Roanoke Valley HOME Winter 2017

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CONTENTS Roanoke Valley HOME Winter/Holiday 2017

46

30 54

10 10

46

BY MEGAN BRUFFY

BY SLOANE LUCAS

36

54

BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

DINE IN STYLE Make your dining room a delightful destination

A GRANDIN AFFAIR Festive flair fills renovated Raleigh Court home

WORK IT OUT How to set up a home gym

LOCAL ART Three Roanoke collectors share their favorite pieces

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W I N T E R / H O L I DAY 2017

DESIGN

26 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Mirrors add style to any space

26

BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

50 DOUBLE UP

Turn your home office into holiday guest quarters

BY SLOANE LUCAS

64 CHAMPAGNE FLUTES

Sparkling stemware for holiday toasts

IMPROVE

23 STEAM YOUR CARES AWAY

Custom steam showers offer a relaxing retreat

44

BY NOELLE MILAM

44 CLEAN SWEEP

Ready your chimney for Santa and the winter season

BY KATHERINE FULGHUM KNOPF

GARDEN

15 JOLLY HOLLY

Garden gems for winter and beyond

32

BY BECKY CALVERT

28 CREATE A COLONIAL CHRISTMAS

All about elegant “della Robbia” decor

BY MITZI BIBLE

32 BIRD FEEDERS

Gift ideas to attract feathered friends

BY SARA WARRENDER

LIVE

20 JUST DESSERTS

A holiday dessert party is simple and scrumptious

BY MARLEY MILLER

52 HOLIDAY HOSTESS GIFTS

Local shops have you covered 60 EMBRACE THE SEASON Scandinavian tips for winter contentment

BY RORY RHODES

66 AROUND TOWN

Holiday events in our area

6

20 R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

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HOME ROANOKE VALLEY

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 5 PUBLISHER Julie Pierce EDITOR Rory Rhodes ART DIRECTOR Edwana Coleman GRAPHIC ARTIST Kate Scullen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mitzi Bible Megan Bruffy Becky Calvert Katherine Fulghum Knopf Sloane Lucas Noelle Milam Marley Miller Rory Rhodes Christy Rippel Sara Warrender PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Hurley OPERATIONS MANAGER Colleen Miller

Satisfying Every Budget & Style

ADVERTISING SALES Julia Belvin Janet Lampman 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@rvhomemagazine.com.

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WEST WILLOW PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC (434) 386-5667 westwillowpublishing.com Copyright 2017 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.

R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

EDITOR’S note “Glitter and be gay, that’s the part I play,” sings Cunégonde in the operetta “Candide,” from Voltaire’s novel of the same name.

I often hear it in my head this time of year, though it has nothing to do with the reduced circumstances Cunégonde laments in her aria. The sparkle of the holiday season has an irresistible pull. There’s so much to enjoy, and celebrate… and do.

Sometimes all that doing can be daunting, during what is supposed to be a time of meaning and merriment. So how to find that balance between the glitter and the substance? With this issue of HOME, we offer ways to get ready, get organized, get festive, and take a breather when needed.

Our article on dining rooms will help you make the most of an often under-used area, both during the holiday season and beyond. We’ve got ideas on how to turn your home office into a holiday guest room, and how to mitigate the holiday pounds by setting up a home gym. We’ll help you get your holiday To-Do list in order with hostess gift ideas from local businesses, and advice on hiring a chimney sweep now to ensure a safe and snug fireplace in the season ahead.

When it’s time to get festive, find inspiration in our featured holiday home, where the decor is infused with meaning and memories, as well as at holiday home tours around town.

Deck your halls in Colonial Williamsburg style with tips from our “Noel au Naturel” article, and try our recipes for a holiday dessert party—a fuss-free way to gather with friends and family.

If you’re looking for a spruce up, our piece on mirrors will show you how to brighten any space with a little shine.

Likewise, our feature on local art collections might encourage you to shop for a new work by one of the region’s many talented artists. Outside, holly is in its element, and now is a terrific time to see where your garden needs a bit of winter gloss and get planning.

Finally, when you need to take a moment for yourself, check out our information on custom steam showers that will steam all your cares away. And our guide to Scandinavian-style contentment offers simple ways to find joy and balance this time of year. This holiday issue of HOME offers plenty of seasonal celebration, as well as tools to take with you into the new year.

Until next time…

— Rory Rhodes, Editor rory@westwillowpublishing.com

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FROM HOLIDAY TO EVERY DAY how to optimize your dining room

BY MEGAN BRUFFY

W

When my husband and I bought our first home last fall, we were thrilled to have a formal dining room, but there was one hiccup: We didn’t own a dining table. That beautiful space, which I had insisted was an absolute necessity, sat empty for months, though it wasn’t for lack of want. Adding to the pressure, we were newlyweds slated to host Thanksgiving for the very first time.

Every morning, for weeks, I sat in the middle of the room and stared at the natural light that flooded the room, the lyrical grains in the original hardwood floors, and the bare walls desperate for life and a good coat of paint. My thoughts were rapid-fire. Should I choose a round table, or build one of those adorable banquets with built-in storage? Should I leave the table set every day or only for special occasions? And, good heavens, what should I do about drapes? The questions mounted and I felt incapable of doing anything except searching Pinterest for the answers.

As the holidays approached and I carefully curated the rest of the house, it hit me: I couldn’t make decisions because I didn’t have a clear vision of how I would use the space. I essentially had a holiday version and an everyday version of the room in my head and I couldn’t quite seem to reconcile the two. How could a room be a heartwarming, seasonal vignette and simultaneously be a comfortable space where I could pay bills in my pajamas?

As it turns out, when done right that space can, in fact, be all that and more. As we approach the holiday season, allow me to offer some thoughts for how you, too, can make the most out of this often-underutilized room for the holidays and beyond.

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Define the space

A dining room is perhaps the most versatile room in the house. When you’re ready to establish your dining room or envision a new life for an existing design, consider this: What purpose do you want the space to fulfill? In addition to hosting meals, it can serve as a homework station, craft area, home office, game room, catchall for keys and mail, or any number of uses. Your end goal will guide all the decisions along the way.

If the space is multifunctional, consider storage options: bookcases, sideboards and china cabinets, closed bins and baskets. Having storage nearby allows you to quickly transition the space to a new use and no one will ever be the wiser.

This is especially important during the busy holiday season where we often pivot quickly between work and holiday parties and preparations.

If you want the room to feel more formal, incorporate elements such as intricate centerpieces and multi-layer place settings. The holiday season presents plentiful opportunities to augment the formality of this room. For instance, even in a more casual space, luxurious table linens paired with a seasonal centerpiece of holly leaves, garland and tapered candles immediately elevate the space.

Once you’ve achieved your ideal design, think about how you will actualize your aspirations. Will you eat dinner there each evening? Will it become the new gathering spot for your family? Will you make it a technology-free zone where you go to unwind? The design of the room and your intentions for it should be complementary.

Dress it up

Now that you can visualize your goal, let’s talk about furnishings. From tables and chairs to rugs and drapes, the layers of a dining room are many. Today, more than ever before, there is a table for every situation, so how do you know which one to choose? First things first, the shape of your table should accentuate the shape of the room. For instance, rectangular tables match the scale of a large or narrow space, while round tables are best suited for smaller or open concept rooms. Note that the continuous edges of a round table give the illusion of a bigger space—choose a glass top to further enhance this effect.

If you have a tight area, a table with a leaf is ideal. You can expand it during the r vhomemaga zine .com 11

holidays or when you have company, but remove the leaf for a more manageable size during daily life.

So, you have a table, but where will you sit? Seating is rich with opportunity and often becomes a focal point depending on the material and color. For a more formal, traditional feel, pair a wood table with matching wood chairs, or even upholstered wingback chairs. Benches and banquets create a more casual feel and can also provide storage. To create more room for your eye to move, try armless or low chairs, or for a modern contrast, mix and match seating: chairs on one side and a bench on the other, or wood chairs in alternating colors. This is a prime chance to make a statement.

If your walls and decor feel a bit neutral, you can punch up the room with chairs upholstered in rich sapphire or garnet.

To add a touch of elegance, consider monogrammed slipcovers. Bonus: Many are machine washable, making them classy and functional.

Identify more opportunities

Whether your dining room serves a singular function or pulls double duty, it may crave additional furnishings, especially during the holidays. Sideboards offer storage and create an optimal surface to serve food, keeping the serving dishes from taking up valuable real estate on your table. If you only use this space occasionally, try repurposing furniture from around your home. Entryway and sofa tables make perfect substitutes for sideboards, and bookcases present delightful display space for holiday decor or even dessert trays and gifts during a party.

On the walls, open shelves provide an alternate storage option. They can display china, personal collections, or even masterpieces created by little ones! During the holidays, drape shelves in garlands and lights to create an ethereal ambiance. For windows, hang drapes at the top of the wall to offer a dramatic cascade and make the room seem larger. Also, why choose just one window covering? Consider two layers: a thin white sheer below a thick colored curtain. The top layer can be pulled back, allowing light to permeate the sheer layer while still offering a certain amount of privacy..

Floors are often an overlooked area of the dining room, but they are a treasure trove. If you have hardwood floors, a well1 2

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Make your own luck. placed rug can define your entire space, but it should be large enough that a chair won’t catch the edge when pulled back. The general rule is to account for 36 inches of rug on each side of the table. A jute rug is fairly simple to keep clean, while low pile rugs allow chairs to slide under the table. Consider choosing a simple design that incorporates accent colors found in the room. It’ll help tie everything together.

Curate the perfect accessories

During the holidays, options for table decor can be overwhelming. From linens to china to centerpieces, it’s hard to know where to start. Personally, I like to build from the bottom up. When it comes to linens, it all depends on how sumptuous you want the room to feel. Double-layered tablecloths that touch the floor lessen the amount of light that gets to move in the room, giving it a heavy, formal feel. Conversely, a simple runner delineates the center of the table and creates an airy feel.

For china, don’t be afraid to experiment with color! Try coordinating rose-colored chargers with milky white plates and snowflake adorned bowls, or for a bolder look, couple bronze chargers and bowls with amethyst colored plates and napkins.

A pop of color or imaginative pairing of patterns is often a conversation starter, especially at seasonal gatherings.

The last component is the centerpiece. One quick search on Pinterest will present a dizzying array of suggestions, especially for the holidays. I’ve always found that the trick to centerpieces is balance. It should quite literally center the table, and it can incorporate absolutely anything: candles, vases, baskets, plants, marbles, metal letters, lights, everything but the kitchen sink.

If you aren’t sure what to do, start with a tray. Place it in the center of the table and start layering—a small stack of colorful antique books next to a trio of white pillar candles and a glass bowl of mints, or a quartet of brass herb planters surrounded by decorative pebbles. During the holidays, a set of hurricane vases filled with beloved ornaments adds dimension and nostalgia, while a pair of small poinsettias provide a pop of color and fresh fragrance.

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Host an event

The holidays are the perfect time to put your new design into action. Throw a cookie exchange or a card decorating party, both of which will make ample use of the entire table. During a holiday cocktail party or gift exchange, push the dining table against the wall to create more room to roam. If you’re feeling extra festive, turn your dining room into a gift wrapping haven and invite all your friends. The sideboard can hold all the accoutrement—ribbon, bows and tags—while the table embraces roll upon roll of wrapping paper.

