Roanoke Valley HOME Magazine 2021 Apr/May by James River Media

HOME R OA N O K E VA L L E Y

flower power

design ✦ improve ✦ garden ✦ live

Explore local flower farms

ORGANIZE, ENERGIZE!

garage solutions housekeeping routines

SPRING CELEBRATIONS time for tea historic garden week

INSPIRING DESIGN

kitchen islands landscape plans SPRING 2021

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CONTENTS Roanoke Valley HOME Spring 2021

36 77

17 54

LOCAL BLOOMS Explore four local flower farms BY KATHERINE FULGHUM KNOPF

ISLAND TIME Trends in kitchen islands BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

54 Cover photo at Thornfield Farm by Betty Clicker / Kate Thompson

FACEBOOK: HOME Magazine INSTAGRAM: @homemagva

A COLLECTOR’S EYE Fincastle home holds treasures inside and out BY NOELLE MILAM

PETS AT HOME Living in style with furry friends BY RORY RHODES

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S PR I NG 2021

DESIGN

24 DOOR DESIGN

Non-traditional doors for any space BY KENDALL ATKINS LIVICK

46 STYLE YOUR ENTRY

Four local designers create a welcoming space 68 LAYERED LOOKS

How layering creates character in your home

BY AMELIA POORE

IMPROVE

43 PARK IT HERE!

Garage organization tips and tricks BY MITZI BIBLE

74 HOUSEKEEPING MAGIC

Simple routines make cleaning easy BY JANE RENNYSON

GARDEN

32 GEARING UP

Get garden tools ready for the season BY MARGIE LIPPARD

50 FOUNDATION PLANTINGS

Develop a scheme to complement your home BY BECKY CALVERT

72 HISTORIC GARDEN DAY IN VIRGINIA

Local tour is back, better than ever

LIVE

27 TEA TIME

Brew your best cup BY SLOANE LUCAS

64 GARDEN PARTY

Fresh dishes for easy entertaining BY MARSHA GALE

64 1 0

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Your oasis. Your home. Your oasis. SUNROOMS SUNROOMS

DECKS DECKS

PORCHES PORCHES

KITCHENS KITCHENS

BATHROOMS BATHROOMS

BASEMENTS BASEMENTS

Create new spaces – and memories Create new spaces – and memories – with family and friends. – with family and friends. Call (540) 985-9160 for FREE estimates. Call (540) 985-9160 for FREESmith estimates. Serving Roanoke, Lynchburg, Mountain Lake Serving Lynchburg, Smith and theRoanoke, New River Valley since 1976.Mountain Lake and the New River Valley since 1976. FSFourSeasons.com | Facebook.com/FSFourSeasons | 2944 Orange Avenue NE, Roanoke r vhomemaga zine .com 11

FSFourSeasons.com | Facebook.com/FSFourSeasons | 2944 Orange Avenue NE, Roanoke

LOCAL EDITOR’S note The spring issue of Roanoke Valley HOME is my favorite. From cover to cover, the colors of the season abound. Spring is evident at every turn and a true harbinger of the greening season around Virginia is Historic Garden Week; it’s returning for 2021. Read our preview of the Roanoke tour, which is set for Saturday, April 24. This year’s selfguided tour features seven private gardens plus the completely overhauled Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden. Do-it-yourselfers are sure to be motivated by this year’s event. Flower farms in the Roanoke Valley are bursting with color this time of year. Find out what they offer, and where and when you can dig daylilies or purchase fresh cuttings. Wandering the rows of blooms is a great way to spend an afternoon outdoors and fresh flowers in the house are always welcome. These warm months have us thinking of improvements and enhancements for our homes. Having spent many weeks inside, we turn our attention to the garage. A cleanout and reorganization of this catchall area can be therapeutic. Are you adding a new kitchen island or revamping an existing one? Homeowners are getting creative with island designs and materials as well as colors and sizes, and HOME takes a look at what’s new. The entry area in a home can be a lasting first impression. Is your entry in need of a reboot? Four local designers style an entry hall chest of drawers with their own unique approach and panache; the armchair designer in all of us will be inspired!

With extended daylight and warmer weather, it’s a great time to get back to entertaining outside and (safely) plan a garden party, gathering a few friends together for a casual occasion. Perhaps before entertaining in the garden, getting your yard and lawn gear ready is imperative; we’ve got tips and pointers to get your equipment in the best shape for the season ahead. Spring brings many more opportunities to venture out, to catch up with family, friends and neighbors. We at HOME hope you glean fresh ideas on design, improvement and gardening with this Spring 2021 issue. Springtime in the Roanoke Valley is a feast for the senses; revel in the sights, sounds and smells of the freshest of seasons!

Thank you for reading, Anne Marie Poore annmarie@westwillowpublishing.com

Elaine Stephenson Interiors, Inc. Elaine Stephenson, Asid, Cid Seely Stephenson Nicholson

3117 Franklin Road | Roanoke, VA | 540.344.9401 | www.esinteriors.com 1 2

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beauty

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Here to Floor You

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ROANOKE VALLEY

HOME VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER Julie Pierce EDITOR Meridith Ingram ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman LOCAL EDITOR Anne Marie Poore FEATURE HOME CONTRIBUTOR Noelle Milam ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mitzi Bible Becky Calvert Marsha Gale Katherine Fulghum Knopf Margie Lippard Kendall Atkins Livick Sloane Lucas Noelle Milam Amelia Poore Jane Rennyson Rory Rhodes Christy Rippel

PatrickTeamHomes.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Kathryn Feldmann Jared Hall GRAPHIC DESIGNER Donna Collins

magnolia

OPERATIONS MANAGER Marianne Schatvet ADVERTISING SALES Julia Belvin Lisa Bowers Anne Marie Poore SUBSCRIPTIONS Roanoke Valley HOME is published five times annually by West Willow Publishing Group, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Roanoke Valley HOME 2003 Graves Mill Road, Suite B, Forest, VA 24551 For advertising information please call (434) 386-5667 or sales@westwillowpublishing.com. To discuss coverage of an event relating to home or garden, please contact Roanoke Valley HOME at info@westwillowpublishing.com.

WEST WILLOW PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com

3117-3 FRANKLIN RD. ROANOKE I 540.204.4774 MONDAY 11-4 | TUESDAY TO SATURDAY 10-5 14

Copyright 2021 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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EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

D ES IG N

B U I LD

MA I N TA IN

5 4 0. 4 89. 37 1 5

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Flower Farms are

Blooming SARAH’S PETALS

WILDWOOD FARMS GENERAL STORE AND DAYLILY FARM

THORNFIELD FARM

B Y K AT H E R I N E F U LG H U M K N O P F

A flower farm is a scenic wonder: rows and rows of bright petaled heads poking up from plentiful green leaves and lanky stems. Yet all that beauty comes from long hours of hard work and hands in the dirt. Does the joy that flowers bring match the sweat on the brow and the tired feet at the end of the day? Three local farmers tell the story of how they embarked on this adventure and what it takes to produce this precious commodity. r vhomemaga zine .com 17

PHOTOS: SHARPTOP STUDIOS

Lessons learned in the fields

Sarah and Mark Sowers live on Sarah’s family farm outside Fincastle, Virginia. Walking the flower fields with Sarah reveals her abundant knowledge about growing cut flowers, gained from seven years of experience on the farm that carries her name: SARAH’S PETALS. On Saturdays, she and her daughters sell her flowers at the Botetourt and Roanoke City Farmers Markets. Sarah’s husband Mark tills the fields with his bright green tractor, and he builds hoop houses that allow them to extend the growing season. Mark designed and constructed a garden shed where the cut flowers condition in buckets; behind it is the Flower Closet, a cooler where flowers chill until they are used in Sarah’s designs or wrapped in bouquets for the market. Outside the Flower Closet is Sarah’s workstation where she creates her beautiful arrangements. Sarah’s Petals is a family business, with Sarah’s parents helping too; all family members work in and amongst the flowers at different times. Mark builds raised beds and last year he constructed their first greenhouse. Sarah says, “[The greenhouse] is a welcome addition to the farm because it provides protection during the winter months and allows us an early start for seedlings. Once we add a heater, we will offer more potted plants.” Sarah determines what to plant each season as well as designs the bouquets and arrangements. Sarah’s daughters pitch in after school and on weekends to make deliveries. Sarah’s Petals does not use chemicals or harsh pesticides to grow their flowers. “We use a lot of compost to build the health of the soil and make it better for flower production,” Sarah says. “Farming this way takes more time. It is a long-term fix rather than the quick fix that chemical fertilizers provide, but it is worth it.” Looking at one of Sarah’s favorite flowers, the dahlia—“the diva of the garden,” as Sarah calls them—as well as the brightly colored zinnias and cosmos growing in bountiful groups, you know the soil is good. At Sarah’s Petals, flowers start budding in late April and May. Ranunculus, snapdragons, delphiniums and bells of Ireland brighten the spring days. Then cottage garden flowers like Sweet William, bachelor buttons, Canterbury bells and lupines arrive. Once a bed of flowers R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

PHOTOS: SHARPTOP STUDIOS

finishes, they plant cover crops such as buckwheat to keep the dirt from eroding and the soil from compacting. Known as green manure, this organic matter is tilled in before planting the next crop. New flowers are always being planted, along with fillers such as eucalyptus and silver shields, even unusual ones like an Oriental variety of milkweed with big green pods that attract caterpillars. Sunflowers and broom corn arrive in late summer. “I like to grow something unusual each season,” Sarah says. “[Summer 2020] I tried a new variety of hibiscus called Mahogany Splendor that has exquisite foliage but will not flower in our climate,” Sarah says as she handles a dark stem covered with reddish brown leaves. This foliage alone is exquisite in a vase. Sarah also grows popular flowers like Dutch iris and spring tulips

Smith Mountain Lake

to mix with varieties of ornamental onions for stunning bouquets. Late fall and winter are ideal for planning. To find ideas and inspiration, Sarah reads books on growing cut flowers. She is part of a Facebook group called Flower Farmers and she belongs to the American Specialty Cut Flower Growers, an organization that offers networking and other resources. Sarah shares her love of flowers and design knowledge through her wedding services as well as by offering workshops with demonstrations. Her ready-made arrangements sell at Bryant’s Orchard Farm Market Store in Daleville. Though you can schedule a delivery, you can also pick up preorders at the farm. Driving in to see those tidy fields of sunny flowers is worth the trip. sarahspetals.com, 540.793.0466

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PHOTOS: WILDWOOD FARMS, EXCEPT AS NOTED

Whitney Viers Photography

Daylilies in bloom

Judy Bowman, a registered nurse, and husband Bob, an ER physician, started a daylily farm in Floyd, Virginia that grew into a full-time business: WILDWOOD FARMS GENERAL STORE AND DAYLILY FARM.

