trick is to keep the bulb in a steady warm place and water sparingly until it starts to grow. They need to have soil warmth.” You can fertilize the amaryllis with a houseplant fertilizer at each watering. When buds appear, move the plant to indirect sunlight.

After Care: When the flowers die, cut the stem to one-inch high, water sparingly, and feed it with a houseplant fertilizer. After spring’s last frost, plant the bulb or move the pot outside into indirect sunlight. Green leaves will grow, infusing energy for the next bloom. Before September’s first frost, bring the bulb inside, trim its leaves, and store it in a cool, dry and dark location for three to eight weeks. Repot the bulb in fresh potting soil, water sparingly, and place it in warm, indirect sunlight for a revived bloom. c vhomemaga zine .com 73

Nurturing Christmas cactus

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Indigenous to the tropical rain forests of Southeastern Brazil, the Christmas cactus produces exotic flowers in red, purple, pink, orange or cream. Like other cacti and succulents, they don’t require lots of care or water. Helbling notes, “The only time to be concerned is keeping them moist in the late summer and early fall; after that, you can cut back on watering, except when they are really dry. They just need good indirect sunlight.”

Care: Plant the Christmas cactus in a pot (with drainage) containing potting mix with sand and peat moss. Set the pot in indirect sunlight and maintain a cool temperature. Water sparingly when the soil is dry.

After Care: Christmas cactus grows year-round. When the flowers fade, prune the plant to encourage branching. As long as it enjoys indirect sunlight, cool temperatures and spare watering, the cactus should flourish with ravishing blooms.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

Caring for Cyclamens

Native to the Mediterranean, cyclamens are tuberous perennials that bloom from fall through spring but lie dormant in the summer. Surging in popularity as a holiday gift, cyclamen plants (distinct from the hardy cyclamen planted outdoors) are easy to care for and bloom long-lasting, colorful flowers amidst interesting, variably patterned leaves.

Care: Plant the cyclamen in a pot (with drainage) containing potting soil. Place the pot in a cool, draft-free spot with indirect sunlight. When the soil is dry, water the cyclamen beneath the leaves; excess water on the stems and leaves encourages rot. Fertilize the plant once every two months with a half-strength, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.

After Care: When the blooms die and the leaves turn yellow, stop watering and place the cyclamen in a cool, dry location for its dormant months. When September’s new growth emerges, take the cyclamen out of storage, soak the soil, and drain it. If the tuber has outgrown the pot, repot it in a larger container and follow standard care instructions for beautiful holiday blooms. ✦

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DESIGN upholstery tips

upholstery magic

MAKING THE OLD AS GOOD AS NEW

B Y K E N DA L L AT K I N S L I V I C K

Is it time for an “out with the old, in with the new” change? If you’ve been spending lots of time on the home front in recent months, you may be tired of looking at the same furniture and wondering if it’s time to switch it up.

Let’s face it, though: New furniture isn’t always cheap. It’s a long-term commitment that can feel daunting. The magic of upholstery is that it can make your existing, functional furniture look and feel like new, giving your home an extreme makeover without paying a pretty penny. Here, local upholstery experts dish upholstery details and offer a few secret tips.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

How do you know if reupholstery is worth it?

“In my opinion, the older the furniture it is, the better quality it is, so it's best to reupholster than to buy new,” says Ralph Chumley, owner of Citizens Upholstery and Furniture Co. in Vinton.

At age 81, Chumley, who has been in the upholstery business since 1962 and operating his own business since 1968, has no plans to retire anytime soon. Suffice it to say, he’s seen his share of furniture throughout his decades in the industry.

If a piece was built between the 50s and 70s, the quality is typically top-notch, he says. In fact, he recommends that folks scope out old, discarded furniture from Goodwill, rather than buying new. If a piece happens to be from that golden era of furniture, it could be a perfect choice to reupholster, with durability that continues to stand the test of time.

Along similar lines, Phyllis Kerr, owner of Phil’s Upholstery in Lynchburg, says well-made furniture is definitely worth recovering.