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Before you dive into design choices, take a few minutes to sit in your dining room and ask yourself: What is the purpose of this space in my home? Whether it is a hub of family activity, a secondary office or a sanctuary for elaborate meals, a little imagination can inspire your dining room to serve you well during the holidays and throughout the year. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

GARDEN a classic evergreen

HOLLY

the winter garden gem

BY BECKY CALVERT

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WITH ITS SHINY GREEN LEAVES AND BRIGHTLY-COLORED BERRIES, HOLLY HAS BECOME THE SUBJECT OF TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS, WHILE REMAINING A SYMBOL OF WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE.

When winter arrives, unassuming evergreens like hollies take center stage in the garden. With their glossy green leaves and cheerful berries, they stand out in what can otherwise be a muted landscape. If your winter garden feels a bit bare, consider the holly, a classic evergreen for all seasons…

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The holly tree has been a symbol of winter celebrations dating back as far as Ancient Rome. Celtic Druids believed that a Holly King and an Oak King fought a battle for the seasons at Yuletide and midsummer, with each king reigning for half the year.

Holly boughs have been used to ward off lightning strikes and witchcraft over the centuries. With its thick, shiny, prickly green leaves offset by brightly-colored winter berries, holly has become the subject of traditional Christmas carols while remaining a practically universal symbol of winter solstice celebrations around the globe.

With close to 400 species, holly trees are native to every continent but Australia and Antarctica. They are primarily an evergreen, although there are a few deciduous varieties. In addition to their distinctive serrated shape and spiny teeth, holly leaves are waxy, helping to prevent water loss—a common characteristic of evergreens. They have smooth, close-grained gray bark, and the wood is often used for making black piano keys and violin pegs, as well as fancy inlays, small furniture and other decorative pieces.

Hollies can be planted as stand-alone specimens or closer together in a row as a privacy hedge. Their berries, a winter food source for birds and other wildlife, are technically not berries, but drupes. Drupes are more commonly known as stone fruits —think peaches and plums—but because of the diminutive size of the holly fruit, they are generally referred to as berries. While we tend to associate red berries with the holly tree, they can come in a variety of colors—orange, yellow, blue, black, purple and white. These fruits have small amounts of toxins in them that are harmful to dogs, cats and humans, so be sure to keep children and pets from ingesting them.

Traditionally, hollies are dioecious, meaning plants are male and female, with the female bearing fruit when a male is planted nearby. (In recent years, some self-pollinating cultivars have been also been developed.) Both male and female hollies produce small, white blossoms in spring, with the berries forming in early to late fall, though it can take several years for berries to form on a young plant. Among the more popular and interesting varieties that do well in our area, here are a few to consider: English holly

It is the English holly that is most associated with winter solstice decorations—native to most of Europe, it’s able to adapt to many soils, climates and sunlight levels. It can grow to a height of anywhere from 15 to 50 feet while reaching a diameter of eight to 20 feet. It also comes in a variegated version, with dramatic white margins on the leaves that makes the tree stand out.

American holly

A native of North America, American holly is so similar in appearance to the English holly that it can be hard to tell them apart. American hollies prefer a slightly acidic soil and grow best in full sun, although they will tolerate light shade. Once established, they are slow growing and low maintenance. They can grow to a full height of 40 to 50 feet when planted as a stand alone specimen tree.

Inkberry holly

The Inkberry holly is native to the American southeast, and doesn’t have the prickly leaves typical of other varieties. Also known as an evergreen winterberry, it produces purple berries

chinese holly

english holly

american holly 16

inkberry holly R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

and prefers moist soil. There are some cultivars of inkberries that produce white berries as well. Inkberry hollies reproduce with suckers, so they will require some maintenance to keep from overtaking an area if planted in your garden. They grow four to eight feet tall, and spread to a diameter of four feet.

Chinese holly

While not native to our area, another popular holly that does well here is the Chinese holly. Chinese hollies have a more rounded leaf shape, typically with one spine on the tip of the leaf. These hollies also prefer full sun and well drained soil, but may need to be protected during cold spells. Chinese hollies will grow to a height of about 20 feet when planted alone.

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Sky holly

Sky holly is a Japanese cultivar that resembles a boxwood more than a typical holly. Narrow in shape, it grows to a height of about eight feet while never getting wider than about two feet. It does well in containers and is often used as an architectural accent plant at entryways or in formal gardens.

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Planting and care

The best time to plant hollies is in the spring, right before they start growing for the season. They like a moderate amount of water that is usually provided by rainfall, although if there is a drought the first year they are planted, water them weekly. A few inches of mulch, spread as wide as the branches, helps protect the roots from freeze and thaw damage.

Fertilize them in the spring and fall as needed. Pruning depends upon the type of holly, but generally it’s best to avoid heavy pruning in winter months, which can spur tender new growth. However, it’s fine to clip a few sprigs for your holiday decorations.

Hollies are relatively easy to care for while adding interest to your year round landscape, although they are probably most appreciated this time of year. As you ponder your spring planting—because let’s face it, most of us gardeners start plotting next year’s garden while still putting this year’s to bed—take a look around your winter garden, and see where a holly might brighten the landscape next year, and in the years to come. ✦

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SMALL TOWN STORE WITH BIG TIME SERVICE. Whether you’re replacing one appliance or planning your dream kitchen, be sure to visit Vinton Appliance Center. Located on the corner of Lee and Pollard streets in downtown Vinton, they have what you’re looking for.

Owner Jeff Janney opened Vinton Appliance in 2001. Both then and now, Jeff’s priority has been providing outstanding customer service and competitive prices.

Vinton Appliance Center has a friendly and well-informed staff, who have a combined total of 85 years of experience in sales and service. Jeff, along with Paul St. Clair, Alan Wilkerson and Penny Burkholder, are eager and excited to help you with your appliance needs.

Upon entering Vinton Appliance Center, you’ll be welcomed and thanked for your visit. Browse the kitchen displays featuring quality appliances from brands such as Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, Miele, Bosch, GE Monogram, GE Café, GE Profile, and more.

Vinton Appliance is also proud to offer the best-selling laundry products in the industry, Speed Queen—Made in America.

Excellent customer service is one of the reasons why Vinton Appliance Center continues to grow and win awards and praise throughout the valley. Jeff and his team treat customers like friends, and strive to make sure that everyone is happy and satisfied with their purchase. Vinton Appliance also offers free local delivery by their own delivery staff.

Stop by the SMALL TOWN STORE with BIG TIME SERVICE and see the difference.

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LIVE holiday desserts

tempting treats host a holiday dessert party with these crowd pleasers

BY MARLEY MILLER At my house, the holidays are all about the food—especially, the dessert. Hosting a dessert-themed gathering is a creative way for me to celebrate the season: Guests gather at the table and sample an assortment of tasty treats, while Ella Fitzgerald’s holiday music plays in the background and the yellow Lab makes the rounds in her new plaid collar. The best part? Prepping for this party takes no more than a single afternoon, so when guests arrive, I’m out of the kitchen and into the fun! If you’d like to host a dessert party of your own, here are three recipes guaranteed to impress your crowd.

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A FASHION BOUTIQUE

PEPPERMINT FUDGE BROWNIES

Yield: 24, 3-inch squares Recipe adapted from: Labensky, Martel, and Damme, “On Baking”

Nothing says holidays like the delicious combo of peppermint and chocolate. Even better, this recipe does not take a lot of time.

PLAN AHEAD: Brownies can be fully baked and frozen for up to a month. Wrap securely in plastic wrap and store in a Tupperware container. Allow 4 hours for thawing at room temperature.

Brownies

1 pound + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 pound (16 ounces) bittersweet chocolate (such as Guittard’s bittersweet baking bar) 10 eggs 6 ½ cups sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon peppermint extract 6 cups all purpose flour 5 tablespoons crushed peppermint stick

Topping

4 cups milk or dark chocolate chips 2 cups crushed peppermint stick Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a half sheet pan (roughly 19-inch x 13-inch.)

Sift together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate together, stirring regularly. Set aside.

Using a hand mixer or a 6 quart stand mixture fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk eggs and sugar on low speed until

fully incorporated, stopping your mixer occasionally to scrape the bottom of the bowl. Increase speed to medium high for 1 to 2 minutes or until it lightens in color and begins to thicken.

Reduce speed to low and slowly add the melted chocolate mixture.

With mixer still on low, add vanilla and peppermint extract.

Add salt and flour in 3 or 4 additions, mixing on low just until the flour disappears, stopping occasionally to scrape the bowl.

Remove the bowl from your mixer and, with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the crushed peppermint. The batter will be thick and appear slightly grainy.

Pour the batter in the prepared sheet pan, spreading evenly.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out with just a few specks of batter.

Let the pan cool completely before topping—about 1 hour.

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To top the brownies

Melt chocolate chips in a small saucepan on the stove over low heat, or in a heat proof bowl in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds. Pour the chocolate over the brownies, spreading to the corners with a butter knife or icing spatula. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle crushed peppermint over the top.

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ROSEMARY AND ORANGE POUND CAKE Yield: 1, 9 x 5 loaf pan

Every year, I meet someone who says, “I don’t really like dessert.” (My best friend and husband are among this group.) But they like this pound cake! It’s not too sweet, more like bread than cake, but still filled with festive flavor.

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 ¾ cups sugar 3 eggs 2 ½ cups all purpose flour ½ cup whole milk ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons orange zest 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon orange extract

Glaze zest of 1 orange 4 cups confectioners sugar ¼ cup whole milk

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease loaf pan with melted butter or nonstick pan spray.

Sift together flour and baking powder. Set aside.

Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on low speed, increasing the speed as the two mix together. Beat the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes or until it lightens in color and begins to look and feel fluffy, making sure to stop the mixer occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl.

Reduce mixer speed to low and add eggs one at a time. When each egg is added, your batter may appear broken or curdled, but keep mixing and it will all come together.

Alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk (do this in about three stages), mixing just until the flour disappears.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and, with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the orange zest, rosemary, vanilla and orange extract. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until the top has risen and is slightly brown. Then, lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan until you can handle it with bare hands—45 minutes to 1 hour.

For the glaze

Place the pound cake on a wire rack. In a large bowl (The bowl should look enormous compared to what’s in it but, trust me, this glaze likes space!) vigorously whisk together milk with confectioners sugar until it is a pourable consistency. If it is too thick, simply add more milk. If too thin, add more sugar. Once you have reached the correct consistency, switch to a spoon and add the orange zest.

Pour the glaze on top of the cake, letting some of it drip down the sides.

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FRENCH BUTTER COOKIES

Yield: roughly 24 cookies using a 1 ½-inch circle cutter Recipe from: Dorie Greenspan, “Paris Sweets”

This one dough has endless possibilities. It is delicious on its own, but can be easily transformed by adding fresh herbs, dipping them in chocolate, or sandwiching with your favorite jam or buttercream. From this one dough, you can create a full cookie platter. At the end of the recipe, I’ve included some of my favorite variations.

PLAN AHEAD: The cookie dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. See step 7 for instructions.