It all started when Judy and Bob bought a daylily farm of five beds. Daylilies were a favorite in Judy’s mother’s garden, which encouraged them to take on this adventure. The following year they expanded their plot to about 10-15 beds and increased the lily selection. From there, it just kept going as they planted and experimented with different types of daylilies and grew collections for sale. Once the fields of daylilies were established, the couple built the general store that stocks gardening supplies, Virginia-made jams, barbecue sauce, dried beans and more, with local artists’ pottery and sculpture also lining the shelves. They added a cafe that offers barbecue, delicious sandwiches and fried chicken dinners. The front porch and deck provide a picnic spot for their customers. Out back, a stage offers a place for musical 2 0

sessions when the weather is bad; another stage sits on the garden shed porch across from the store where musicians play beside the lily fields on Sunday afternoons. Judy grew up with a mother who loved flowers, and was excited to start propagating and selling lilies while she had her mom for advice; others in her family are musical. “Our family hosted weekly music jams when I was growing up, so we want to provide this for our community,” Judy says. This site offers the perfect combination. The surrounding landscaping and gentle water features make a peaceful, shady place to enjoy a meal, listen to music, and gaze at the daylilies. Now, people come from all over to purchase their plants. Customers walk the flower beds, select their plants by filling out a form, then shop or eat while Judy digs their lilies from the fields. Over the years, Judy and her niece experimented with a few hybrids, but for the most part, Judy says, “We cultivate good garden flowers for this climate. It is wise to buy in your local area because those lilies are hardy for your garden and will do well.” R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

The daylilies start blooming in June and peak in July; some go until midAugust and in the right conditions can flower into mid-September. By fall the beds are put to bed for winter. Spring is good for dividing lilies and nourishing the soil. The beds are alphabetized so that Judy knows exactly where each plant is located. With more than 600 different varieties for sale, being this organized is a necessity. As the Bowmans learned quickly, running a daylily farm takes up a good bit of time. Since it opened in 2013, The General Store became a local connection for gardeners, music lovers and foodies. This work, along with the daylily farm, keeps the couple busy seven days a week. You can almost always find them working alongside their employees or catching up with friends who stop for a bite to eat. Some find it hard to leave this serene spot; it’s a pleasure to drive up to Wildwood Farm and wander the property, browse the store, shop for garden tools, and take home a few jars of pickles. Just don’t forget the daylilies; ask for your order form at the front desk. wildwoodfarmsdaylilies.com, 540.745.5155

BE AU T I F U L CON DO I N DOW N TOW N ROA NOK E This stunning unit occupies the entire 10th floor in Roanoke’s premier Condo Community. Abundant windows provide natural sunlight and captivating views from ALL focal points. Architectural appointments enhance the thoughtful floor plan ideal for entertainment and relaxation. Enter via the marbled floor foyer leading to the piano area flanking the spacious living room with fireplace. Adjacent is the breathtaking dining area with curved marble wall inlaid with Lalique Crystal and curved floating ceiling. Continue to the Chef’s EIK replete with Wolf appliances and attached dream butler’s pantry. The breakfast area flows beautifully into the comfortable library with fireplace. The master bedroom has a sitting area, walk-in closets and spacious spa-inspired en suite bath. The generously sized second bedroom also boasts a beautiful en suite bath. The third bedroom (currently outfitted as an office) has a gorgeous adjacent bath. Audio wired throughout. Elevator leads directly to the unit. Convenient garage parking with building accessibility via private entrance is a unique bonus. Parking spaces, Fully furnished. 204 S. Jefferson St., $1,100,000

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540-798-8640 • www.buyroanokehomes.com

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PHOTOS: BETTY CLICKER / KATE THOMPSON.

2 2

Flowers feed the land and the soul

It was a friend’s wedding on a farm in Maine that opened Susanna Thornton’s eyes to the beauty of sustainable farming. “I realized I missed the immediacy, the physicalness of working with the earth,” Susannah says. She had grown up with her parents and two siblings on THORNFIELD FARM in Botetourt County when it was a dairy farm. Those early years on her parents’ farm taught her the discipline of hard work and “got the land into her bones,” she says. Years away for college and during her career in public policy that took her to New Orleans, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. gave Susanna the insight to support this major lifestyle change. After the friend’s wedding, she stayed on that farm in Maine for a year to learn their practices and methods, then came home to institute the policies she learned so she and her family could transition their dairy farm to a greener one. Six years later, she and her parents, John and Linda Thornton, have transformed over 300 rolling acres of pasture and fields into a farm where they grow flowers, fruits and vegetables. The Thorntons also raise grass-fed lambs and cows, and free-range chickens. In 2015, they expanded their business to include sustainably grown vegetables for sale in the community. Thornfield Farm is well known for its farm shares for their vegetables and the beautiful flowers and high-quality produce used by several local farm-to-table restaurants. They sell flowers, produce and meats to individuals through pre-orders on their website. Thornfield Farm cultivates a diverse portfolio of flowers and vegetables. “We plant one acre of flowers and three to four acres of vegetables each season,” Susannah says. They also practice crop rotation and do not use synthetic pesticides or chemicals in an effort to maintain healthy soil, which they improve continually with compost and worms. They believe that healthy soil provides the ingredients plants need to fight pests. Early spring bulbs, flowers, lettuces and spicy greens sprout in the fields followed by peonies, spinach and arugula. These greens along with the traditional vegetables such as carrots, beans and squash provide a variety of healthy options to purchase along with a bouquet of flowers. Susanna added flowers in recent years and plants a wide selection that do well R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

PHOTOS: BETTY CLICKER / KATE THOMPSON.

in our climate. She grows both annuals and perennials and strives to add a few new varieties each year. “We plant over 50 varieties of cut flowers and each season has a shining star. There are always one to two showstoppers in the flower field. In spring, the ranunculus steals the show,” Susanna says. There are tulips, peonies and later dahlias that offer color and shape to her bouquets. She also grows eucalyptus, scented geranium, amaranth, verbena, zinnias and celosia to provide cut flowers all through the growing season. Once the heat of summer arrives, the sunflowers with their magnificent yellow petals and plate-size heads stand out in the field. You can buy a bouquet of Susanna’s flowers through pre-orders online. They also offer flowers by the bucket or in individual containers for events such as weddings. Susanna designs bridal bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages as well as arrangements for wedding events. Once you place an order for that stunning bouquet of flowers, get some veggies too and choose a location to pick up your flowers and produce. It is easy: pay online, drive up, and pop the trunk. Thornfield Farms also offers pick up at several locations in town, or if you have the time to go to the farm in Fincastle, you have the added bonus of watching the lambs romp in the fields as you wind the gravel drive up to the barn. thornfieldfarm.com, 540.520.1803 ✦

Residential and Commercial CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Serving Southwest Virginia | Roanoke | Smith Mountain Lake

We make your living space more lovable. 404 Walnut Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24014 | (540) 427-2001 | www.pitmanconstruction.com r vhomemaga zine .com 2 3

DESIGN designer doors

Specialty Doors

OPEN THE DOOR TO NEW POSSIBILITIES B Y K E N DA L L AT K I N S L I V I C K

“Love is an open door,” Anna sings in Disney’s Frozen. Imagine looking out into the world and seeing not limitations, but possibilities; everywhere you look, an open door and a chance for wonder. More than swinging objects that mark entrances and exits, doors should be inviting and intentional, and they might as well be pretty too. If you’re bored with traditional doors, or just bored in general, consider some new alternatives to spice things up this spring. 2 4

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Pocket doors

Now you see them, now you don’t! As the Houdini of doors, pocket doors pull a disappearing act by sliding on a track into the wall. Although they can be as cute as the name implies, pocket doors are more about function than aesthetics. Saving space is the primary goal, especially when the forward swing of a door could potentially interfere with other objects in the room. They work super well in closets, laundry rooms, half baths or small full baths. They can also open up the space in a playroom, narrow hallway, tight storage room or pinched pantry. Special installment considerations: Before you even begin, verify whether the wall is load bearing. Make sure the frame can support the door weight. Take inventory of any internal pipes or fixtures in the wall. Measure the wall width to make sure you have enough space for the door to fit completely internally. Remember, a door on the heavier side necessitates a longer header. These doors are typically sold with frame kits and instructions, so read carefully. Sliding barn doors

Sliding barn doors are the perfect way to add charm and can complement a variety of styles. Similar to pocket doors, they run on a track and work well in small spaces. Sliding barn doors can be sleek and modern, rustic, or just plain cool! These doors add a stylish and current flair while also creating privacy and adding dimension. Add a barn door to a bedroom closet when you want a neat and tidy separation between your room and your clothing and storage items. Barn doors also come in handy when closing off the water closet from the rest of the bathroom. They can be painted any color and adorned with either funky or more traditional hardware to pair with the rest of the room. Special installment considerations: How will you hang your barn door? You’ll need a header and track to accommodate a hefty weight and thickness. Make sure the weight of the door you have in mind can be supported by your wall. Think about width and height and make sure you can fully cover the opening of the doorway with no light shining through. Be aware of any wires, outlets and other electrical considerations.

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Dutch doors

The door system you can believe in. 1875 Dillard Dr. / Salem, VA 24153 540-389-7624 / www.skylinedoor.com

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If you value quaint charm, natural light and flexible functionality, do as the Dutch do. Dutch doors include a horizontal split, allowing for the top half to be opened like a window. You can let in light and fresh air while containing pets and kiddos, making Dutch doors ideal for patios, nurseries and small playrooms. Special installment considerations: You can buy a premade Dutch door at most home improvement retailers and hardware stores. However, if you’re going to DIY a non-traditional door, a Dutch door would be the one to take on. You probably already have a door in your home that could work for this. Make sure it’s a standard solid core door. Remove the hinges. Remove hardware and decide where you want that dividing line. Leave space for a shelf or any other accoutrement you plan to add. Mark and cut the door accordingly. Be aware that you may need to alter existing hinges or add a new hinge when you attach the door back in separate parts. French doors

If your wish is to bring a lot of light into a large space or make a smaller space feel like a larger space with a touch of luxury, French doors could be right up your alley. These traditionally glasspaned double doors often lead to outdoor areas like gardens or patios. They may also lead from a living room to a sunroom. The doors, composed mainly of glass, can provide separation and at the same time, fill a room with the sun’s natural rays. Don’t be afraid to play around with some unconventional uses. French doors are customizable and can be made narrower to fit into a kitchen door or pantry, or small-sized office, den or library. Special installment considerations: Before you install your beautiful French doors, measure the radius of the door’s swing to be sure you have enough space and that no furniture is in the way. Select a door that will fit inside your jamb depth. If your home is older, you may need to replace the jamb to fit your chosen door. However, most newer homes are more accommodating to standard sizes. Switch up the status quo, and before you know it, you’ll be opening the door to all kinds of new possibilities you never even considered. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

LIVE tea time

tea for you

bring out the best in your cup BY S LOA N E LU CA S

Whether a blustery winter evening, a crisp spring morning, or a sultry summer afternoon, tea is always the perfect beverage. Served warm or cool, herbal or fully loaded with caffeine, tea can help you relax, recharge and refocus all at once. You would expect nothing less from a beverage that dates back thousands of years, the popularity of which has spanned countless cultures across the centuries. Tea is also known for its various health benefits. Teas are rich in antioxidants, and research suggests tea provides flavonoids, which may relieve inflammation. Tea is also calorie-free, and even fully caffeinated varieties provide roughly half the caffeine of coffee, so you get some pick-me-up without the jitters. There are hundreds of tea leaf varieties to choose from, to suit every mood and taste. But what are the major differences and what’s the best way to choose, brew, and drink your tea?