A piece with eight-way hand-tied springs as a foundation, for example, can be an indicator of stamina and good quality.

According to the experts, a few other situations may call for reupholstering. As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If you have a piece of furniture that is super comfy and fits your space, for instance, why not give it a fresh spruce up and hang onto it? Or if your furniture has unique lines and character, you may not be ready to say goodbye. Most of the midcentury and antique furniture that remains popular to this day can’t be replicated. If you’re lucky enough to have ever snagged a one-ofa-kind frame, it can be worth recovering. If your furniture has been handed down in the family or has sentimental value, you may be committed for the long haul. Another big reason to go the upholstery route? Options, options, and more options! If you want to choose from thousands of unique fabrics instead of the basic colors and designs that you see in the store, reupholstering an existing piece may better accommodate your taste.

A common question is: How often should a furniture owner reupholster a single piece? Chumley says the norm is three or four times throughout the lifespan of the furniture—every 10 or 15 years or so.

“Sometimes the fabric will last longer than that, but people get tired of looking at it,” he says, sharing that many customers prefer to switch it up more often over the years, for the sake of style change.

Tips and terms

DIY’ers, pump your breaks. Upholstery may not be for you to try on your own.

“Major upholstery needs an expert,” Chumley explains, describing how the use of a commercial sewing machine is imperative to the process.

Take welting for example. A welt cord is a cord along the seam of seat cushions or pillows that is covered with fabric.

Upholsterers can create a single welt or a double welt, which would consist of two links of cord wrapped in fabric. This simple differentiation requires a special foot on the sewing machine that creates the fold in the double welt.

It gets even more fancy schmancy with welting variations. One example would be a Turkish corner, commonly found on pillows.

This consists of a single welt in which the corners are slightly rounded and turned in toward one another in the sewing process, creating the look of a small pocket.

Another area best left to the experts would be trim. This is a skill that requires great precision and a masterful eye.

Kerr describes two styles of trim—functional and decorative.

Functional trim is used to cover the staple line when upholstering French or Duncan Phyfe furniture pieces with finished wood areas that are exposed. Functional trim examples include double cord, gimp and single cord. Decorative trims, as the name

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implies, are used for aesthetic purposes and include styles such as decorative tacks, braids, tape, brush fringe, bullion fringe and flange.

Now that you know the details that go into the upholstery process, our experts leave you with two bonus fabric hacks to make the process easier and more delightful.

“If you’re covering a larger piece of furniture (like a single cushion sofa), try to select a fabric that can be ‘railroaded,’ which means you can turn it sideways, so that from left to right, the length of the fabric is unlimited without having to piece and line up patterns. This would include all solids, non-directional fabrics, and patterns that are labeled ‘railroaded,’” advises Kerr.

Along the lines of patterns and fabric options, Chumley offers advice for maximizing options and potentially saving money while you’re at it. “Shop at the upholstery shops that have their own fabric in stock, as well as books to order from,” he says, noting that if you choose fabric in stock and cut out the middle man, you can save big.

If you want to spruce up your digs without shelling out the cash for new furniture, reupholstery may be the way to work a little magic and make the old feel brand-spanking new. ✦

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

LIVE game night

game night!

Bringing back old-school fun B Y K AT H E R I N E F U LG H U M K N O P F

Winter evenings often call for cozy nights staying in. Consider hosting game night, popular with all ages these days. Great stories come from these gatherings, and games develop their own family legends over the years. Kids discover competition as personalities emerge; adults model how to win and lose—gracefully we hope.

This season, pull out an old favorite from your game closet, or try something new.

Remember the classics Sorry starts by each player choosing their color—

red, blue, green or yellow—with four pawns each to move around the board. Follow the cards’ directions and travel the path to the center. First one to get all four there wins!

Life is full of laughs, and, just like life, this game has lots of rules. Spinning the wheel gives instructions on where to go on the board; then there are the choices—college, career, marriage, children.

The plot always changes, just like in real life.

Chutes and Ladders makes any child smile.