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature ½ cup confectioners sugar 1 egg yolk pinch of sea salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups + 1 tablespoon all purpose flour Using a stand mixer with bowl and paddle attachment, beat butter on high for 1 minute or until it appears pale, smooth, and creamy.

Lower the mixer speed and gradually add confectioners sugar. Increase the speed to medium and beat until sugar is fully incorporated.

Add the egg yolk and continue to mix, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you continue.

Add the pinch of salt followed by vanilla extract.

Lastly, working in two additions, add flour and mix just until it blends in. The finished batter will appear grainy and crumbly—almost sand-like.

Tear off a large square of plastic wrap and place the dough in the middle. Using the wrap, shape the dough into a square of ¼-inch thickness. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

(At this point, the dough can be covered and stored for up to three days if you are planning ahead.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Once the dough is chilled, remove from the fridge and unwrap the plastic. Lightly dust the dough with flour and, using a cutter of your choice, cut out your cookie and place it on the cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for 11 to 14 minutes. The tops of the cookies will remain pale while the edges will turn a light brown. To check the doneness, look at the bottom of the cookie—like the edges, it will be light brown.

Eat the cookies as-is, or follow the optional finishes below n Dip in chocolate. n Make sandwiches with a high-quality raspberry or strawberry jam. n Flavor the batter with culinary lavender or fresh thyme by adding 1 tablespoon of herbs to the batter. ✦ R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

IMPROVE custom steam showers

steam shower upgrade

your personal retreat

BY NOELLE MILAM

I

Imagine for a moment what it feels like to hit the shower after a long day. Perhaps you’ve been raking leaves or you’ve completed a challenging workout, or maybe you find yourself chilled to the bone after an afternoon of cheering on a favorite team.

You are cold and tired, your muscles ache, and a shower is definitely in order. Now, imagine what it would be like if that shower was also an oasis of comfortable seating, soft lighting, and gentle steam, perhaps even steam scented like lavender or eucalyptus.

Yes please!

Since the days of the ancient Romans, people of many cultures have embraced the benefits that come from steam bathing. The moist heat stimulates subcutaneous blood flow, helping to accelerate the healing of damaged tissue, or sore joints from overuse, strenuous exercise, or arthritis. Steam bathing naturally flushes out impurities in the skin, contributing to a healthier, more radiant complexion. Spending time in the spa-like environment helps lower stress, contributes to relaxation, and can provide deeper, more restful sleep.

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According to Sara Baker, Roanoke showroom manager for Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Gallery, “Many homeowners are looking to bring the spa experience into the comfort and privacy of their own home, and steam showers definitely provide that experience.” Baker goes on to explain that having one’s regular shower do double duty as a steam shower allows busy people to combine the health benefits of steam into their usual shower routine.

A steam shower can also be an excellent upgrade for your home. Real estate agents have been telling us for years that the best return on our investments occur when we upgrade kitchens and baths. A steam shower is one of those luxury upgrades that can be a real attention-getter when you go to sell your home, but also one that you can enjoy in the meantime. Homeowners looking to incorporate the spa experience into their homes can build (or renovate) a steam shower with such features as soft music, aromatherapy, and comfortable seating. Modern steam generators are state of the art, says Baker, explaining, “The systems are 100% digital, including Bluetooth technology and a mobile app that controls water temperature, light, and music devices.”

How do steam showers work? A steam shower spends most of its life as a regular shower. But when you push a button on the control panel or app, the magic happens: Water flows into the steam generator, which has a heating element (think of a very powerful electric tea kettle) boils, and then the steam is pumped through a small nozzle close to the floor of the shower. Within a few seconds the stream starts, and within a few minutes the entire shower enclosure is full of steam. And another nice bonus: Steam showers are very efficient. On average, a 20 minute residential steam shower uses less than two gallons of water! Once you’ve had your steam, you can turn off the system and rinse off without ever leaving your shower.

If you are considering adding one to your home, it is important to do your research. Be sure to take the time to ask questions about how different models work and what features are available for your space. Steam generator units vary in size and steam output, so you want to find the right unit for your home’s requirements. “When designing a new showering space,” says Baker, “You will need to know the cubic footage of your existing shower before considering a steam shower. The larger the space, the larger the steam generator needs to be.” Steam generator units are designed to be enclosed behind the walls (or in some cases, under the floor) of your bathroom, so access to these spaces is crucial. “There are many factors to consider when converting a traditional shower into a steam shower,” notes Baker, “Bathroom size, access to behind-wall panels, shower door height, and where the steam head should be mounted. We recommend working R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

FERGUSON ENTERPRISES

with a licensed professional contractor to make sure your shower is compliant with your local building regulations.”

Also, since you do not want the increased heat and moisture level to encourage mold, mildew or bacteria, talk to your contractor about the need for ventilation, vapor-sealed light fixtures, and a waterproof membrane for walls, floor, and ceiling.

Discuss appropriate materials for the visible surfaces as well. Tile is the most common choice, and an excellent one, as most tile is non-porous. It pays to double check, however: Some specialty tiles are porous, as is most natural stone, and these may not make suitable choices for a steam shower. Another thing to keep in mind is that unless you want all the steam to hang out over your head, you’ll want to be sure that the ceiling of the shower is not more than eight feet high, and that it has a very slight slope to prevent water condensation from dripping down on you while you steam.

Finally, to keep all that lovely steam in the shower, you’ll need the area to be sealed, and that usually means some form of custom glass door. Be sure to let your glass fabricator know that this is for a steam shower, so they can guide you in choosing the best type of glass, sealers, and hinges.

So, before you schedule that spa weekend, consider adding a spa-like steam room environment to your own shower, and start reaping the benefits of health and relaxation right in the privacy of your own home. A steam shower can be a valuable upgrade to a master bath, but it is also a touch of luxury that you can enjoy now and for years to come… no appointment necessary. ✦

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DESIGN mirror trends & tips

REFLECT YOUR STYLE

with mirrors

BY CHRISTY RIPPEL

M

irrors have been used in design for their beauty and practicality for centuries—one of the most famous examples being the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, France. Completed in 1684, the hall contains 357 mirrors opposite 17 large glass doors, reflecting views of the extensive palace gardens.

While your home may be more modest, you can still use mirrors in your decor to reflect your own beautiful views and treasured art, to visually lighten or expand a space, or even bring architectural interest to a room with little of its own. If you think mirrors are just for the bathroom vanity or the back of your closet door, read on for other ideas on how to use them in your home.

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Mirrors come in an endless array of sizes, styles, shapes and even finishes, and what you are looking for in a room depends on whether the mirror needs to be functional (checking your outfit) or is merely decorative. For example, not all mirrors are clear glass—some are antiqued, which is a newly-manufactured mirror made to look old, with flaws and a mottled appearance. These are great for reflecting light, but not useful for practical applications, like above a bathroom sink. A convex mirror, also called a “fish eye” mirror, is a curved mirror that bulges outward. During the 16th century, especially in Northern Europe, convex mirrors were common in many interiors and even thought by some to be a charm to ward off evil from the home. It’s an interesting shape and excellent for light reflection, but again, not for practical use. While a true antique convex mirror would be an expensive find, there are reproductions that look beautiful and are affordable.

Designers advise that bigger is better—a small mirror looks out of place on a large wall, unless a collection of mirrors is grouped to make a statement. Consider mirrors of different sizes hung together, a collection of convex mirrors up the stairs, or several of the same mirror hung in a grid or row. Measure your space to get an idea of the size you are looking for, and bring the tape measure when you go shopping, as it is difficult to judge scale when you look at a mirror in the store.

When you hang, make sure that the mirrors are reflecting something you want to emphasize. Have a blank wall opposite a great piece of art, or a gorgeous view? A mirror is a great addition, and will double your view, but be sure the height of the mirror reflects that desired view. Enlist a helper to hold the mirror at the proposed height while you admire it from all points in the room so you can measure twice, drill once! And for heavy mirrors, be sure to use an anchor suitable to the weight. Consider hanging hooks (sometimes called monkey or gorilla hooks) that are inserted through drywall without needing to be anchored to a stud—heavy duty hooks can hold up to 150 pounds, and are found at home improvement and hardware stores.

Mirrors such as sunbursts (a circular mirror with decorative rays) and floor mirrors not only reflect what’s beautiful about a room—they can be the beauty. In the bedroom, a large leaning floor mirror can do double duty, visually expanding a space while also providing an outfit check before heading out the door. A sunburst mirror, or other mirror with an interesting frame, can be a welcome addition on a blank wall. If closet doors are ho-hum, mirrored panels (either standard or antiqued) can be added to the inlay to punch up the room’s design.

In the family room or living room, the mantel is a popular place to hang a mirror—again, be sure the scale is appropriate and that a too-small mirror isn’t visually swallowed by a chunky mantel. A fun option here is to layer over the mirror—an antique window, interesting empty picture frame, or a decorative wreath suspended over the mirror with ribbon. Beautiful objects that look good from all angles can be placed in front of the mirror, like a vase of flowers, an interesting garland (try magnolia), or attractive candlesticks. Consider the mirror the base layer, and change the additions seasonally.

In the dining room, a mirror hung on the wall at the appropriate height can reflect a beautiful chandelier, or, at table height, the glow of candlelight when the table is set. In a dining room or any room that needs a dose of architectural character, a large mirror with panes, made to look like a window, provides a focal point. In a boxy room, a tall floor mirror leaning diagonally in the corner softens the room’s right angles. A floor mirror is also handy for covering up anything on the wall that is undesirable, like an old, unused vent or an imperfection.

While bathrooms have always contained mirrors above the vanity, they were often giant mirrors with no decorative flourish, anchored to the wall. Use this space to make a statement—a mirror with an interesting shape or beautiful frame can instantly transform a bathroom from basic to beautiful. Above a double vanity, two separate framed mirrors, rather than one, looks chic and updated. Another current way to use mirrors in the bathroom? Look for a freestanding bathroom vanity with mirrored panels, which will brighten the space.

While there are many indoor possibilities, take a look at your outdoor space, too, which might benefit from the addition of a mirror. In a covered outdoor space with a furniture grouping, a mirror makes the spot feel more like an extension of the indoors, and can reflect a view of an interesting tree or garden.

There are endless sources for mirrors, from high-end furniture and home stores, to antique shops, thrift shop and yard sale finds, and of course online boutiques.

Wherever you shop, remember that the right find can bring the perfect shine to your space. ✦

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GARDEN holiday decor

noel au naturel

Bring Colonial Williamsburg style to your holiday decorating

BY MITZI BIBLE

When you tour Colonial Williamsburg during the holidays, you’ll see the town’s signature Christmas decorations that greet guests strolling down the picturesque streets. Evergreen wreaths, swags, and garlands are uniquely adorned with colorful fruits, berries, leaves, seed pods, and even seashells. They speak to simpler times… resourceful times… times when the Earth’s own creations were cherished treasures. No laser light shows, inflatable snowmen, or plastic reindeer here. The natural look runs the show every year—and has influenced homeowners all over the country. Perhaps this Christmas you will be inspired to add a bit of nature to your Noel.

