Roanoke Valley HOME Magazine / Early Spring 2015

HOME R O A N O K E

DESIGN

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IMPROVE

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VA L L E Y

GARDEN

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LIVE

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Bright, Bold

BEAUTIFUL

home embraces vibrant colors

DREAM POOL

MAKE PLANS NOW

KITCHEN ISLANDS NEW LOOKS, NEW FUNCTIONS

DESIGN IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM

INTERACTIVE CONTENT INSIDE

EARLY SPRING 2015, vol. 8, No. 1

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Samples. Choices. Answers.

At Capps, we’ve been busy building a facility designed to provide customers with a new level of inspiration in home design and decorating, the likes of which have never been seen at Smith Mountain Lake. Come explore our new 5,000-square-foot design showroom filled with home products you can see and touch. Whether your next project is a home remodel or new construction, our in-house experts can help ensure success by walking you through it from start to finish.

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HOME R O A N O K E

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Volume 8 Issue 1 PUBLISHER

Julie Pierce MANAGING EDITOR

Laurel Feinman EDITOR

Meridith Ingram ART DIRECTOR

Trisha Roth CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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Mitzi Bible Becky Calvert Lucy Cook Laurel Feinman Kim Fox Patricia C Held Alyssa Mercadante Cory Morgan Noelle Milam Rory Rhodes GRAPHIC ARTISTS

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Roanoke Valley HOME is published quarterly

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To discuss coverage of an event relating to home or garden, please contact Roanoke Valley HOME at info@rvhomemagazine.com.

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West Willow Publishing Group, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com Copyright 2015 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.

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contents Ro a n o ke Va ll ey h o m e E a r l y S p r in g 2 0 15

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34

8

8 22 34

features Kitc h en Islands

The hottest spot in the house BY lAU R EL F E I N MA N

Make Plans for a Pool

Start dreaming of summer now

BY C O RY MO R G A N

Traditional Home Wit h a Twist

Brilliant colors make details pop

BY Patricia C H e l d

Cover photography by Kevin Hurley at the home of Meredith and John Draper.

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Ro a n o ke Va ll ey h o m e E a r l y S p r in g 2 0 15

departments 31

15

47

18

DESIGN

IMPROVE

GARDEN

LIVE

15 A rea R ugs Experts weigh in on choosing the right one

47 Coat C losets Wrangle your gear

31 G arden G adgets The latest in tech tools for gardeners

18 Snow Day Food Recipes using pantry staples fuel the fun

BY B ecky Calve rt

BY Lucy c o o k

BY N o e lle Mi lam

BY R O RY R HODES

52 M antel M akeover A project you can do in a day

60 Warmth of Wood Raised panels, wainscoting and beadboard

BY Mitz i B ib le

55 E A R LY B L O O M E R S These flowers display first signs of spring

BY Alyssa M e rcadante

BY K I M FOX

55 18

60 S pecial I nterest 6 6 Index of advertisers 6

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R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

FANTASY ISLANDS

The tide has changed on the function and form of kitchen islands

BY Laur el F ein m an

“Island.” Close your eyes and the mere mention of it calls to mind the image of a luxurious expanse, distinct from the rest of its surroundings—a destination.

Oh yes, the lure of the islands is real, and kitchen islands are one of the most popular elements in kitchens today. Used for cooking, dining and even homework— the kitchen island might just be the hottest spot in the entire house.

Lee Ann Carter of Carter’s Cabinet Shop says the idea of having a central work table in a kitchen isn’t new, but when the popular “open floor plan” made the kitchen become an official part of a home’s entertaining space, homeowners began to see their kitchens as a room that was equally worthy of both function and style. “The kitchen has become the new family room—and kitchen islands are a great way to delineate the work area from the living area,” says Carter.

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C a b in et r y by D e c o r á® b ro u ght t o yo u by T h e C a b in et G a ll e r y

She notes that when kitchen islands first came on the scene, there was a trend of putting the cooktop and all its related under-counter pot and pan storage in the island. “The island cooktop was an extension of the kitchen’s work triangle— detached from the perimeter, giving cooks a little more room to maneuver in the kitchen,” Carter explains. However, she says that many homeowners now prefer that their kitchen sinks and dishwashers be placed in the island instead, since so much time in the kitchen is spent on cooking prep and clean up.

“Homeowners don’t want their backs turned to everyone, they want to be a part of the action,” she explains.

So, when homeowners relocate their cooktops to the perimeter of the kitchen and bring the kitchen sink to the island, they can solve several problems in the kitchen’s workflow, with the added stylish result of gaining two focal points.

The island itself becomes a focal point, especially with attractive pendants hanging over it; and a decorative canopy and backsplash installed over the range become another appealing view to highlight the kitchen.

10

Steve Morris of Classical Design, Inc. says that he, too, receives many customer requests to install a sink in the kitchen island. He says, “I recommend installing the dishwasher next to the sink, and including a drawer for kitchen towels and a pullout trash center so home cooks have everything they need, all in one place.”

Morris says the apron front (or “farmhouse” sink) is a look that many homeowners request since that timeless, vintage aesthetic continues to be popular in kitchens today. But, Morris adds, “I receive just as many requests for undermount sinks, which highlight the curved contours of the sink bowl and make counter cleanup a breeze.”

Lowering the Bar

At one time, two-tiered islands were popular, with an upper countertop installed for barstool-height dining.

Homeowners liked having the visual shield that the upper level provided between the living room and the kitchen, but the issue with this design was that, in most kitchens, this dual surface arrangement dipped too far into the already-crowded prep space around the

cooktop. Homeowners were left with very little usable counter space around their cooktops and a long, skinny shelf that wasn’t very comfortable for dining.

Because of lessons learned in those early open-kitchen designs, most new kitchen islands now feature a single-level work surface.

John Eggleston of Spectrum Stone Designs says this new, single-level layout has made the kitchen island more versatile. “Islands are the main attraction in the kitchen and we expect a lot out of them. They’re extra prep space, an eat-in kitchen, a buffet and a wet bar during a party, and a place for the kids do their homework while dinner’s being cooked,” he says.

In short, homeowners really like the clean lines of an uninterrupted countertop because it’s so versatile.

Eggleston says that he sometimes does island replacements in lieu of full-blown kitchen renovations. He says, “For most homeowners, redoing a kitchen is a oncein-a-lifetime project. So, maybe they got it almost right the first time, but later learned their kitchen could work even better, if only they had a different island.”

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Leaving No Stone Unturned

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Sometimes, Eggleston says, all it takes to update the island is a new countertop. He says, “The island can become a pivotal design piece in the kitchen and the greater room that it’s a part of. The details make the island stand apart.”

He says that granite is still the most popular kind of countertop, with manmade solid-surface quartz-based materials like Cambria and Silestone requested almost as often.

But, Eggleston also says he has recently seen an upsurge in requests for butcher block, soapstone and even marble—natural surface materials, used in kitchens of antiquity, that are known to be far more delicate than the easy-care granite and quartz. Perhaps it’s simply a case of “what’s old is new again.”

He says, “Maybe it’s the throwback to history that some TV shows and movies are making so popular these days, but one of the prettiest kitchen surface combinations that I’ve done recently is soapstone on the perimeter and marble on the island. People aren’t so worried anymore about babying their countertops and having perfect kitchens. They like the patina that comes from a lived-in, well-used kitchen.”

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The Lived-In Look

Lee Ann Carter agrees that homeowners are favoring a vintage look, that kitchen cabinets are also influenced by the trend, and that customers want details added to their islands to give them the look of one-of-a-kind antique, freestanding furniture. She says, “Embellishments like turned legs, under-counter corbels, fancy feet, carvings and moldings add visual interest to islands and give them a custom look.”

Both Carter and Morris say that another element of this vintage, homey style is painted, mismatched cabinets. Carter explains, “One way the mismatched look might be achieved is by painting the cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen in a creamy color and pairing them with an island that’s made of stained wood, like cherry or walnut.” Or, she suggests that you could keep all of the cabinetry the same and do a different countertop surface material on the island.

Eggleston says that tactile details on the island countertop surfaces also add to the mismatched effect. He says, “Honed, or chiseled, rocky finishes along the edges are increasingly popular.

We can also give the countertop a finish that looks and feels just like leather—it just adds a softer, matte finish to contrast all those hard, shiny surfaces on the appliances and the other countertops.”

Morris advises that if your floor plan is open or the kitchen is very large, you might consider adding contrast and visual interest in subtle ways. “Using darker and lighter variations of the same base tones on the perimeter and the island is one way to do it, or even by making complementary changes in the paint finish from a shiny surface to matte,” he suggests. Morris

says a monochromatic look is versatile and will stand the test of time. He says, “It’s a look that works especially well in large spaces, because when the space is large, you want to see subtle differences, not necessarily a strong contrast, to better blend into the rest of the surroundings.”

