Charlottesville HOME Jan/Feb 2016

HOME & Hearth C H A R L O T T E S V I L L E

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take off winter’s chill

WARM YOUR DECOR

STATEMENT LIGHTING HOME LIBRARIES

FROST-FREE PLANTS COMFORT FOOD, UPDATED JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016, vol. 2, No. 6

n editor ’ s note The bears are on to something with their whole hibernation scheme, don’t you think? There’s something to be said for cuddling up, slowing down, and preserving energy. Though we can’t literally hibernate (except maybe on weekends), we do have some ideas to help warm up your home during what are traditionally the coldest and darkest months of the year. In this issue of HOME, you’ll learn how easy it is to add brightness and style with new light fixtures. Our feature on statement lighting just may inspire you to swap out or add fixtures in unexpected places, with some advice from local pros. If staying home with a book is your idea of a good time, consider freshening up an existing library or even adding one (it’s easier than you think!) to your home. And don’t forget your outdoor landscape; it might need a little warming up this winter too. Local gardening experts tell us what we need to do when the thermometer dips below freezing to keep our plants cozy, healthy and in shape for spring.

This winter, you’ll likely find one new-to-the-area family cozied up in their home on Garth Road, which they generously shared with us in this issue’s Showcase Home feature. See how this family has renovated to create a home that is perfectly suited to their lifestyle—you’re certain to be inspired by their high-style, high-comfort design. And if it’s company you’re longing for, but you don’t think you have it in you to entertain, consider hosting a progressive dinner—which spreads out the responsibilities—using the tips and recipes for revamped comfort food presented in these pages.

Here at HOME we wish you a bright, healthy 2016. Thanks for reading!

—MERIDITH INGRAM, EDITOR in Chief meridith@westwillowpublishing.com

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Volume 2 I ssu e 6 PUBLISHER

Julie Pierce EDITOR IN CHIEF

Meridith Ingram CHARLOTTESVILLE EDITOR

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Rachel Beanland Mitzi Bible Becky Calvert Lucy Cook Charlotte A. F. Farley Laurel Feinman Kim Fox Meridith Ingram Christy Rippel GRAPHIC ARTIST

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by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Charlottesville HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B Forest, VA 24551 For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@charlottesvillehomemagazine.com.

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Copyright 2016 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.

C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

contents Ch a r l ot t e s v ill e h o m e J a nu a r y / Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

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features STATE M E N T L I G H T I N G

The newest light fixtures add brightness and glam

By C h r i s t y R i p p e l

FARM H OU S E S O P H I S T I C AT E

Thoughtful renovation results in perfectly appointed home for one local family

By M e r i d i t h I n g r a m

HOM E L I B R A R I E S

Create a fabulous and functional space for reading, relaxing

By C h a r lot t e A . F. Fa r l e y

Cover photography by Melody Robbins at the home of Jennifer and Tim Smith

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Ch a r l ot t e s v ill e h o m e J a nu a r y / Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

departments 13

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DESIGN

IMPROVE

GARDEN

LIVE

46 W I N TER’S COZY T E X TURES Add warmth and interest to your interiors

16 AT-HOME FITN E S S Stay in shape this winter without leaving home

13 FROST PROTECTION Keep plants safe when temps dip below freezing

By Lau r e l F e i n man

By B ec ky Calve rt

19 A MOVEABLE FEAST How to host a progressive dinner

By R ac h e l B ean lan d

By K i m Fox

34 A L L A B OU T ORCHIDS Tropical florals dazzle in winter

By M itz i B i b le

42 HOT AND D E L I C I OUS !

Classic comfort food gets upgraded

By Lu cy C o o k

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42 S pecial I nterest 5 0 Index of Advertisers 6

C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

Y O U R H O M E S AY S A L O T A B O U T Y O U .

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State

ment Lighting

SHINING LIGHT ON FIXTURE TRENDS

By Ch r is t y R i p p el

Lighting is a crucial element of interior design, and a good lighting plan for a room accounts for both function and beauty. Hard-working but subtle recessed lighting certainly illuminates your home for tasks, and can even highlight architectural elements or artwork, but the real eye candy often comes in the form of a light fixture that on its own is a sight to behold—a sculptural pendant, an oversized lantern or glittering chandelier. Statement light fixtures like these have big style impact while providing another layer of needed illumination; they also reflect your own unique personality and tastes. But where are some unexpected places in the home to make a lighting statement, and how can you choose something stylish that works with your decor?

To offer some new ideas for illuminating your home, Charlottesville’s leading lighting experts break down the current trends and give the inside scoop about the lighting guidelines that influence their selections for clients.

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T imb e r l a ke L i ght in g

Trending Now

Industrial-inspired pendants or fixtures are still in demand and on trend, but are now offered in warmer metals as well as colored and organic-shaped glass.

“There’s a new trend for gold, brass and copper, and a shift back to using color,” says Patti Wheson, a lighting specialist with Timberlake Lighting in Charlottesville. “A twist on the industrial is a trend toward fixtures that look reclaimed.”

This brass is not your mother’s shiny brass of the 1980s, but a burnished brass with an aged look. The aged look continues with fixtures meant to look like they were reclaimed; Wheson mentions one popular fixture that looks like an old rectangular toolbox that someone flipped over and made into a light.

Trish LeDuc, who manages Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery in Charlottesville, has noticed an uptick in demand for fixtures with multiple finishes, like wood and burnished gold combined.

“The orb shape is still popular,” says LeDuc. “And architectural shapes of all kinds are very on trend, even in traditional homes.

Someone might choose something modern and very architectural and warm it up with an Edison-style bulb.”

Colored glass is now in demand with homeowners (think one bold color instead of Tiffany-style glass) and organic-type fixtures are finding their way onto the showroom floor, made with materials like concrete, ceramic and handblown glass.

LED lighting is also on trend, especially for homeowners who are eco-conscious. “We are seeing a consistent increase in demand for LEDs, especially for outdoor use,” says LeDuc. “We recommend them for all exterior lighting for safety, because LEDs don’t create heat and can be left on for long periods without big energy costs.”

For indoor use, LeDuc says people are impressed that LEDs now dim well, which they didn’t do a couple of years ago.

Homeowners are also surprised to learn that LED filament bulbs (also referred to as antique or Edison-style) are available, as well as bulbs that are identical in color temperature to incandescent lights, offering a warm glow instead of the cool light color that many people consider the hallmark of LED. 10

You’ll pay more upfront for an LED fixture, with the idea being that you’ll recoup the cost with energy savings over a period of years. It’s a choice that is good for the planet, with today’s LED lights rated as six to seven times more efficient than conventional lighting and lasting up to 25 times longer. This is a real plus, says Wheson, for a fixture that is not easily accessible (like hanging from a cathedral ceiling) because it practically eliminates annoying lightbulb changes.

Lighting Guidelines (And When to Ignore Them)

Wheson says many homeowners come into the store and want to know what the rules are for choosing a fixture. How high should you hang it? How big should it be? Can you mix metals?

Fortunately, there are no hard rules when it comes to lighting, but there are some guidelines that can inform your selection. For hanging over a table, the fixture can hang as low as 30 inches above the table (measuring from the top of the table to the bottom of the fixture). It may need to be higher if the you have tall family members or guests. The kind of fixture comes into play here as well; if it is a visually heavy fixture (you can’t see through it), it may need to be slightly higher so it doesn’t feel obtrusive.

In areas where a fixture doesn’t hang over a table or furniture, be sure that a tall person can walk under it, and in the entry, be sure that you’ve allotted for front door clearance. In older homes without tall ceilings, semi-flush-mounted fixtures add interest while allowing for needed clearance.

If you like the new metals available in lighting but fear they don’t “match” current metals in your home, know that mixing and matching is okay, though including an element of repetition in the space will help it look intentional. For instance, if you add a new burnished brass fixture in your foyer, add a mirror with a burnished brass frame in the same space—and you’ve just borrowed a trick from an interior designer’s handbook.

The size of your fixture is ultimately personal preference.

“You want something that fills the space without overwhelming it,” says LeDuc. A general formula for chandelier or pendant C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

T imb e r l a ke L i ght in g

T imb e r l a ke L i ght in g

selection in a dining room is that chandeliers should have a diameter of one-half to two-thirds the width of the table. To size a fixture as the focal point of any other space, like a living room or foyer, measure the length and width of the room (to the nearest foot) and add those figures together. The sum of those two numbers is the approximate recommended diameter of your chandelier or pendant (in inches).