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Central Virginia HOME Winter/Holiday 2017

Cues from the renaissance

You might be surprised to hear that the handmade decorations from Colonial Williamsburg which sparked a decorating trend aren’t actually part of the town’s rich history—at least not before the 1930s. While Christmas was celebrated in 18th century colonial America, home decorations were minimal, especially ones placed outdoors. Some historians say the townsfolk never would have wasted fruit and vegetables on a decoration that just hung around and was never eaten.

An article in the 1996-1997 “Colonial Williamsburg Journal” (by Libbey Oliver and Mary Theobald) says that the idea to use fruit in decorations actually circulated in a home decorating magazine in the 1920s. The magazine suggested using natural products for decorations in the way that Luca della Robbia, an Italian Renaissance sculptor, did when circling his terra cotta artwork in sculptured fruits and foliage. Transferring the “della Robbia” style to home decorations was first embraced by the magazine’s wealthy readership. But by the late 1930s, when Colonial Williamsburg started decorating for Christmas and adopted the style itself, visitors began copying it in their own homes, popularizing it across the country.

Fruits of a decorator’s labor

The appeal of della Robbia decor is the brightly-colored fruit that accentuate a backdrop of fresh evergreen boughs. Many people choose traditional Christmas colors, incorporating apples that are

red, green, or even both, like the McIntosh variety. Pomegranates are another red alternative, matched with limes or green pears.

But some designers have created an even more colorful display with oranges and lemons. The more color variants, the longer a display can stay up after Christmas is over. In Williamsburg, you will also see whole pineapples—large and miniature—used in many of the wreaths and in toppers above the doors, as the pineapple remains a sign of hospitality.

It’s one thing to work with light greenery in making a wreath, but the heaviness of fruit poses a challenge. The Williamsburg designers stick thick wire through the middle of the fruit, then bind it to the greenery in the back. Some decorations are built on a wood base with nails on which to impale the fruit, and other greenery is then stapled around it.

Using fruits in your arrangement does require some maintenance. For people who have their decorations up longer than a couple weeks (most of us), the fruit may need to be replaced one by one, or a whole fresh new decoration can be put in its place. For this reason, replicating the della Robbia style for your own home is best on your porch, lamppost, or fencing, where the cold temperatures can keep the fruit around longer. If you bring the style inside to decorate mantels or use as centerpieces, it is best to buy the hardest, least ripe fruits you can find. Some fruits have a longer indoor life than others.

(Pears do better than apples, for example.)

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Another way to make your fruitaccented decorations last longer, whether outdoors or indoors, is to use dried fruit, such as orange slices, which add a lovely texture to the piece. To dry fruit, line a baking tray with parchment paper and bake slices in an oven preheated to 150 degrees; bake for three hours and flip after the first 90 minutes; air dry on a cooling rack for an additional three hours. If you don’t want to dry your own, a range of dried fruit is available online. Dried flowers can also add some staying color to your decoration.

And, like our mothers always said, we can’t forget our vegetables. Consider adding whole artichokes as “blooms” on a wreath, tucked between okra pods and dried peppers.

Forest finds

In addition to your garden and orchard, the great outdoors can provide plenty of other natural materials for your della Robbia decor. Large, shiny magnolia leaves are a natural favorite and, combined with varied sizes of pinecones, wheat stalks, or milkweed pods, can provide the bulk of a wreath. Other popular wreath base material include grapevines, boxwood, fir, mountain laurel, rosemary, and ivy. Fruits and berries of all sizes and colors offer colorful contrast to the browns and greens.

And then there is always the Christmas necessity: mistletoe.

Nature provides more than just beautiful patterns and colors: Take advantage of wonderful natural fragrances by sneaking in cinnamon sticks, pine boughs, and cedar clippings.

Some designers have stretched their imaginations to include locally available resources and symbols. In Williamsburg, where the town’s residents get in on the fun by joining a decorating contest, you 30

R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

may see creative wreaths made with mushrooms, peanut shells, seashells (large oyster shells are a favorite), cotton bolls, and even the left-behind gifts of wildlife—antlers and feathers.

Create your own

magnolia

While many of the decorations in Colonial Williamsburg are made by professional floral designers with years of experience, you can make your own simple della Robbia decorations with easily available materials. Here are some basic guidelines: n Building Materials. Depending upon your desired creation, you might need: a grapevine or wire wreath form; needle-nose pliers and wire cutters; green spool wire and/or floral wire (medium and heavy gauge for various fruits); floral tape and floral wire picks; gloves. n Greenery. Evergreens such as spruce, boxwood, magnolia, holly, pine, or cedar. A combination of several types will provide interesting contrast. n Accents. Pinecones, fruits (apples, pomegranates, oranges, lemons, pears, etc.), dried flowers, berries, and/ or vegetables such as peppers and artichokes. n Prep. Pre-soak cut evergreens in lukewarm water for several hours or in a bucket overnight. n Building the Base. Gather several bundles of evergreens and use wire to attach them to your base form. Then begin adding your accents, starting with the largest items first. n Symmetry. Space your fruit clusters at equal intervals. For a wreath, start with fruit clusters attached at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock positions. n Securing in Place. Attach fruit by inserting sturdy wire through its center and wrapping wire onto the wreath form. Pinecones and berries can be fastened to floral wire picks with floral tape, then inserted into the foliage.

All-natural Christmas decorations can certainly take us back to a more primitive era, before glitter and metallic bows made their way into the holidays. It can be a welcome change in the midst of a busy gift-giving season to accept the gifts that Mother Nature gives us year-round, and to share her gifts with our family and friends. ✦

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7/20/17 4:54 PM

GARDEN bird feeders

Christmas gifts to attract

winter winged visitors

BY SARA WARRENDER While winter brings the joys of dancing flames in the fireplace, it can also mean a bland view of a landscape devoid of color. But, when gardens are stripped of blooms, and branches are covered with a blanket of snow and ice, you can naturally ornament your garden with the brightly-colored, fluttering wings of our region’s wild birds.

This season, consider giving your loved ones the gift of entertainment, twittering morning songs, and the satisfaction of caring for birdlife with affordable (and adorable!) bird feeders and houses. Before choosing the first thing you see, it helps to be familiar with a few of the area’s most common bird species, their favorite foods, and how to choose accessories they are prone to visit.

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Celebrate the season with warmth & light!

Winter’s frequent flyers

Even when large, frigid flakes of snow begin to fall, there are many birds who remain staples of the area. To give you an example of the friends you can expect to make this season, we chose a sampling of five species to highlight, and will tell you how to set your birds’ dinner table and who will send an instantaneous, twittering RSVP! Red-bellied woodpecker. Red-bellied woodpeckers are year-round residents of our area and can be quickly spotted by their vibrant red markings. These birds, of course, prefer wooded areas, and make their nests in dead trees. Woodpeckers may be encouraged to roost in a sturdy bird house attached high in a tree, mimicking his natural habitat. They enjoy suet, peanuts, and sometimes sunflower seeds.

Tufted titmouse. Like the red-bellied woodpecker, titmice are year-round residents of the area, and can be quickly identified by their large, black eyes that seem to hold a quiet, eager expression.

These stout little birds are “secondary cavity nesters”, meaning they cannot construct their own homes, and depend on holes in dead trees, or bird houses. They like sunflower seeds, but you can also find them dining on suet, peanuts, and other seeds.

Northern cardinal. Summer or winter, cardinals are reliable sources of vibrant red color, and feature a short, thick bill and prominent crest. They do not often use bird houses, but they will most likely roost close to your home if you have thickets of dense vine and shrubs, or provide nesting materials such as small twigs, pine needles, and grass clippings nearby. Virginia’s state birds are not picky eaters, although they do seem to have a special interest in sunflower seeds.

Blue jay. These medium-sized birds will be sure to hold your attention with a prominent crest, and beautiful blue, white, and black plumage. Blue jays can be encouraged to roost in a bird house when placed near trees. Their nests typically consist of moss, bark, small twigs, and other plant materials. Jays are known to dine on peanuts, sunflower seeds, and suet. They also frequently visit birdbaths, and will be sure to keep you entertained on dreary winter days.

Carolina chickadee. These notoriously-friendly little birds can be spotted by their stout body with a black cap, black bib, gray wings and back, and whitish underside. They are known for becoming so trusting they will even eat from your hand if you are patient enough! If you want these talkative creatures to be common in your yard, mount a nesting box near a forested area and fill it with wood shavings or sawdust. They enjoy suet (especially peanut butter), sunflower seeds and peanuts, along with berries and insects.

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Setting the table for a bird-friendly feast

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Each of these birds prefers to dine from feeders such as trays, hoppers, suet cages, or window feeders. These feeders can serve as the perfect Christmas gift for any adult or child wildlife enthusiast.

Whether living in a rustic farmhouse, or an apartment in the city, there is a feeder suited to each home style, and bird species!

A simple tray, or platform, feeder typically attracts the widest variety of seed-eating birds, and can be used to effectively serve larger seeds. With a few inexpensive construction materials, you can also make your own tray feeder, and provide the perfect homemade, functional gift for family and friends at Christmas. This type of feeder needs to be fitted with a squirrel baffle on the pole or suspension chain, unless you don’t mind sharing with other creatures.

Hopper feeders (sometimes called “house feeders” because of their appearance) are another popular choice among bird lovers, and make adorable gifts. They often come in ornate shapes resembling detailed houses or barns.

Functioning much like an automatic feeder, they also protect seed mixtures from the weather. A squirrel baffle is useful here too.

Suet feeders are square, plasticcoated wire cages which are filled with high energy cakes made from a mixture of tallow or lard, seeds, dried fruit, and sometimes mealworms. They are irresistible to many types of birds—and squirrels too, so plan accordingly!

Window feeders are small plastic feeders which affix to window glass and attract many small species right to your favorite viewing spot. To be sure squirrels can’t jump to them to dine, choose a window which isn’t close to low-hanging branches. Because of these feeders’ position on the glass, they’re also handy for alerting birds to the presence of a window and preventing crashes, by breaking up the mimicked reflection of the sky. These versatile feeders are a great gift for anyone who wants a front-row seat for bird viewing this season.

Whichever feeder you choose, hang it in a safe and visible area, ideally about ten to twelve feet from natural shelter such as bushes or trees. If you’re not using a window feeder, make sure to leave at least ten feet between feeders and R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

windows, to avoid fatal collisions. And finally, getting water from snow or a frozen source drains birds’ precious winter energy, so providing a clean, thawed source of water during the winter will ensure your bird friends are healthy and happy.

A home for the holidays

If you’d like to provide birds with a comfortable spot to beat the winter weather, consider a roosting box. Roosting boxes are different from summer bird houses, which are meant for nesting. They are designed specifically for cold weather, with decreased ventilation and multiple interior perches to accommodate a variety of feathered friends. They should be positioned against prevailing winds, and facing south to receive the most sun. For maximum safety, mount your roosting box on a slick metal pole adorned with a critter baffle, and provide extra insulation with wood shavings, small twigs, and grass clippings. Because they are not typically as ornate as summer bird houses, a custom design on the outside of a roosting box would make a wonderful Christmas surprise for friends or family.