For the younger set, this adventure board moves

you quickly up ladders and down chutes as you pass from square one to finish on square 100.

Old Maid keeps kids fascinated for hours.

Deal the cards to two or more players, then start matching sets. Don’t get left with the old maid!

Monopoly melds math skills with marketing and risk taking. Roll the dice to send your token piece off on an adventure to rent, buy, sell and trade real estate holdings. Round the board spaces again and again until someone is wealthy and others are bankrupt.

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Tackle the challenging Scrabble teases all brain levels as you compete to make words

from wooden tiles each featuring one letter. Keep the dictionary handy as challenges arise and everyone learns new vocabulary.

Battleship started on graph paper then moved from plastic boards to electronic versions. It’s a simple premise: Each player owns five ships—an aircraft carrier, a battleship, a cruiser, a submarine and a destroyer. Place your ships on the ten-by-ten grid of squares. Now attempt to “sink” your opponent's ships by taking turns calling out a square’s coordinates. Can you discover where your enemy's ships are hidden?

Gin Rummy requires two or more players and a deck of 52 playing cards. The dealer shuffles and gives each player ten cards. Try to make melds—three or more of a suit in order or of matching numbers. First one to turn all their cards into melds wins. Keeping score keeps the game going for hours, maybe days.

Spades is played with a deck of cards and four participants.

Dealing out all 52 cards, players bid on tricks they expect to Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

take; a trick is one four-card hand. Spade suits always trump, so this is another game that combines skill with the luck of the cards. This old favorite from the 1930s offers a game that can be played all evening.

Be strategic Backgammon demands concentration.

One of the oldest games known, it dates back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia. A set contains 30 small disks to set up on 24 triangles on the board. Each player rolls the dice and moves their 15 pieces around the board until they get to the other side.

First one to bear off (remove their disks by rolls of the dice) wins.

Chess boards range from antique wooden ones with 32 intricately carved pieces to stone modern designs. Even simple models offer the same test of skill. Made for two players, each have 16 black pieces and 16 white arranged in specific order across a checkered board.

Players take turns crossing the board and capturing the opponent’s pieces.

Mahjong, an ancient Chinese game, requires four players with skill. Mahjong makers created modern variations, but

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the basic set contains 136 tiles displaying characters, racks to hold your tiles, a board and a pair of dice. A mahjong— collecting all 14 of your tiles into four sets and one pair—wins.

Pairs are identical tiles; sets are either pungs (three identical tiles) or chows (three consecutive numbers) of the same suit.

the Italian and Spanish word meaning one. Grab a pack of these colorful cards and prepare for a fast-moving game. Seven cards are dealt to each player and the goal is to quickly discard them until your hand is empty. Consider “Spicy Uno” using the same cards with some extra-fun added rules. For example, throwing a seven means all players must be silent at the penalty of drawing more cards. Throwing a zero allows you to switch hands with anyone. Play to 500 and the one with the lowest score wins.

Exploding Kittens is a family-friendly card game for 2 to 5 players with card illustrations by The Oatmeal (comic Matthew Inman’s website). Cards are dealt to each player and what you receive is pure luck. To succeed, and survive, don’t draw an exploding kitten card without holding a defuse card. It is a challenge to avoid those bad cats.

Code Names is a game of word association. You’re a spy and other players (your fellow spies) feed you hints. As the Spy Master, you must hit the target word and reveal the answer by assessing your teammate’s one-word clues.

Game night is a success when you choose the right game for your players. Young children need simple games that allow them to catch on to the rules quickly. Older adults want selections that invite laughter and competition while conversing with others.

Teenagers usually like varieties that make them think and offer a fast pace. Plan snacks and beverages so there are short breaks for fellowship, especially if you have several groups playing different games. Tables keep everything steady and allow room for drinks to rest nearby.