Thinking Outside “The Box”

Eggleston also says that most homeowners don’t want “big rectangles” in their kitchens anymore. Whether he’s doing a complete island replacement or replacing and upgrading an island countertop, he says he often adds rounded countertops for the seating area at the extension of the island, both to provide a designated dining spot and to help transition the island into the family room’s décor. He says that homeowners like being able to use standard-height stools and kitchen chairs at these extensions on their new multi-use, single-level islands.

With most new kitchen islands offering even more than just a site for meal prep, cleanup and casual dining, many homeowners are installing conveniences like refrigerator drawers for kids’ snacks, recycling centers and even pet feeding stations in their islands.

Since many cooks now search recipes on their digital tablets instead of cookbooks, they no longer need the bookshelves that were once a standard island feature. However, homeowners now need an abundance of electrical outlets, thanks to all their handheld electronic devices. To meet this new demand, many homeowners are requesting drawers outfitted with multi-outlet power strips so they can charge all their electronic devices under the counter, where they’ll be safe from kitchen spills and splashes.

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The Continental Divide

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Eggleston says that a few years ago in the kitchen design industry, there was a running joke that kitchen islands had grown into continents. But he says recently he’s seen the pendulum swing in the other direction, as many homeowners want smaller, more compact and efficient kitchens.

He observes, “People are really practical these days. They’re cooking and entertaining at home and what they want the most is for their homes to be flexible, practical and functional.”

With that “bigger isn’t always better” idea in mind, Carter says that islands don’t have to be huge to be useful. She says that small butcher blocks are making a comeback, and that some homeowners are even requesting their kitchen island to be mounted on casters so they can keep the island in the room when they need the worktop and roll it out of the way when they want the open space.

There’s an ideal kitchen design for everyone and many can accommodate a kitchen island.

Kitchen islands aren’t one-size-fits-all features; they can be customized to suit your needs and fit any style of home décor.

The kitchen island is the center of activity—how you spend your time there is entirely up to you.

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n DESIGN AREA RUGS

Plush Meets Perfect

How to Choose an Area Rug

P h ot o p rov i d e d by H a lifa x F in e Fur nishin gs

By R o ry R h o d es

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For several decades in the 20th century, wall-to-wall carpeting was the modern standard of luxury and comfort for most homes. Many of us have lived in a home featuring powder blue Saxony, avocado shag, or beige Berber at one point or another. But with the return of hardwood floors— along with the rise of tile, cork, and concrete alternatives—area rugs have once again become a key design element. Aesthetically, they anchor your furniture, define a space and set the tone of the room. Practically, they provide warmth, soften acoustics and protect the floor from wear and tear.

If you’ve been eyeing an outdated or worn-out area rug for a while now, chances are you’re still trying to figure out what you want next, and what will work in your space. With so many options out there, where do you start? Here, some local experts weigh in with a few tips to help you find the right rug for your space.

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Measure Your Space

Let’s begin with size. Always measure your room before shopping!

The traditional guideline is to leave about 12 inches of exposed floor around the perimeter of your room. Elaine Stevenson, president of Elaine Stevenson Interiors, says size depends on how you’re using the area rug and in what room. She explains, “For a custom cut-and-bound rug, I like to leave a 12-inch border of floor showing. But for something like an Oriental rug in a family room, I’ll place the front legs of the furniture on the rug.”

Other applications, like the dining room, might call for different requirements. Valeta Pittman, owner of Halifax Fine Furnishings, says the ideal rug size for a dining room should be one that extends at least two feet from the table. “The legs of the chairs should sit comfortably on the rug, even when pulled out for people to sit,” she says. For bedrooms, Pittman likes to place a rug horizontally under the bed, positioning it so that most of the rug is exposed around the sides of the bed. Stevenson notes that, unless the client specifically wants the floor to show, she often uses a custom-cut, room-sized rug for bedrooms because “it fits a bedroom better, and makes it cozier.”

Consider Color and Pattern

The most obvious feature of an area rug can also be the trickiest for many shoppers. More than anything else, color and pattern can establish the feeling of a space, and there are many factors to consider when making this choice. Designer Gary Sexton, of Reid’s Fine Furnishings, suggests choosing an area rug that contrasts with your floor color. Another tip he suggests is to “use it to complement the focal point of the room.”

How the rug will be used affects the color and pattern you choose as well. Stevenson notes, “For busy families, consider using a darker color, as it will hide stains and dirt better, as will a rug with a bold pattern.” When shopping, Pittman advises bringing fabrics, paint colors, and even a photo of the room with you. She says, “In general, larger-scale florals and graphic prints look best with smaller-patterned rugs. And conversely, soft pastel and neutral furniture will enjoy the company of a bold rug design.”

In today’s market, a wide range of choices abound. According to Andrea Reid Waide, owner of Reid’s Fine Furnishings, subtle patterns and tone-on-tone contemporary designs are popular with her clientele. Pittman says that, although the market has shifted to softer, muted colors, she’s still seeing strong interest in “bold, saturated color” and Oriental rugs in updated colors and narrow borders. Stevenson has noticed plenty of colorful, geometric patterns, both in flat weaves and in softer, plushy pile. In other words, there’s a rug for every taste.

P h ot o p rov i d e d by H a lifa x F in e Fur nishin gs

Find Your Fiber

Speaking of weave and pile, it’s important to know what a rug is made of and whether it will fit both your lifestyle and your space.

For example, a natural-fiber rug like jute or sisal can look terrific in a living area, imparting a clean, modern feel and wonderful texture, but would you enjoy it in your bedroom, where it’s the first thing your bare toes touch when you get out of bed in the morning? Also, how much traffic does your space get? Do you have children, or pets? If so, durability and ease of care will need to be considered. Flat weave rugs, with their dense construction, handle wear and tear better than pile, and are easier to keep clean.

A high pile rug will be soft to sit on and give your room a cozy, luxurious feel, but will show footprints and might be better suited 16

R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

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for a less-traveled area. Rugs that are constructed with loop fibers (like Berber) are not a good choice if they will be in contact with things that snag, such as pets’ claws or many children’s toys.

Consider too, the dreaded stain factor. Although many modern fibers are treated with a stain protectant, Waide says, “Natural fibers, such as jute and sisal, are not as resistant.” Wool is naturally stain resistant and cleans better than plant-based fibers, plus it handles high traffic well. If you are considering a synthetic, Stevenson points out that nylon is especially cleanable.

Synthetics have their own set of drawbacks, however. Pittman cautions that viscose (also know as rayon) rugs, sometimes marketed as artificial silk or “silkette,” have weak fibers that tend to break with age. She also points out, “Cleaning is next to impossible because water causes the fibers to disintegrate.”

If you decide on a flat weave rug, kilims and dhurries—with their colorful, geometric motifs—have become increasingly popular in recent years, and are an affordable alternative to the always-classic Oriental rug.

You can certainly research fiber and materials online to help inform your decision, but purchasing a rug online can get tricky; colors represented online aren’t necessarily true, and the threedimensional aspects of the rug—the weave and density—are best experienced by touch. Also, returning a large area rug through the mail can be a chore compared to the convenience of shopping locally. Pittman makes a case for shopping locally: “I would expect that most local businesses are very competitive with online outlets.” Stevenson says that if you decide to purchase online, try ordering in a small size first, which is more easily returned if it doesn’t suit your needs.

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Determine Your Budget

Last but by no means least, your budget will usually help to narrow down the field considerably. Are you looking for something affordable to get you through a few seasons, or a timeless piece to enjoy for years? A hand-knotted Oriental rug is an investment piece, and it’s not uncommon for designers to purchase such a rug first and choose furniture to match. Handwoven and wool rugs are naturally pricier, while machine-made synthetic alternatives are easier on the wallet and a great way to enjoy trends without overspending.

Once you’ve made your decision, Stevenson reminds us of a detail we might be tempted to overlook: a rug pad. “Flat weaves generally require a pad, though a large rug anchored by furniture may not. Likewise, a heavier Oriental rug may be fine without one,” she says. Sexton suggests using “a light rug pad with an open weave, which will let the rug breathe.”

Use these parameters to help you narrow down the field, but ultimately, don’t buy something you won’t enjoy looking at and feeling beneath your feet. If you buy what you love, it’s hard to go wrong. r vhomemaga zine .com

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Call for In Home or Studio Consultation 17

n LIVE CULINARY CORNER

Snow Day, Kitchen Play Stock your pantry for easy comfort food

By Lucy Co o k

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R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

W

We all laugh at each other and ourselves each time snow is predicted. It seems to be a local covenant: Run to the store to buy bread and milk! (I’ve got an excuse: with two teenaged boys, I buy bread and milk every time I go to the store!) Many times, when I arrive before a storm, the shelves in the bread and dairy aisles are nearly empty. When a winter storm passes us by as they sometimes do, I imagine there are many households throwing away gallons of spoiled milk and moldy bread.