Whether a bird feeder or a roosting box, giving the gift of caring for the area’s birds is sure to bring a smile to the face of your friends and family this season. If you’re dreading the upcoming cloudy winter days, you may even personally adorn your own land with one of these great gift ideas! ✦punch_roanoke_q.pdf 1 10/11/17 4:57 PM

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5205D Starkey Rd. Roanoke, VA 24018 540.769.6070 astonishrestoration.com r vhomemaga zine .com 35

Southern Comfort

NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR RALEIGH COURT FAMILY’S HOLIDAYS

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BY CHRISTY RIPPEL Photography by Kevin Hurley

The front porch of the grand 1920s Georgian-style home, situated within walking distance of Historic Grandin Village in Raleigh Court, hints at what’s to come—a large wreath adorning the door, flanked by urns of artful arrangements of birch and pine branches. The Crawfords, an active family of seven, are mad for the holidays. Their newly renovated home is family friendly and holiday perfect, decorated to the hilt and ready for neighbors and friends to stop by to toast the season, and for the out-of-town family that will soon descend on the house to celebrate Christmas.

While most moms are stressed by the holiday to-do list, matriarch Clare Crawford is cool and collected, because this is her zone. “You could say I have a Christmas problem,” jokes Clare, whose Southern accent hails from South Carolina, where she grew up learning how to prepare a house for Christmas alongside her mother, an interior decorator. “I really do just love the holidays and everything about Christmas.”

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Formal spaces

In the spacious foyer, a large round glass table with an ornate carved-wood base greets guests. For the holidays, it is covered in an arrangement of bronze and champagne-toned metallic branches, ornaments, string lights and garland, with a towering artisan-made sheep and shepherd and two antique bells, which once adorned the necks of sheep. Clare, who loves a good hunt for both housewares and Christmas decor, found the sheep and several other decorations at Main Street Primitives in Salem.

Visible from the front entrance is the main staircase, the railing wrapped in coordinating tones of bronze garland, anchored by a large Mark Roberts Santa Claus fairy tied to the newel post.

Clare, who mixes high and low furnishing in every room of her home, does the same with holiday decor—handmade collector’s items are mixed with craft store clearance specials and vintage ornaments snapped up for a steal on auction sites like eBay, which she scours regularly for Christmas loot. Locally, in addition to Main Street Primitives, she likes to shop Joran’s Interiors, Present Thyme, Black Dog Salvage, and Rustic and Refined, and she occasionally pops in thrift stores, which sometimes have hidden vintage treasures.

To the left of the entry is the original parlor, separated by pocket doors, and decorated in soothing tones of cream and beige. The hardwood floor is covered in a large seagrass rug, topped by a creamy linen sofa and beige chairs flanking the fireplace. Twin antique chairs from Present Thyme in a rich peach silk with tufting finish the seating, and an antique chandelier sparkles above the coffee table. At first glance the light tones seem like they’d present a challenge to keep clean with small children and pets (the Crawfords have both a cat and a dog), but Clare points to the easy-care upholstery on the sofa and the durable seagrass, which stands up to family life.

“After trying both jute and sisal rugs at different times, I found seagrass—if the rug is 100 percent seagrass—will hold up to just about anything,” Clare says. “We are so used to having lots of people at the house for church functions… between that, and our friends and family, and the kids’ friends… we want every space in the house to be truly welcoming. We enjoy hosting.”

Clare mixes high and low holiday decor—handmade collector’s items are mixed with craft store clearance specials and vintage ornaments from auction sites like eBay.

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The neutral parlor is the perfect backdrop to the real star of the room—the 7 ½ -foot flocked Christmas tree, perched high on a burlap-covered table, commanding attention. In front of the tree and camouflaging the table is an antique, weathered-wood large sleigh (purchased from Rustic and Refined) overflowing with gift packages in coordinating tones. Clare’s collection of vintage ornaments adorns the tree, most of which hail from the 1930s through the 1960s, in pops of candy colors. The tree is topped in a set of white fuzzy angel wings—another eBay find—which was a child’s costume that Clare has reimagined here. A sign saying “rejoice” from craft site Etsy finishes the tree. If the tree is the star of the room, the mantel is the understudy—a grand arrangement of bronze and champagne-colored garlands, ribbons and ornaments, glowing with candles and peppered with bronzed magnolias, shells and starfish.

“I like to add in shells and beach decor, which you’ll notice all over the house,” says Clare. “It reminds me of growing up and spending summers on the coast in Carolina.” r vhomemaga zine .com 39

Directly across from the parlor on the other side of the foyer is Clare’s husband Charlie’s office, where he logs extra hours working on projects for the construction company bearing his name, as well as his environmental consulting firm. Pocket doors identical to the ones separating the parlor can be closed for conference calls and privacy. A smaller space off the main office, bathed in light from windows on both sides, houses Clare’s desk and command center for managing the paperwork of family life. The holiday decor in Charlie’s office has a masculine bent, with a deer and pinecones serving as the main adornments.

Further down the hallway is a formal dining room, where the adults might sit for a large family dinner when uncles, aunts and cousins arrive for Christmas. Before the Crawfords made an addition to the back of the house for a new great room, kitchen, master bedroom and open dining area, the dining room served as a den in the original house. While the dining room may be for formal dinners, it has an elegantly casual feel, with a weathered table at its center that can seat eight comfortably. The table, too, is ready for the holidays, awash in candlelight from towering candlesticks on top of a neutral-toned arrangement in keeping with the holiday decor scheme throughout the front of the house.

Family spaces

When Clare walks to the back of the house—the addition that was painstakingly completed by Charlie’s construction company over a period of several years—she explains the shift in decor.

Decorations in the front of the house are reverent with softer colors; the back of the home is more fun, with traditional reds and greens and the family tree.

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“The front of the house is more reverent, more religious, with the softer colors and the sheep and shepherds, the Holy Family,” says Clare. “The back of the house is more fun, with all the red and green and the family tree.”

While Clare is the hands-on decorator, the home is also a showplace for Charlie, who oversaw every aspect of the remodel and expansion. It took so long to complete, Clare explains, because other firm projects took priority, and the couple labored over the details on their forever home. One eyeful of the inviting space, and you know they got it just right.

The expansive great room, which is open to the kitchen and a casual dining area, has ample seating for a crowd. The gathering area of the great room has dark leather couches with deep, sink-in seats for visiting with guests or watching the big-screen TV, which is housed in a wall of built-in bookcases. Hair-on-hide chairs accompany the two couches and face the large square ottoman, upholstered in a 200-year-old Turkish Oushak rug.

“If the rug survived for so many years on the floor, it can survive on the ottoman,” Clare jokes. It was her idea to cover the ottoman in the rug, though she does get design input and furnishings from Present Thyme, as well as decorator and artist friends like Kim Bell, a local painter whose work hangs in the Crawford home, and who helped Clare pull off the daunting task of decorating for the holidays. “I could not have done it without Kim,” says Clare.

The family tree is nestled in an area between the two couches, and is draped in family ornaments. The tree topper is a whimsical arrangement featuring a large red bow, and a cluster of oversized faux candy canes placed at various angles. r vhomemaga zine .com 41

“The kids get an ornament each year for Christmas that has something to do with what they are interested in right now, so when we pull them out each year it’s a kind of timeline of what they’ve been doing,” says Clare.

The sofa table, which delineates the open kitchen and dining area from the great room, is covered in red, green and silver, with a smiling snowman at the center and twin trees made of silver tinsel, hung with the crystals from a vintage chandelier that was no longer in use. On the fireplace mantel, a stately Santa Claus holds court over the red and green ornaments and garlands hung from the cascading faux evergreens covered in lights. Dangling from the mantel are the family’s stockings, hand knit by Charlie’s mother in shades of red and green with a name stitched into each—including the one Charlie used as a child.

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The kitchen, where Clare and Charlie can cook and prepare food while still interacting with the family and guests, is white on white, with custom creamy white cabinets topped with a leathered marble countertop, white subway tiles that extend to the ceiling, and a custom range hood, which is also draped in an evergreen garland. A vintage scale on the counter balances a fruit bowl, another find from one of Clare’s treasure hunts. An expansive, rectangular kitchen island has seating for four, and a nearby dining area, to the side of the kitchen, houses a large wooden table and upholstered seating for family meals.

Off the great room is a hallway that leads to a master suite, where Clare and Charlie can retire for some solace during the busy holiday season, while the kids retire upstairs. But it’s obvious this couple prefers to be in the thick of things, enjoying time with the ones they love. All those who cross the threshold into this festive house from November to January will be treated to the fruits of Clare’s labor, and one can only imagine that it will be the happiest of holidays in this Roanoke retreat. ✦

Your Source for SUNROOMS, DECKS Whimsical holiday decor is also featured upstairs in each child's bedroom.

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F&SNE Building Innovations is a Class A 2944 Orange Ave, contractor with more than 30 years of Roanoke, VA 24012 remodeling experience with hundreds of satisfied residential customers throughout www.FSFourSeasons.com central and southwest Virginia.

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IMPROVE chimney cleaning

CLEAN SWEEP is your chimney in tip-top shape?

BY K AT H ER I N E F U LG H U M K N O P F

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s the cold weather closes in, most of us are busy with preparations for our winter holidays. We want Santa to have a clean ride down the chimney, and everyone enjoys a crackling fire during the winter season. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is easy to forget about chimney maintenance, so we’ve got the facts and tips you need to know ‌

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Understanding the layout

A chimney is made up of several parts, beginning with the firebox. Some fireboxes include a built-in ash dump, which is an easy way to keep the ashes from accumulating. If you have one, just open the metal door on the firebox floor and sweep the ashes into the ash pit. (The ash pit is emptied periodically through a clean out door in the basement.) If not, then regular scooping and disposal of the ashes is necessary. Next up in the chimney is the damper, a metal vent that keeps rain, birds, bats, and rodents out of your fireplace when you are not enjoying a fire.

The damper sits on the smoke shelf, which is below the smoke chamber. Above the smoke chamber is the flue, which draws the smoke from the fire upwards and out of the chimney.

Why and when to clean

Burning wood produces creosote, a flammable tar. Most chimney fires start in the smoke chamber due to a build up of this residue.

Burning green logs or pine creates heavy creosote build up. If you see steam or foam bubbling out the ends of the logs when they’re burning, it means the wood is wet. Green wood doesn’t burn cleanly and creates a lot of airborne ash that turns into creosote and soot. Dry hardwoods, such as oak and birch, are better choices for fires. Being dry and dense means they burn hotter and produce less air born particles.

If you see dark, clumpy ash when you open the damper to start a fire, that’s creosote. Even if you don’t see anything, after 50 to 70 fires, it is a good idea to clean your chimney. A way to tell if it’s time is to do an informal inspection yourself. First, clean all the ashes out of the firebox and remove the grate.

Wearing eye protection and using a strong flashlight, rub the point of your fireplace poker along the inside of your chimney liner. If you find a thick build up of soot which has a tar-like appearance, this is creosote. Scrape off a section to see how thick it is. If the creosote build up is 1/8 inch or more inside the chimney, it’s time to call a professional chimney sweep.

Getting your chimney inspected

Chimney sweeps are hired for several reasons: They can rid your chimney of heavy creosote, and they are trained to inspect for chimney deterioration. Sweeps recognize poor venting problems

and assess your chimney’s structural condition for loose mortar and bricks. John Briscoe of Black Goose Chimney Sweep, Inc. says it well: “If you don’t remember the last time your chimney was swept; if you’ve never had your chimney swept; if you burn 1 ½ cords of wood each year—that is a pile of wood 4' x 4' x 8' —if you have any issues with rodents, water or smoke, or if your chimney is the main way you heat your home, then you need to have your chimney inspected by a professional.”