Bringing back game night can beat the winter blues. Everyone learns new skills and you get to know family and friends in a different way. Designing an evening of family activities is as enjoyable as planning a party. It can feature a theme or be a simple, relaxing time together. It may be so rewarding that you find yourself looking forward to the next one. ✦ Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

IMPROVE stylish shelving

TOP-SHELF IDEAS

ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE WITH GREAT DISPLAYS

BY JANE RENNYSON

More time at home these days means more time to look around and see the need to organize and redecorate. The addition of new shelving to your home just might be the answer, whether you’re looking to update the kids’ rooms, a home office, the kitchen or the family room. Since your home is a reflection of who you are, why not use shelving to showcase your personality, hobbies and interests all while creating order and freeing up some space? There are numerous materials and styles of shelving from which to choose, most of which can be installed on your own with little time and expense.

Open up

A popular trend in home improvement is open shelving. To create this look, you can choose from a wide variety of materials and styles for brackets, and just as many for the shelf that is placed on top of those brackets. While seen in a lot of kitchen remodels, open shelving is a unique and non-traditional way to update any room in your home. Open shelving creates a light and airy feel and can be installed in a space that otherwise seems unusable. A laundry room is a great place for open shelving where detergent and other necessities can be stored in baskets and jars.

For collectors, open shelving is a nice option as it allows for the arrangement of treasured possessions that may have been tucked away over the years.

When styling open shelving, organization is key. Group similar colors and styles of items together, and add greenery or flowers for a fresh look. Especially in the kitchen, keep things straightened up and don’t forget to clean often. This will keep your display from becoming a dusty, cluttered mess.

A specific type of open shelving also on trend is the floating shelf. A floating shelf lacks visible brackets holding it to the wall and is ideal for small spaces. They fit perfectly in a tiny nook or corner. Choose black or gray wood or metal for a sleek and modern look; create a warm and cozy feel with a live-edge wood, or farmhouse chic with reclaimed wood. LED lighting can be easily installed to open or floating shelves to highlight photographs, artwork or other collectibles. Consider bringing the outdoors in by

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Homeowners and designers alike have gotten increasingly creative with materials and ideas for shelving. Vintage dresser drawers can be painted and hung on the wall and used as shelves. Choose multiple sizes and shapes for added interest. An unused coffee table or side table in your attic or basement could also be cut in half and hung on the wall for decorative shelving; leave the legs on for a more dramatic look. Even some of your favorite books can be placed on top of brackets and turned into small shelves in an office or reading area.

If you are limited in your ability to hang things on the wall, simply use wine crates to make an instant shelving unit. They can be painted to match any decor, easily moved around, and stacked into different patterns. An old wooden ladder can also be turned into a stylish shelf. After some sanding and a fresh coat of paint, attach wooden boards increasing in length from the top step down to the bottom, using a level as you go. The boards will lay across the steps and ladder rungs, giving you lots of room for Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

extra kitchen storage or a place to display favorite family photographs.

Refresh and restyle

A little creativity can go a long way when taking your current shelving from somber to stunning. Try replacing the existing brackets with a more modern color or finish, or use corbels instead, a thicker and more substantial support for shelves, usually made of wood or stone, for architectural interest. The area behind your shelves can be painted or wallpapered, or you can install beadboard for added texture and warmth. Decorative moldings affixed to the edge of a shelf or on the top or bottom of a bookcase turn an ordinary piece into something more distinctive.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding or updating your shelves.

Why not take a cold winter weekend and get your friends or family involved in a fun and relatively easy activity? Whether you tackle a small area in a powder room, or an entire wall in the dining room, you’ll be updating your home while making memories. ✦

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DESIGN animal prints and hides

your wild domicile transform your home into a natural habitat

BY AMELIA POORE

a

dding animal prints and textures to our homes can feel intimidating; they can seem like bold statements for ordinary, everyday spaces. But when we think of them as Mother Nature’s own brand of neutrals, they become much easier to blend into any room in your home.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

“Animal print” often evokes looks of classic leopard spots and zebra stripes, definitive patterns that have never gone out of style.