Though I do have one favorite recipe with main ingredients of milk and bread, I usually spend my snow days making hearty soups and pasta dishes, and maybe some “kitchen sink” cookies, using whatever I can find in the freezer or pantry. I consider my freezer an extension of my pantry—just holding things that will spoil if I leave them at room temperature. We all probably have some of the same basics in our freezers and pantries—flour, sugar, olive oil, pasta, frozen vegetables and the like. But there is a whole category of things beyond bread and milk that I consider basic that you may not have considered stocking. Add these to your stash of provisions, so you’re ready for the next snowstorm or long winter weekend:

Dried mushrooms: Use these to pump up the flavor in soups or pasta. Ground

straight from the package in your spice grinder, they also make a great rub for meat.

Good bacon: Buy good-quality bacon. Freeze it in packages of 4 strips. Just that

small amount can upgrade any dish.

Whole gr ains: Store wheat berries, farro, brown rice and other whole grains in the

freezer or in airtight containers in your pantry to maintain freshness.

Dried fruit: Dried fruit is a great accompaniment to cheese, a classic addition to a

wintery pork roast, and delicious chopped in cookies.

Frozen shrimp: They’re frozen individually, so you can pull out just a handful for

a special dinner for one or two.

Chocol ate chips: Buy good chocolate chips (60 percent cocoa) so they can be

used in brownies, cakes and other desserts, without having to stock lots of different kinds of specialty chocolate.

Nuts: Buy nuts on sale in the fall and store them in the freezer. Roast whole nuts at 350 degrees for five minutes right before using them to heighten the taste. Chop and use in desserts, salads or pasta, or sprinkled over roasted vegetables.

Beans: Dried beans are economical and easy to cook if you have a little notice. If you only have a little time, lentils are a great, quick-cooking option too.

Asian-inspired ingredients: Curry paste, fish sauce and coconut milk are the basics of a great meal with any fish, meat or vegetable.

Good vinegar and olive oil: Throw away the bottled salad dressing and

make your own.

With a fully stocked panty and freezer, you could make just about anything! Here is my favorite bread-and-milk-based recipe, plus a few recipes that may be useful on a cold day—whether it snows or not! Happy cooking! r vhomemaga zine .com

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Strata (serves 8-12) Lots of people call this breakfast casserole, but I like to think of it as a savory bread pudding—a potential side for dinner too! There is a version of this dish in many cultures—think frittata and quiche. A strata is endlessly flexible and a great way to use up leftover cheeses from a party, or other ingredients you may have on hand. This is best made at least 8 hours before baking.

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5 cups cubed bread (use regular white bread, or you could use what you have on hand like leftover croissants, French bread, etc.)

2 ½ cups cheese (all one kind, or a mixture) 10 eggs 4 cups milk 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper Optional: add up to 1 ½ cups total of cooked sausage, ham, sautéed onions or leeks, sautéed and strained spinach, sautéed mushrooms or blanched asparagus.

Place the bread in an even layer in a greased 9 x 13 casserole.

Sprinkle with the cheese and any additional ingredients you choose.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour the milk mixture over the bread, cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Cook for 35 minutes covered, then uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes until browned and the center is not jiggly.

Some ideas for combinations: Mushroom, leek and Gruyere cheese Sausage and cheddar Spinach, onion and bleu cheese R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

Kitchen Sink Cookies (makes 12-20 based on size)

Lentil Soup (serves four)

My kids and I like to come up with original recipes and make things like this once in a while. We love the combination of sweet and salty, so don’t leave out the pretzels!

Even though you may have all day to cook during a storm, this great soup comes together in less than an hour. Or, to make a delicious side for grilled salmon, reduce the stock to 3 cups.

2 sticks unsalted butter 1 ½ cups firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup oats 2 cups chocolate chips (are chocolate chips ever optional?)

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon curry paste or 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 cups lentils, picked through for stones then rinsed 6 cups homemade chicken or vegetable stock

Optional ingredients:

3 handfuls fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup nuts (walnuts, pecans or almonds), roasted for 5 minutes then coarsely chopped 1 cup crushed pretzels or potato chips 1 cup dried fruit like raisins or cranberries Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add flour and baking soda. Mix in oatmeal and optional ingredients.

Scoop onto baking sheet. Flatten slightly with wet hands. Bake at 350 until done, about 9 to 13 minutes, depending on the size of

Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot. Saute onions, carrots and celery about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the garlic, stirring constantly, and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the curry paste or paprika and cook another minute. Add the lentils and stock and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Stir, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Just before serving, add spinach and stir to wilt it.

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R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

TAKE THE

PLUNGE plan a poolside retreat Photo provided by National Pools , photography by Atkins Photography

By Co ry M o rgan

Home swimming pools can provide hours of relaxation and fun-in-the-sun for you and your family. Even though we’re months away from summer, this time of year is exactly when you want to get the ball rolling on this venture, since planning and installing one is no small feat.

Before diving into a new swimming pool installation project, it helps to familiarize yourself with all the facets of the project. It’s not as simple as picking a pool template and having it installed. There are many things to consider—the slope of your land, the type of materials to use around your pool, the shape and style of the pool itself, and more. Everyone knows how entertaining and relaxing a private pool can be, but a pool project done well can completely transform and elevate the atmosphere of a home into a resort-like paradise.

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Don’t Dig Up the Backyard Just Yet

Before you go about researching pool designs, the first step is assessing the feasibility of building a pool into your land. John Perry of Perry Pools and Spas says that the first question to ask is if you physically have room for a pool. If the answer is yes, then you start investigating the details. “Each locality has their own set of rules for any type of accessory structure. Distance from property lines, sewage systems, and utilities are the first thing your pool contractor will assess,” he explains.

Location of potential barriers need not be deal breakers, however. They can often be moved—at a cost. So it is usually not a question of whether or not your land is suitable for a swimming pool, but how many obstacles you must work around within your budget. Your pool contractors will be able to manage all major aspects of this project and make the appropriate accommodations.

Jason Vaughan, president of National Pools, says, “Pools can be built on most any site. It’s just a matter of cost.”

In Virginia, it is pretty rare to find a perfectly flat backyard, and most of the time you will be dealing with some sort of hill or slope. Jerry Green, president of Aquarius Pools, explains that it is important to consider the contours of the yard. “Steep sloping yards may require retaining walls and/or extra excavation,” he notes. The severity of the yard’s slope affects the cost of this kind of project, depending upon the size of the required retaining wall or other accommodation.

When it comes to evaluating your expenses, there is a lot to keep in mind beyond just the labor and materials required to build the pool itself. Leave room in your budget for landscaping, structural additions, fences and gates, planters and foliage, 2 4

and outdoor furniture. You will also need to think long term about things such as maintenance costs, electrical expenses and changes to your homeowners insurance. Reflect on the reasons you initially considered installing a pool. Are you looking for a place for you and your spouse to relax after a long day of work?

Do you have a large family with younger children? Will you want to entertain the neighborhood with cookouts and pool parties, or host more intimate gatherings? Answering these types of questions will help clarify your goals for your future outdoor space and guide you toward a personalized paradise.

Making the Pool Part of the Home

While many existing physical factors dictate the general location of your pool, exact orientation of the pool is largely up to you, and should be done strategically. To create a cohesive space, envision the pool area not as a separate entity, but rather as an extension of your home. There should be a natural flow from the physical structure of the house to the pool itself to unify the spaces. Achieve this by installing access features like paths and walkways that complement the design elements you already have in place. This is also a good opportunity to incorporate any other existing features, such as patios, along the way if possible.

Accessing the pool is an important consideration as well.

“Placement will depend on what is the best use of space and connecting the pool space to the home,” says Vaughan. “We typically try to arrange the pool so that the shallow end with the steps is closest to the points of access such as doors, steps and gates, so it creates a natural flow into the pool.” He stresses the importance of keeping the pool and its surrounding area close to R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

P h ot o p rov i d e d by N at i o na l Po o ls , p h ot o gr a p hy by At k ins P h ot o gr a p hy

areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms for easy access during times of entertaining. It is also important not to overlook the location of existing trees and tall shrubbery. Though they may not directly block the pool area, you must think about how they might create unwanted shade.