A final note on size: Wheson thinks it’s better to go bigger rather than smaller. “Err on the side of going bigger in scale … you don’t want it to look like it needs to grow up to fit in the room,” she says.

One guideline not to ignore: though it’s a popular trend to hang a chandelier in a bathroom, make sure it is hung properly. For safety, you shouldn’t be able to touch the fixture if you are standing in the tub (or shower). Electricians can advise on codes if you are renovating a bathroom or have chosen a new fixture for your current bath.

Unexpected Lighting Statements

The dining room chandelier has been around as long as the dining room. Even in this traditional space, you can bend tradition to come up with something unique. Consider multiple chandeliers instead of a single, especially for a long table; think about hanging several miniature pedants at different heights, clustered together, for an artistic statement that no one else on the block will have.

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The popularity of pendants in the kitchen has soared with the popularity of the open floor plan, in part because they are excellent for creating zones and division in large, open spaces while also lending style and interest to the room. When you are choosing pendants for a kitchen island, know whether the island is for prep only, or includes seating. That can influence the fixture height (if the island functions as a table, the 30-inch general guideline applies). Consider if you want the pendants to create division in the room, or if they should hang higher to prevent it.

Miniature pendants and chandeliers are making appearances in walk-in closets, powder rooms and even laundry rooms. In a space like the laundry, it can be an unexpected shot of glamour to greet an otherwise unglamorous task.

Trends in lighting placement include chandeliers over coffee tables and in other living spaces, and in bedrooms. If these ideas pique your interest, there a few factors to consider in making a choice. In the living room, you have two lines of sight—from the doorway standing up, and sitting on furniture. Consider both sight lines to determine if a chandelier or fixture would obstruct views of art, an interesting outdoor view, or the television.

In the bedroom, chandeliers and pendants can be a great choice; a recent trend is two small hanging chandeliers on either side of the bed in place of other bedside lighting. Another trend is a chandelier hanging from the bedroom ceiling. “Make sure that you can sit comfortably on the bed with the fixture hanging, and can make the bed without bumping into it,” LeDuc says.

“Hang it toward the foot of the bed.”

Don’t overlook a dimmer switch, which is an excellent choice for all lighting fixtures because it gives you maximum flexibility and control.

Visiting the Lighting Store

Wheson advises clients to do some browsing online before visiting a lighting store to have a sense of likes and dislikes as a starting point. While most clients are reluctant to offer a price range upfront, Wheson says it is very helpful in quickly narrowing down the best budget options. Bringing in photos of the room, as well as measurements, can be helpful in choosing fixtures of appropriate scale and style. Some lighting stores, like Timberlake Lighting, will do a consultation at your home for a nominal fee and make custom recommendations without obligation to buy.

The good news? Trends and guidelines exist as a reference, but both Wheson and LeDuc say you should go with what you love.

Go with your instinct, and, if necessary, have an expert help you work the new look into your home.

C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

n GARDEN FROST PROTECTION

Survivor: GARDENING EDITION Caring for your plants in extreme winter weather

By B eck y C a lv er t

This is the time of year when, with all but the hardiest plants sheltered for the winter, most gardeners kick back with their seed catalogs and start planning for the coming planting season.

However, even the hardiest plants might need a little extra protection during the severe freezes these winter months can bring.

A severe freeze is defined as when the air temperature is 24 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. It’s at these frigid temperatures that any plant left outdoors can easily be damaged, particularly the more delicate ones that are either newly planted and not entirely established, as well as those that are not entirely cold-tolerant.

Thankfully, we are (mostly) eased into this bitter cold weather starting in the fall, with lighter freezes (28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit) giving way to more moderate freezes (24 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit), as the seasons shift from the warmth of summer to the cooler autumn and finally, the cold of winter. This progression of weather allows plants to adjust to the cooler months, which helps prevent the damage done by a sudden drop in temperatures that take plants by surprise—although if it’s cold enough, almost nothing will escape damage. According to Tim Quillen, landscape manager of Waynesboro Nurseries, hollies will drop their leaves and evergreens their needles if it’s cold enough. Dan Gregg of Grelen Nursery, Inc. concurs, adding that broad-leaf evergreens are most susceptible to cold damage when the thermometer takes a sudden nose dive. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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The most vulnerable plants are ones most recently planted—in particular, those planted the previous fall. Gregg recommends keeping those plants watered, taking care not to flood the frozen ground. Wet soil holds heat better than dry soil, keeping the air around the plant warmer, thus protecting the plant. In addition to keeping plants irrigated, giving them an added layer of protection during especially cold blasts can help protect them.

This can be done in various ways, as there are different methods of winter weather protection for different plants. Quillen tells of gardeners who build structures out of plywood and wooden stakes over small bushes, to protect delicate boxwoods from becoming squashed by heavy snow and ice, the weight of which can snap branches. Other methods include wrapping plants in burlap or insulating them in a method known as “pine tags”—the practice of wrapping wire fencing around a plant, then stuffing the space with pine needles. Gregg warns about using pine tags for too long of a period, as the cozy coverage for plants can be irresistible to rodents looking for protection from the elements. Both Gregg and Quillen recommend covering susceptible plants with burlap when the thermometer heads to the deep south, then stuffing straw in the gaps between the plant and the burlap, taking care to not break the limbs of the plant.

The straw acts as an insulator, while the burlap allows the plant to breathe, letting moisture escape, but preventing the cold air from touching the escaping moisture and damaging the plant.

Take care to drape the burlap to the ground, which helps protect the entire plant. When the cold snap ends, remove the burlap and straw. While there are anti-transpirants that can be sprayed on plants to seal in moisture and protect them against cold, Gregg doesn’t recommend using these, as they also don’t allow plants to give off moisture, which can lead to other problems.

The most delicate plants in our area—in addition to anything planted recently this past fall—are camellias, gardenias, figs and crepe myrtles. All but the crepe myrtle tend to die back to the ground in severe freezes, while their roots, protected by the soil, stay alive. Come the warmth of spring, they’ll push out new growth at the ground level, essentially starting over for the plant—which can be heartbreaking to a gardener, particularly when the plant in question is established and of a good size.

Because figs need to be able to grow on the previous year’s growth to produce fruit, Quillen recommends making the effort to save them, particularly when the temperature goes below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending upon the height of the crepe myrtle, it might not die back to the ground but just experience some damage to the top. A good pruning in spring to remove the dead growth will help your trees bounce back.

C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

What about those plants you keep in pots year round?

While some plants might be able to weather the cold temperatures in pots, not all can. It depends on how much room the roots have in the pots: the larger the roots, the closer they will be to the walls of the pot and more susceptible to damage. When the roots are smaller, allowing for more soil to stand between them and the pot they call home, the better off the plants will be. The amount of moisture in the pot is also a factor; as the temperature drops, the moisture freezes and expands, which can crack or even break your pots, particularly clay ones. Making sure any pots you leave out all winter drain well is key to having them last another season. To be most cautious, move any potted plants into an area where they can be protected—a garage or basement— during severe cold blasts. This will ensure they stay in good health while your pots will remain in good repair.

Plants are incredibly resilient living beings. Quillen recommends that if you have a tree or bush planted in a prominent spot in your yard, you’ll want to take care to preserve it in extreme weather. Most plants will survive whatever Mother Nature throws at them, so even if they see some damage, they should be okay in the long run.

In the case of damage, wait until the weather warms up before pruning or taking any other action. When you see new growth at the base of the plant, that’s the time to prune it back. If there are no signs of life, that is when you’ll know winter got the best of your plant.

Thankfully, there’s always next year.

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n IMPROVE HOME FITNESS

Good Moves Shape Up, De-stress at Home

By L au r el F ei n m a n P h ot o g r a p hy by KG T hi e n e m a nn This is the time of year when many of us make resolutions, oftentimes about our homes (declutter!), our health (lose a few pounds!) and our habits (eat less sugar!). Here, we’ve combined the three by providing a noexcuses, short and sweet fitness routine that can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home. These do-anywhere exercises can be completed in less than 30 minutes using the best equipment available: your own body in your own home. You work so hard to maintain your home as a haven of hospitality; how fitting, then, to establish a fitness routine within its walls. Plus, a daily wellness routine encourages health and helps you power through that ever-expanding to-do list—which is helpful all year long, resolutions or not.