However, the possibilities for prints are much broader—giraffe, crocodile, antelope, peacock, or even dalmatian if you’re feeling a little Cruella de Ville. Animal print is meant to be wild and unique; all you have to do is find one to suit your vibe. It doesn’t matter if your style is domesticated or not, you’ll certainly find an animal print you love for your space.

As a starter, using an animal-print area rug is a high-impact statement in any room without being overwhelming. This works well with less complex patterns, such as contrasting zebra stripes or antelope spots, to retain overall cohesiveness. Alternatively (or additionally!), a stair or hall runner in a more vibrant tiger or cheetah print is a fun touch to an entry or hallway, drawing the eye forward and adding interest to a transitional space. And, if you are more whimsical, using a faux pelt rug depicting almost any animal you can imagine helps you makes a big statement without taking yourself too seriously.

Other options include cowhide and sheepskin rugs to add luxe texture to any room. Whether your style is rich and traditional, minimalist and modern, or even light and beachy, a cowhide or sheepskin brings interest to your floors.

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Exceptionally versatile, both can be used alone or layered over a neutral or sisal rug for an instant update.

Cowhides are available in virtually endless options (you are not limited to a Holstein pattern), and natural cowhides are all unique with their own marks and coloration, adding a layer of authenticity to each piece. Natural hides are also easy to maintain.

Absent any extreme spills, regular vacuuming and a little soap and water are all that’s necessary. Some experts recommend using a brush for regular cleaning as well. Alternatively, faux cowhides made of polyester or suede are an animal-friendly option, and not just in cow patterns. Zebra, leopard and antelope, as well as metallic and even brightly colored patterns, are available to anchor your unique space. As an added bonus, faux hides are guaranteed hypoallergenic and are often easier to clean.

Sheepskin rugs are another, softer option for adding texture to your space. Unlike cowhide, sheepskin “rugs” can be placed over the back of an armchair or atop an ottoman to add an extra-cozy layer to your favorite spot. A sheepskin is essentially a piece of soft leather covered in plush wool, allowing it to both drape beautifully as an accent over furniture and retain its shape when used as a rug. Also unlike cowhides, sheepskins are machine washable depending on their size. Of course you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

most sheepskins can be cleaned using a specialized wool shampoo followed by airdrying and gently brushing out any knots between washes. Along with occasional handwashing and spot-cleaning, your sheepskin will look beautiful for years to come.

In any room, using animal print fabric is a simple way to add interest. One option is using the print as a neutral by repeating the same print and then adding other patterns and colors with it, such as pairing a large-scale leopard print on two king shams and a bed skirt with more subdued bedding, then adding a pop of color on a bolster pillow or duvet cover.

Another option is to seek out animal prints that fit into your color scheme.

Selecting a vivid green and teal zebra fabric for an upholstered chair makes an impressive statement piece, or using a more subdued beige and ivory cheetah pattern for dining chair seat cushions adds interest without overwhelming the eye. In both scenarios, blending your own color scheme and preferences with an animal print accomplishes the best of both goals: cohesive design and eye-catching colors and patterns.

Additionally, using animal textures on furniture is perhaps a more subdued way to walk on the wild side. Of course, smooth leather furniture remains a classic way to incorporate natural textures into studies and living rooms.

Whether the top of an antique desk or an overstuffed armchair, smooth leather furniture is always on point. However, other possibilities, like snakeskin or ostrich leather, offer more modern and unique textures. An embossed snakeskin side table can add an unexpected twist to understated living room decor.

Ostrich leather can turn an otherwise uninspiring ottoman into a statement piece. Additionally, choosing a different color such as muted pink or blue will tie the texture in with the rest of your space while still giving the room an undomesticated edge.

When you decide to use animal prints and textures in your home, there is no such thing as too much or too little; as long as your space is cohesive, functional and yours, you can be as wild (or tame) as you please. âœŚ

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work it SHORT COMMUTES INSPIRE LONG-ON-STYLE HOME OFFICES

BY J E SSIE THOMPSON

R

emember a not-so-long time ago when people who worked outside the home were actively engaged in creating a work-life balance?