The shape and style of the swimming pool go hand-in-hand with its location and should reflect your taste as well. “A pool with curves is less intrusive in a sloping yard, whereas a rectangle (or pool with straight sides) fits nicely in a flat yard. If the existing yard has some nice landscape that is worth saving, we may also take that into consideration and accent this with the shape of the pool,” says Green. Kidney-shaped or lagoon-style swimming pools lend a more natural look to the location, and give the impression of a small pond or hidden oasis.

On the other hand, rectangular pools might be the choice for a more contemporary-style home, as the sharp edges of the pool will mimic those of the house, providing a sleek look. Perry sums it up: “The size and shape of the pool should fit in with the existing home. When the project is finished, the pool and outdoor living space should blend in with the existing structure and not appear to be an afterthought.”

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Blurring the Line Between Hardscapes and Landscapes

Proper landscaping can also help ensure that your pool is not an isolated water hole out in the middle of your yard, but rather a natural part of it. Once again, it is crucial to keep your budget in mind and leave room for landscaping additions. The accents you choose to surround your swimming pool with can take the atmosphere from “concrete drab” to “oasis fab.” Selecting the appropriate type of materials for the exterior borders and edges of your pool space, such as mulch, gravel, pavers, planters and flowerbeds, is an essential part of constructing the perfect environment. Vaughan says, “If the home is existing, we try to select materials that have been used in other parts of the house.

In a new home project, it is good to use the same materials in order to tie the pool to the rest of the property.”

If you choose to work planters and flowerbeds into the design of your pool area, there are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing how to fill them. The most important is to opt for low maintenance. Poolside plants should be tolerant of drought and full sun, since your pool will likely receive little to no shade.

It is also best to avoid “messy” plants that produce fruit, shed leaves frequently, or bloom substantially (which can also attract bees). This plant litter will inevitably find its way into the water, meaning more cleanup and maintenance. For a touch of color without too much fuss, try daylily or lily of the Nile. A few examples of suitable shrubs are sage bush, Gold Thread cypress, hosta, and pampas grass. Toward the perimeter of the yard, you may consider planting tall shrubs, such as emerald arborvitae or Leland cypress, to provide privacy.

R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

Traditional wood-based mulch can also present a problem, since it can easily skim across the concrete pool perimeter when the breeze picks up. To combat this, consider using rubber mulch to surround your plants and/or stone mulch to line your walkways. Each type is available in a variety of colors to fit any design scheme, and does not degrade or wash away as quickly as traditional mulch. Rubber mulch is an eco-friendly option since it is made from 100 percent recycled rubber. Stone mulch can provide great visual impact, especially in freeform pool environments that have an organic look. A popular choice is river jacks, which are the smooth, water-washed stones frequently seen in waterscape features.

Another significant factor to consider is that private pools are required to meet specific codes and regulations throughout most of Virginia in terms of securing their perimeters. The exact requirements vary between localities; however, you will need fencing and/or gating of some sort that surrounds the pool—usually within a certain height range and sometimes requiring a lock or latch. You should discuss these details with your pool contractors, as code specifications vary between localities. Don’t think of this as a hindrance to your project, but rather as another way to add a creative touch to your landscape.

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Features and Additions

Adding features to your pool can be the one element that ties everything together and takes the pool atmosphere to the next level. The possibilities are endless when you incorporate spouting sconces, waterfalls and cascades, and deck jets. Vaughan says that one of the most popular features in pools today is the “sun shelf”—a shallow space within the pool that may be enjoyed by small children as well as for placing chairs into the water, providing a perfect tanning spot.

Falling water features can add tremendous ambiance to your swimming pool. The sound of running water can be very refreshing, even when you aren’t in the pool, and provides the perfect background noise to mask traffic and other nuisances as you enjoy your pool area. There are choices to supplement any style and budget, from subtle and contemporary to grandiose and ornate. Spouting sconces or small fountains are great choices for a formal or Mediterranean-style space. These features can be placed on top of a raised wall or along the edge of the pool. For greater impact, larger features such as waterfalls can be constructed to serve as a focal point for the entire space. Whether it’s a sleek, modern curtain of water or a rush tumbling down natural stones, a water feature is sure to add atmosphere and charm to a pool.

Green says that adding lighting in and around the pool is another way to generate visual interest. “LED and fiber-optic lighting can be a ‘wow’ by themselves, but when incorporated with a water feature, it can really be moving,” he says.

Perry reminds us that beyond creating a place to go for a swim, you are creating a whole outdoor living area. “Outside of the pool, the options are endless, from fire pits and outdoor kitchens to pool houses and outdoor pool tables,” he says.

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Keeping Your Pool Healthy

Vaughan explains that the majority of swimming pools in this area are “salt water” pools. This means that the pool uses a salt chlorination system to constantly produce chlorine from the salt within it. “A salt pool is still a chlorine pool, but it does not run out of chlorine since the system can create chlorine over and over again from the same salt in the pool,” explains Vaughan. Using this type of setup can be less expensive and require less upkeep than other alternatives.

A good pool cover will be needed for the off season, though it is important to realize that this alone will not prevent the growth of bacteria and algae. “We encourage our customers to operate their pools until water temperature gets below 55 degrees, which is the temperature that algae no longer grows,” says Vaughan.

He says that pools that are closed too early or opened too late may encounter algae growth even with the cover on the pool. Mesh pool covers are a good choice, as they allow the water to flow naturally and not collect on top, while also keeping out unwanted debris.

There is a lot of responsibility involved with building, owning and maintaining a private swimming pool. It is a project that should be approached with as much research, planning and creative thinking as you would give to a major renovation, or purchasing a new home or car. When everything is complete and you begin to enjoy your swimming pool retreat, you will know that all of the effort and planning was well worth it.

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n GARDEN TECH TOOLS

GREAT GADGETS Gardening Goes High-Tech

By B ecky C a lv e r t

With technology’s influence over nearly every aspect of our lives, it was only a matter of time before we started seeing it put to use in our gardens. Thanks to advances in technology, we can sit back and enjoy our gardens more while working less. Whether by intuitive watering systems, hands-free mowing, critter deterrents or communication with our plants, there are numerous ways to use the latest technology to help our gardens grow.

Automating Lawn Care

Most standard irrigation systems can be set with a timer that controls irrigation regardless of the weather or moisture level of the soil. However, some of today’s systems have harnessed technology to offer options that take the weather into account. One example is Rainbird’s Simple to Set Irrigation Timer, which automatically adjusts your watering schedule both seasonally and to your current weather conditions. With a built-in nationwide historical weather database and a smart weather sensor, the system allows you to simply enter your zip code and preferred watering schedule, and the timer takes over, making adjustments as needed. Other models, like GARDENA’s Water Computer EasyControl, have optional rain or soil moisture sensors that can cancel a preset watering, saving water and your utility bills. Whether you have a professionally installed irrigation system or just want to set your soaker hose automatically, there are many options to help ensure your garden gets the right amount of water, regardless of the weather or the size of your wallet. While prices on these systems depend on the style and options, the simplest timers can cost as little as $40, and installed systems begin around $1,000. r vhomemaga zine .com

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Watering is not the only task to go hands free. Just as the Roomba can automatically vacuum the interior of your home, there are now a variety of robotic lawn mowers that will automatically cut your lawn. Most models work within a boundary established with a boundary wire. Mowing times can be preset, and many manufacturers offer apps for your smartphone for communicating with your robotic mower.

Whatever your lawn, there is a robotic mower made for it, with models to handle different sizes, slopes and complexities. Some models are equipped with rain sensors to avoid mowing in the rain, while others are made to withstand it—or even to mow at night. While newer companies like Lawnbott and Robomow offer choices, more established mower manufacturers like Husqvarna also carry a line of robotic mowers. Prices among manufacturers vary, but these models tend to be substantially more expensive than your typical lawn mower, with many prices starting over $1,000.

Keep Critters at Bay the High-Tech Way

All gardeners have dealt with pests at some time or another.

One classic, simple pest deterrent that’s been around for years is the kitschy plastic great-horned owl statue, doing good work discouraging small critters from entering gardens. A natural predator of birds, squirrels, rabbits, rodents and other destructive critters, the owl frightens them from feasting on your plants. In an update on this classic statue, the Easy Gardener Company has added movement and sound to replicate the natural predator for more realistic, environmentally friendly pest control. Their Garden Defense Electronic Owl is equipped with

3 2

sensors that detect when pests are nearby, causing the figure to turn its head and hoot in their direction. Battery-operated, the owl can rest on a fence post or be suspended from a tree to help keep your garden pest free. Best of all, the price tag on the Garden Defense Electronic Owl makes it a no-brainer to enlist its help in your garden, checking in around $50.

If you want to keep an eye out for how well your Garden Defense Owl works, capture the bloom of a flower, or track the activity around your birdbath, consider incorporating one of the many garden camera monitor products available. Brinno makes several; from the time-lapse GardenWatchCam or the motion sensor-activated BirdWatchCam, there are a number of options for you to remotely capture the action in your garden.