These exercises are safe for daily use, although common sense says to listen to your body and stop if you feel pain, especially in the joints. No need to fuel up with a pre- or post-workout snack for this quick and gentle routine; just put on comfy clothes, play some music and get moving. Adopt good habits now, and you’ll be well on your way to a happy and healthy new year.

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C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

A daily wellness routine encourages health and helps you power through that ever-expanding to-do list—which is helpful all year long, resolutions or not.

WALL SITS: Press your back against a wall or closed door with

feet placed shoulder-width apart about two feet off the wall. Suck in those abs and slide down the wall until thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust your stance if necessary so there’s a straight line from knees to ankles. Hold for 30 seconds, eventually building up to 60 seconds. Take a brief rest and repeat this exercise three more times. You will feel a lot of action in the glutes and quads, but if you feel pain in your knee, stop the exercise.

Time elapsed: 4 minutes.

INCLINE PUSH-UPS (using a wall, kitchen counter, coffee

table or stair): Push-ups done on an elevated surface reduce stress on the body. Perform incline push-ups at an 80 degree angle at first (wall) and gradually decrease the angle as you become stronger—going to 60 degrees (kitchen counter), 45 degrees (coffee table) and eventually 30 degrees (bottom step of the stairway). It’s a push-up, not a tush-up, so make sure your body forms a long, straight line from your neck to ankles.

Perform the incline push-up slowly. Don’t let “momentum” do the work for you. By descending in three breaths and holding yourself steady at the bottom before pushing back up again, you’ll get the most out of this version of a classic gym-class exercise. Repeat 12 times.

Time elapsed: 2 Minutes.

HIP R AISE (BRIDGE): Lie on your back with knees up and feet on the floor. Brace your abs and press down through the heels to lift the hips off the floor, lengthening the spine and making a straight line from knees to shoulders. Don’t let those hips sag in the middle! Abs, glutes and hamstrings will be well engaged in this movement. Extend the exercise by flowing through a series of gentle lifts and lowers, each time paying careful attention to maintain that straight line from knees-hipsshoulders when in the extended position. Repeat 12 times to start and work up to 24. Let your breath set the tempo for this slow, controlled movement, exhaling on the way up, inhaling on the way down.

Time elapsed: 3 Minutes. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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Yoga-Inspired Movements

These classic yoga-inspired postures have so much going for them! Not only do they provide a fantastic stretch, but they require a lot of core stability to perform them.

CAT/COW: Start on hands and knees, with hands directly

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below shoulders and knees directly below hips. As you exhale, gently nod your chin toward the chest and round the spine by tucking your tailbone as you look back toward the knees. Slowly inhale as you press the tailbone back out while lifting your head, feeling as though you could balance something (something healthy, like an apple!) on your back. Repeat this movement several times, allowing your inhalations and exhalations to set the pace of this gently flowing exercise.

Time elapsed: 4 Minutes.

DOWN DOG/DOWN DOG-TO-PL ANK: Start on all fours with fingers spread wide, making sure the wrists are under the shoulders and knees are under the hips. Tuck your toes and lift the hips up and back, straightening your legs to make an inverted “V� shape with your body. Relax your neck, allowing your head to hang between the elbows. Keep your tail high and press the heels toward the floor (they might not touch). Extend the benefits of this rejuvenating pose by coming forward into a plank position before pressing back into a downward-facing dog position once again. Repeat this movement several times, allowing your breath to determine the tempo of your movement.

Allow yourself to pause and hold each pose for several natural breath sequences as well.

Time elapsed: 4 Minutes.

Laurel Feinman is an Aerobic and Fitness Association of Americacertified group fitness instructor.

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C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

n LIVE PROGRESSIVE DINNERS

Moveable Feasts Progressive dinners mean less stress, more fun

By K i m F ox

With the holiday hullabaloo behind us, we can now turn to entertaining just for fun. What better way to avoid midwinter doldrums than to surround yourself with friends by hosting a low-stress dinner party! But wait: “low-stress dinner party”? Is there such a thing? Why yes, there is. Entertaining needn’t be as difficult as it may sound, particularly on the heels of the holiday season, if you break it in to manageable pieces by hosting a fun, progressive dinner.

A progressive dinner allows you to share all the responsibilities with neighbors or friends. This festive event, which starts in one home and progresses to three or four locations, is a great alternative to the traditional dinner party.

Admittedly, it does take some work. But by enlisting the help of others, you can cut your to-do list in half—and even more, if you wish. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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Create Your Team

To start, determine who will share hosting responsibilities. Cohosting a progressive party is a great idea for members of a club, a church group or a neighborhood. This style of party works best when homes are in close proximity to allow walking from house to house, but it can work by driving from location to location, too. If driving is necessary, choose designated drivers ahead of time if cocktails will be served, and provide written directions on pretty cards if you’re gathering with friends who may be unfamiliar with where everyone lives.

Plan Your Menu

Most progressive parties are dinner parties, where appetizers and cocktails are served at the first home, salad at the next, the main course at the third and dessert and after-dinner drinks at the final home. This doesn’t mean that your gathering has to follow those rules, however. Choose two or three stops to simplify, or skip the seated dinner and do heavy appetizers as the main event. The beauty of a progressive dinner is that it’s up to you and your co-hosts to determine which courses to include in your evening. Consider a themed menu or serve traditional dishes that reflect the nationality of the host at each home. Whatever the menu, a planning session is in order to firm up those little details that guarantee a successful party.

Send Invites, Don’t Forget the RSVP

This may sound elementary, but each host needs a final count.

It’s okay to call those people from whom you haven’t heard in case they did not receive their invitations. Remember to limit your guest list in order to comfortably accommodate everyone if your meal is a sit-down dinner.

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Consider a themed menu or serve traditional dishes that reflect the nationality of the host at each home.

Whatever the menu, a planning session is in order to firm up those little details that guarantee a successful party.

Timing is Everything

A successful progressive party depends on timing. If guests linger too long at one home, it may throw the whole evening off. Meats can get overdone or even ruined.

Decide how you are going to get people moving. This is especially difficult if the party is in full swing. Consider designating one person on your planning team as the timekeeper, who will set a timer to officially signal when it’s time to move on. Remind everyone that traveling is part of the fun!

Keep Travel to a Minimum

You shouldn’t plan more than four stops in order to enjoy at least 45 to 60 minutes at each home. Quietly keep an eye on the clock, or your party may last well into the wee hours of the morning, and then you’ll have to worry about serving breakfast, too!

Getting together with friends is always a good idea and saves you from hibernation. With a little “progressive” planning, you’ll get to celebrate, too!

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Forever HOME A

Couple’s longtime dream to live in Charlottesville becomes reality

By M er i d i t h I n g r a m P h ot o g r a p hy by M e l o d y Ro b b ins

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F

rom the moment you turn off Garth Road to the home of Jennifer and Tim Smith, you will feel the pull of an invitation—in the gently ascending and curving drive to the house, in its warm exterior colors and sprawling landscape, in the wide front porch and seeded-glass front door.

And you’ll certainly feel a warm welcome from Jennifer, who loves her new home down to the last nail. The Smiths and their three children relocated here from Charlotte, North Carolina in August 2015, and have no intention of ever leaving.

“It was always our dream to end up in Charlottesville,” says Jennifer. She and Tim both grew up in Virginia (they were high school sweethearts!) and Tim, a UVA graduate, is a passionate fan of all things Cavalier. Their previous home in Charlotte was part of a busy, bustling community—which was fine at the time, but they were ready to make a change. They had always wanted to return to Virginia to be closer to family in Richmond and Jennifer’s mom in West Point, as well. The timing felt right based on the ages of their three children (a son starting college, a son starting high school, and a daughter in 7th grade) so they decided to make the move. After searching for homes in Keswick, Earlysville and other pretty and pastoral spots, Jennifer’s real estate agent found the perfect house for them in the Garth Road corridor and the rest, as they say, is history.

The house, with its traditional Colonial-style exterior and set on 26 acres, initially had everything the Smiths wanted— space for their family, a great layout, lots of land and a prime location. They brought in friend and designer Gary Mathis of Gary Mathis Interiors in Charlotte who had helped them on two previous projects. They knew he could determine how to transform what was a great house into their family’s forever home, infused with their personality and aesthetic at every turn.