But these days, with so many people working remotely, it might be difficult to say whether you are working from home or living at work.

Adding to the chaos is that spouses and children are also participating virtually in jobs, schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

But there are ways to work from home and not lose your mind. While there are no hard- andfast rules to creating a fantastic home office, there are some good, basic guidelines to follow in your quest for a home office: a location that has a strong internet connection, along with several outlets; a flat work surface, a comfortable and preferably ergonomic chair, and a space that would allow for fewer interruptions. And don’t limit this thinking to human interruptions; think too about dogs barking, mowers outside, doorbells ringing and the like, especially if your job involves video conferencing with others. After that, each office space will be as individual as its creator, and should be an extension of his or her user. One of the more liberating but also possibly more intimidating things about creating a home office is that you’re not locked into replicating industrial cubicles with giant metal desks, ugly filing cabinets and florescent lighting.

Your new work space should be an expansion of your home, a space you want to be in because it feels both comfortable and inspiring. In fact, research suggests that creating a home office that reflects your taste and style will increase your productivity. Bottom line: If you can carve out a small space within your house where you will enjoy working, you will likely be happy and efficient.

There is no question that being home all day can be challenging. So the first order of business is where to set up your office. For some, that will mean having a dedicated office space, with windows and a door. No guests for a while? Turn that spare bedroom into an office space. For others, it will mean creating useful space from unlikely places. A large closet, or “cloffice,” perhaps, or the corner of a rarely used dining room, might fit the bill. Size does (and doesn’t) matter: You will need to have places for essentials and figure out organizational systems to keep your office tidy—even if it’s tiny. The reason you should pick a specific place to work is two-fold; mentally, you know when you are in that space, you’ll be working, and, when you are not in that space, you are not on the clock.

What do you need to work?

Once you’ve got your location down, it’s time to focus on specifics. With a plethora of interior design web sites, Pinterest adding multiple pins every second, and influencers doing live feeds, it’s not a bad idea to see if you can find some design ideas online. But keep this in mind: Being inspired is great, but don’t forget that you need an office where functionality—not looking gorgeous in staged photos—is key. It also means really understanding your needs in an office, and being honest with yourself about what is and is not realistic for your space and budget.

One starting point is looking through your house and finding pieces you could cull for your office space. If you already own them, it’s most c vhomemaga zine .com 91

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likely because you like them. (Or, you know, someone in your family brought in “heirloom pieces” that you've never had enough energy to remove.) See if you can reimagine some of those pieces.

An armoire or old TV storage cabinet could be repurposed as an office supply closet and a place to store papers and your printer; an added bonus is when the doors are shut—voila, no clutter.

Maybe you banished ugly, old filing cabinets to the basement; imagine painting them with a high-gloss lacquer in a fun/funky color. Maybe you don’t have a desk, but you might not need a traditional desk; a farmhouse table or even a thinner console table might suffice as your computer station. Putting an old bookcase on top of a dresser and painting the two pieces the same color is another clever way to get storage without incurring big expenses.

You will need—and there is no skimping on this item—a really good chair. People are not built for sitting for long periods of time. The Mayo Clinic suggests selecting an office chair that supports your spine and its curves, and adjusting the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest while your thighs remain parallel to the floor. Ergonomic chairs are more than just marketing hype; what sets them apart from ordinary chairs are the amount of adjustments you can make. A typical office chair will likely have a fixed seat height and fixed armrests; an ergonomic chair has multiple adjustments, including back heights, seat depth, armrests, lumbar support and more.

True ergonomic chairs allow you to make tweaks throughout the day to help alleviate musculoskeletal disorders (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), muscle strains and lower back injuries. There is a huge variety of ergonomic products available for purchase; the chair is a non-negotiable item.