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Black, green and oolong tea all hail from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. What distinguishes each type is treatment after harvest and the level of oxidation—the process by which tea leaves are exposed to air to dry. Much like a sliced apple or a cut avocado that begins to turn brown, tea leaves undergo a process by which they darken based on oxygen exposure. Black tea is arguably the most commonly used tea. It gets its dark appearance due to being fully oxidized. Green tea is slightly heated right after harvest, to prevent oxidation, while oolong falls somewhere between, with leaves that are only partially oxidized. Herbal teas do not originate from the Camellia sinensis plant but from any number of herbs, flowers and spices such as peppermint, spearmint, chamomile, ginger, rose hips, and countless others. Chicory is a flowering herb from the dandelion family that has, since the 17th century, been used as substitute for coffee. Today, you can buy this caffeine-free tea blended with vanilla and hazelnut flavors in grocery stores under brand names like Teechino. When buying tea, the majority of stores sell an assortment of boxed tea in bags. Tea bags rose in popularity because they are convenient and are portioned to allow for a good surface area ratio, meaning the bags are filled with just enough tea to expand in the bag while still allowing the water to get to the tea leaf surface. To up your game, look for unusual tea bag shapes like pyramids, “sachets,” or larger pouches, which provide better surface area ratio for the water to reach the leaves, or are packed with more tea. Some true tea aficionados opt for loose tea leaves, which you can buy at grocery stores, or at specialty and international markets. Loose tea saves on paper and waste, and allows you to personalize by mixing leaves from different teas to create your own blend. You can purchase a tea infuser or a metal tea ball that opens to add loose tea and bob in your teacup to steep. Or, you can put loose tea into a teapot and then use a small strainer when pouring the tea into your cup. R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

Whether bagged or loose, look for “whole leaf” tea for the best quality, best flavored tea. When leaves are torn into smaller particles, more surface area is exposed and they lose essential oils. Larger leaves have decreased surface area, which means less evaporation of essential oils. Some of the most common black tea blends include the popular blend of Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan teas in English Breakfast, Earl Grey with its unique citrusy bergamot, and the popular Irish Breakfast blend of Assam and Ceylon teas. One wonderful pure leaf tea is Darjeeling, made from Camellia sinensis grown and processed in the Darjeeling or Kalimpong districts of India. Some lighter tea blends include jasmine tea, which often has green or white tea as a base scented with jasmine blossoms. For stronger flavor, lapsang souchong leaves are smoke-dried over a fire. As a general rule, for loose tea, use one level teaspoon for every 8 ounces of hot water. Herbal teas with more volume (like mint or chamomile) or teas with larger leaves, such as oolong or green tea, might need an extra teaspoon. With tea bags, start with one bag per 8 ounces of hot water and adjust from there to personal taste. If you are steeping tea to make iced tea, make it twice as strong so the flavor stands up over ice, and add sugar or sweetener while the tea is still hot so it fully dissolves.

kettle from the day before. Let the water run for a bit, so it’s more oxygenated than water that has been sitting in your sink pipes. Using a stovetop tea kettle or a plug-in electric kettle, heat the water to boiling or, if possible, just before boiling to preserve oxygen. Then, leave it for 2-3 minutes to cool before pouring. This will prevent scalding or burning the delicate leaves. Use any extra hot water to “scald” your tea pot or mug, pouring hot water in to heat it up, then pouring it out and refilling with your brewed tea. This helps keep your cup of tea nice and warm. Brew your tea for the recommended time on your tea packaging, not for longer. If you like your tea stronger, don’t steep for longer; that will just lead to bitter tea. Instead, add more tea leaves or an extra tea bag. With some attention to detail, you’ll be able to maximize your tea experience, allowing you to fully enjoy a quiet moment to yourself, taking some time to brew just what you want, when you want— sipping at a leisurely pace, and savoring the taste and warmth. ✦

What’s brewing?

To start your perfect cup of hot tea, you should begin with freshly drawn water, and ideally, it would also be filtered. One of the key elements to make good tea is oxygenated water, so water fresh from the tap is better than water that has been sitting in your

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FURNITURE BY DESIGN Whether you have a small budget or are looking for something that will last for generations, you are sure to find it at Grand Home Furnishings. We carry some of the best brands: from La-Z-Boy and Kincaid to Sealy and Serta— and everything in between. With our long-standing, good relationships with these brands, we’re able to negotiate the best prices on the best brands and pass the savings on to you.

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GRAND HOME FURNISHINGS DESIGN CO N S U LTA N T Crystal McKenrick Crystal has been with the Grand family for over 15 years. She has helped hundreds of families create a special place in their homes for gathering relaxing and celebrating life together.

D E S I G N CO N S U LTA N T M Y T H S

Myth #1: Designers are only needed on large projects. Our Design Consultants can assist in the design and furnishing of any size project. Whether an entire home or the smallest nursery, they can help make your dream a reality—no matter the size. Myth #2: A big budget is needed to hire a designer. Grand’s design services are free with your furniture purchase and our consultants know how to manage your budget for the maximum result. Myth #3: You have to use the designer’s ideas. Our Consultants work with you to ensure you are happy with the furniture choices you make. Plus—Grand offers a 30-day total satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy with your purchase within 30 days we’ll exchange it or provide a full refund. See the store for details.

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GARDEN seasonal prep

garden gear

GET YOUR TOOLS READY FOR THE SEASON B Y M A R G I E L I P PA R D For many gardening enthusiasts, spring signals a call to nurture and steward the earth, a covenant fulfilled with the help of trusted garden tools. Like artists and craftsmen, experienced gardeners apply their tools to produce a striking creative effect. Whether you are a budding or expert gardener, investing in high-quality tools will equip you to grow your perfect garden. Prep your tool shed now for spring’s chores— weeding, pruning, mulching, and planting—by tending to your garden gear. 3 2

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Selecting tools

Choose high-quality tools that feel comfortable to your body and spare your back and joints. Complement them with accessories which shield you from the elements (elbow-length gloves and wide-brimmed sun hats); support your body (cushy kneepads and foldable seats); and transport your tools (tool caddies like fivegallon buckets and wheelbarrows). Many experts recommend tools with wood handles because they don’t bend and will last for years when well maintained. In general, tools constructed with forged stainless steel outperform those with less expensive stamped steel. Every tool has a purpose, so use tools whose function most nearly matches your task. Gardeners in the know keep these essential tools handy in their shed. LONG-HANDLED TOOLS Shovels: Round-point shovels with wide-dished heads and

a generous lift are excellent for digging holes and loosening and transferring soil. Square-nosed shovels scoop and transfer materials, but they aren’t made to dig holes. Spades: Compared to shovels, spades have longer, narrower, and flatter heads. They “spade” or turn the soil, edge, trench, transplant, and prune roots. Forks: Spading forks usually have heads with four sturdy tines, each ½-inch thick. They turn the soil for planting and break up large clods of soil. With thinner tines, pitchforks move

heavy manure, compost and other materials, but they aren’t made to spade. Hoes: The conventional hoe has a 6-inch wide, flat-front blade and sharp corners. Hoes cultivate, dig furrows, and cut weeds beneath the soil. Other hoe varieties include the v-shaped hoe (Warren hoe) and the circle hoe. Rakes: The garden rake has thick steel tines attached to the handle typically by a curving bow head. It breaks up clods of dirt, levels the soil, and works in soil amendments. The leaf rake has thinner curved tines and gathers leaves and glass clippings. SHORT-HANDLED TOOLS Trowels: For most experts, the best trowel is made of forged

steel and has a wood handle. The handle is pinned into a socket at the base of a 4-inch wide, 6-inch long dished blade. Trowels plant, cultivate, weed, and scoop fertilizer and soil amendments. Hand Cultivator: Hand cultivators have up to five tines, either curved or straight. They break up and aerate compacted soil, loosen weeds, and work in fertilizer and soil amendments. Knives: The popular Japanese farmer’s knife (also called a hori hori knife, which is Japanese for “dig dig”) features a dished blade used like a trowel, a saw-toothed blade, and a sharp-edge blade. Knives divide roots, cut twine and wooden stakes, and open fertilizer bags.

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Dibbles: Dibbles are usually carrot shaped with a metal point and a rounded D-shaped handle. They poke holes in the soil to plant bulbs, plants and vegetables.

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in two basic types: bypass and anvil. The bypass pruner has a curved hook and blade; in contrast, the anvil pruner has a flat anvil (instead of a hook) and a straight blade. Both safely prune branches no thicker than your little finger; for larger branches, use a lopper or saw. Loppers: Loppers have handles ranging from 1 to 3 feet long and carry either bypass or anvil blades. They prune branches between 2 and 3 inches thick. To spare your arms, buy loppers with a shock absorber. Pruning saws: Pruning saws have straight or curved blades, either fixed or folding. Cutting on the pull stroke, pruning saws cut branches from 1 to 5 inches in diameter. Pole pruning tools: Pole pruning tools have shears and a saw attached to a pole. They provide the reach to cut high branches from ¾- to 1-inch thick. Hedge shears: Hedge shears have blades either 7 inches or 11 inches long. Shears with shorter blades trim and shape denser hedges; the longer blade variety trims lighter-duty, leafy tip growth. To minimize strain on your wrists, buy shears with shock absorbers. Caring for tools

To keep you tools in mint condition, wash and dry them after each use and routinely sharpen their edges. Wipe your tools with soapy water and rinse with a hose, but apply a little linseed oil on steel wool for more encrusted mud. After working with diseased plants, disinfect your tools in a dilution of bleach and water, followed by a clear water rinse. When storing your tools for the season, clean them and apply linseed oil with steel wool to lubricate them. Some gardeners insert and store their tool blades in a mix of sand and linseed oil until the following spring. A tool shed is a gardener’s paradise when it is well-organized and efficiently stocked and secured. Now’s the time to prepare for your spring garden by updating your garden gear. You can be proud of your tools as well as the fruits of your labor using them. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

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island time

WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE MODERN KITCHEN’S HARDEST-WORKING SPACE BY C H R I S T Y R I P P E L

A peninsula once reigned queen, until the island took over. No, we aren’t talking about the hottest vacation destinations, but the star of the modern kitchen. A peninsula—that bank of cabinets jutting out from the wall with three sides for seating and storage—gained popularity in the 1970s and beyond. However, they have all but disappeared in favor of the freestanding island—which has had enduring power in kitchen design. 3 6

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“Almost everyone who comes to us wants an island,” says Lara Lee, a designer with Ideal Cabinets Design Studio in Roanoke. “The floor plan dictates whether there is adequate space, but in kitchen remodels we are often taking out peninsulas, and adding an island because the flow is better. You don’t have that dead space in the corner.” An island allows the homeowner to engage with others while meal prepping, cooking or entertaining, and as the open floor plan soared in popularity, the kitchen island solved a very real problem: a lack of wall space. Without walls to anchor cabinets, the free-floating island created more counter space, as well as a casual seating area and storage for pots, pans and other kitchen necessities. It also delineates the kitchen space from a living or dining area in a large, open room. Island shapes and sizes

For the past several years, large open floor plans have been sometimes outfitted with not one, but two islands. In this layout, says Lee, one is often a working island, and one is used for entertaining and seating. “Sometimes it’s not feasible to put in one huge island and two work better, and sometimes people don’t want a seam in a countertop for a very large island so they prefer two smaller ones,” Lee notes. Whether a double island or single island, the overwhelmingly popular choice is a rectangular shape, with a single height countertop. More homeowners are requesting designs that allow for seating on multiple sides so diners can face each other, more like they would at a table. Islands are also taking over as the primary spot for casual eating, as some newer floor plans are opting to get rid of the kitchen table, and have island seating in the kitchen and a separate formal dining room. In smaller, older homes undergoing a kitchen renovation, space may be at a premium, but a small island can still provide much-needed additional counter space and storage, as well as an opportunity to work in design elements, such as over-the-island pendant lighting. Even if the island is small, sometimes a small counter overhang can be added to one side for a single seat, which can function as a perch for a cup of coffee, quick lunch or for checking email. Whether a kitchen is spacious or space challenged, most still allow for an island, which can be mighty in terms of function, even if its size is mini. r vhomemaga zine .com 37

What colors are trending for islands?