Equipped with high-quality lenses in weatherproof cases, these battery-operated cameras also have built-in sleep settings to enable longer battery life. Ringing in at the price of a decent point-and- shoot digital camera, Brinno’s cameras range from about $150 to $275, making it easy and affordable to keep an eye on your garden.

There are also gadgets to take the guesswork out of where to plant or to help you diagnose why a particular plant might not be thriving. Luster Leaf’s Rapitest Digital 4-Way Analyzer measures moisture, pH, fertilizer and temperature levels, while the Black & Decker PlantSmart digital plant care sensor takes it a step further, connecting to your computer to recommend ideal plants for a particular spot or offer specific advice for your existing plants. PlantSmart even helps you create a library of your favorite plants, saving your readings for future use. Both gadgets cost under $50, with wildly different appearances.

R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

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While Luster Leaf looks like a traditional science gadget, PlantSmart resembles a plastic flower.

Also resembling nature in appearance is Parrot’s Flower Power. Shaped like a branch, this gadget is designed to be placed in the dirt of a potted plant where it will monitor the sunlight, temperature, moisture and fertilizer levels your plant is experiencing. It communicates this information through an app on your smartphone or tablet to tell you when your plant needs attention. Retailing around $59, gadgets like Flower Power make it easier for even the blackest of thumbs to be successful plant owners.

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All Kinds of Apps

You don’t need to own any of these gadgets to take advantage of gardening apps on your smartphone or tablets. There are a vast number of apps to help with almost every aspect of the garden, short of doing it for you. Apps for the garden can help with so many tasks: offer weather forecasts, help plan your garden, keep track of what you planted and when, monitor the number of hours of sunlight in a day, diagnose diseases, and even provide special social networks for gardeners. Among favorites for you to check out are Garden Plan Pro (a vegetable garden planner—$7.99 and worth it!), Into Gardens, Garden Time Planner and Garden Compass (all free). With all this technology, it seems the only work we have to do is the actual planting, freeing up more time to bask in the beauty of our gardens. r vhomemaga zine .com

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Bright,BOLD

and beautiful

Home addition boasts comfort and color

BY Pat ricia C H el d P h ot o gr a p hy by Kev in H ur l ey

Meredith and John Draper’s home shines amid the collection of stately older homes on Sewell Lane in Roanoke. Its white brick exterior broadcasts taste and traditional style. The only hint to what lies behind the front door is the door itself. Painted in Pittsburgh Paint “Milano Red,” it alludes to the home’s bright, bold and beautiful interior. And this is exactly how Meredith Draper planned it.

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r vhomemaga zine .com

SCAN THIS PAGE TO SEE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF 35 THIS HOME

The Drapers’ renovation project included creating a backyard oasis, featuring a custom pool by Virginia Pool Sales and Service.

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Roanoke is home for both Meredith and John. They grew up here, went to school here, and met and married here in the Star City. The couple spent 10 years away from the area, and when an opportunity came to transfer back home, the Draper family was elated. The move came just in time for Meredith and John’s three young children to enjoy their grandparents who still lived in the Roanoke area.

The family first settled in South Roanoke, but once the children reached high school age, Meredith and John yearned for the home of their dreams. After searching Roanoke, the couple found the perfect home in Southwest City. “The neighborhood drew us to this house,” says Meredith.

Sewell Lane is a cul-de-sac hidden amidst a busy section of town. And despite its location just minutes from downtown, it remains wooded and private—a country setting. It is obvious why the original homeowner chose this location to build his vacation home. In the early 1900s, Ernest Fishburn purchased the land and built a log home as a holiday retreat. Ultimately, the family rebuilt a new home that they named Annesfad, and moved to this estate to live year round. In time Fishburn allowed friends to purchase lots from the original tract. Today it remains a small neighborhood, with no two homes alike or even similar in architectural detail.

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The Sewell Lane home was the perfect choice for the Drapers.

“It had good bones,” says Meredith. “When we walked in we saw its potential. I knew this had possibilities. We call it our hidden little gem.” Meredith has an eye for design and could envision the changes that were necessary to make the home to their liking.

The Drapers wanted a first-floor master bedroom, a big den, a large kitchen and a swimming pool. This would involve adding on to the back of the house. Because of the expansive back yard, there was plenty of room for an addition.

Immediately after the Draper family moved to their new home, they began renovations. They hired the Alam Design Group and Family Builders, LLC for the project. Architect Hussain Alam was responsible for both the design and construction of the addition.

Meredith explains that the couple learned many lessons from the renovation of their previous home. “We discovered how we could do this better,” she says. And with this experience, the Drapers could not have been more pleased. As a design and build firm, Alam Design Group and Family Builders remained involved every step of the way. “I wanted the addition to appear like it had always been here. I did not want it to look like an addition,” says Meredith. “The way [Alam] tied in the addition with the old section is wonderful. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

White Vermont granite countertops contrast with the all-white cabinetry and a porcelain farm sink. Originally Meredith planned on using white marble; however, the contractor was concerned that marble would not hold up as well as granite. With its grey background and white veining, the white Vermont granite suggests marble and provides the effect that Meredith wanted for her kitchen.

Hussain Alam has a passion for creating beautiful architecture and a clear understanding of how best to achieve it.

Alam added 1800 square feet of space while maintaining the details of the original charming home.

Meredith used her huge collection of clippings and notes that she gathered over the years for inspiration for her kitchen.

“With this house, I knew this would be it. This was my only chance to get exactly what I wanted in a house. This is the last house we will do,” she says. She teamed up with her mother, Cindy Smith, who is talented in home design—skilled at pulling things together and selecting just the right piece. Clearly Meredith has inherited Cindy’s abilities.

The original kitchen was what Alam describes as a small galley kitchen. Under his direction they removed a full bath and large closet to open up the room to become a spacious area. White Vermont granite countertops contrast with the allwhite cabinetry and a porcelain farm sink.

Originally Meredith planned on using white marble; however, the contractor was concerned that marble would not hold up as well as granite. With its grey background and white veining, the white

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Vermont granite suggests marble and provides the effect that Meredith wanted for her kitchen. Meredith points out that while white cabinetry may no longer be the hottest ticket in kitchen design, she chose it for its clean, fresh look. As she explains, “I do what I like.” The kitchen is large and includes an alcove set apart from the workspace for an eating area. This roomy niche is large enough for a table and seating. Above the table, cattle and chickens graze together in a large painting depicting a rural farm scene. On a trip to North Carolina, Meredith discovered this painting at a Greensboro consignment shop. “When I saw it I knew it was the perfect piece to complement this area,” she says.

Meredith’s style tends toward eclectic, so mother and daughter enjoyed hitting consignment stores and antique shops, driving all over in search of just the right treasures to use in the house.

“We find things we like, bring them home and then put them all together,” says Meredith. Everything does not need to match. “I just pick what I like and make it work,” she explains.

A decorative shelf and chest, purchased separately, have joined forces to become the perfect kitchen hutch. Here Meredith exhibits one of her treasured collections of blue and white china and tiny animal figurines. She is never afraid to blend items of varying quality. “I mix the really good with other things that are not so great,” she says. Small animal heads made of resin hang on the walls, giving Meredith the eclectic look she wanted.

The kitchen leads into the family room where a coffered ceiling separates the two rooms and maintains an air of spaciousness typical of an open floor plan. A corner wet bar makes entertaining easy. French doors leading to the gardens, patio and pool area create good flow when the house is packed with guests.

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Meredith and her family thoroughly enjoy their entire home, and the patio, pool and garden areas are no exception.

While late winter may be too early to spend much time outdoors, the hint of azaleas and dogwoods soon to bloom foretell many hours to be spent in this luxurious outdoor space.

Back in the family room, Meredith is not shy about using color and mixing different prints. “I love color and I am not afraid to use it. If you don’t like color, you will not like my house,” she laughs. With her mother’s help, prints and patterns in a variety of hues all effectively mingle.

Contrasting coral and lime green pillows adorn the couch, and a collection of colorful ginger jars and more blue and white china add vibrancy to an already bright room.

Above the couch is an imaginative collage by Mary Boxley Bullington.

Another piece of artwork, this one created

by Meredith’s young daughter, hangs in a corner of the room. “I just loved it, so I had it framed,” says Meredith.

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The remaining portion of the addition includes the master bedroom suite accessible by a back hallway. An Oriental carpet runs its length and along the expansive wall hangs an elongated Oriental screen. “I brought this piece from our other house and had a hard time finding a place where it would fit,” says Meredith. The delicate colors of pink, silver and green provide a spot of unexpected beauty in an otherwise casual location—an interesting contrast and an unforeseen delight.