Look up, down, all around

Poor lighting can lead to eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. In an ideal situation, your home office will have a window to allow for big, beautiful natural light. Sometimes, that can be too much of a good thing; in those (rare) cases, consider blinds or lightfiltering drapes. If you don’t have a natural source for ambient light, create it by adding a fixture that can bounce light off the walls and ceilings. Lighting should also include a task lamp on 9 2

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

WHILE THERE ARE NO HARD- AND-FAST RULES TO CREATING A FANTASTIC HOME OFFICE, THERE ARE SOME GOOD, BASIC GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW: A LOCATION THAT HAS A STRONG INTERNET CONNECTION, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OUTLETS; A FLAT WORK SURFACE, A COMFORTABLE AND PREFERABLY ERGONOMIC CHAIR, AND A SPACE THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR FEWER INTERRUPTIONS.

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your work surface, which will provide focused light on a specific activity. Be aware of placement too; some task lights might create shadows and or glare if incorrectly placed. And pay attention to the bulbs in those fixtures. Sometimes switching from a warmer bulb to a cooler bulb, or vice versa, will change the entire feel of a room.

One thing designers (and environmentalists) stress is that where there is paper, there is potential for clutter. For some, clutter fuels creativity. For those for whom clutter is a distraction, consider upgrading your printer to a printer/scanner, so files can be stored digitally. (While you’re at it, go paperless for monthly bills.) If you need to have paper storage, plan on creating a system that will work for you. Frequently used forms, for example, could be close at hand while other papers could be stored across the room in drawers or in bins on shelves.

Bookcases, new or old, could do double-duty as places for storage while also serving as a room divider.

Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

And don’t forget vertical spaces, especially if your office is on the smaller side. Adding a desk hutch is one possibility.

Dozens of manufacturers offer countless options for fixed, vertical shelving, and floating shelves are another option. Both systems can create significant storage space, and add personality, too. While some shelves can be used to keep items off your desk (think filing containers), others can be used to highlight knickknacks, fun photos, or even plants.

Make sure to incorporate systems to keep your space looking clean. This goes for office supplies (there are so many swoon-worthy organizational trays, bins and folders) and your electronics. Splurge on a great surge protector, along with a cable management system to keep all of the chargers and cords in one place. Consider mounting that system to your desk or to a wall, so you can access it when necessary.

Lastly, even though your home office is for work, it’s important to make it feel like an extension of you. Add splashes of your personality. Don’t be afraid to paint or paper the walls of your home office.

The smaller the space, the more a boldlydesigned paper will elevate it. Not wanting

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to make a life-long commitment? Consider peel and stick removable paper. If you love original artwork, hang a piece or two.

Want to dig your bare feet into a plush rug? Add it. Need a mid-afternoon caffeine hit? Consider adding a coffee maker. Add things into your office that matter to you, no matter what they might be: plants, delicious-smelling candles, inspiring quotes, whimsical items. And if there’s a design trend you’ve been thinking about— layered rugs, perhaps, or adding prints to the backs of bookcases, or one single pop color for all accessories in an otherwiseneutral room—give it a go. Nothing here is un-doable.

Even if your new office is around the corner from your bedroom, it is nice to feel happy entering the office. When you’re creating or redoing a home office, consider its location and how it needs to function; make sure to properly place hardware and all of the extras. Invest in good furniture and make an ergonomic chair a priority. But don’t forget to have some fun with the space. Now get to work. ✦

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Central Virginia HOME Summer 2020

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ADVERTISER index Academy Center of the Arts................................................................... 46

Lilly Construction...........................................................................................56

Accents................................................................................................................33

Lynchburg Aesthetics and Wellness................................................... 70

Acupuncture Works LLC............................................................................97

Lynchburg Dental Center...........................................................................75

Adult Care Center of Central Virginia..................................................97

Lynchburg Regional Airport.....................................................................82

Alpaca By Jaca.................................................................................................18

Maddox Air and Electrical........................................................................ 44

American Moving and Storage.............................................................. 30

Maggie Takes Pix............................................................................................97

Apex Home Loans - Rhonda Holt......................................................... 54

McBride and Blackburn Opticians.........................................................26

Bailey Grey.........................................................................................................59

Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg............................................ 48

Bailey Spencer................................................................................................ 84