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Alicia Smith, interior designer and director of marketing and development with F+S Building Innovations in Roanoke, has noticed that clients have become more adventurous in kitchen design. “I definitely see much more of a willingness to mix it up, using butcher block or custom rustic wood counters on islands, or waterfall edges,” says Smith. Waterfall edges are when the countertop material extends down the sides of the island to meet the floor. While this was once a very modern look, Smith says she’s integrated it into more transitional and traditional spaces with success. Clients are craving blues and greens for islands, says Smith, and this covers the spectrum, from deep navy hues to barely there grayish blues, and pastel greens to brighter tones that pop. “I think after so much gray in design in the last several years, people are craving color,” Smith says. Oak has also come back in a big way, but with a much different treatment than the heavily lacquered, mid-tone oak of the 1980s, says Lee. The style is rustic, with the visible grains inherent in the wood species, but the simple Shaker style and flat-front cabinets with a matte finish create a modern look. “I just finished up a large kitchen and we did the entire thing in two different finishes of white oak,” says Lee. “There are some wonderful trends coming in with oak.” Painted white cabinetry has been the look du jour for some time, and the classic white kitchen will always have a place, say designers. But even white kitchens are mixing in wood elements, and more eclectic styles with open shelving and a more collected, curated feel—as though the kitchen has been added to over time, instead of installed all at once. As this trend evolves, one thing that has been steadily disappearing are wall cabinets, in favor of a mix of open shelves, dramatic backsplashes and even art displays. As wall cabinets disappear, an island’s proper functionality becomes even more vital. Island function and features

As kitchen design migrates to fewer wall cabinets, more is being asked of the island workhorse, like holding dishes and housing

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appliances. If wall cabinets disappear, there must be specialty drawers installed for holding everyday dishes. These drawers have dividers that fit dishes sturdily, and well. For longevity, quality cabinetry should be employed in the island if drawers are to hold heavy dishware, says Lee. Smith likes to incorporate roll-out appliance storage in the island that hides away heavy appliances, like a Kitchen Aid mixer. “Some of these appliances are used a lot but they are cumbersome to carry, and if you don’t want it to live on the counter, then something that hides away is great,” she says. As the island has become a kitchen staple, compatible appliances suited for island life have become popular. Refrigerator drawers, ovens, warming drawers, wine and beverage fridges and the microwave drawer are all available choices. If a sink is in the island, a dishwasher should be as well, and some homeowners with large families or who are frequent entertainers opt for double dishwashers, or a mix of a full-sized dishwasher and a dishwasher drawer. For the avid cookbook collector, shelving can be housed in the island for open, accessible storage, or can be used for displaying photos or pottery. If you plan to plug in small appliances, or work at the island on a laptop, outlet placement should be carefully considered. Many designers like to tuck them in the seating area, just under the countertop so they aren’t visible. If charging electronics will happen in the kitchen, a hidden charging station in the island hides messy cords.

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Countertops cover the gamut

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There are more kitchen countertop choices than ever now, including natural materials like wood, soapstone, quartzite, granite and marble, to man-made quartz, stainless steel and concrete. To add to the carousel of choices, many surfaces can be shiny or honed for a dull finish, and granite can be leathered for texture. The edge profile of the counter can be squared or rounded, or finished in a more decorative profile, though these have fallen out of favor in recent years. While standard countertops are typically ¾ inch to 1 ¼ inch, a thicker, square-cut countertop on the island can make a statement. Going thicker grounds the space and lends dramatic heft, especially in a room with high ceilings. A countertop material that is popular right now is a wood top, such as walnut. And if you’re wondering—yes, it can be used on an island with a sink, as long as the wood is properly treated. If that seems strange, it might help to remember that all boats were once built of wood, notes Lee, so wood can beautifully withstand moisture when it is properly maintained. A wood top can lend a warmth that stone cannot, and can look beautiful contrasted with stone tops on the perimeter. If you are looking to avoid countertops that will look dated in a few years, steer away from very popular granites at big box stores, and look to quartz or quartzite. In addition to your surface material, there are many things to consider when planning your kitchen island so that form and function are married in a pleasing design that works hard, and well. “A kitchen designer should ask you a lot of questions about how you use your kitchen,” says Lee. “The designer needs to understand who you are, and what you need. It used to be that the work triangle dictated everything, and while it’s important, the way the individual or family uses the space is also important.” ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

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IMPROVE garage organization

PARK IT RIGHT HERE MAKE ROOM FOR ALL YOUR GARAGE ITEMS BY MITZI BIBLE CLOSET STORAGE ORGANIZERS

arages do us a great service by protecting our vehicles and our own bodies from the weather, but sometimes they become more of a catch-all than a place to park. If your goal is to finally use your garage to store everything on wheels and then some, these ideas may help you kick this project into gear. If your dreams of a tidy garage have faded, good news: most garages do have enough room to park, work and store. It’s just about carefully planning the space with purpose. r vhomemaga zine .com 4 3

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Survey your belongings and rethink your strategy. Perhaps tools would be best stored in the shed or Christmas decorations in the attic. Many garages fill up simply because it’s the closest place to drop and go, but dedicating other spaces to store seasonal items can curb the clutter. Think about those items that you use more often and need to keep closer to the home. If your attached garage is off your mudroom or kitchen, it may be best to store your trash and recycling bins in the garage, right outside the house door. Outdoor clothing, like your running shoes or your rainboots, can be stored close by on garage shelves so you don’t drag more dirt in the house. Consider single hooks for those bulky winter coats, or a deck box, self-standing clothes rack, or lockers for winter gear. Even a scrap piece of wood nailed to the wall with glued-on clothespins can hold gloves and hats. Kids are always collecting outdoor toys, and ensuring that these items don’t get strewn all through the house is a plus. Buy boxes and shelving to store water guns, Frisbees, balls, sidewalk chalk, and the like, and put them within easy reach for children. Even plain shelf boards with bungee cords hung vertically between them every few inches are an easy way to pop gear in and keep it secure. You may keep your storage as simple as a couple standing shelf units, but here’s a tip: splurge and buy casters so if you ever need to rearrange, these will make life so much easier. But if you are willing to spend the money, full wall units can be designed to fit all your needs. From $1,000 to well over $3,000, you can design a complete set of cabinets, drawers and countertops to fit onto any wall. They range from just as stylish as farmhouse kitchen cabinets to just as chrome-covered as a mechanic’s workshop. Even if you don’t choose a full wall system, companies offer many of their units in smaller, separate configurations. An advantage of these systems is that many of them can lock, which is handy if you store chemicals or sharp tools and have little curious hands around that like to explore. Another way to provide plenty of storage space and give a finished look to your garage is to install slatwall panels from ceiling to floor. Clothing stores use these systems all the time, but now these full-wall panels can be used on your garage walls and come in many colors. With horizontal slats running floor to ceiling, and grooves between them to hold hooks, these panels can help you store just about anything. Up and away

Depending on the amount of clearance above your vehicles, you may consider ceiling-mounted shelves. An overhead rack will not only keep items off the ground, but free from heavy rain or snow that can blow in. If you don’t want to purchase a separate unit, consider using your existing garage door tracks. There are special J hooks made to hang off them and they’re handy to store ladders or other bulky and infrequently used items. If you want to make use of ceiling space, but accessing items would be a problem, there are even systems with pulleys to raise and lower a larger platform shelf with ease. (They make pulley systems for bikes, too). Tidy up your tall tools

Rakes, shovels, brooms … anything with a long handle can be easier to store standing up. Full rack systems are available with R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

CLOSET STORAGE ORGANIZERS

adjustable, sliding hooks to grab hold of your garden tools. If you like DIY projects, remove the drawers from an old filing cabinet, turn it on its back, and add wheels to create a sturdy box for your standing tools.

wall, and even upside down. But you may not even need a “system.” Install brackets used for closet shelving, cover them with pool noodles, and hang your bikes and skateboards on top just like you would a shelf.

Odds and ends

Right on the door

Extension cords, garden hoses, and ropes can be among the most difficult items to store. You can buy specially made fabric hangers (think seat belt material hung like a loop) or you can make a hanger yourself by mounting the open end of a bucket to the wall. Just like those magnetic knife strips for your kitchen, there are strips to hang a multitude of tools, from paint brushes to screwdrivers. And who doesn’t love pegboards? You can make your own, of course, or purchase ones that come in 16x16 squares so you can arrange and rearrange however you want.

Many people don’t think about using the inside of the garage door for storage space, but there are products made just for this, including netted bags for sports equipment and brackets to hold garden tools or fishing rods horizontally.

Park your pedals

No room to stand your bikes up inside the garage? There are a number of systems designed to hang your bike on the wall every which way—parallel, tires facing the

P O T T E R

Oh yeah, the car

Don’t forget to designate a shelf, drawer or cabinet specifically for all your car-related items, like oil, windshield washer fluid, and cleaning supplies. If you stash it all in one place, you’ll be more likely to keep up with your car maintenance regimen. Organizing a garage sometimes seems like a never-ending chore. But make a plan, get to work, and you could soon be welcoming your wheels back inside where they belong. ✦

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DESIGN welcome home

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

make it count Photography by Kathryn Feldmann

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER! THE ENTRY TO YOUR HOME—THAT FIRST STOP FOR VISITORS AND THE FIRST THING YOU SEE WHEN YOU RETURN AFTER A LONG DAY—IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GUESTS FEEL WELCOME AND PUT A SMILE ON YOUR OWN FACE. HERE, TAKE A FEW TIPS FROM FOUR LOCAL DESIGNERS ON STYLING AN ENTRY WITH FLAIR.

ELEGANT SIMPLICITY

While capitalizing on the stunning antique dresser, Jessica Durham of Magnolia says, “Keeping the vignette simple was key.” A modern, texturized lamp in stark white from Regina Andrews contrasts well with the deep warmth of the furniture piece. Carson Overstreet’s artwork adds visual interest with a pop of spring color, while a stack of books adds height and additional color notes. To bring in a natural element, Durham included a succulent masterpiece from Emily McCahill of Bay and Branch Plant Design. “We envisioned this vignette in both traditional and transitional spaces,” says Durham. 46

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COMBINING ELEMENTS

Elaine Stephenson of Elaine Stephenson Interiors creates a stylish mix by combining antiques with contemporary art. A curated collection of Rose Medallion porcelain, antique Chinese mud men, African snail shells and an antique openwork basket is framed with green tole lamps that enhance the colors in the porcelain. The Tom Lawson semi-abstract further adds to the color scheme and provides an unexpected element to the vignette. Stephenson says, “I like the objects on the chest to have some relationship; in this instance, it is the colors that work well together.”

MAKE ART THE STAR

“A striking piece of artwork is the foundation to an eye-catching tabletop design,” says MaryJean Levin of Halifax Fine Furnishings. Here, the autumnal Nan Mahone Wellborn painting picks up the warm tones of the antique dresser, while a bronze horse almost seems ready to enjoy a drink from the painted lake. A crystal orb captures color from the surrounding accessories. “Make sure some of the accessories overlap the artwork,” advises Levin, to help unify the display, and stagger accessories across the tabletop. Including a natural element is always a good idea. “Even faux botanicals can work their magic!”

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EMBRACE THE TRADITIONAL

Traditional elements are the star in this vignette by Ellie Proctor of Ellie Proctor Antiques. A vintage Italian gilded mirror leads the eye and reflects accessories in front of it, offering depth and detail. A vintage tole urn lamp with lion head handles and a custom shade gets necessary height from the cocktail table books it rests on. An antique English silveron-copper pedestal bowl holds fresh greenery. “Using live plants or fresh flowers adds an organic component to the vignette,” says Proctor. A footed tortoise box is a one-ofa-kind treasure found on one of Proctor’s recent buying trips, which lends provenance to the overall design. ✦

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VOTE NOW

for your favorites!