Briscoe has been a certified chimney sweep since 1990 and gets re-certified every three years. He starts every cleaning with the National Fire Protection Association’s Level 1 inspection.

This is the industry standard, and is a visual inspection followed by a chimney cleaning. During the inspection and cleaning, the chimney sweep looks for obstructions, cracks in the chimney liner, and signs of water damage. Older chimneys can have gaps between clay liner sections where the mortar has fallen out. If he sees any damage or structural issues, Briscoe says, “I’ll take a closer look and perform a higher level chimney inspection.”

Finding a chimney sweep

One way to hire a chimney sweep is to get recommendations from friends or family. If they do not have suggestions, an internet search will give you the names and numbers of local sweeps in your area. There are over 1,800 Certified Chimney Sweep® professionals who work across the United States.

(Contact the Chimney Safety Institute of America for a list, at csia.org.) You want to find one who is certified, insured and will give you a written estimate before beginning to work on your chimney. Ask how long they have been in business, and for a list of references. It’s also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for any issues. Finally, you’ll want to make certain that their insurance covers them for accidents to the workers as well as to damage that could occur to your home.

Winter is a busy time of year for chimney sweeps, so don’t wait to make your appointment. A warm fire in the fireplace adds cheer to your home, and the heat and colors dancing on the logs make those dark winter evenings cozy. But knowing you are snug and safe is the best feeling of all. ✦

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HIT THE (HOME) GYM building a personal workout space

BY SLOANE LUCAS Keeping fit with the holidays approaching can be challenging. Months of back-to-back festive events leave you with less time, while facing an over-abundance of tempting food and cocktails. If you’ve ever considered putting together a home gym, now’s a great time to get started.

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ome gyms have become increasingly popular in recent years, with nearly one-third of new and potential homebuyers saying that having a home exercise room is either essential or desirable, according to the National Association of Home Builders, a Washington D.C.-based industry trade group.

The benefits can be significant. You can purchase the exact equipment you want, save on gym fees, and maximize your ability to work out on your own schedule. If more than one member of your family works out, the potential for savings and convenience are even better.

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Options are limitless. On one end of the spectrum, you can dedicate a room in your home as a workout space, giving it a professional gym feel by installing large mirrors and soft, rubber flooring.

On the other end, you can just repurpose a small, unused alcove as a workout area.

Hardcore gym enthusiasts can invest in professional-grade equipment, including heartmonitoring treadmills, full-size ellipticals, and bikes that have access to on-demand spin classes.

Alternately, there are many types of smaller, collapsible equipment that mimic standard gym options. You can even have a gym without any bulky exercise equipment, and instead create a space for an in-house cardio room or a yoga studio.

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Thinking it through

The kind of home gym you create will depend on three key factors: your workout style, available space and size of budget.

Are you dedicated to working out and accustomed to full-scale gym equipment, or are you someone who attends an occasional cardio class? Do you have a spare room, or are you trying to carve out an area? Do you have the budget to purchase expensive equipment, or are you trying to stretch your dollars?

Being honest with yourself about your workout style—and that of other members of your family—is a good way to begin. If you like the social aspect of working out at a gym, including group classes, a home gym might not be for you. On the other hand, if you just want the most convenient place to hit the treadmill for an hour a day, you might be better served by bypassing travel time and monthly fees and setting up shop at home.

Likewise, think about what you really need in regard to equipment. If you have been working out at a gym for years, and prefer durable equipment with all the bells and whistles, ask yourself if you have the funds and the space to purchase and set up high-quality machines. On the flip side, if you’ve never really worked out steadily, ask yourself if you really need to gut a guest room and install a bank of cardio machines.

Assessing your space

THE KIND OF HOME GYM YOU CREATE WILL DEPEND ON THREE KEY FACTORS: YOUR WORKOUT STYLE, AVAILABLE SPACE AND SIZE OF BUDGET.

Once you have an accurate sense of what you need and want, assess your available space. Some natural places to create a home gym are spare rooms, sunrooms, lofts, attics, basements and garages—with the latter three being either raw space or finished.

A spare room is often an ideal option, but use will depend on location. A ground floor room usually provides excellent space for ellipticals and treadmills, but if you have lots of kids and visitors around, it might be too noisy for a yoga studio. An upper floor space might work for equipment (provided you’re confident the floor can sustain the weight) but if that same room is next door to, or directly over, a bedroom, it might not be the best place for a Zumba studio.

Basements are often leveraged for home gyms, especially if they are finished. The floors can usually support heavy equipment, and you are somewhat insulated with regard to noise—both from hearing it and making it—so the space is often suitable for a variety of exercise preferences. An unfinished basement can also work, but be honest with yourself before you decide to use it. Is it dark and dingy? Will you really be enthusiastic about working out in that space? If yes, no worries. If not, think about other options, including investing in finishing the space prior to building out your gym, or even adding just a few upgrades.

Some simple ways to beautify your basement space include painting the walls a fresh color, and installing light fixtures or adding freestanding lights to make the space brighter. Soften the space by adding some cushioned flooring or an area rug. Get a TV for the space so that you can stream exercise classes or watch shows while you work out and feel less isolated. You can even keep a small stack of gym towels handy, and add a small dorm fridge loaded with pre-filled water bottles, so you don’t have to go upstairs to hydrate.

Garages, even if used primarily for cars, can also be great spaces. You can store a free-standing kicking bag in the corner and, after backing the car out and shutting the door for privacy, turn on some tunes and host your own kickboxing session. You can even have mechanical equipment in a garage, assuming you

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can cover it when not in use to protect it from dirt and dust. The downside: This space is somewhat dependent on seasonality, and can be steamy in summer and cold in winter, although large fans and space heaters can help offset temperature fluctuations.

If you are pressed for extra space, consider nooks and alcoves within your home, as well as rooms that might currently be dedicated to one use but could, if stretched, be enlisted for a different use. Open loft space at the top of the stairs, or a corner of a home office, bedroom, den or laundry room might suffice—if not for multiple machines, then at least for one that you will really use.

When choosing your workout space, give some thought to flooring. If you’ve just installed expensive hardwood floors, plan to purchase additional protective padding to prevent scratching from heavy equipment. (You can purchase clear protective covers, so the floors can still be seen, or you can put down padding and cover with a decorative area rug.) Or, choose a space with old carpeting, so damage is not as big of an issue. Carpeting will also muffle sound while wood will echo it. You can even buy soft rubber or foam flooring to mimic a gym floor—a great option for unfinished space like a basement, attic or garage.

Getting your gear

Equipment is entirely dependent on use and budget. You have countless choices based on how you plan to work out and how much you’re willing to spend. You can purchase much of the same heavy-duty equipment as chain gyms—such as treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes (both upright and recumbent), weightlifting systems, rowing machines, and stair-climbers.

Some high-tech cycling options to investigate include Peloton, which streams live spin classes to your stationery bike, allowing you to have access to an instructor in your own home; and Zwift, which allows subscribers to ride and compete with other digital cyclists from around the globe in a virtual world, including racing on digital versions of championship courses! If access to electricity is an issue, such as in a garage, consider options like the Woodway Curve, a non-motorized treadmill favored by professional athletes and trainers.

Or, you can find less elaborate equipment, including collapsible treadmills that are lighter and portable, and compact ellipticals. Just check the usage guidelines to ensure they are suitable for the size and weight of the users. A lightweight bike might be fine for someone who is five foot three and 120 pounds, but unstable for someone who is six feet tall and 220 pounds.

For punching and kicking, select gear closer to what you might find in an old-school boxing or kickboxing gym, such as hanging 4 8

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bags. For areas where flooring isn’t an issue, like basements and garages, you can get freestanding bags where you fill the base with water or sand to stabilize. Terrific low-tech, old-school gear can include jump ropes, tension bands, medicine balls, and even hula hoops, which have made a recent comeback in popularity. Some of the latest low-tech trends include Bosu balancing balls and kettlebells, which help strengthen your core. To ensure a varied workout, both for yourself and other family members who might utilize the gym, you should have a selection of options.

You can even replicate your favorite gym workout. With a Wii and a TV set, you can do cardio classes like Zumba at home. Or you can build your own CrossFit studio by purchasing individual elements of the workout.

If you aren’t ready to fill a whole room with pricey options, then just start small. See how you like using a collapsible piece

of equipment stashed in a corner of an unused room, and if all goes well, eventually plan a dedicated space with higher-end equipment. Home gyms, like any other room, can be flexible, adaptable and can grow with use. But regardless of your space, don’t forget to add a few fun finishing touches. Whether it’s ensuring access to a TV set, setting up nice lighting, or having gym amenities handy like water and towels, ambience and convenience will keep you coming back.

Creating a home gym now is a great investment in your longterm health and well-being. You’ll be poised to maximize your workout, eliminate gym fees, and stay in shape regardless of the obstacles and temptation that come your way. And if you’re especially good, you can even ask Santa for new equipment. ✦

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DESIGN office guest rooms

DOUBLE DUTY home office becomes holiday guest room

BY SLOANE LUCAS

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ith more and more of us taking advantage of telecommuting opportunities, homes today often have a room set aside as a private office. It’s a smart and practical allocation of space, being used at least a few times a week, if not daily. With the holidays approaching, however, you may want to enlist that room to do double duty as a guest bedroom.

You’ll probably need to subtract some items from the space, and then add others. At a minimum, you’ll need to address the office furniture (and equipment) you already have, while adding some sort of bed into the existing space. But with some creative furniture and storage choices, you can maximize usage and optimize this valuable space in your home, without sacrificing its main purpose.

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Subtracting from the space

Amenities and decor

If you are using your office daily or several times a week, you may have already invested in a good office desk and chair, and you may normally have your computer, printer and phone all hooked up and out in the open. If you want to make the room as inviting as possible, you might not want to have all of that clutter in the guest room. Can you relocate your PC or laptop into another room temporarily? Unplug the printer and move to a closet? If you can remove your existing equipment and make the desk into a table for guests, the room will be that much more inviting.

If you don’t already have it, you can also purchase some furniture that will allow you to hide your office equipment on the fly. Instead of an open office desk, a cabinet allows you to close the doors and stash away your PC. Corner units are especially helpful, tucking into unused space. You could also install a drop-down table that can be lowered to support a laptop and folded back up when not in use. You may even opt for movable furniture, such as a small desk on wheels that can be rolled out and stashed in other rooms when guests are visiting.

For open bookshelves, be sure to tidy and straighten. If possible, cluster items toward the top and bottom of the shelves and leave an open shelf for your guests. You may also want to upgrade your storage space to shelves with doors, so you can tuck everything inside.

A few additional touches can make the most of the space and make the room even more comfortable.

A nightstand (which could conceal extra storage) and a small table lamp allow guests to have items by their bedside, and to read before going to sleep.

A lightweight folding stand, like those in hotels, provides a place for your guests to keep their suitcase.

If you have a closet in the room, remove some clothing or push clothes to either side and provide extra hangers, to create space for guests to hang their clothes. If you don’t have a closet, install hooks on the backs of doors, and add a coat rack, or other freestanding storage. You can even buy temporary canvas closets that can tuck into a corner, then collapse when not in use.