A top to bottom renovation included everything from major structural changes—a full kitchen remodel, gutting the master bath—to cosmetic things, like fresh paint throughout, changing every light fixture, new furnishings, and painting every door in Benjamin Moore’s Dark Bronzewood (“A great example of how you can take something like a hollow-core door and paint it, change the hardware, and really elevate it,” says Mathis).

Jennifer and Mathis have the easy rapport of old friends, giving each other credit for the design in a way that is charming to behold. “It’s all Gary,” says Jennifer, while Mathis says that he’d “never want the house to reflect myself—this is all Jennifer.” Whatever it is, it is a relaxed yet elegant blend of crisp and comfy, old and new. Mathis calls the look “farmhouse sophisticate.”

And you can tell that fun is part of their design equation.

The two love to treasure hunt—whether at retail (Greenfront in Farmville is a favorite), in boutiques, salvage stores or antique shops. “Our rule of thumb is—we don’t have to like something, we have to LOVE it.” Conversely, if they find something that they love, it’s coming home with them, and they will find a spot for it.

The Smiths credit Whit Graves and his team at Evergreen Construction with handling this massive project with great professionalism and care. And Graves will tell you that working with Mathis made the process go so smoothly (and enjoyably) because of all the selections and other hard work he put in prior to and during the project.

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Jennifer and Tim Smith are thrilled to call Charlottesville home at last. Now closer to family in Richmond and Jennifer’s mother in West Point, the Smiths have renovated their dream home to perfection, creating a warm, comfortable and inviting space that welcomes all who enter.

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The wooden end of the island reads like a table, with turned legs and upholstered counter-height chairs. Unique bowtie-shaped wooden joinery connects the tabletop to the granite/cabinet end of the island for a truly custom touch.

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The Heart of the Home

The hub of this home is undoubtedly the kitchen, which underwent the greatest transformation of all—a down-to-the-studs redo. While the previous kitchen was indeed functional, the current space is Jennifer’s dream kitchen. Jennifer and Mathis explain that the granite—“Fantasy Brown” in a matte finish—was the inspiration point for the design, informing all their other selections. Jennifer and Mathis worked extensively with Karen Turner of KTK Designs, whom they credit for making it the beautiful and hard-working space that it is today. “Karen’s expertise is placement,” says Mathis. “She brought all the functionality to the space.” It has all of today’s luxurious conveniences: custom cabinets (painted Benjamin Moore’s Coastal Fog) in a familyfriendly layout, the best in appliances, a veggie sink, a hidden beverage fridge, even a TV over the cabinet-faced refrigerator.

The center island is the literal and figurative heart of the room, less about work and more about gathering with its part-granite, part-wooden top. “We wanted it to feel casual,” says Jennifer, so they moved the cooktop to the kitchen’s perimeter and made the focus of this island all about people and conversation. The wooden end of the island reads like a table, with turned legs and upholstered counter-height chairs. Unique bowtie-shaped wooden joinery connects the tabletop to the granite/cabinet end of the island for a truly custom touch. Close by is a distressed-wood round dining table with additional seating for family meals, next to a window seat filled with plump and stylish pillows for pops of color.

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The kitchen experienced the biggest transformation of all, with the goal of creating a space that is capable of working hard for a bustling family yet embracing a casual sit-and-stay vibe.

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The Smiths’ kitchen is the undeniable hub of this home.

Its unique island was designed with the idea of lingering— crafted to be part work-horse, part dining-and-relaxing area. Just off the kitchen are other favorite spots for resting, reading or simply enjoying each others’ company—including a charming screened porch and the farmhouse-chic great room.

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Dark salvaged wood beams overhead add that rustic touch that Jennifer says her husband craved in the design. Custom light fixtures from Charlotte—oversized lanterns crafted from a mix of seeded glass and antique brass—illuminate the island. “Lighting is one of the most important parts of design,” says Mathis. “We had a lot of natural light to work with here, but we wanted to bounce it around the space.” This is accomplished with an artful mix of these fixtures and recessed lighting overhead, undercabinet lighting, sconces by the sink—and even a fun lamp on a sideboard that belonged to Jennifer’s mother.

A gleaming chrome range hood adds another design statement, softened by the look of the backsplash throughout, which is crafted from Tabarka tiles from their “Shapes” collection. Installing this intricate backsplash was not for the faint of heart; Jennifer calls installer Johnny Swaim of Custom Creations Tile and Stone “a true artist.” All of these organic elements, varied in their finish and tones, speak to the playful, eclectic feel of the space. “We love mixing finishes,” says Jennifer.

Just off the kitchen is a light-filled great room in soothing tones, with lots of texture and hints of color. A wall of windows—the sight that greets visitors from the foyer— features mullions painted in Dark Bronzewood (like the doors), which actually frames and blends with the stunning views outside in a way that standard white mullions couldn’t dream of doing. In furnishings, you’ll find current looks in timeless neutrals, but always with hints of color. “Jennifer and Tim are not ‘gray’ people—they call it ‘the G word’,” laughs Mathis. But he was able to mix them the perfect greenish-gray paint for this room; it changes with the time of day and even the weather. He couldn’t tell you what it’s called other than “Gary’s Green.” The room features generous seating, custom built-ins with sliding barn doors that reveal a large TV, and the piece de resistance: a towering stone fireplace. An engineering feat, the corner-set fireplace once featured a flat wall all the way to the top of the high ceiling; now, thanks to the ingenuity of contractor Whit Graves, it is faced with soft-gray stacked stone, providing interest and a focal point to this large but cozy room. They also added trim to the top part of the back wall for interest on what would have otherwise been a large, flat expanse of wall. Elegant sconces mounted on shiplap add to the rustic-chic vibe.

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The Front Rooms

Just off the foyer is a formal dining room featuring a casualelegant design first inspired by the wallpaper—“Dotted Pirouette” by Candice Olson’s line for York Wallpaper. “I love blue—so Gary conceded,” says Jennifer. Mathis quickly adds, “It had to be the right blue.” The rug followed, and everything fell into place from there. An antiqued brass chandelier by Currey and Company with a farmhouse-style table, simple upholstered-backed chairs and a creamy sideboard create that signature blend of farmhouse chic. Here too Mathis altered what was a standard fireplace set on an angle into something with a lot more interest: antique corbels, a more generous mantel and added trim. He also found the perfect piece of furniture for an existing alcove—a display cabinet in dark wood featuring a mix of old and new cream porcelain pieces.

The dining room connects back to the kitchen through a butler’s pantry with a Fantasy Brown granite countertop, painted cabinets below and display cabinets above.

Across from the dining room, on the other side of the foyer is Jennifer’s office, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Nantucket Fog and accented with two inviting white and blue upholstered chairs facing a cheery white corner fireplace. To this Mathis added shiplap as well as a brick hearth and surround to add interest to what was a buildergrade fireplace. “This is where I sit with my coffee and watch the kids walk down the drive to the bus,” says Jennifer.

Here she can place her coffee cup on a table that belonged to her grandmother, for whom she holds a sweet nostalgia.

A weathervane on the hearth comes from Tim’s family – another nod to their love of the outdoors and cherished family history. Behind this seating arrangement is Jennifer’s desk, the wall behind it featuring two salvaged shutters and an eclectic mix of white plates and platters for a pleasing vignette. Of the shutters, Jennifer says, “Gary and I looked at each other and both agreed that we had to have those. We didn’t know where they were going, but we said—‘We’ll find a place!’”

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The walls of the Smiths’ master bedroom are what Jennifer refers to as her “Happy Blue”—otherwise known as Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue.

Tucked-Away Spaces

Just off the great room is what the Smiths fondly call “the little library,” a cozy, wood-paneled room lined with bookcases. “To paint or not to paint, that was the question,” says Mathis. Jennifer really wanted to keep the warm wood tones, so to liven things up, they added plaid wallpaper and antelope-patterned carpeting.

Two leather chairs, an ottoman upholstered in a creamy houndstooth and soft, tailored drapes make this a spot where anyone would love to curl up. Tim’s an avid reader, and Jennifer says this room is his “ode to Thomas Jefferson.” A harness from Jennifer’s grandfather that would have been hooked to a horse and plow is alleged to date back to George Washington’s era, and has been cleverly repurposed into a mirror. A hole in the side “might be a bullet hole” according to family legend, she says.