Vote for your favorite local stores, service providers and businesses for all things home improvement, design and garden in HOME’s annual Readers’ Favorites Awards. VOTING: The official voting ballot opens up April 1, 2021. The deadline to vote for your favorites is May 1, 2021. WINNERS: The winners in each category will be announced in the September/October issue of HOME magazine and on our website.

Our goal is to publish a credible list of award winners that truly reflects our readers’ favorites so we ask that you read and abide by our official rules. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. OFFICIAL RULES: Only ONE ballot per e-mail address is allowed in each category. Duplicate ballots will be rejected, so please cast your votes carefully. Any perceived attempts at ballot stuffing will cause entries to be disqualified. A ballot is not considered valid unless you provide your email address. All ballots are confidential.

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GARDEN foundation plantings

foundation fundamentals

set the stage with plants

B Y B E C K Y C A LV E R T

oundation plantings help anchor a house to the surrounding landscape, softening the edges of the structure while giving it a sense of belonging to the immediate terrain. Arguably an important part of the landscaping plan for your entire yard, foundation plantings can reflect the architectural style of the home while connecting it to the rest of your garden. A range of plantings, one that combines a variety of shrubs, flowers, groundcovers and small trees, makes for an interesting look. While many consider foundation plantings to be a row of identical shrubs planted in a straight line around a home, they can be so much more than that. They can be expanded into wider beds that offer a depth of plants, from standard evergreens to perennials and blooming shrubs, for a garden that changes with the seasons. Consider adding curves to these beds or enlarge them to connect to other features in your landscape. This not only gives the plants room to grow, it helps create visual flow, while centering the home in the surrounding landscape.

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In creating a plan for your foundation garden, a good rule of thumb is to aim for roughly 50 percent evergreens, 25 percent flowering or deciduous shrubs, and 25 percent perennials. One approach is to consider evergreens the backbone of the garden, with shrubs and perennials filling in with seasonal interest. Yet even rhododendrons, azaleas and hollies are evergreens that offer pops of seasonal color with their blooms and berries. Small trees such as redbuds, dogwoods and Japanese maples can be incorporated, as well as hydrangeas prized for their flowers. Ground covers aren’t limited to creeping junipers or liriope; hellebores with their year-round foliage are an excellent choice for a foundation bed. An important consideration for plants closest to your home is their size at maturity. Plants and shrubs should be in scale with the home they surround; elements that are under- or oversized can throw the entire look out of whack. You’ll need to plan for both the height and width of a plant, ensuring an evergreen planted below a window doesn’t grow large enough to block it while the roots grow into the foundation. Generally, use half the expected mature spread of the plant for determining the planting distance; for example, a bush that could grow 8 feet wide should be planted 4 feet from the house. You’ll also want to make sure there is ample room between your plantings and the house so you can have access for maintenance. Create focal points by using features of the house as “moments” to be designed around—like the front door. In a more formal, Georgian-style home, boxwoods on either side of the front door offer a classic, symmetrical balance that flatters the style of the house. Meanwhile, hydrangeas flanked by hostas in the same spot on a Cape Cod-style home lend a cozy, casual feel. Other focal points could be a stretch of bare wall between windows, or the area surrounding a chimney. Here, taller shrubs, small trees or even a trellis can be installed to give the eye something to admire. The corners of your home are another good spot for taller anchor plants, which act to tie the house into the landscape and can help make the smallest houses appear bigger. When planning your foundation plantings, take a picture of your home. Enlarge it and trace it onto paper, keeping the elements in place that you like. From r v h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m 51

here, you can sketch in plants you’d like to consider (in their full-grown shape and size) to determine exactly how much you can incorporate into your garden. As you consider plants, keep in mind the exterior color scheme of your home. You’ll want your foundation plantings to echo that color scheme to some extent, as it helps create a sense of unity between your home and its surroundings. A unified color scheme of purple blooming plants with a red door creates a fun contrast against the background greens of larger evergreen shrubs. Don’t forget to keep some negative space; those intentional empty spots between plantings help a space seem less cluttered. When layering plantings, approach it like you would a family photo: shortest in front, tallest in back to avoid plants getting lost or overpowered. As you

mix perennials in, keep in mind that an assortment of spring and summer bloomers will ensure color and fresh blooms all season long. The early-blooming daffodils and tulips will fade, making room for a late-blooming coneflower. Foundation plantings are an important element of your home’s exterior appearance and shouldn’t be overlooked. As with any garden, a mix of plantings with different colors and textures offers a far more welcoming appearance than a uniform row of formal shrubs. With just a little planning, it’s quite easy to make the outside of your home just as cozy and cheerful as it is on the inside by considering the plants around the foundation. ✦

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a collector’s eye BY NOELLE MIL AM

Photography by Jared Hall

A few blocks down Fincastle’s Main Street lies a hidden historical gem: “Solitude,” a two-story clapboard home built around 1830 as the residence of a prosperous local shop owner. As the county seat of Botetourt County, and a popular departure point for thousands of 19th-century pioneers headed west, both Fincastle and the store did brisk business and the house was built to reflect this prosperity. It boasts six fireplaces, gingerbread railings, a center medallion, and a double portico entrance. 5 4

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harlotte Hagan first encountered the nearly 200-year-old house in 2005. “I was literally just driving around downtown Fincastle looking for houses, and I spotted it,” she says. “It was clearly undergoing major renovations, but the energy was right. I just knew it was the right house.” Charlotte, a busy medical doctor and mother of three, had plans to relocate her children and her practice to Virginia from New York, and the stately federal-style house was exactly what she had in mind. In short succession, Charlotte purchased the house, moved her family, and started work at the Salem VA hospital all in the same year. It was a big change for all of them, but it didn’t take long before Fincastle began to feel like home. Charlotte made friends, joined a church, and eventually met local attorney (and neighbor) Robert Hagan, who found a special place in her heart. The couple were married in 2007 and Robert moved a handful of blocks down the street to join Charlotte at Solitude. Local builder Ron Lucas and his son Jason renovated the home before selling it to Charlotte. “Ron was in love with historic homes—especially the local ones,” she says. “He had a good idea of what to do to make these old places livable.” Thanks to Ron, the home has fully renovated bathrooms and a kitchen, all new windows, and a roof that was raised to accommodate modern HVAC equipment. “It’s a special place,” agrees Robert. “I think the Lucases did a great job, especially with salvaging the old wooden floors. They literally had to cut out the good parts and painstakingly re-lay them, and Jason Lucas made all the trim work and bookshelves. They look original, but that’s 21st century craftsmanship.” Fourteen years later, the children grown, Robert and Charlotte are still comfortably ensconced in their own piece of history. With an eye for art and antiques, Charlotte has turned the house into a showcase of treasures collected over the years. Stepping into the entry, for example, a small table featuring a chessboard trompe l’oeil motif immediately demands a second look. “That was made by local artist Jake Cress,” Charlotte says. “He’s also a good friend.” Cress may be local, but he is well regarded in the art world for his traditional and “animated” furniture at Yale University and the Smithsonian Institution. The table is not the only Jake Cress piece in the house; Charlotte also commissioned a bed for her master bedroom. “I remember saying something like, ‘Jake, I need a bed and I know you’ll create something amazing,’” Charlotte recalls. The finished product is a striking

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piece in dark-stained poplar wood with light inlays of intricately carved scrollwork and bouquets of dogwood flowers, paying tribute to Charlotte’s love of gardens. In the bright living room with its high ceilings, oversized windows and soothing sagecolored walls, Charlotte explains that though she trained as a scientist and a medical doctor, she has always had an appreciation for art, whether it be Asian cloisonne, wood blocks, sculpture, pottery or oils. Throughout the home, artwork demands attention from every angle. The living room features mostly Virginia artists, including a large oil by Brian Counihan, a pair of Dorothy Gillespie starburst sculptures, and a Ross Arkell landscape. Charlotte comes by her love of art naturally; her favorite aunt, Fay Zeitlin, was an accomplished painter, and Charlotte also displays two very special examples of her work in this room; a small oil, “Active Pleiades,” and an abstract portrait of a young Charlotte. She credits her mother’s love of Asian art as an influence as well. The antique table, chairs and crystal chandelier in the adjoining dining room, as well as most of the art, are the spoils of Charlotte’s growing expertise with antique auctions, both online and in person. “You could say that antiquing is a hobby,” laughs Charlotte, “but it has always been something that I enjoyed. I’ve been collecting art and antiques for over 20 years now, and I can honestly say that every piece was one that resonated with me at some point in my life.” Robert is noticeably proud of his wife’s acumen. “She really has developed quite an eye,” he says, pointing out a glass-front cabinet displaying a rare Spode china pattern. “She found both the cabinet and the china on live auctions and it was her idea to mount them up on the wall like this. It’s just beautiful.” Avid readers, both Charlotte and Robert spend a lot of time in the home’s cozy library. With r vhomemaga zine .com 57

large windows and two walls of custom bookshelves, it’s easy to see that this is a room for bibliophiles; books abound, but tucked in amongst them are such treasures as an antique microscope, family photos, and two examples of Rookwood pottery, a famous American pottery company started in the late 19th century in Cincinnati. On the walls hang lithographs of famous Native American chiefs and oils by Brett LaGue and Ross Arquel. Down the long central hallway is the home’s eat-in kitchen with a wood counter island and a small antique table for two 5 8

before the large fireplace. “This is where we eat when it’s just us,” says Charlotte, indicating the simple oak drop-leaf table with two armchairs. The custom cabinetry, countertops and tiled floors use a blend of sepia tones, suiting Charlotte’s choice of decor which runs to the primitive in this room. Here she displays a collection of North Carolina pottery and antique cast iron cookware on and around the exposed brick hearth and chimney. Charlotte’s favorite thing in her kitchen is the large floor-to-ceiling shelf where she displays more of her rare pottery collection in a place R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

where she can see it every day. “I love the tactile nature of pottery, and its variety. You think of all the work—and science— that goes into creating a vessel, layering it, carving it, firing it, getting the glazes right without ruining it … it’s amazing!” she says. “I also think that perhaps my scientific training in organic chemistry and physics makes me appreciate even more what a miracle it is to produce pieces like these.” Directly off the kitchen lies an intimate sitting room that Charlotte and Robert think was probably the home’s original kitchen, since it was once separated from the main house as

kitchens often were due to risk of fire. Another reason the Hagans suspect this room was the original kitchen is because there is a rough stairway to an unfurnished living area hidden behind a whitewashed door. It’s likely that this is where the original household’s servants lived. Today, the room features dark gray walls, a plush red carpet, white trim, and relaxed slipcovered furniture. O. Winston Link prints grace the walls, and a flatscreen TV is mounted over the original fireplace. It’s now a room for watching a ball game, or cuddling the family’s adorable Lhasa Apso, Puck.