If your office hasn’t been painted in a while, consider a fresh color for the walls. Add a mirror, so guests can check their outfits or apply makeup in the room. Blackout curtains give guests privacy and allow a sleep-in if needed.

Be sure to have the bed—in whatever form— ready before guests arrive. Pull out the couch or pull down the Murphy bed, lay out the pillows and blankets, and have the linens on prior to arrival.

Plan ahead, so you aren’t racing to set it all up after they get there. This is especially important for late evening arrivals when guests may just want to get to sleep. Like having a hotel room ready at checkin, guests can get settled right away.

Anything you appreciate when you go to a hotel can be recreated at home. Have a welcome basket waiting with bottled water, toiletries, and magazines. Leave out fresh towels and a bathrobe.

Have extra blankets folded at the foot of the bed.

Adding to the space

Once you have a plan for removing or hiding the clutter, consider your options for making the room suitable for sleeping. To ensure your office is welcoming and comfortable for overnight guests, invest in top-quality convertible bed options.

Murphy beds are an excellent choice, allowing you to have real mattresses and the look and feel of a real bed, with the option to fold it all away against a wall when guests depart. A good quality sofa bed is another option. Sofa mattresses have come a long way, and the convertible couch option comes with the added bonus of being a usable piece of furniture all the time —including an alternate place to work or read in your office.

Before buying furniture and equipment, take measurements and consider placement, including where the electrical outlets and cable jacks are located.

You can’t install your Murphy bed over the only cable access, or put a couch in front of the only plug. Sketch out the room if you have to, and make scale paper cutouts of the furniture to move things around. Make sure your couch or Murphy bed, when open, still allows for easy movement around the room, so your guests aren’t crawling over themselves to get to the door.

With some thoughtful updates to your office, you can turn the space into a welcoming guest room for friends and family, making their stay that much more comfortable, relaxing and fun. ✦

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LIVE hostess gift

shop local for hostess gifts

Throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season, it’s helpful to know where to go for thoughtful hostess gifts. While a nice bottle of wine will always be in style, Roanoke region shops feature unique and charming gifts which will add that personal touch. We’ve gathered a selection of offerings that we hope will inspire you to visit and support local businesses. Happy shopping!

Jacobsen Salt Co Salts, Made in Oregon and in many flavors, $14.99. LADLES & LINENS: ladlesandlinens.com

Blessing Jar by Mud Pie, $14.99.

NATURE'S EMPORIUM: mynaturesemporium.com

Archipelago bath/body, $9.50 to $48. THE LITTLE GALLERY: thelittlegallerysml.com 52

JK Adams monogrammed cutting board and spreader, $24.99. RSVP PROVISIONS: provisionsrsvp.com

“Angel Candles” Soy based candles hand poured into keepsake Artisan glass that can be reused. Proceeds go toward Parkinson’s Research,$55. Individual leaf dishes in gold by Tozai, $13 each.

ELAINE STEPHENSON INTERIORS: esinteriors.com

Creative Co-op Teapot, $18.

WHITE OAK TEA TAVERN: whiteoakteas.com

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Two’s Company White Feather Dish $22 Iron Acorn cache pot $30 MAGNOLIA: magnoliafurnishings.com Seasonal arrangement $65 GEORGE’S FLOWERS: georgesflowers.com

Arabella glass vases assorted sizes $20 each.

ELAINE STEPHENSON INTERIORS: esinteriors.com

Adam Morton Liquor Bottle candles,$50 each.

HOTSOX Museum Collection socks (4 pair), $42 HOTSOX Christmas Collection socks (4 pair), $22 Swell Water Bottles $25 to $45; monogramming available.

YARIDS: facebook.com/yaridsroanoke/

Organic Grow Kits, assorted flowers, herbs, and vegetables $17.50. TINK’S PLACE: tinksplace.com

Custom holiday hostess platter, $15.99 as pictured.

CHOCOLATE PAPER: chocolatepaperroanoke.com

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THREE PRIVATE ROANOKE ART COLLECTIONS

highlight regions’ artistic talent

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

Photography by Kevin Hurley

CAUDILL

FISHER

TAYLOR

The Roanoke Valley is a regional hub for art and culture, and many artists find it to be a nurturing environment to perfect their craft. Roanoke is gifted with stunning landscapes and cityscapes to inspire, as well as supportive local galleries and the anchor of the Taubman Museum of Art and area universities to educate the public on art and design. Talented artists have found success through a passionate base of collectors here; we visited three collectors at their private residences to find out which artists and pieces they value most, and why.

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Dave and Cindy Caudill

Dave and Cindy Caudill, who live in a renovated double apartment at The Fairfax in South Roanoke, are natives of the region who have always been interested in local art. They have amassed an impressive collection over the years, buying from galleries and commissioning pieces. “We sold our house at the lake and moved here fulltime, and brought art with us, and also had some commissioned to fit our new space,” explains Cindy.

In the entry of their home, artist Kathy Seek is featured in a series of six commissioned landscape paintings, realistically highlighting local nature scenes. Stepping from the foyer into a formal living area, artist Ed Bourdett covers nearly every wall. A favorite artist of the couple, his painting “Walking with Shakespeare” was the first they ever purchased—and maintains a place of honor over the fireplace. “We call this the Ed Bourdett Library,” Cindy jokes, gesturing to the paintings, most of which depict New York City and Central Park scenes.

Bourdett, a realistic painter who favors a lot of architecture in his work, was

born in New York but has made Roanoke and Fincastle his home for many years. Another favorite work of the couple is Bourdett’s “Reflections,” which they purchased from The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake. It is another New York City scene, showing the reflection of a woman in the glass of a building. Flanking the fireplace in the living room are two built-in bookcases, which house two small paintings of boats by Jennifer Young.

They were purchased at LinDor Arts— in addition to the Little Gallery, LinDor is a favorite spot of the couple for discovering new works.

The living room leads into a wood paneled office which belongs to Dave, a retired banker. Plush seating surrounds the fireplace, above which hangs one of his favorite paintings, a work by Connie Logan called “Workin’ on Sundays.” In the painting a man is riding a tractor, and in the background, on a hill, is a little white church. “Dave bought it because his father went to a little church that looked just like that one—it reminded him of his dad,” Cindy says. Another Connie Logan hangs on an adjoining wall, this one a

THE LITTLE GALLERY AND LINDOR ARTS IS A FAVORITE SPOT OF DAVE AND CINDY CAUDILL FOR DISCOVERING NEW WORKS.

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painting of farmland near Smith Mountain Lake. The Virginiaborn Logan, who graduated from Virginia Tech, now maintains a North Carolina studio. Two small Ann Glover paintings of local Roanoke city scenes also hang in the office. Glover is an award-winning artist who has works in the Taubman’s permanent collection, and has found wider success outside of Roanoke.

Throughout their home the Caudills have grouped works of the same artist together, as they did in the dining room, which features four paintings by Roanoke favorite, Greg Osterhaus. No close up of cows here—the Osterhaus originals that the Caudills favor are all rural landscapes that come alive with stunning color.

Also in the dining room are two landscapes by Nan Mahone Wellborn, who lives around the corner. All framing in the house, which unifies the collections, was done by Jordan’s Custom Framing.

The rest of the home is filled with art on every available wall, and all are special to the couple. During a tour of the apartment, Dave pauses in the hallway and looks at a Christine Adams painting of sand dunes and the beach in Nags Head, with sea oats bent in a gentle wind. “This beach was a peaceful spot for me, a place to sip a martini and contemplate,” he remembers, smiling.

Dorsey and Linda Taylor

Dorsey and Linda Taylor are the charismatic owners of LinDor Arts, a respected downtown Roanoke art gallery in the heart of the cultural district. Dorsey inherited a love of art from his family, and says, “I grew up with art in the house, and I had an uncle who was a cartoonist in New York.” Dorsey went to art school, and became an illustrator—he was even drafted into the army as an illustrator for the government. After his stint in the army, he returned to the Roanoke Valley where he and Linda established a successful wholesale picture frame moulding business, Roanoke Moulding Design. The business grew to include offices in Roanoke, Baltimore and Charlotte, and kept the couple busy while raising their three daughters.

The couple also opened and maintained Dorsey Gallery, where they sold original art from many of the region’s most exciting artists. During these years, Dorsey and Linda were tapped into the local art scene from both the creative and business angles, and established enduring friendships with artists like Ed Bourdett, Betty Branch, Jane Stogner and Paul Ostaseski, among others. Paintings and sculptures from many of these artists are displayed in the Taylors’ picturesque red cottage, perched on rolling hills in Roanoke County.

After retiring from both businesses, the Taylors had nearly 450 pieces of original art stashed away, and wanted to share them with the public—which was how LinDor Arts was born.

While potential buyers can browse the gallery, Dorsey and Linda let us peek inside their cottage to see what’s in their personal collection.

They have more than 60 pieces of art from Charles Simmons, who is a self-taught sculptor from nearby North Carolina. “He (Simmons) was a black minister who was called to different captions here for photos on this spread and white space. captions here for photos on this spread and white space. captions here for photos on this spread and white space.

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TASTINGS TAUBMAN

AT THE

WINE + DINE

January 18, 2018 churches for sermons, but would carve during the week,” Linda explains. Simmons’ work is featured both inside and outside of the cottage—particularly striking are a sculpture of the Madonna and child, and a carved horse head.

Speaking of horses, the sculpture of a horse on the mantel above the fireplace is by Inga Solonevich, who, along with husband George, were celebrated Roanoke artists and “dear friends” of Dorsey and Linda until their deaths. Inga also gave Linda a small bird sculpture that rests on a table in the living area, a pregnancy gift. George Solonevich also painted a portrait of a 30-something Dorsey, which hangs in the dining room.

In the living area is a realistic painting of Natural Bridge

by Tim Pfeiffer, a Roanoke artist whom the couple features at LinDor Arts. Linda herself was the artist on two paintings in the living room—landscapes of the couple’s property, which they have owned and lived on since the early 1970s.

In the entryway, several works by “outsider artist” Benny Carter don the walls. An outsider artist, Linda explains, is selftaught and has little contact with the mainstream art world.

Linda and Dorsey have forged friendships with many outsider or folk artists over the years and have helped sell their art—in addition to displaying them proudly in their own home.

As for Benny Carter, he created art on whatever he had to work with—in this case, the long blade of a saw. The North Carolinian was obsessed with New York, and before he had ever been to the Big Apple, he painted the Statue of Liberty, cityscapes and rows and rows of yellow taxi cabs. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in New York, Baltimore, Michigan and Atlanta, among other places.

While the cottage walls are covered with art from local talent, nationally renowned artists and inherited art, (including a painting from 1865 of unknown origin that features three girls who, oddly enough, resemble the Taylors’ daughters) the outdoor gardens also contain a slew of sculptures. A Paul Ostaseski sculpture is reminiscent of a flower, or seed. Many of the couple’s Charles Simmons pieces are outdoors—like “The Thinker” and “Mr. Moon”, as Linda refers to them. The artist Bruce Cody, another friend of the couple, is responsible for two colorful outdoor pieces, one in blue and yellow, and one in orange.