Painted Pittsburgh Paint “Viva la Bleu,” the master bedroom is magnificent. “This is my favorite room of the house,” exclaims Meredith. The room overlooks the pool and back gardens, offering a respite from a busy day. With a fireplace, crystal chandelier and a bed adorned with a monogrammed spread and flowing bed skirt, the room is a declaration of fine taste. Lamps and other ceramic ware by Richmond artist Dana Gibson bring even more color into the room. The connecting bath is bedecked with white marble and the same distinctive “Viva La Bleu” walls.

A chandelier, spacious walk-in shower, and soaking tub create the aura of a spa.

The dining room, living room and entry foyer are original to the home and remain structurally unchanged. With Meredith’s choice of wall colors and décor, they are stunning.

Both the living room and dining room are painted Pittsburgh Paint “Florida Pink.” While it might have taken nerves of steel to choose this shade, the result is spectacular. Meredith has carried out her color scheme in such a way that the rooms flow like waves. Amazingly, her lime green floral draperies, brought from a previous residence, fit as if they were customized for this room.

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The living room is filled with furniture finds and family pieces. An ornate bench, one of her mother’s discoveries, was Meredith’s Christmas gift one year. This piece has moved from house to house and room to room. In this house it has found the perfect spot under a window. Upholstered in muted shades of coral and green and highlighted with a needlepoint pillow of brightly feathered parrots, this bench conveys the essence of this house. It is formal yet whimsical, and a very pleasant place to sit.

Artwork abounds in every room and runs the gamut from contemporary to traditional. Artists Susie Whiteside and Courtney Cronin combined forces to paint an abstract landscape that hangs above the sofa. Meredith’s mom discovered this piece and immediately phoned her daughter. “You have to come over here and see this,” she said at the time. “It is made for your living room.” With its myriad colors, it literally lights up the room. Art hangs in unexpected spots, some at eye level and others at waist level. “I don’t follow rules and I do things I like,” says Meredith.

A corner cupboard, one of the very first pieces of furniture the couple ever purchased, fits in nicely and has a great deal of sentimental value. The original hardwood floors are carpeted with grass rugs, purchased at Green Front years ago. Despite their age, they have maintained their appearance. “They wear like iron,” says Meredith. “You cannot harm them.”

With an Oriental theme, the dining room presents a very formal picture. Meredith’s great aunt’s table and chairs are the centerpiece, with the crystal chandelier brought from the Drapers’ previous home hanging above. “I grew up eating on this table,” recalls Meredith. When she discovered a series of artworks on silk in an antique store, she knew they would be perfect

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hanging in this room. And once they were reframed, they were. A white chair rail and coral draperies, the exact shade of the walls, finish the room. Meredith describes painting the walls first and then setting out with the formidable task of finding matching draperies. Luckily, she did.

The center hall (painted a shade of… pink!) features a large enough area where guests can be greeted and coats collected. An open staircase projects an airy effect. Along the wall of the upper level of the stairwell is another large screen featuring an Oriental theme, this one depicting cherry blossoms in bloom.

Upstairs is the kids’ domain, with three bedrooms, a bath, and a guest room— also painted pink.

Fortunately for the Drapers, Meredith has an eye for good design. “I like what I like and decorate our home for us,” she says. Since color is so important, it is everywhere in the Draper home. While Meredith’s choices are indeed bright and bold, the effect is spectacular, taking an otherwise stately, traditional home to the dazzling end of the spectrum.

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n IMPROVE COAT CLOSETS

The Ideal Coat Closet from dumping ground to shipshape

By N o el l e Mi l a m

“A place for everything, and everything in its place.” Growing up, this was a phrase I heard more times than I cared to. My father, a career naval officer, spent years aboard ships, and liked his home to run on the same principles of discipline and order that worked so well when he was at sea. Though he met with varying degrees of success (and eye-rolling, and dramatic sighs) at home, I can say that in retrospect, he taught me a good foundation for starting a home of my own, even if ours isn’t quite as tidy.

My own family has put down more roots. Because we don’t move every few months, it’s been much easier to accumulate, well, stuff, and much of it ends up in the vicinity of the hall closet. By virtue of location, usually near one of the home’s entrances, hall coat closets can quickly become the repository of practically everything a family hauls in and out. It’s no small wonder that many of them, including mine, tend to get a little out of hand. r vhomemaga zine .com

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Rick Gumpert, owner of Closet Storage Organizers, has been helping clients get a handle on their closet clutter for 26 years. He says, “When I take an initial consultation with a client, the first thing I ask is, ‘What do YOU see as the problem?’” This thought process helps maximize the closet’s intended purpose. He says that most clients express concern about not having enough hanging space as well as not having adequate room for guests’ coats. But he believes that these issues need to be addressed separately. He says almost every closet can be improved with the use of double, “high-low” hanging rods to increase hanging space. But what about guests’ coats? Gumpert laughs, “We all know that if you are having a party, ALL the coats will wind up on your bed!” In all seriousness, however, he says that a good closet design will easily accommodate a couple of extra coats.

Once you’ve decided that it’s time for a closet makeover, take a cue from Gumpert and decide what is your closet’s true purpose.

Perhaps that means just coats, or likely, depending on space, you’ll want your coat closet to fulfill several storage roles. Make a list of each of the “jobs” you want your coat closet to fulfill.

Coats? Sporting equipment? Cleaning supplies? Be realistic. If it doesn’t all fit in there now, maybe some things will need to be relocated to other areas of your home.

Start with a Clean Slate

Experts recommend taking everything out of the closet initially so that you can properly measure the dimensions, and also give it a good cleaning. This is a great time to make any necessary repairs: oil the hinges, patch any dings in the walls, replace lighting, maybe even give it a fresh coat of paint. Consider R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

P h ot o p rov i d e d by Cl o set St o r a g e O rg a nize r s

painting the closet interior the same color as the paint on the walls of the room or hall where the closet is located, or even use a complementary or accent color. A new coat of paint provides a fresh, clean backdrop for closet contents.

Next, consider what came out of that closet.

Purge all items that are not on your list. If you’ve decided that your coat closet should house only coats and other outerwear, then find other locations to store the vacuum, pointe shoes, lacrosse sticks, and other detritus that has found its way in there.

Once you have whittled down your closet contents, analyze what you have, and get rid of what you can. In times gone by, most adult coats were long, well below the knees, and older homes generally have coat closets designed to accommodate them with a single hanging bar at eye level. If you are lucky, there may be a shelf above this single bar, presumably for hats, which everyone used to wear every time they went out.

But times have changed. Today’s coats—with the exception of a single dress coat perhaps—are generally shorter, and children’s coats of course are shorter still. Take advantage of shorter lengths by replacing the single eye-level pole with high-low poles that will maximize your hanging space: one pole hung approximately eye level, and the other about 30 inches lower. Voila! Twice the hanging

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Over-the-door shoe holders make great storage for small items such as mittens, scarves, sunscreen or swim goggles. space. Hang adult coats, or those more frequently worn, on the upper pole, and children’s coats (or coats that get less frequent wear) on the lower pole. Unless you have a very large coat closet, plan to switch items in and out with the seasons, putting offseason gear in less-convenient storage elsewhere in your home.

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Analyze ways that you can make every inch of this premium closet real estate work for you. Over-the-door shoe holders make great storage for small items such as mittens, scarves, sunscreen or swim goggles. Large plastic tubs set underneath the hanging clothes can hold shoes and boots. Hooks or different-sized baskets can be attached to the back of the closet door, or even the inside walls if your closet is deep enough, to hold everything from school bags to car keys in an easy-to-see, easy-to-access way. If you have room, you may want to consider adding built-in shelves. Nowadays there are many options—basic shelving of wood or wire, attractive baskets, and shoe organizer pieces. You can explore closet “systems” at local hardware stores, or opt for the professional help of a carpenter or closet designer who can design and build a system for your specific needs.

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If you are installing shelves, consider using baskets to keep the look uniform.

Ideally baskets will use up all of the shelves’ square footage to maximize space. Consider this handy tip: purchase baskets first, then configure shelves to fit—it’s much easier to build shelves to fit baskets than to spend hours shopping for baskets with the exact dimensions to make the most of your shelf space. Designate and label the baskets, so that all family members know where to put their things. Always keep in mind that items used more frequently need to be the easiest to reach. When you open the door of a wellorganized closet, it should be immediately obvious where you should put your things.

Rick Gumpert agrees. “I can’t make you hang up your coat,” he chuckles, “but I can make it pretty obvious that you should!”