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The back of the house opens onto a charming covered porch. With green painted-wood floors and white wicker seating, it’s easy to see that the Hagans spend a lot of time out here in fair weather. On the walls and on the table, they have arranged a collection of Italian majolica they brought back from a series of memorable trips to southern Italy. But it is what is beyond the porch that draws the eye. Through an old-fashioned white wooden arbor laden with climbing roses and “apple blossom” clematis, the gardens are an explosion of beauty. When Charlotte purchased “Solitude” 15 years ago, none of this was here. “It was pretty much flat grass and weeds,” laughs Charlotte, “and the neighboring houses were just looming over this house.” Always an avid gardener, Charlotte had Bartlett Tree Experts analyze the soil right away. She found that since the yard had been used for everything from penning livestock to making bricks over the years, the soil quality was extremely variable. In a back corner of the yard, Charlotte found a stand of 200-year-old peonies, a lucky treasure that she has since relocated to another section of her yard, but other than that, the rest of the yard was a blank slate. She began by planting fastgrowing arborvitaes around the perimeter of the yard, which, over the years, have grown to 40 feet or so.

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As she has slowly remade her yard, Charlotte has discovered a knack for garden design. “I always say, the aesthetic leads the education,” she says. “I am a completely self-taught gardener. I do a lot of reading and take a lot of pictures of things that I like, then I go learn about them and figure out how to grow them.” This auto-didactive approach has resulted in a large, vibrant perennial garden that blooms from early spring through late fall, and has been featured in the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week. There have been a few hard lessons as well. For instance, dahlias are Charlotte’s favorites. These delicate south American natives require extra care and do not tolerate cold. Unfortunately, Charlotte learned this lesson the hard way her first year, losing her entire collection to frost. Since then, she has learned that in Virginia, most varieties need to be dug up and overwintered indoors. Despite the extra care required, Charlotte has continued to collect dahlias. “They’re my babies,” she says. “When they’re blooming, I check on them several times a day. They grow well here, and, since you dig them up each winter, it gives you the opportunity to move them around and try different color schemes.” Interspersed with the dahlias, Charlotte has planted heirloom perennials, such as her mother’s

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IT ALL STARTED WITH A ROSE In a friend’s blog, Charlotte details her “ever-evolving relationship with the Sombreuil roses I planted along my fence when I moved five state lines…” Careful research went into choosing these special roses, and planting them led to a serendipitous meeting of a new neighbor who strolled by and introduced himself. As the roses grew, so did their relationship, and the two married in 2007. Read all about what the Sombreuil rose represents to Charlotte and Robert at flowerpowerdaily.com/how-aspecial-rose-brought-a-familytogether/

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40-year-old lavender varietal “Phenomenal,” and assorted annuals that she starts from seed each year. Charlotte’s most recent garden project is the kitchen garden just off the porch, inspired by Parisian gardens where it is common to mix dahlias, roses and other flowers in with herbs and vegetables because, as the thinking goes, variety makes for better pollination. The garden, anchored by a mock orange cleverly planted to hide the heat pump, provides the Hagans with a steady supply of delectables for their own kitchen. The pool was installed in 2016 and has given Charlotte, Rob and their families a welcome place to cool off amidst the summer heat. They entertain poolside, finding it a welcome distraction from the hot, sticky work of maintaining a garden of

such scope. Newly retired from her medical practice, Charlotte intends to spend even more time working in her garden in the upcoming season. Each winter she makes plans for new plantings and layouts for her beloved heirloom plants. The past 16 years have wrought many changes for Charlotte and Robert Hagan, but one constant has always been their love for their home, their garden and their family. The small but bustling community of Fincastle was a big change for Manhattan-native Charlotte, but it has been where she has found her heart’s home. “Virginia has definitely taken root in my heart,” says Charlotte. “I love it here in Fincastle. This is definitely home.” ✦

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LIVE spring menu

garden party

CHERRY TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH CAESAR DIP GRILLED SALMON SALAD STRAWBERRIES ROMANOFF

DINE AL FRESCO ON FLAVORS OF SPRING BY MARSHA GALE

The warm days and evenings of spring make it perfect for outdoor entertaining. One secret to gatherings al fresco is to serve mostly room-temperature or chilled foods that allow for prepping in advance. This menu is simple yet elegant and uses a bounty of seasonal produce. With recipes this easy, you can put a little extra effort into your ambiance. Just because you’re dining outside doesn’t mean you can’t set a beautiful table with your best china and linens. Tea lights scattered down the center of the table with flowers from your garden or sprigs of greenery complete the garden party theme. 6 4

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CHERRY TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BRUSCHETTA (serves 8)

A family favorite, the fresh herbs and tomatoes combine with creamy, melty mozzarella for a bright, fresh start to any spring or summer menu. Unlike other tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are usually high quality in all seasons, but feel free to substitute chopped tomatoes if you happen to have juicy, vine-ripened ones. 1 loaf ciabatta bread 2 cups cherry tomatoes 3 green onions, sliced thin 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzle 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 8-10 ounces bocconcini mozzarella Salt and pepper Balsamic glaze for drizzle, if desired 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice bread into ½-inch slices and place on a baking sheet. Brush tops of each slice generously with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes and remove from oven. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss tomatoes, green onions, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and bocconcini until evenly coated. Once bread slices are warmed, top each with bocconcini mixture. Return bread to the oven for 6-8 minutes to warm and soften the mozzarella. Remove from oven and drizzle each slice with a little olive oil and balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with chopped basil, salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH CAESAR DIP (serves 6)

March through May is the season to roast, steam, stuff and enjoy artichokes. This is the easiest method I’ve tried, and the sauce will make your tastebuds sing. You can make the sauce a few days ahead and roast the artichokes the morning of your party. They can then be refrigerated and reheated in a 350-degree oven, covered with foil, for about 15 minutes, until warm. Serve warm or at room temperature. 3 globe artichokes 2 lemons 4 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt 1 small clove garlic, pressed 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Heat oven to 425 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Rinse artichokes and dry with a paper towel. Trim stems and cut 1/4 inch off each top. Use kitchen shears to cut off the tip of each leaf. Use hands to loosen leaves to open up artichokes. Slice artichokes in half vertically and use a small knife to cut out fuzzy centers and purple leaves. Place artichoke halves on a baking sheet, squeeze the juice of half of 1 lemon on cut sides and rub lemon half over each to prevent excessive browning. Drizzle artichoke halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Flip artichokes and repeat with the other lemon half, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Arrange artichokes cut sides down, cover with foil, and roast until golden brown and tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Meanwhile, to make the sauce, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over garlic, and using a large knife, rub and scrape salt into garlic to make a paste. Transfer to a bowl. Finely grate the zest of remaining

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lemon into a bowl, then squeeze in juice (you should have at least 3 tablespoons). Whisk in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Stir in Parmesan. Serve with artichokes for dipping.

GRILLED SALMON SALAD (serves 4)

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This is a wonderful, light and healthy salad. The salmon is delicious on its own as an entree and would be lovely paired with wild rice pilaf and roasted fresh asparagus. FOR THE SALMON 4 (4 ounces) salmon fillets 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup olive oil FOR THE SALAD 16 ounces mixed salad greens 12 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill weed 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade balsamic vinaigrette Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 12 cherry tomatoes, cut into halves 1/2 English cucumber, sliced TO GARNISH 4 lemon wedges 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill weed For the salmon, place fillets in a shallow dish. Mix garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. Season both sides of fillets with this mixture and brush evenly with the olive oil. Let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat a gas grill or charcoal grill until it reaches medium heat (350-375 degrees). Spray both sides of the salmon with nonstick cooking spray. Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side or just until cooked through and beginning to flake. You can also grill the salmon a little before your guests arrive and keep warm in a 200-degree oven in a tightly covered dish until ready to serve.

Julia Belvin 540.353.8028 juliabelvin@westwillowpublishing.com Lisa Bowers 540.353.2380 lisa@westwillowpublishing.com

LISA

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Alternatively, you can saute the salmon rather than grilling if you prefer. For the salad, combine mixed greens, Parmesan cheese and dill weed in a large bowl. Add balsamic vinaigrette and toss lightly to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon evenly onto four serving plates. Arrange onion, cherry tomatoes and cucumber over and around the salads and place 1 salmon fillet on each salad. Garnish salmon with a lemon wedge and additional chopped dill.

STRAWBERRIES ROMANOFF (serves 8)

This is a luxurious dessert that will make your guests feel special, but is deceptively easy to prepare. The strawberry mixture can be made up to two days ahead, which makes it perfect for entertaining. Whip the cream a couple of hours before your guests arrive and it will keep until you fold in the sour cream and serve. Grand Marnier can be pricey if you buy a large bottle, so purchase a small airline-size bottle to save money if you don’t regularly use it.

G E N T L E M A N ’ S

2 pints strawberries, hulled and quartered 4 tablespoons Grand Marnier 4 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 8 ounces heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 cup sour cream Fresh mint for garnish, if desired In a blender on high speed, puree about 1/4 of the strawberries with the Grand Marnier and granulated sugar, until smooth. In a medium bowl, combine cut strawberries and strawberry puree mixture, stirring to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, stirring once or twice. Before serving, in a large mixing bowl, combine cold whipping cream and confectioners’ sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. With a spatula, fold in sour cream just until well blended. To serve, stir strawberries and divide between 8 serving glasses or bowls. Spoon cream over strawberries, dividing evenly. Garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy right away or chill and serve within 2 hours of assembly. ✦

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DESIGN layers

living with layers

CREATING SPACES WITH CHARACTER BY AMELIA POORE We hear it all the time: a well-designed space is all about layers. But what exactly does that mean? Layers of what, and where’s the line between “layer” and “chaos?” The answer is (as always in home design) entirely up to you, but keeping a few tips in mind can help you create layers that are interesting for all the right reasons.

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At its most basic level, layering is using different visual elements to make a room more personal and interesting. The “elements” include colors, shapes, patterns and textures, and “interesting” comes from creating contrast, adding personality, and balancing form and function. It is truly an art form and doing it well is a practice of trial and error, even for the most experienced designers. One of the most prevalent pieces of professional advice is to “stand back and edit” periodically throughout the layering process, which can be ongoing as trends, and you, change. The first step in any layering operation is establishing a base: what is the main purpose of this room? The main purpose usually dictates the most dominant piece of furniture, such as a bed or a desk. Think of establishing a base as outfitting the room with the bare essentials necessary to function. A good example of this concept is a sofa. It provides seating and comfort in a communal space like a living room or family room, and the necessary base layer is its functional and individualized upholstery. Then, to add some interest and personality, we can add textured or patterned throw pillows in a variety of shapes, and a plush throw in a contrasting color. When you establish a functional base, you can layer whatever you want without compromising the purpose. After that, start working through layers for the room at large. One of the first layers to consider in a room is so simple, but can have a dramatic impact: the walls. The color you choose will set the tone for the rest of your layers, so having some idea of the patterns and textures you’re going to include can be helpful but not mandatory. If you’ve found a wallpaper you love, working from the walls out might be the best way to start layering. Try to avoid overwhelming your space, since the walls are likely the largest part of that space; you’ll have to consider other elements in the room (color, pattern and texture) to make sure it all works together. If you’ve decided on a showstopping wallpaper, keep it in mind when selecting other layers; perhaps choose a quieter floor covering or textured, rather than patterned, window treatment. Layering is, at its core, all about balancing the elements. When two or more elements weigh too heavily, the entire space can feel off-kilter. r vhomemaga zine .com 6 9