The library leads to Jennifer and Tim’s master suite. Jennifer fondly recalls glass doorknobs throughout her grandmother’s home, which they have incorporated here. The walls are Jennifer’s “Happy Blue” – otherwise known as Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue. Plantation shutters provide privacy and light control. The custom upholstered bed, with sumptuous white and blue linens and an animal hide bench at its foot, is the place of respite from the rest of the world; off this room is also a secluded screened-in porch where Jennifer says she likes to sneak away and relax.

The master bath is U-shaped, with a doors to it on either side of the bed where Jennifer and Tim can each enter their own area. Here they painted existing cabinetry “as dark a gray as they would let me,” says Mathis with a laugh (it’s Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray), and added new overhead lighting and mirrormounted sconces. A dresser in the middle delineates the space, overlooking a bay where a Jacuzzi tub was removed and replaced with a pristine white soaking tub. The shower was gutted and now features multiple heads, a steam feature, and tile work that is yet another example of Johnny Swaim’s artful expertise. The floor, which has the look of soft-gray reclaimed wood, is actually tile with a honed finish, to wear beautifully in a bathroom environment. White tile in a crisp herringbone pattern surrounds the tub area. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

Upstairs Bedrooms

Stairs leading up from the great room are carpeted in a soft geometric-patterned runner, turning at a landing which boasts an 8-foot mirror flanked with long and lean sconces, allowing light to reflect in many directions. The upstairs hallway overlooks the great room, loft-style. Here is home to the latest acquisition: a mirrored cabinet to house the linens for the upstairs rooms.

Footsteps are cushioned with an antelope-print runner. The first bedroom you’ll encounter at the top of the stairs is a guest room, perfectly appointed with an upholstered bed and crisp white matelasse. Down the hall is another guest room, where Jennifer’s mother bunks when she comes to visit, lovingly dubbed “the Virginia room” with its cherry four-poster bed and rich navy and orange-toned bedding. This room shares a bath with the Smiths’ daughter’s bedroom—perfect for a young teen with its playful yet sophisticated corals and pinks, off-white furniture and framed art of her own making. Their son’s room too is outfitted for a teenage boy—navys and taupes, an en suite bath, and a large bank of metal-and-wood shelves to hold sports memorabilia and other boy treasures.

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Lower Level: The Fun Continues

Many families like to relegate the lower level to the kids’ domain; in the Smith family, however, Tim “may be the biggest kid of all” quips Jennifer, so naturally, he provided a lot of design input here. Essentials include a comfortable den with overstuffed seating, a fireplace, a large TV, a pool table, a bar area made of reclaimed wood and faced with corrugated metal, and a “Golden Tee” video game. Perhaps the most special area is the wine cellar; what was once a storage room now feels like it could be found in a medieval European castle (but for the two wine refrigerators): rough-hewn planks on the walls, a cabinet made of reclaimed barrels, a brick-tiled barrel ceiling and even a small soapstonetopped tasting table make this a very special getaway.

Also on the lower level are a bedroom and small den for their eldest son when he’s home from college, an arts and crafts room for their daughter, a workout room, and Tim’s office. Framed Steve Martin movie posters are a whimsical touch and a nod to Tim’s Steve Martin fandom, and a blown-up print of the 9th tee at Royal County Down golf course in Ireland recalls one of Tim’s favorite golfing trips—another one of his passions.

French doors on this level lead out to a pool area, which overlooks a gorgeous forest view and, on a clear day, mountain vistas. Plans are in the works to renovate this space as well— perhaps refurbishing the whole pool area and adding an outdoor kitchen. For now, the Smith family is content to bask in the feeling of an interior that is perfectly appointed for their family and friends.

“I was happy before,” says Jennifer. “But I’m really happy now.”

It may take her a bit longer to get to the grocery store than it did when they lived in Charlotte, but when she catches a view of the scenery in her rearview mirror on her way in to town, she’s struck by the magnitude of her blessings. “Mountains, pastures, sheep, cows…this is truly God’s country, and we’re lucky to see this every day,” she says. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

On this lower level, a pool table as well as a bar made of reclaimed wood and faced with corrugated metal amp up the fun. And what was once a storage room is now a charming wine cellar complete with rough-hewn plank walls, a cabinet made of reclaimed barrels, a brick-tiled barrel ceiling and even a small soapstone-topped tasting table.

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n GARDEN ORCHIDS

rchids

Adorn Your Home with These Delicate Dazzlers by m i t z i b i b l e

It may be cold outside, but the bloom of an orchid can take you to the tropics—especially in these dark days of winter. Once a hobby only for enthusiasts, tending an orchid is easier than ever since they are widely available and affordable at the local florist, supermarket or big box store. An instant focal point, the orchid’s dainty petals can help you forget about the chilly weather outside and dream of tropical islands far away.

Orchids have immediate appeal for the elegance and warmth they can bring to any room, especially in winter. Potted in a favorite planter, a mature and well-cared-for orchid can loom over a fireplace, cascade over an end table or brighten up a windowsill. With a single stem bearing several beautiful blooms and delightful fragrance, the orchid has stage presence unlike any other flowering plant.

Orchids make great conversation pieces and have become a decorating staple in Southern homes. They make great gifts, too—to let friends and family know they were thought of in a special way, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or to acknowledge a loss. What better way to honor a familial connection with someone than by giving an orchid; the orchid family itself contains over 30,000 natural and hybrid varieties—by far the largest family of flowering plants.

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There’s a reason why you dream of the tropics when you spot an orchid.

Many of them are native to tropical lands, where the right amount of light, mild temperatures and gentle breezes cause orchids to thrive. It’s not impossible to create those same conditions in your own home; all you need to do is get to know your plants, like you would do when tending to houseguests. Find out what they prefer to eat and where they are most comfortable lounging about. Then sit back and enjoy your company!

The American Orchid Society (AOS) offers tips for buying and caring for orchids: Purchasing Your Plant

Modern reproductive methods have made it possible for growers to provide several reasonably priced orchids. The most widely-available orchids include the Phalaenopsis or “moth” orchid, because they grow well indoors, under the same conditions as African violets, as well as the Dendrobium, Oncidium and Miltonia varieties. You may also come across the Paphiopedilum, or the “lady slipper” orchid, that can rebloom, offering weeks of enjoyment.

When sorting through the selection, make sure the plant is in proportion to the container. Also check to make sure the roots are in the media and that the foliage is a light, yellowish green. Dark green leaves, though attractive on other houseplants, can signal that the orchid has not received sufficient light, which can hamper its efforts to rebloom.

Just What the Orchid Ordered

Water, food and air… necessities for life. But for orchids, an excess of any of these elements can cause damage. In fact, overwatering is the main cause of an orchid’s demise. AOS gives this classic advice: water the day before the plant dries out. The only way you will know this is by experimenting. You can use the old trick at first: stick your finger in the soil, and if it’s not wet, water it.

But first make a mental note of how much the plant weighs. If your watering timing works, then you will know when it is time for the next soaking.

AOS suggests watering your orchid early in the morning, to ensure “complete water evaporation on the foliage as well as the crown by nightfall.”

It also suggests watering your plant in the kitchen sink, using lukewarm water for about 15 seconds and letting the plant drain for about 15 minutes.

Then place it on a tray covered with pebbles or gravel, so that the pot is not immersed in water.

Orchids do well with fertilizers. Those used on other container plants are usually okay for orchids, too. AOS says this about applying fertilizer: “Many growers recommend the ‘weakly, weekly’ approach, applying a diluted (1/4 strength) fertilizer each time they water, rather than applying a full dose once a month. Also, it is best not to fertilize a completely dry plant as the fertilizer can burn the dry roots.”

Some of the most passionate orchid growers will contend that air quality makes a difference, too. That’s why they will keep a ceiling fan on low to help with proper air circulation. The right temperature and the right light are factors in the orchid’s growth, so be sure to understand the requirements for your particular variety. According to AOS, one rule should be followed no matter what: “If you want to change a plant’s location so that it will be enjoyed, wait until the flower opens first.”