Once that closet is organized, keep it that way! This means running a swift mental checklist as you walk in the door, and putting things in the places you have designated right away. Hang up your coat and keys, send the lacrosse stick up to the player’s bedroom. Have a place for everything and put everything in its place. It turns out my father’s tight-ship method just may have been wise after all.

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n DESIGN MANTELS

New Year, New Look Restyle Your Mantel

By K i m F ox

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The holiday season is well behind us, and home and hearth are long swept bare of seasonal decorations. A lot of people can get a little blue when they look around after they “un-decorate” from the holidays, but I love the feeling of starting fresh in the new year. If these bare spaces bother you, you might be ready for a new look. An easy place to start without too much commitment could be your fireplace mantel—a blank canvas freshly swept of all holiday trimmings.

Even though decorating trends come and go, there are a few basic elements of design that remain constant when considering this space—one that is often the focal point of the room. Start with the wall over the mantel. This is the place for a statement piece such as original artwork, a clock or a mirror to anchor your arrangement. Now decide what your next layer will be. Consider height and balance of the accessories that you add. The Libra in me likes things balanced; if I have three candlesticks on one side of the mantel, you better believe I will have three on the other side. But you may love asymmetrical arrangements, and that works too.

Try different items, different arrangements and even different color schemes. The great thing about styling your mantel is that it is easily changed; other than possibly your central statement piece, you don’t need to make any hefty investments. If you need some post-holiday mantel inspiration, these tips might get you started.

Repair Before You Restyle

The holidays can take a toll on your furniture and woodwork. While your mantel is bare, take time to do some damage control. Dried candle wax can discolor wood, so make sure to remove any residue from candles.

Fill nail holes, dust crevices and check for places that need repair. Products to restore wood can make your mantel look new again and are relatively easy to use.

You might even decide this is the year you stain that oak mantel a dark mahogany or paint it bright white.

Whatever your design plans, starting with a clean surface is key.

Celebrate Something Different

Yes, Christmas is over, but that doesn’t mean you have to banish your red candles. February gives us Valentine’s Day, after all! Try framing black and white photos of you and your loved ones in silver frames. Group red candles in silver candle sticks among your photographs, or display some flowers in a silver or glass vase to add a fresh element. Whether it’s over the top or super simple, this isn’t a long-term commitment. Cupid makes an appearance in a couple of weeks, and then it will be time to change things up again. r vhomemaga zine .com

March brings St. Patrick’s Day, and even if you aren’t a bit Irish, it’s fun to celebrate the Celtic holiday. Small pots of shamrocks from at your local garden center give a nod to all things Irish without painting everything Kelly green. A simple arrangement of three or five (odd numbers work best) 6-inch pots down the center of your mantel is clean, fresh and festive Turn It Back

Whether you are partial to Victorian, art deco or mid-century modern, chances are there is a flea market or second-hand store in your neighborhood full of inspiration. Pieces from the past add instant interest to any room—think candlesticks, decorative boxes, small ceramics and the like. Vintage colors can be incorporated with painted frames or candles—think turquoise and pink from the 50s. If you crave clean and simple lines, mid-century modern might be your kind of style.

Typically, these mantels were spare with two or three accessories (usually wood or glass) strategically placed.

Colors from that era were muted tones inspired from nature—burnt orange, teal, olive green—and work nicely with today’s neutral color palettes.

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Group Therapy

One item on a mantel looks lost, but grouping items instantly makes a statement. Look around your house. More than three like pieces can be considered a collection, so think about what you have that might work as a “grouping.” Look through your kitchen cabinets or storage areas for inspiration. The shells you brought back from the beach would look beautiful in clear vases filled with sand. Group them with wooden candle sticks and white candles for some instant warmth on a winter day. Maybe you have several pieces of hobnail milk glass stashed on the top shelf of your pantry. Pull all the pieces out and play around with an arrangement, placing some of them on a cake pedestal or small stack of books for varying heights. If you are fortunate enough to have inherited your great grandmother’s teapot collection, several might look beautiful on your mantel and may instantly become a conversation starter, too.

Bring the Outdoors In

If freshening up your décor has you stumped, take a cue from nature. Go for a walk, and don’t forget a basket and some pruning shears. Gather things as you go; pick up stray pine cones, acorns or twigs, and prune some branches off your evergreens— holly, magnolia, or aucuba make great clippings. Once inside lay everything out on your kitchen table. Gather similar vases or clear glass apothecary jars and start filling them with your finds.

The juxtaposition between smooth glass and wood elements can become a beautiful natural theme.

The new year offers a fresh start for many things, including your home décor. Why not start with your fireplace? It may just be the inspiration you need for other projects, too. Now…what about that guest bedroom?

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n GARDEN EARLY SPRING FLOWERS

By A lyssa M erca dan t e

During midwinter days, it seems the season will never lose its icy grip. Warm sunshine, buzzing bees and pretty flowers may feel like they are ages away, but believe it or not, now is the time to start thinking about your spring landscaping. To inspire you and carry you through, take a peek at these early spring bloomers—the surest sign that warmer weather is coming. If they aren’t already, soon these flowers will be sprouting their way out of the cold, hard ground to give us all the colorful revival we have been anxiously awaiting. Make note of those that catch your eye, and plan to plant some yourself when your garden is ready!

Lenten Rose

A low-maintenance evergreen, the Lenten rose is actually not a rose at all, but part of the buttercup family. This latewinter/early-spring bloomer is so named because it usually blooms during the season of Lent and features various rosy colors. Its flower petals, which can range from pure white to a deep plum, hang downward like those of a buttercup.

Mature plants can reach heights of 18 to 24 inches, growing in clumps that spread to widths of two to three feet. Once they reach about eight years old, you can expect as many as 100 or more flowers per plant. The Lenten rose is great for beginners; it’s sturdy, drought tolerant, and resistant to deer and voles. The leaves contain bitter-tasting alkaloids, an unpleasant encounter for woodland creatures. While this pest-resistant evergreen plant thrives in shady areas with little maintenance, keep in mind it is slow growing (it takes about four years to mature before it will flower for the first time), so be patient. These beauties will be worth the wait! r vhomemaga zine .com

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Crocus

Crocuses are one of the earliest flowers to bloom, announcing the imminent departure of winter with lovely pink, purple, yellow or white petals. If you haven’t planted this perennial, you are missing out on an early season of delight. From snow crocuses (the first to bloom) to giant Dutch crocuses, these blooms stand out against the bleak late-winter landscape. Many even have strong perfumes that lure bees out of their hives in February or March. Small bulbs like crocus not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning they spread on their own and come back year after year—with minimum care—for an ever-larger display. As a bonus, deer, squirrels and rabbits rarely bother these early little bulbs. It’s best to plant crocuses before the ground freezes in the fall. They can be planted almost anywhere, but thrive best in full sun and well-drained soil.

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Daffodils

If easy but showy is what you’re after, daffodils are the way to go. Increasing naturally from year to year, these gorgeous flowers are long-lived, stand up to cold and heat alike, and require virtually no attention after minimal care at the planting stage. They don’t even require summer watering (although they’ll surely accept it). Flowering commences in late winter and early spring, but planting should be done as soon as they are available in the fall. These perennials love to face the sun, and come in yellow, white, orange, pink and even red. Daffodils are suitable for planting between shrubs, in a border or even under high-branching trees. They also look stunning in a woodland garden and in large groves; many gardeners even plant these bulbs by the hundreds. Most types reach 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall and make fine cut flowers. Keep them in a vase of their own, though, since their freshly cut stems release a substance that causes other flower types to wilt. Did you know that these trumpetshaped flowers symbolize friendship?

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Tulips

One of the most popular spring flowers of all time, and the third most popular worldwide, the tulip is a tried and true favorite amongst the perennials. In fact, there are now over 3,000 different registered varieties of cultivated tulips. Tulip bulbs come in virtually every color under the sun, including a purple so deep that it almost looks black, and are especially fragrant. These sunshine-lovers are excellent in beds and borders, and their stems are great for cutting to use indoors as well. It is best to plant tulip bulbs in the late fall, six to eight weeks before a hard frost is expected and when the soil temperature is below 60 degrees.

Water tulips during dry spells only; otherwise, do not water. Tulips prefer to stay dry.

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Forsythia

What better way to announce the return of spring than with sunny splashes of bright, yellow forsythia? These showy shrubs are among nature’s earliest spring bloomers. A member of the olive family, this shrub features slightly bell-shaped blooms that range in color from soft butter yellow to bright, vivid gold. They are extremely fast growing, which means pruning often is a necessity. Other than pruning, these bushes are easy to grow and established plants require little care.

They grow best in full sun to partial shade, and should be fertilized once a year in early spring. Use a high phosphorous fertilizer to promote bright blooms. Forsythia can be used in a variety of ways. They can be placed singly in the yard, left to grow naturally (no upkeep required), or grown as a hedgerow, along foundations in a neat and orderly fashion. Flowers form on the prior year’s growth, not new growth, so it is important to prune them immediately after the flowers have bloomed.