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The next layer to consider is flooring. To an extent, many of us were (or are) unable to really “choose” our floors without a major renovation; we inherited a certain material or color, and the best we can do at the moment is to work around it. Enter: rugs! A rug will quickly and easily anchor the room and alter the vibe for the entire space. For example, a dark jute rug can bring an easy-going, earthy feel to an otherwise polished space, and a traditional Persian rug dresses up an overlooked and high-traffic foyer. Layering rugs is also a great way to create interest, such as placing a neutral cowhide on top of a brightly patterned flatweave rug. Additionally, layering rugs can have a practical benefit; if you love a rug, but find that it’s too small for your space, placing it on top of a complementary larger (and perhaps less expensive!) rug allows you to use the smaller rug as a highlight where it won’t look too small. Occasional furniture and accessories, such as ottomans, cocktail tables, throw pillows and blankets, make up the layer that draws even more interest to a space. Thinking in terms of consistent color is a great starting point, but be sure to also take stock of the layers you already have (Will this kelly-green coffee table be too much on top of this green and blue ikat rug? Will this solid white headboard add enough interest to a bedroom also painted white?). You should also consider how the textures you use will interact with your other layers (Will this matelassé bedding work with the wallpaper?). When it comes to smaller accessories, a bold choice will have a less severe impact on the overall scheme of the room, so you have more risktaking ability than with larger furnishings. The fun part—the details of lighting, as well as wall and table decor—can be the starting point or the final touch when it comes to layering your space. You may choose Grandmother’s chandelier that you’ve loved all your life to be inspiration for your dining room, or a book collection that must receive star billing in your study, in which case working backwards may be the best option. But adding in these details as you go is a great option, too, and it may be beneficial for those of us trying to figure out the layering process. It also helps create that collected look that gives rooms character. Mixing some old and new, some high-end and low-cost items will make a space diverse and remarkable; every item can tell a story. Layering is important because it’s the way we turn our houses into homes. Creating layers is how we inject our personality into a space, so it looks different for everyone. Once you’ve established your base, you can begin adding in layers that represent you: your taste, preferences and quirks. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

LAYERING IS TRULY AN ART FORM AND DOING IT WELL IS A PRACTICE OF TRIAL AND ERROR, EVEN FOR THE MOST EXPERIENCED DESIGNERS. ONE OF THE MOST PREVALENT PIECES OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IS TO “STAND BACK AND EDIT” PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE LAYERING PROCESS, WHICH CAN BE ONGOING AS TRENDS, AND YOU, CHANGE.

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GARDEN historic garden week

celebrate the spring garden After a Covid-caused cancellation of the tour in 2020, Historic Garden Week in Virginia’s Roanoke tour returns on Saturday, April 24 with a timely, exclusive emphasis on exterior living spaces and gardens. Locally planned and hosted by Roanoke Valley Garden Club and Mill Mountain Garden Club under the guidance of the Garden Club of Virginia, the 2021 tour features an early-spring collection of seven private gardens in the neighborhoods that dot the foot of Mill Mountain. A bonus eighth garden: the newly renovated and completely overhauled Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden. THE GARDENER’S GARDEN

2702 Crystal Spring Avenue. Walk through the ornate iron gate of this circa 1905 farmhouse and discover a feast for the eyes and tastebuds with dozens of native cultivars and plants to attract pollinators. While it appears to be well-established and years in the making, the master gardener who lives here recently transplanted the extensive collection from her previous garden. Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries mingle with old-fashioned daphne, lilacs and primroses. This is a sensory garden where the owners enjoy picking and eating right off of the plant or one of the fruit vines, often planning meals around the fresh produce and sharing the bounty with lucky neighbors and passersby. Teresa and Bob Blecksmith, owners.

CLASSIC COTTAGE GARDEN

3716 Heatherton Drive. Stone steps lead into a tranquil cottage garden and onto the back deck. Wrought iron furniture and stone benches provide inviting spots to relax among the hydrangeas and boxwoods. Statuary and ceramic pots of annuals are placed artfully throughout the garden. An Asian pagoda, given to the gardener by her mother, sits beside one of several fountains and is a testament to her love of chinoiserie. Arborvitae line a tall stone wall that encircles the back lawn and adjoins an uphill garden where an antique arbor, built by the gardener’s husband, stands atop the terracing. Lacey and Keene Varner, owners.

THE TERRACED TRADITIONAL GARDEN

301 Willow Oak Drive. Through an arched trellis entry, a lush green lawn and manicured levels of a terraced garden are revealed in this traditional garden that cleverly takes advantage of an extensive side yard. Hundreds of spring bulbs flower in wide beds alongside ferns,

2702 CRYSTAL SPRING AVENUE

Proceeds from Historic Garden Week fund restoration and preservation of historic public gardens in Virginia and provide graduate level research fellowships and a Garden Club of Virginia Centennial project with Virginia State Parks. Advance tickets are limited and available online only at www. vagardenweek.org for $25 per person. For more information, contact roanoke@vagardenweek.org. 7 2

hostas and boxwood. Special features include espaliered Little Gem magnolia trees and various azaleas, hydrangeas and peonies. Native grasses and cherry laurel grow near a trompe l’oeil arbor on a tall stone wall. Take your pick of outdoor rooms with wooden swings, chairs, and a covered patio with a stone fireplace for socializing or relaxing. Julie and Ab Boxley, owners.

GARDEN WITH A VIEW

1325 Ivy Street. Stone steps flanked with oakleaf hydrangeas and skimmia japonica shrubs lead down into this garden with sweeping views of the city and the mountains to the north. While the front of the property faces up toward the Mill Mountain Star, the lawn behind the house opens to a spacious backyard surrounded by mature oaks, dogwoods, maples and majestic evergreens. Cherry laurels, hostas, hellebores, ferns and nine varieties of hydrangeas bloom in this full-sun garden. A fire pit, surrounded by Adirondack chairs, offers a spot to unwind any time of the day or evening. A potting bench is tucked behind the lower stone patio. Cindy and Tom Mohr, owners.

ZEN GARDEN

3517 Wellington Drive. A sense of serenity pervades this garden in Wellington where the owners have, in a single year, transformed a basketball court and children’s play area into a gracious space for entertaining, relaxing and meditation. Extensive outdoor hardscaping includes a dry-stacked stone fireplace and slate patio complete with an outdoor kitchen. Plantings to attract pollinators include weeping cherry, creeping phlox, butterfly mint and red trumpet. Uphill, the yard features a unique, custom-designed Zen garden conceived after a trip to Kyoto, Japan. Amanda and Nick Marko, owners.

3716 HEATHERTON DRIVE

301 WILLOW OAK DRIVE

1325 IVY STREET

3517 WELLINGTON DRIVE R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

SHADE GARDEN CHIC

2812 Rosalind Avenue. The picturesque cottage at the corner of Rosalind and 29th Street is a shade gardener’s haven. Follow the winding stone pathway through specimen plants indigenous to Southwestern Virginia and laid out with an artist’s eye under a grand beech; overlapping textures of fern, coral bells, heucherella, astilbe and Lenten rose fill this woodland-style garden. A shaded patio with a fountain overlooks a 60-year-old magnolia tree, a potting corner, and a sunny perennial garden planted to attract a multitude of pollinators. The home boasts one of Virginia’s famous “serpentine walls” planted with climbing hydrangea, camellias and multiple spring bulbs. Joyce Cline Jaeger, owner.

THE NATURAL HABITAT

3417 Wellington Drive. Designed by a Master Gardener, this extensive garden combines gracious outdoor living and dining areas for relaxing or entertaining with wildlife, bird and pollinatorfriendly plantings. Spring-flowering trees, shrubs and bulbs abound with a focus on native plants and sustainable gardening practices. Highlights include a custom “pondless waterfall,” a serenely private

2812 ROSALIND AVENUE

stone courtyard, home to the owner’s extensive collection of exotic orchids which range from dollhouse-sized to giant, and a rain garden constructed to control erosion and run-off. This garden has received the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat distinction. Cyndy and Brian Unwin, owners.

MILL MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER GARDEN

Mill Mountain Park. Fifty years ago, members of the Mill Mountain Garden Club conceived a plan to adorn the two acres of paths leading to Mill Mountain Zoo with a native wildflower garden. Today, the latest generation of club members has undertaken the restoration of this community gift by reimagining the trail system, restoring the large pond and waterfall, removing invasive, nonnative species of plants, and planting an infusion of native trees and plants. Visitors will appreciate daffodils, snowdrops and lily of the valley as they stroll through newly designed ADA-compliant pathways. Rhododendron and dogwood abound in this woodland garden that members hope will inspire horticultural education, conservation, and appreciation of Southwest Virginia’s native plants. ✦

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IMPROVE easy housekeeping

DAILY ROUTINES FOR AN ORGANIZED CLEAN BY JANE RENNYSON

The very thought of cleaning your entire house in a single day is overwhelming. Vacuuming, dusting and mopping, only to have your family (or pets!) come along and create a new mess, is stressful. Why not adapt a new style of cleaning? Creating a cleaning schedule for the week, and tackling certain tasks each day, eliminates the need for one day of backbreaking work. By planning and sticking to a schedule, you will clean more efficiently and will have a relatively clean house at all times, allowing you the freedom to spend time doing what you love instead of worrying about a messy house. 74

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Here is a sample schedule to get you started thinking about your own. This schedule suggests a heavier amount of cleaning in the first week and a lighter amount the next, as maintenance. And because of that maintenance, ultimately the cleaning in week one becomes easier.

WEEK ONE

Monday Vacuum and mop floors (excluding bathrooms)

Tuesday Dust main surfaces, shelves, and wall decor and clean mirrors or other glass surfaces; throw in a load of laundry to keep it from piling up Wednesday Time to tackle the bathrooms. Scrub the toilets and tub/ or showers, clean the countertops, sinks and mirrors; vacuum and mop the floors Thursday Get the kitchen in order before the weekend. Wipe down counters, stovetop and the outside of all appliances; organize the refrigerator and clean the sink Friday Do a couple more loads of laundry, including the linens, and organize the mail and paperwork that may have accumulated during the week

WEEK TWO

Monday Vacuum or mop high-traffic areas as needed; vacuum out the couch and other upholstered furniture

Cut down on clutter

Before you make your schedule to establish new cleaning routines, start by simplifying your decor and decluttering your living spaces. Too many knickknacks, small pieces of furniture, and items on the floor mean more surfaces to dust and more things to move out of the way. Bonus: Your home will look neater if it’s free of superfluous items. This is especially true of flat surfaces. Bathroom and kitchen counters can be wiped down faster if you don’t have to clear them off first. You may also need to change your mindset when it comes to your everyday habits around the house. Cleaning while you cook saves the r vhomemaga zine .com

kitchen from built-up food and grease on your countertops and appliances. Daily tidying prevents messes from getting out of hand. Try adding a home reset to your morning or evening routine; a reset is taking a few minutes to restore your living space to your preferred level of neatness. With this, you won’t have to spend time putting things away before you begin to clean. Set up your schedule

After decluttering, create a schedule that works with your personality, availability and living space. A schedule for a couple living in a twobedroom apartment will look a lot different than

Tuesday Dust the windowsills, blinds, baseboards and ceiling fans this week; and keep up with that laundry!