Even after all your attention and hard work, your blooms will eventually fall off and the waiting begins. If you own the common Phalaenopsis orchid, you can expect blooms to last from one to four months. But there are some orchids that only bloom once a year, others that bloom several times a year and even some that seem to be never-ending. AOS offers a monthly checklist, with recommendations for each popular orchid variety, on its website.

So as Jack Frost pays us a visit and you find yourself cuddling up by a cozy fireplace, gaze over at your stately orchid. Perhaps you will find a tropical paradise in the middle of your winter wonderland. c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

Creating a home library

By Ch a r lot t e A . F. Fa r l e y

W

ith the popularity of e-readers, it might seem curious that more and more homeowners are showing an interest in creating their own home libraries. Where is this interest coming from? While many passionate readers believe that nothing will ever truly replace the

experience of a real page-turner, a home library offers more than just a place to store your hardcovers

and paperbacks: it offers us a place to experience peace in our busy lives. Most of all, a personal library serves as a visual display of afternoons you’ve spent reading, knowledge you’ve obtained, and the development of your interests.

Right about now, you might be thinking, “What a nice idea, but I don’t have any room for a home library!” Well think again. Whether you are creating a wall of bookcases, carving out a corner, or dedicating an entire room to your library, there is a place for a library in every home, no matter the size.

What you intend to gain from your home library will inform all of your decisions, from where you choose to house the collection right down to your seating. Ideally, the area should invite you to escape from the chaos of day and retreat into your own thoughts (or the author’s thoughts, as the case may be). If possible, choose a space or room that isn’t already the center of action in your home, like a formal living room that doesn’t see very much in the way of day-to-day living, a guest room, or even a large landing at the top of the stairs. You might want to section off part of a room and dedicate that space to the library, or redesign your home office to double as your book room. Consider any nook that welcomes space for your collection: under the stairs, beside the fireplace, the end of a hallway, large blank walls.

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I cannot live without books. — Thomas Jefferson

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P h ot o gr a p hy by Te r a Ja3 7n e ll e

Elements of an Inviting Library

After you determine a location, you’ll need some kind of shelving system for all of your books. Before you rush to hire a contractor to build a custom, floorto-ceiling shelving unit for you, assess your book collection. Good organization always begins with assembling all of your items, recognizing their purpose, and determining if their purpose still aligns with yours. How does this apply to books? Well, if you still own your college algebra book “just because,” or if you were required to read The Grapes of Wrath a few times but never liked Steinbeck, donate or sell those items. A few guidelines to help you decide what to keep: titles that hold meaning for you, books that you hope to read on a rainy Saturday afternoon, those that bring you great joy just by catching sight them, and those that you regularly reference.

After you sort through the stacks, you’ll be able to make the best choice for your shelving system. You might need to use the full height of the wall, or you could use floating shelves in a corner nook to utilize the full height of the space to create a library; it can 38

climb all the way up to the ceiling if you wish. By the same token, if you are interested in space-saving solutions, you can purchase a circular bookcase that revolves, or add shelving or built-ins at the dead-end of a hallway or along the path of a wide hallway. In general, tall narrow bookcases are great for holding large collections without commanding a large amount of floor space. Whatever you choose to do, make sure your system is securely positioned. (If you are interested in putting together a library for your children’s book collections, consider tall, narrow shelves—anchored to the wall, of course, for safety. It is much easier for children to replace books properly on a narrow shelf where they won’t fall over.)

Remember that you’ll need a spot to hunker down with a good read and a drink. Based on your space, consider how much room you have for any chairs, sofas, tables or lamps. Will you need a place to write—and do you have space for a desk? A traditional desk is fine, as is an old dining table that you might repurpose as a library desk; alternately, a lap desk might suit your space and needs more appropriately.

Make sure the space will have plenty of light. Windows are terrific for a view to the outdoors as well as natural light, but you also need a bright lamp that casts its light over your shoulders to minimize glare.

Organizing Your Home Library

When it comes to home libraries, there are more ways to organize your collection than by the Dewey Decimal system.

Alphabetizing by author last name is an easy way to locate your books. If you like the idea of sorting alphabetically, but you’re not good with names, place your books in alphabetical order by title.

You could always take a riff on the Dewey Decimal idea and store your books by subject matter (and then alphabetize author last names or book titles within the subject if you like to be super organized).

You’ll find many designers suggesting a color-coded library. While that may be aesthetically pleasing and makes a visual impact on your shelves, it’s not always the best way to organize information, unless you happen to remember that your personal copy of To Kill A Mockingbird is C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

P h ot o gr a p hy by V irgini a H a mr i c k

lavender and can easily find the novel among the other purple books.

Another option: divide the shelves into “read” and “unread” sections: dedicate a shelf (or entire bookcase) to books you’ve already read cover to cover, another to books you haven’t finished completely, and one more to the books that remain unread. In a similar way, you could just separate your fiction from your non-fiction.

Chronology is another fun, clever way to use your library to display your life in books. It might feature Dr. Seuss on the top shelf, The Crucible a few shelves beneath that, and then books on parenting, spirituality, or biographies.

Another important consideration: room for more books! Take a page from children’s author Julia Donaldson, who writes in Room on the Broom about a witch and a cat who encounter different creatures while traveling. The witch always finds a proper perch for these new friends who join her along the way. In the same spirit, be sure to leave some room on the shelves for new members of your library.

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Styling Your Library

Retirement as

Unique

as You

Our Lady of Peace offers the freedom of Residential Living, the support of Assisted Living, specialized Memory Care in our unique Christopher Center, as well as comforting, individualized care in our Nursing Center.

Call today to schedule a personal tour.

434-973-1155 751 Hillsdale Drive • Charlottesville, VA www.our-lady-of-peace.com Coordinated Services Management, Inc. Professional Management of Retirement Communities Since 1981

Your display of books reveals much about your tastes and interests; likewise, showcasing artwork and personal items amid the books on your shelf develops the overall aesthetic while reflecting more of your own story. Still, how you style your bookshelves has much to do with the size of your actual library.

If you own a massive collection, multiple vertical lines of books make for an impressive display, and you just might not have space leftover for picture frames and objects of interest (just keep the Room on the Broom space for new books that enter your home).

Whether you’ve held onto every book you’ve ever read or whether you keep a small collection of personal favorites at arm’s reach, it’s likely you’ll have some visual space behind the books.

Use that to your design advantage, painting or wallpapering the backs of the shelves to add a pop of color into the room. Rotate the placement of books so that some are stacked vertically while others are stacked horizontally to add even more space for displaying favorite photographs, souvenirs or family heirlooms.

Your library should be a place for you to relax, to ponder, and to enjoy. Paint the room a color that’s pleasing to you, and surround yourself with artwork that you find meaningful and beautiful. For you, that might mean colorful landscapes, and for others, it might mean a series of old family pictures. If you’re looking for alternatives to artwork, consider framing and hanging old maps, sheet music, or book jackets from favorite children’s books. Add a cozy throw blanket or two and a soft rug under your seating area and you’re just one rainy afternoon and a cup of chai away from thoroughly enjoying your new home library.

Gallerybantiques.com • 434.245.1100

GalleryBAntiques@yahoo.com 1931 Commonwealth Dr. Charlottesville, VA 22901

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Charming, Functional Accessories for Home Libraries

Home libraries don’t have to be silent, and they definitely don’t have to be stuffy.

Just having a space dedicated to a home library speaks to a sense of adventure; after all, if you’re a book lover, you love to delve into other worlds that books can offer.

Though you may find these items in a public library, they’re interesting, unexpected touches for your home library. n If you’ve stored your books high above your reach, a rolling library ladder will provide the right perch for you to pull a title off the shelf. n A bookstand not only works as a display for your favorite heavy-duty tome, but it promotes better posture while reading and makes a great conversation piece. n A library book rack or cart can be a great mobile mini-library in itself, or it can hold books that you use so frequently that they might never find their way to the actual bookshelf. n Create custom bookplates or a custom embosser for all of your books, especially those you might lend out to friends but hope to keep as part of your permanent collection. n Keep an eye out for vintage card catalogs; use the drawers for storing smaller items or as an actual filing cabinet. n Don’t forget to invest in bookends! They’ll keep your books in place while adding visual interest to your shelves. n Vintage magazine racks are great for holding current issues and keeping the stack in check. n No library seems complete without a beautiful globe.