But it’s okay to be aggressive when pruning—they will grow back quickly. If you want to bring some of this deciduous shrub indoors, cut a few branches in late winter to bring into the house. In a week or two, you will be treated to an early dazzling flower bouquet.

With these early-blooming flowers planted around your home, heavy winter spirits are sure to be lifted. As these colorful blooms emerge, we are reminded that spring is on its way.

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n IMPROVE WOOD PANELING 101

What About Wainscoting?

Decoding decorative wood paneling

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By Mi t z i B ib l e

Today’s options for wood paneling go way beyond the rec rooms of the 1970s, when ceilingto-floor sheets of oak-looking fiberboard stole the show. Now decorative wood paneling meets homeowners halfway—literally. Lining the bottom portion of a wall with a decorative wood treatment has quickly become a trend. Want to create a fine dining experience in your dining room? Have a bathroom that could use a little splash of style? Need to cook up a new look in the kitchen? Adding decorative paneling could be the most practical way to bring an instant element of design to an otherwise ordinary room, while at the same time protecting walls from scuffs and hiding other imperfections. r vhomemaga zine .com

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One of the best ways to add character to a room is to add wood paneling to the walls. Depending on how you apply it and paint it, wood paneling can add rustic charm, set a formal tone or even give your home an authentic air of history. Painted paneling will make a statement in any color, so don’t limit your paint palette only to white! Looking for something a little more subtle? Colored stains can show off details in the wood and express color in a more subdued way.

Wain-what?

Contractors and manufacturers vary in their use of terms for decorative paneling.

In your local home improvement store, you will often find these products in the molding section (also referred to using the British spelling, moulding), sold along with other types of wood trim for doors and windows. The most popular term you will hear for this half-wall treatment is wainscoting (pronounced with a long or short “o,” by the way), referring to the practice of affixing thin panels of wood to a wall vertically, from the baseboard to chair-rail height, or slightly higher. Derived from a Dutch term for lining a wall, this practice was once used centuries ago for insulation, especially in homes with stone walls where dampness intruded from the ground. But today it has found its way into the realm of interior design, and it appears that it’s here to stay. Now any room in a house can benefit from these traditionally thin wood panels and the 6 2

more modern and even more durable PVC or vinyl waterproof varieties currently available. An entranceway or staircase can instantly become more ornate with square panels that can mimic your door design. A mudroom, washroom, kitchen, or bathroom can benefit from surfaces that are easy to wipe down. From plain slats to artistic designs and coordinating trim, a plain dining room, den, office, or library can be transformed into an elaborate room you won’t mind showing off to guests.

With the use of wainscoting, you can truly make your walls one-of-a-kind. Try to start your project and you will see there are a lot more decisions to make than you thought. Even under the umbrella term of wainscoting, you’ll find “raised panel wainscoting,” “beadboard,” and “batten” for instance. But what do these terms mean and where should you use them?

We’ll give you a quick rundown and show you ways wainscoting can enhance any room in your home.

Beadboard

Beadboard is characterized by its narrow panels, usually 2 to 4 inches wide, with tongue-and-groove connections and a thin “bead” strip (a rounded line) disguising the joints in between. Like other types of wood paneling, you can find this product in sheets (4 by 8 feet and 4 by 4 feet that are already sanded, primed, painted, and ready to install. It can also come in six-pack kits of about 7.5 inch-wide sections made of moistureresistant MDF (fiberboard) or cellular PVC. Beadboard is most often used at chair-rail height (about 4 feet from the floor) and works well in close quarters, such as hallways, laundry rooms and utility spaces, lending texture and interest without commanding too much space and attention. Because PVC beadboard shrugs off water, it is a great choice for a tub surround. Some people have even installed PVC board in children’s rooms for the durability it provides during those years when your walls can take the most R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

DESIGN IDEAS ■ Buck

the bottom-half rule and top the upper half of your wall with board and batten.

■ P lank

it: go horizontal with beadboard in the bathroom.

■ U se

chair-rail height wainscoting on the bedroom walls until you reach the bed, then bring it up high above the headboard to nicely frame the bed.

■ F or

a rustic look, use wainscoting to create a barndoor (criss-cross) panel over beadboard.

■ W ith

raised or recessed paneling, the squares become their own frames—for fabric, wallpaper or even ceiling tiles.

beating. For the same reason, you can even think “off the wall” and wrap a kitchen bar or island in beadboard. Kits come with easy installation instructions, requiring application of an adhesive and using only a few nails to hold panels in place during the work.

Board and Batten

This type of treatment involves planks laid vertically on the wall that can alternate with separate, narrower strips to cover the joints. The look can also be achieved by simply placing vertical planks on the wall itself, topped by a flat chair rail. There seem to be no hard-and-fast rules for this style, just equal distances between planks (although if you’re going for a farmhouse/rustic feel, installing them at random could work).

You will sometimes see board and batten in two levels: vertical planks, a rail, then a row of shorter vertical planks on top and another top rail. Board and batten can run higher up the wall (and even to the ceiling) and is sometimes finished with a cap rail wide enough to serve as a display shelf.

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or stain all molding before cutting or installing (unless you also plan to paint the walls and trim the same color).

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Always double-check your measurements.

■ I f

you are right handed, start from the left corner of the room, or vice versa.

■ A sk

yourself how permanent you want the project to be, as this may determine how involved you get, and whether you use nails or glue adhesive, which could damage your drywall if you decide to take it down.

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R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

Paneled Wainscot

You will most likely find this type of woodwork in foyers, lining a staircase, or in dining rooms, as it is often used in more formal areas where you will want stand back and admire it. Square or rectangle panels, built like picture frames, can be affixed right on the wall, with decorative chair rails and baseboards to match. Pieces of molding can be combined to construct this series of “boxes” along the bottom half of a wall.

There is no shortage of online tutorials to teach you how to build your own panels out of molding, or you can buy plywood with panels that are already beveled, or recessed. Shaker style remains popular with panel wainscoting, using simple vertical rails spaced equal distances apart to create a very clean look. With rail molding coming in so many different woods—pine, oak, poplar, maple, to name a few—and in stain-grade or paint-grade, you can achieve the formal or casual look in any room.

If you intend to install this paneling yourself, it certainly comes in handy to have some training in using a miter saw. But a skilled craftsman should be able to create the look you desire, and it may be worth it to hire one to make all the different parts work together.

Now that you know some of the terms and have a few ideas, perhaps you won’t find yourself up against a wall when it comes to wainscoting—or actually, perhaps you will.

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n INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

HOME

Decorating Den Interiors -Roanoke. . . . . . . . 45

Protect Painters of the Roanoke Valley . . . . . 49

Drs. Moore & Stockstill, P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Reid’s Fine Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

LIVE

Embrace Home Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Roanoke Catholic School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

3 Day Kitchen & Bath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ferguson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Roanoke Symphony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Accents on Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Goldsmith Appraisal Service, LLC . . . . . . . . 44

Ronnie Mitchell and Son Landscaping . . . . . 59

Aquarius Pools, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Grand Home Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Sentry Exteriors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Art & Iron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Halifax Fine Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Seven Oaks Landscape Hardscape . . . . . . . . 57

Astonish Antique Restoration. . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Home Town Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Southern Lamp and Shade Showroom . . . . . 64

B P Roy Construction LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Interiors by Kris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Smith Mountain Building Supply . . . . . . . . . . 3

Ballyhack Golf Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Jeannine Hanson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

The Cabinet Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Better Sofas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Kevin Hurley Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

The Columns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Black Horse Manor Antiques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Liberty Christian Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

The Little Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Bob Riddick Roofing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

LinDor Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

The Olde White House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Boxley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Magnolia Décor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Vinton Appliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Brambleton Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Marshall Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Vinton Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Brambleton Frame Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Mill Mountain Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Virginia Pools Sales & Service. . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Bush-Flora Shoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

N-Hance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Viva la Cupcake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Capps Home Building Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

National Pools of Roanoke, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 25

Vivendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Carter’s Cabinet Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Northwest True Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Water By Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Certified Carpet Cleaners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Now Then and Again. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Whitt Carpet One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Closet Storage Organizers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Oakey’s Funeral Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Window and Door Design Gallery . . . . . . . . . 3

Dalton Construction Company, Inc.. . . . . . . 26

Potentially Chic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Wisler Plumbing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Deb’s Frozen Lemonade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Potter Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

WSLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

R O A N O K E

DESIGN

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IMPROVE

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VA L L E Y

GARDEN

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R o a n o ke Va l l e y h o m e E a r l y S p r i n g 2 0 1 5

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