Wednesday This week, just tidy up any areas in the bathroom that need attention; wash towels and rugs from the bathrooms Thursday Wipe down counters in the kitchen, clean out the microwave and the sink Friday Do a couple more loads of laundry before the weekend and don’t forget to organize the mail and paperwork 75

one for a family in a four-bedroom house. Choose what works for you. You won’t stick to the routine if it’s not at your comfort level. Start by making a list of tasks you need to accomplish—like dusting, floors, bathrooms—organized into weekly, biweekly or monthly time slots. The idea is to spread the work out over time and lighten your load each day. Print and post a copy of the schedule to hold yourself accountable. If you are sharing responsibilities with other members of the household, a visible schedule eliminates confusion as to what each person needs to do. Time blocking—having a specific time to accomplish tasks— is a helpful tool in keeping up with a cleaning schedule. Some people like to get their cleaning done first thing in the morning, while others prefer lunchtime, their kid’s naptime, or after dinner. Don’t feel daunted by this concept; you can edit along the way until you have an easy-to-follow routine that you can handle each week. Another approach is to divide your home into zones, and assign each zone to a certain day. Zone one could be the kitchen, zone two the bedrooms, zone three the common areas like the family room, and zone four the bathrooms. Having one zone per day eliminates a week of heavy cleaning and still spreads out the work. However you decide to plan out your schedule, make sure it’s tailored to your specific needs; the more personalized it is, the easier it will be to follow and the quicker your cleaning will become part of your daily life.

efficiently. There are numerous all-purpose cleaners on the market that you can use just about anywhere in the house, or you can get creative and make your own. A spray bottle of your favorite disinfectant, microfiber cloths, and a Scrub Daddy or Magic Eraser for stubborn stains may be all you need. The invention of mops with wet and dry cloths makes tidying up floors quicker than ever. Keep a small basket of supplies in each bathroom and under the kitchen sink so they are easily accessible, and put the vacuum, mop and broom together in one location so you don’t have to hunt them down each time you need them. The main goal here is to make things as easy as possible. It may take a month or two to get your home in order, and your schedule may go through numerous revisions. But once you figure out what works, you’ll be surprised just how effective this new system of cleaning can be. ✦

Simplify your supplies

Another thing to consider is streamlining your supplies. Having too many products may inhibit your ability to clean effectively and

As a part of the Smith Mountain Lake community for more than 30 years, our agents’ mastery of the local market will surely find you the property of your dreams. Call or visit us today and work with consistent leaders in sales and service, backed by a company you can trust.

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life

with pets

combining style with safety and comfort BY RORY RHODE S

ever have I been more grateful for the joy of pets than I have over this past year. They give us company, affection, and can help lower stress and improve our health. In return we love and protect them, and put up with a certain amount of fur and mess. I’ve occasionally had to remind myself of this agreement as I watch my two dogs thunder gleefully through mud and into the house, or one of my two cats scoop up a paw-full of Friskies and inexplicably fling it at the washing machine. Through trial and error I’ve learned that it is possible to live with pets and not let your home go to the dogs, style-wise. There are ways to keep your pets safe and comfortable while still having a home and garden that is pleasing to the eye.

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Hard surfaces such as tile and finished concrete are extremely petfriendly, and especially livable when combined with radiant floor heating. Hardwood flooring is also good for pets, provided that it’s durable and doesn’t get too wet. But anyone who’s had a pet knows that they prefer rugs—for lounging, for playing…and for their gastrointestinal issues. So, whether you have wall-to-wall carpet or area rugs, what’s your best bet? It’s probably not anything with a distinctive loop weave, unfortunately, which looks tidy and delightful for approximately two weeks before being torn up by claws, teeth and chew toys. And, though pets love them, high-pile rugs are high-maintenance, trapping dirt and messes and difficult to clean. You’ll often hear that area rugs such as indoor-outdoor are pet friendly because they’re “washable,” and yet somehow I’ve never managed to wash an 8x10 rug, either in a washing machine or outside with a hose. Though they’re great in high-traffic zones and easy to spot clean, I’ve given up on indoor-outdoor rugs in a living area because the trade-off is usually that they’re not very inviting underfoot, and style selection can be limited. What does that leave? Wool rugs are surprisingly pet friendly in that they’re durable, stain resistant, and do well when wet. Low-pile patterned rugs such as kilims and dhurries are a good choice because the weave stands up to traffic and the patterns help hide dirt. Be careful with fringes or tassels if you have a playful pet. Natural fibers such as sisal, seagrass and jute are popular, but vary in best usage. Jute is soft but often chunky, which means hard to clean and easy to snag. Sisal is durable but coarse underfoot, and tends to absorb stains. Seagrass is durable, softer than sisal, and repels stains, making it the most pet-friendly option of the three. Layering area rugs is a great way to combine style with practicality. Obviously the rugs need to relate to each other in some way, be it pattern or colors. If you’re not confident in your pattern-mixing skills, make one of your rugs neutral and work with textures. A flat-weave, buff-colored rug pairs well with hide. Top a large natural fiber rug with a smaller patterned rug that offers some softness and durability. For maximum function, your smaller top rug should be the more durable, easily cleaned, and/ or easily replaced one—the rug you’re less likely to cringe over if a mess happens.

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Furniture and covers

One way or another, sofas and armchairs are going to attract fur in a home with pets. Honestly, some of living stylishly with pets is just matching your furnishings and wardrobe to their fur. But there’s no need to make things harder than they need to be, so choose material for sofas and armchairs with your furry friends in mind. If they’ll be on the furniture, avoid fabrics such as silk, which rips easily and is hard to clean, or chenille, which has wonderful texture but can snag easily. Velvet can also be tricky to clean and seems to attract fur, though it’s fairly easy to remove with a vacuum attachment or lint brush. Woven fabrics, on the other hand, may be labeled performance because of their durability and stain resistance, but tend to trap fur between the fibers. Any type of tweed fabric will have this issue. Microfiber is an affordable and easy-care option. Leather is too, though claw marks are certainly a consideration. Also, if your pet has a favorite spot, a discoloration might occur over time. A removable, washable cover can solve a lot of issues. Beyond specially made pet covers found in catalogs, you can get creative with anything from a chunky cable knit or preppy stripe to a colorful kantha quilt or serape. Custom slipcovers made from sturdy, washable fabrics like canvas, twill or cotton duck are great for everyday use.

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Beds and crates

There are plenty of attractive pet bed choices, but make sure they have a removable cover for washing. Imagine regularly disassembling and reassembling that bed, and steer clear of anything that looks too complicated. Loose fill in a bed tends to migrate to the edges, so choose orthopedic foam if possible. If your dog is crate trained, there are custom crate covers that will not only make it more attractive, but will provide that cozy cave feel that they enjoy. Specialized crate furniture can house a pet bed while doubling as an end table or credenza. A particularly charming option is to create a pet bed cubby in the base of built-in shelving, or even in the nook beneath the staircase. While many cats prefer lounging on your newspaper or laptop, there are plenty of cute beds for them as well. Plush round beds, felted cave beds, teepees—anything that allows them a feeling of nesting will likely be a hit. A perch or raised area will give them an extra sense of security. Food and water

There are a slew of food bowls out there, from purely decorative to functional items. Slow feeders for ravenous eaters; elevated bowl stands, which are helpful for large and older dogs; non-tip bowls for the rambunctious— there’s a dish for every style and personality. Whichever you choose, keep clean up in mind. Some dogs like to splash around in their water dish, so a bowl shape which reduces splashing plus a food mat are good ideas. My Lab slurps water like he’s just crossed the Kalahari and will lap a tidal wave onto the floor, so I’ve found the best solution is a large, shiny stainless steel bucket, combined with a food mat with a raised edge to contain any overflow. Speaking of water, cats are notoriously finicky about having a fresh supply. Your feline friends will thank you for spoiling them with a pet water fountain, which continuously cycles water through a small reservoir and pump. Most dogs enjoy them too! For food storage, there are lidded plastic, stainless steel, and good old galvanized bins. Some are air-tight, some have casters, others have locking handles or clamps. Some are stylish and designed to be left in sight while others are more utilitarian. It’s fine to leave your pet food in the original container as long as it’s well-sealed, but bins make it easy to scoop food and keep it fresher and safer from pests. Gear organization

Toys, chews, collars, leashes, pet waste bags…all those accessories need a place to go. For toys and chews, covered baskets and bins look attractive and keep things tidy. You can also dedicate a small cabinet in the mudroom, or a drawer in a shelving unit for all the goodies. There are even feeding station storage cabinets which offer a large pull-out drawer for the food, and another drawer beneath for food dishes. Sometimes these stations also have storage for other gear. A wall rack by the door is handy for leashes and collars. Hang a pail or a cute bag on one hook to hold pet waste bags, a flashlight, and other walk accessories. 8 0

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O U T D O O R L I FE Fencing

It’s vital to make sure your pets are able to enjoy the outdoors safely. This means that when your dog is in your yard, there should be a fenced or contained area unless they’re on a lead. A physical fence is optimal, since electric fences rely on fear of the “zap” being greater than desire for what lies beyond it, so a dog with a high prey

drive may decide that the lure of the road is worth a quick jolt of electricity. Anyone who’s ever pushed a stroller past a furiously barking dog standing by an electric fence sign knows that unpredictable feeling. Fencing also needs to take into account the athletic inclinations of your dog. Can they jump it? Perhaps they’d enjoy digging under it? If you plan to leave your pooch unattended in your yard, be sure that your

fence isn’t one they can escape. A handy trick for stopping fence-line diggers is to buy ground-level fence panels, such as Dig Defense, which are rows of downwardfacing metal rods that are inserted into the soil at the base of the fence. If you’ve got a jumper, a four-foot fence likely won’t do. Six feet is your best bet, and make sure that any horizontal elements aren’t helpful for climbing.

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Marshall Stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Member One Federal Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 MKB Realtors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Mountain City Realty & Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 N-Hance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 National Pools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Our Lady of the Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Pat Lawson, Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Pitman Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Potter Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Prescott Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Punch Boutique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Patrick Team Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Reid's Fine Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Richfield Living. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Roanoke Glass Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Roanoke Valley Garden Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Ronnie Mitchell and Son Landscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Seven Oaks Landscape Hardscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Skyline Door & Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Susan Bailey, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 TBS Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Columns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Townside Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 ValleyStar Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Virginia Amateur Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Virginia Mountain Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Virginia Varsity Transfer and Self Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Whitt Carpet One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Yarid's. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

For advertising info: (434) 386-5667 or sales@ westwillowpublishing.com. 8 2

Cats also enjoy the outdoors, and many spend years of their lives trying to dart through open doors to get there. But, as your neighbors may have informed you, they are not welcome to stalk the bird feeders or mark the flower beds. And so, a catio is the perfect solution. The typical catio features a wooden frame with mesh walls, uses a window for access, and provides elevated perches and climbing options. You can build your own or purchase one ready-made. If you’re not ready to commit to a catio, a cat solarium— basically an open-air window unit for your feline—is a nice way to give Kitty a dose of fresh air and sunshine. Garden beds

Some pooches are fond of trampling and digging in a fresh spring garden bed, so if you have a prized tulip patch or tender perennials emerging, it’s wise to erect some barriers. Low fencing can deter a casual run-through catastrophe. Surrounding young plants with good-sized stones or hardier, more established shrubs can also help. And it’s always wise to plant trampleresistant plants where possible. Small ornamental grasses, for example, will bend rather than break. Be aware of plant toxicity, as some pets do like to nibble or gnaw on shrubbery. A surprising number of common plants can cause GI distress or worse if ingested. ASPCA’s website has an extensive list of toxic plants, but a few that may surprise you are tulips, peonies, geraniums, hydrangeas, boxwoods and wisteria. Pets require equipment as well as some lifestyle accommodations for most of us. Luckily there are a range of products, from affordable to extravagant, designed for pet lovers. But no matter your home and budget, pets are an excellent return on investment. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E S p r i n g 2 0 2 1

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Residentia l & Comme rc ial Serv ices I nclude: • • • • • • • •

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at the right moment. Choosing your new home can be tough. Choosing your lender? Easy. The home buying process comes with its share of intimidating unknowns, but your lender shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why Member One works patiently by your side to help you select the loan that ﬁts best, then we process it quickly so that you can secure your dream home with conﬁdence.* Let’s get started today!

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