Picture Yourself Here 434-295-7000

600 E. Water St. Charlottesville, VA

c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

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n LIVE CULINARY CORNER

Comfort Food Goes

Luxe

By Lu cy Co o k

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C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

Updated Beef Stroganoff (Serves 4-6) Change the beef from the cheapest cut to the best cut, update the mushrooms from canned to fresh and wild, and it can’t help but become an updated classic in your house!

2 pounds trimmed beef tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 medium red onion, cut in half, then sliced 1 clove garlic 1 pound wild mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

I

3 tablespoons sherry 1 cup crème fraiche (or sour cream) 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

n cold winter days, our minds (and stomachs) often yearn for comfort foods: hot, cheesy, feel-good foods. And when we think of comfort foods, it usually includes a smell, doesn’t it? Meat roasting, cheese browning. Interestingly, your idea of what’s comfort food may depend on where you grew up and where your ancestors are from. Some of us may think a burger on the grill or a piece of apple pie is the ultimate comfort food, whereas others may consider it something a little more exotic like pierogis, bouillabaisse, or bangers and mash.

Comfort food is the food of your childhood—the food you ate growing up, no matter where you grew up!

12 ounces wide egg noodles

I used to be in a supper club with friends who enjoyed food and loved getting together and trying new things. The hosts would take turns choosing a theme for our dinner and assigning recipes for us to bring and share. One month, we decided to “go retro.” I can’t remember whether the actual assignment was “Comfort Food,” “Favorite Childhood Dish” or “Your Mama’s Best,” but let me tell you, the food was delicious! Chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, a wicked chocolate cake and all kinds of other treats made for some memorable choices at dinner that night.

Comfort foods are great for company. There’s nothing better than guests arriving to a home that smells like home! When hosting guests, it’s important that you are not in the kitchen finishing the food or cleaning up for the entire party. Fortunately, comfort foods tend to be do-ahead dishes like roasts, casseroles, soups and stews.

And, with today’s array of fabulous and fresh groceries, it’s easy to think of luxe upgrades to your mother’s old-fashioned recipes.

It’s also easy to upgrade Mom’s food visually with fresh herbs sprinkled on top (fresh herbs certainly were not in my mom’s cooking repertoire!). In addition to that, beautiful oven-to-table casserole serving dishes are available, some even with iron or wicker holders for an attractive presentation. For soups and stews, update your serving style with individual bowls featuring wide rims. Balance a beautiful toasted crostini dusted with parsley and parmesan across the bowl for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Sit back, think of the things you grew up eating, update them and try them again!

Better yet, I’ve written a few of my childhood favorites for you. Happy Cooking!

broth and sherry and scrape pan to get all the

c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

4 tablespoons butter, divided chopped fresh parsley Season beef with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté beef quickly on each side, about 4 minutes total. Remove from skillet to rest on a plate.

In the same skillet, add and heat 2 more tablespoons oil. Sauté onions for two minutes, until they begin to soften. Add garlic and mushrooms and cook for five more minutes. Add little brown bits incorporated into the sauce. Add the crème fraiche and Dijon mustard and cook until the sauce has thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper. Cook’s Note: you

can prepare the dish to this point to set aside and finish later.

Boil the noodles according to packet directions.

Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons butter.

Reheat sauce over low heat, adding meat and any juices that have accumulated. Heat for 3-4 minutes until meat it heated through. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and swirl to incorporate. Mound noodles on a plate and top with beef and sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately!

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711 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville,VA 434.245.5216 | www.wainwrighttile.com |

Spicy Lemongrass Mussels (serves 2-4) Mussels with white wine are a standard French comfort food. The mussels are as good as the broth with bread for dipping! This recipe is updated with Southeast Asian flavors—certainly not your mom’s mussels, even if you are French!

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped

S

C

O

T

T

WEISS A R C H I T E C T TELEPHONE OR TEXT: 434.242.9288 EMAIL: SCOTT@WEISS-ARCH.COM WEBSITE: WWW.WEISS-ARCH.COM

1 stalk lemongrass, tough outer leaves discarded, then chop the lighter yellow section 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 can coconut milk 1 cup clam juice or fish stock 2 pounds mussels (cleaned and de-bearded) 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped Heat oil in a stock pot. Sauté ginger, jalapeño, lemongrass and garlic for one minute, until fragrant. Add coconut milk and fish stock. Cook’s

Note: you can prepare the dish to this point to set aside and finish later. Heat mixture to boiling; add mussels and cover. Cook for 8 minutes or until mussels open. Discard any mussels that don’t open.

Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro.

Serving suggestion: serve with crusty toasted bread for dipping in the flavorful broth.

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Grilled Pound Cake Sandwiches

Homemade Caramel Sauce

(Serves 4-6) Now that’s what I call an upgrade! From grilled cheese to grilled cake, try this!

(makes about 1 1/2 cups) 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 cup water

Your favorite pound cake (purchased or prepared), slice two half-inch pieces per guest Nutella spread

1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons butter, cut in 4 pieces

Best quality vanilla ice cream

In a medium heavy saucepan, mix sugar,

Homemade caramel sauce

water and lemon juice. Cook over low heat

Spread half of the pound cake slices with 2-4 tablespoons Nutella and leave the other half of the slices plain. Transfer all to a baking sheet. Cook’s Note: you can prepare the dish

to this point to set aside and finish later.

until mixture becomes clear and sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high, bring to a boil and cook without stirring for about 7-8 minutes, until the mixture becomes a medium-dark amber hue. Be brave; the mixture will bubble furiously! And don’t worry,

Preheat broiler. Cook cake slices for 3-4

the final sauce will be much lighter in

minutes, until they begin to brown. Flip a plain

color. Remove from heat, add

slice onto each chocolaty slice and prepare

cream and butter. Cool.

one plate per sandwich. Add a scoop of softened ice cream, top with caramel sauce and serve.

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n DESIGN DECORATE WITH TEXTURE

WARM UP YOUR SPACE When Outside’s Frightful, Make Inside Delightful

By R ach el B e a n l a n d

To me, the rewards of winter—holidays, mugs of hot cocoa, a roaring fire—have never seemed worth the downsides of the season. The days are dark, parkas aren’t flattering, and no matter how many pairs of fingerless gloves I knit, my hands are always cold. I’d love to be the type of person who embraces all four seasons, but by early December of each year, I’m usually daydreaming about spring.

But there’s hope for those of us who aren’t seasonally inclined. Winter can be the perfect time to decorate, and I’m not just talking about decking the halls. Think beyond red and green and make changes that inspire you to embrace winter’s dark nights and cold mornings. If you focus on creating a warm, well-lit home that encourages conversation, cuddling and catnaps, you may decide winter’s not quite so bad after all.

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Create Space for Conversation

Take a good look at your furniture placement as you approach the winter months. Does the arrangement of your sofa, armchairs and occasional chairs facilitate conversation? If not, it’s time to reconfigure your space.

Resist the urge to position your furniture along the walls of your room; instead, create clustered seating arrangements that lend themselves to tête-à-têtes. Placing two chairs opposite a sofa can create a nice sense of balance. Or try positioning two sofas across from each other. The key is to create a sense of intimacy when friends and family sit down to talk.

Designers recommend taking a tape measure to your furniture arrangements; ideally, in a grouping, no piece of furniture should be more than eight feet away from any other. If you’ve done your job right, you should be able to get away with only one coffee table in a grouping, but that doesn’t mean skimping on end tables and nesting tables. Confirm that no chair or sofa is more than 18 inches away from a solid surface. On a cold winter night, a cup of hot tea should always be within an easy arm’s reach.

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, embrace it. People are prone to put the flat-screen television at the center of their seating arrangements, but particularly in the wintertime, it’s worth resisting the urge. The cold weather provides the perfect excuse to focus on the hearth.

For living rooms that are long enough, consider breaking the room into zones. Think about the indoor activities your family enjoys. Is there a surface for your kids to do jigsaw puzzles? What about a well-lit nook where you can curl up with a book? Creating these special spaces doesn’t necessarily mean buying all new furniture. Try rearranging what you have and borrowing from other rooms when you need to. The goal is to come up with an arrangement that maximizes the great indoors.

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Let in the Light

One of the most prescribed treatments for people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder is light. Doctors recommend people get at least 30 minutes of it a day. Sunlight helps boost the production of melatonin, which can in turn improve people’s moods.