Milanos Italian Restaurant......................................................................... 46

Blickenstaff & Company, Realtors.......................................................... 17

Monogram Love............................................................................................. 88

Bloom by Doyles.............................................................................................58

Nadine Blakely, Realtor................................................................................. 9

Blue Mountain Barn.......................................................................................97

Nanny's Prims & Decor................................................................................97

Bowen Jewelry Company..........................................................................33

National Pools .................................................................................................47

Central Virginia Area Business Coalition...........................................97

Paisley Gifts & Stationery...........................................................................59

Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics of Lynchburg.......................81

Peakland Catering Co................................................................................. 80

CLC Incorporated........................................................................................ 100

Persian Rugs & More.....................................................................................58

Collins Custom Builders................................................................................ 8

Piedmont Eye Center..................................................................................... 4

Craig P. Tiller, Esq.......................................................................................... 94

Piedmont Floors.............................................................................................93

Daniele Mason, Realtor................................................................................. 17

Pok-e Joe's........................................................................................................58

Decorating Den Interiors............................................................................27

Reid's Fine Furnishings............................................................................... 89

Door Tek..............................................................................................................95

Riley Dental........................................................................................................31

EM...........................................................................................................................58

Runk & Pratt.......................................................................................................16

Embrace Home Loans ............................................................................... 69

Select Bank........................................................................................................24

Emily Mangus Interiors................................................................................24

Southern Landscape Group.................................................................... 99

Enchanted..........................................................................................................33

Spearman Artisanry......................................................................................97

Everyday Sommelier.................................................................................... 94

Spectrum Stone Designs ..........................................................................45

F&S Building Innovations............................................................................. 11

Stonecrafters....................................................................................................53

Fabulous Finds at SML............................................................................... 84

Sweet Peas Lighting and Decor.............................................................37

Fink's Jewelers................................................................................................... 3

Terrell E Moseley, Inc.....................................................................................18

First Bank & Trust Company.................................................................... 40

Terry Volkswagen Subaru............................................................................ 6

Flat Creek Pet Care.......................................................................................78

The Art Box.......................................................................................................33

Flint Property Group....................................................................................25

The Baby Giraffe..............................................................................................71

Fluff and Fetch.................................................................................................97

The Columns.....................................................................................................26

Forest Farmers Market................................................................................97

The Floor Show...............................................................................................85

Francis Oil...........................................................................................................56

The Hip Tulip.....................................................................................................74

Generation Solutions................................................................................... 44

The Summit....................................................................................................... 10

Grand Home Furnishings............................................................................ 12

The UP Foundation...................................................................................... 40

High Cotton Fine Home Furnishings and Gifts...............................59

The Vinyl Porch Rail Company...................................................................2

Hill City Pro Wash............................................................................................71

Timberlake Lighting of Lynchburg....................................................... 30

HSC Wealth Advisors.................................................................................. 96

Toler Insulating.................................................................................................19

James River Ironworks.................................................................................71

Valley View Retirement Community....................................................74

James T. Davis..................................................................................................23

Virginia Building Solutions....................................................................... 20

Judy Frantz, Realtor.................................................................................... 80

Virginia Garden Supply...............................................................................22

Just Liz................................................................................................................ 88

Visiting Angels................................................................................................ 49

Kathy Terrell, Realtor....................................................................................42

Watts Petroleum.............................................................................................22

Kensie Johnson, Realtor.............................................................................82

Westminster Canterbury.............................................................................15

Kevin Midkiff, DDS......................................................................................... 43

Winey Chicks Boutique................................................................................71

Kidd's Services................................................................................................42

Wired Up Electrical.......................................................................................57

Land Tech Group of Virginia.......................................................................7

Your Community Credit Union................................................................32

Laura Simms Webb, Realtor.....................................................................32

Yvonne Jansen, Realtor..............................................................................29

Lauren Bell Real Estate................................................................................. 5

For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@westwillowpublishing.com.

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020

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Central Virginia HOME Holiday/ Winter 2020