There are lots of ways to improve indoor lighting in the winter months. Some are simple to execute but often overlooked. For starters, open your blinds every day. Trim the trees and shrubs that have grown in front of your windows during the summer months. And turn on the lamps you’ve already got.

One of the biggest lighting mistakes people make is relying on a single light source—like a ceiling-mounted fixture—to do the work of four or five lamps. Overhead lighting casts a harsh hue when compared to a lamp’s soft glow, and using multiple lamps in a room allows you to ratchet the ambience up or down as occasion demands. Ideally, you want a mix of table lamps and floor lamps.

Select a variety of styles and colors for an eclectic look.

Even after you’ve stocked up on lamps, there are still more ways to infuse your home with light. Mirrors reflect the light you’ve already got and multiply its effects. Get creative about where and how you use them. Designers particularly love using mirrors to lighten up entryways, which can often be dark spaces.

Candles are a great way to introduce a little mood lighting on dark winter nights. Pillar candles come in a variety of heights and diameters and can look pretty clustered on a tray or plate. If your fireplace isn’t functional and a gas insert isn’t an option, consider creating an arrangement of candles in your empty firebox.

Positioning a mirror at the back of the firebox, behind the candles, will double their impact. When selecting candles, avoid fragrances that might smell overpowering to guests. And veer toward white candles, as opposed to ones in traditional holiday colors like red or green. You’ll be far less likely to grow tired of them by mid-January.

Another fun way to make your home feel warm, festive and full of light is to introduce a few metallic accents. It’s not hard to find accessories in gold, silver, bronze or nickel, and if you can’t find something you like, there’s always metallic spray paint. For about eight dollars a can, you can makeover a beloved but slightly 4 8

tired objet d’art or give a thrift store find a new lease on life. Gone are the old rules about never mixing gold and silver; these days, the two frequently find themselves in the same room together.

Just remember not to get carried away; the key to decorating with metallic accessories is to do so in small doses.

Think About Texture

Touch is the first sense humans acquire and has a powerful effect on our physical and emotional wellbeing. Studies have shown that people who regularly touch others have lower blood pressure and heart rates and healthier immune systems. Touch stimulates the production of oxytocin, which makes you happier, and it activates nerves and hormones that reduce stress.

It’s no wonder that, in the cold, dark winter months, we look for ways to introduce more texture—or touch—into our homes.

To give your home a layered look, don’t overlook a single surface.

Floors, windows, upholstery and even walls are fair game.

Start with finding a throw blanket that looks as good as it feels. The best throws are so soft they could be mistaken for a long hug. You’ll find throws in cashmere, chenille, wool, cotton—even faux fur. Don’t be afraid to choose something that stands out from the rest of your decor. The beauty of decorating with throws, pillows and other accessories is that everything can be swapped out from season to season.

While you’re shopping for throws, it won’t hurt to keep your eye out for an authentic sheepskin as well. Sheepskins are versatile; they can be draped across a sofa or chair or placed directly on the floor, either alone or layered on top of another rug.

While a sheepskin is not a substitute for a warm throw on a cold night, it does feel luxurious to cuddle up against or sink your toes into, and can add a new dimension to your decor.

Buying throw pillows is one of the fastest and easiest ways to introduce texture into a living room. If you normally go light on throw pillows, winter can be a good time to up the ante, creating a sofa that screams, “Cuddle up!” Choosing down or down-blend inserts will further boost your sofa’s cozy factor. Look for throw pillows in velvet, cable knits and faux furs, and don’t be afraid to mix up your colors and textures.

C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

Faux fur has come a long way in the last couple of years; in fact, it’s getting so good that it’s hard to tell the difference between real fur and its man-made counterpart. If you’re shopping for a faux-fur throw pillow or blanket, look for fur that feels smooth to the touch and retains its shape. Rub your hand along the material—the fibers should bounce back into place.

Think about swapping out your curtains as well. Not everyone’s got the storage space or inclination to change out their curtains with the seasons, but opting for heavy curtains in the wintertime can reduce drafts. Velvet drapes, in particular, look and feel luxurious and can even be hung directly overtop your summertime sheers.

If your home has a lot of exposed wood flooring, winter is the right time to assess whether you’re using enough rugs. Not only will you introduce more texture when you add more rugs, but you’ll also keep your toes warmer and save on your energy bills.

To add interest to your space, try layering multiple rugs on top of each other. For the best success, choose a bottom rug that’s at least 12 to 18 inches larger on all sides than the top rug. Also, look for rugs with different textures—think about layering a wool rug on top of a sisal or jute rug, for instance. A faux animal hide looks particularly striking on top of a rectangular area rug because the hide’s irregular shape provides a nice contrast to the boxier rug beneath.

It’s easy to spend the winter months bemoaning the fact that you’re not outdoors. But make these simple changes to your home and you may discover you’ve stopped counting down the days to spring.

Vo te d C vi ll e’s B es t A n ti q u e St o re

FABRICS UNLIMITED

Your Locally Owned Decorating Source Since 1971

More than just a great furniture store 434-295-5760 1700 Allied Street near the McIntire Road interchange HOURS

Monday–Saturday 10–5:30 Sunday 1–5

www.circainc.com

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our regular discount prices on all in-stock decorative fabrics.

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Expires February 29, 2016 Rt. 29 North • 1 mile past Airport Road 434-973-5641 • Monday-Saturday 9:30-5:30 www.fabricsunlimitedva.com

AFFORDABLE ANTIQUES • QUALITY USED FURNITURE c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

49

n INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

FOR ALL YOUR PROPANE NEEDS,

HOME C H A R L O T T E S V I L L E

DESIGN

■

IMPROVE

■

GARDEN

■

LIVE

Airflow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Albemarle Countertop Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Alberene Soapstone Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Allied Concrete Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Artisan Construction, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Bank of the James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Circa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 YOU SELECT

WE INSTALL

WE DELIVER

YOU ENJOY

Clearview Window Tinting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

BROOKNEAL • LYNCHBURG • DANVILLE • CHARLOTTESVILLE Closet Factory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

LET US TAKE CARE OF YOU. 434-263-4500 WWW.FOSTERFUELS.COM

Creative Conservation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Fabrics Unlimited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Ferguson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fink’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Foster Fuels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Gallery B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Grand Home Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Hometown Realty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Mona Lisa Pasta. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mr. Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Our Lady of Peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SariSand Tile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Scott Weiss Architect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Southern Air. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Specialized Insurance Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Sun Mountain Stoneworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Habitat Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Wainwright Tile & Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Window Depot USA of Richmond and Charlottesville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

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C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 6

It’s Not Business.

It’s Personal.

Creating Opportunity and

Finding Insurance Solutions for

Businesses and Families

434.529.6000 - www.specializedins.com 2250 Old Ivy Road, Suite 5, Charlottesville c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m

INSURANCE SE 51

Enjoy your

view all day

In the top photo you are looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains through 3M™ Prestige 40 window tinting. By softening the glare just a little bit, adding our 3M™ window tinting to your current windows will give you more crisp high definition views.

Without Blinds

Sunlight emits harmful UV & Infrared rays into your home that destroys your hardwood floors, furniture, & artwork. In addition, these rays also cause serious harm to your skin and eyes. The sun also brings in excessive heat & glare, making your home inefficient & uncomfortable.

Our 3M™ window tinting is a sun filter. We all use air & water filters in our homes for our health & quality of life. They keep allergens & chemicals out of the air we breathe & water we drink. If this is so important to us, then why aren’t we filtering the sun coming through our windows?

Blinds, curtains, or lowE windows are not sun filters. They work well for night-time privacy, insulating, & interior design.

3M™ has invented a new line of window tinting that is the proper sun filter.

They filter 99.9% of UV & 97% of infrared while allowing an ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF PURIFIED SUNLIGHT into your home. This new tinting is not dark, won’t bubble or fade, and will literally improve the quality of your views.

Reduce Fading

Installed locally by Clear View Window Tinting, they come with a lifetime warranty. Please call or visit our website to set up your free in home consultation.

BETTER DAYLIGHT • BETTER VIEWS • BETTER HEALTH • A BETTER WAY TO LIVE PRESENT THIS AD FOR 10% OFF 200 SQUARE FEET OR MORE

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