Asked to pinpoint favorites, Dorsey smiles widely and says, “All of them.”

Enjoy an intimate 4-course meal paired with fine wines.

This is a guided experience with tasting notes from the head chef and owner of Blue Ridge Catering and sommelier from Blue Ridge Beverage.

INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL January 28, 2018

Sample over 30 wines from around the globe, plus a few beers for good measure! Enjoy food pairings, live music, games and wine talks from specialists in the field.

BOURBON + BACON February 9, 2018

Explore rich whiskey-making traditions with distinctive pork pairings created by local chefs.

Enjoy a private viewing of the galleries, live music, a spotlight talk, and tasting notes from featured distillers.

Tickets + Details: TaubmanMuseum.org/Tastings

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Dennis and Glenna Fisher

Dennis and Glenna Fisher say they have always liked beautiful things and are longtime fans of the arts. They have filled their large, contemporary-style home with paintings, drawings and sculptures that they’ve collected over many years.

They began collecting in earnest after their four children were grown, starting with a sculpture of a pelican by Douglas Purdy that they found when they stumbled into a gallery in Carmel, California. It’s still one of their favorites, and the “thing they’d grab if the house caught on fire.” Another early piece is displayed in the family room, a sculpture of a raven holding the sun. “I just loved it,” Glenna says. “It’s from an old folk tale about a raven who went to the sun, and brought it back to earth.” The raven is by Alaskan artists Jacques and Mary Regat—the Fishers discovered the piece while on a cruise to Alaska and had it shipped back to Roanoke.

The family room holds other large-scale works, like a metal and wood depiction of cattails by Max Howard, and wall sculptures by Andy Brinkley of a tree with brilliant red leaves and a school of fish.

The Fishers are captivated by the work of Frederick Hart, an American sculptor who was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his body of work that includes the Washington National Cathedral’s “Creation” sculptures and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial’s “Three Soldiers” sculptures. The Fishers own Hart’s “Daughters of Odessa” sculptures—four nearly life-sized bronze sculptures that they display in a breezeway that connects the garage to the living area. Among other Hart

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works, Dennis and Glenna have one of his clear acrylic resin sculptures—he patented a process in which one clear acrylic sculpture is embedded within another, and the image you see depends upon the angle from which you view the piece.

The Fishers also are fans of local artists, such as Chris Gryder, who was commissioned to do a nine piece ceramic tile installation that hangs on a soaring wall in the family room. They have a Paul Ostaseski sculpture that they purchased from LinDor Arts, and a few works from Eric Fitzpatrick, one of Roanoke’s favorite artist sons. Every year on his birthday, Fitzpatrick paints a selfportrait. The Fishers have his 54th birthday painting, entitled “Endangered Species.” They also have a Fitzpatrick landscape

of a farm in Rockbridge County, and a more abstract painting, Fitzpatrick’s “Tribute to Monet.” Another local work of note in the home is a large metal sculpture by David Wertz, who has been commissioned to do pieces for organizations like Hidden Valley Country Club, the Franklin County YMCA and the Roanoke Rescue Mission.

The house is bursting with art on every wall, and in every corner—the Fishers completed a large renovation to add on to the home, and to house Dennis’ extensive antique tool collection, in a private museum over the garage. He explains, “The tools I collect are not just functional, but they are beautiful too, and works of art in their own right.” Far from slowing down in his retirement, he’s working on a coffee table book about antique tools, and he and Glenna continue their hunt for art that inspires them. The only problem will be—where will it fit?

The Caudills, the Taylors and the Fishers have diverse artistic tastes. The Caudills favor realistic rural and city landscapes; the Taylors’ tastes span genres and styles; the Fishers gravitate to large-scale sculptures and antique tools. While preferences vary, these three couples are united in their passion for the arts, and all have homes brimming with treasured pieces that are beloved. ✦

Happy Holidays from Grand Home Furnishing Give the gift of comfort this holiday season. A relaxing La-Z-Boy for dad or a new bedroom suite for mom, Grand Home Furnishings is here to help you check off your shopping list. Need to get your home ready for holiday guests, we can help with that too! Stop by our store today.

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LIVE mindfulness & balance

HAPPINESS, Scandinavian Style

BY RORY RHODES

Last winter, I began hearing a lot about the Danish concept of “hygge.” It has no exact English translation, but roughly correlates to creating a cozy feeling, and recognizing the joy of a simple moment. More recently, the Swedish philosophy of “lagom”—referring to the practice of moderation and having “just the right amount”—has been making the rounds.

These concepts, which are well-understood in their respective nations, have more of an aspirational feeling here in the States. Our curiosity is piqued by the fact that Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden consistently top global happiness charts, despite those long, chilly winters. So how can we put a little bit of these practices into our daily lives? Read on for some ways to embrace winter contentment in the season ahead…

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Hygge

Hygge peaked my interest last year because I was in the middle of reworking my office and looking for ways to improve my work space on a small budget. Pronounced “HUE-ga” or “WHO-ga,” from a centuriesold Scandinavian word that gives us the word “hug”, hygge is about creating contentment through mindfulness and simple pleasures. It’s not something you do so much as something you feel, and while you can certainly practice hygge alone, in traditional Scandinavian communal manner, it’s considered even better when done with friends.

A philosophy for creating sanctuary in a busy world, hygge doesn’t have to cost money… though of course if your idea of cozy is a cashmere robe in a mountain chalet, then it might! But you can create hygge this winter in simple ways. A cup of tea in your grandmother’s bone china teacup and saucer. A soft sweater, warm socks, or a cozy throw on a rainy day.

A scented candle or a pot of seasonal flowers (like amaryllis or paperwhites) for a sensory lift. A crackling fire serves up of plenty of winter hygge—for a quiet afternoon read, an evening by the fire with friends, or an anytime s’more session! Enjoy a home-cooked meal with friends—a hearty stew or nourishing soup with crusty bread and lively company is all that’s required to banish the winter blues.

I brought hygge into my office by creating a cozy corner with a few repurposed objects to add a little shine, and a gift from a friend, a deliciouslyscented hand cream that’s packaged in a paint tube-style container. The act of unscrewing the little cap, squeezing out a creamy dollop, and rubbing it into dry winter skin is a soothing moment in a busy day. My hygge-inspired set up cost very little, but always provides a lift.

Lagom

If hygge is an evening bubblebath, lagom is a morning shower before work. It’s the notion of doing what is essential and letting go of the superfluous. Lagom is a philosophy from the Swedes meaning “just enough,” and there’s a famous Swedish proverb, “Lagom är bäst,” which means, “The right amount is best.” While the virtue of moderation is hardly a new concept, lagom encompasses a wider social philosophy that extends to modesty, teamwork, and even sustainability. r vhomemaga zine .com 61

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Though on occasion Swedes have grumbled about the constraints of lagom, it’s a useful survival tool during this time of year. During the holiday and post-holiday season, it can bring a welcome sense of balance, the antidote to consumerism and excess. It’s the game plan for those of us who manage to get through the holidays without gaining seven pounds, and the thing to remember at the gym on January 1st for those of us who didn’t!

You can practice lagom at the holiday party by having a glass of wine, then refilling your glass with seltzer or club soda. Have a taste of every delicious item at the big dinner, but don’t go back for seconds. (If you can’t resist, balance it out with a light menu the following day.) While it’s hard to resist the “wow” factor of a giant pile of presents, perhaps there’s someone on your list who would treasure a small gift with meaning, or the gift of time with you. If you’re feeling pressured to go all out with decorations, an eight course meal, and general fanfare, give yourself permission to do “just enough” to get into the spirit of the season.

Lagom should also apply to our annual post-holiday atonement. Don’t try and undo a month of revelry during two hours at the gym—slow and steady wins the race. “Dry January,” the recent trend of foregoing alcohol for a month, is a fine goal, but a beer with friends one Saturday evening doesn’t mean all is lost. Lagom isn’t about deprivation; it’s about having one or two pieces of chocolate instead of the whole box.

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Winterruhe

There is a German term which doesn’t seem to have begun any trends yet but is also worth mentioning. “Winterruhe,” (pronounced “vinter-roo-uh”) means “winter rest”, and is the natural phase of quietness which many plants and animals experience during the cold season. It’s not the deep sleep of hibernation; rather, winterruhe is a time of decreased activity that serves both to conserve energy and resources during cold months, and also to rest in preparation for the busy season to come.

For many of us, the low ebb of winter energy is something we vaguely feel that we ought to resist. After the sparkle of the holidays, it’s time for skiing, ice skating, hosting football and fondue parties, indoor projects, and maybe some warm-weather travel—all wonderful ways to embrace the season, but don’t forget to nourish yourself and set everything aside on occasion.

In the days before electricity, winter evenings were long and dark, and winterruhe came as naturally to humans as to creatures of the forest. Today it can be tough to let the world go by, but remember that rest is as important to your health and happiness as diet and exercise. Take a morning off from errands and responsibilities and sleep in. Turn off all the modern devices and head to bed early. Enjoy an afternoon nap. Time taken now will restore depleted reserves for later.

Try incorporating these philosophies into your winter, and you might find yourself savoring the season instead of enduring it. If Nordic countries can find contentment in the cold, with a few mindful techniques, now need not be the winter of our discontent. ✦

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F

DESIGN seasonal stemware

FESTIVE FLUTES Nothing says celebrate like a glass of sparkling wine. Champagne, prosecco, cava—even sparkling cider feels like a special occasion when served in a champagne glass.

When stemware came into vogue several centuries ago, Champagne was served in a bowl-shaped glass called a coupe. This wide, shallow bowl—also known as a champagne saucer—was de rigueur for the first half of the twentieth century, and while it’s beginning to make a comeback, it still reminds us of Gatsby-era fêtes and mid-century soirées. It’s unmatched for grand glamor and throwback style, and is also an appealing way to serve dessert.

The most popular shape today is the champagne flute, which was all the rage by the 1980s. The tall, slender shape of the champagne flute is specifically designed to slow the escape of those delicious bubbles. Its cousin, the tulip flute, also features a narrow base, which then swells into a rounder shape before curving back again at the lip. For sensory enjoyment, the tulip flute may be the best of the bunch, allowing for a more generous serving than a flute, protecting the bubbles, and gathering more of the effervescent aroma in it’s bulbous upper section.

Find your favorite flute and raise a glass with friends and family.

Cheers! ✦

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ADVERTISER index Astonish Antique Restoration........................... 35 Better Sofas...................................................................21 Capps Home Building Center............................... 2 CMC Supply, Inc...........................................................31 Decorating Den Interiors of Roanoke..............17 F&S Building Innovations..................................... 43 Ferguson.........................................................................25 Garland's........................................................................48 Gene's Trading Post................................................ 24

around town THE STOCKED MARKET

The Junior League of Roanoke Valley’s annual shopping extravaganza and fundraiser will be held at the Berglund Center on November 10 to 12. Over one hundred vendors from across the country will be on hand; all funds raised stay within the Roanoke Valley and are used to further the JLRV’s mission. Shopping hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday will also include The HomeGrown Market, featuring homemade items. Tickets are available for purchase on the JLRV website; options include a three-day shopping pass for $10, and a Friday morning breakfast, preview, and three-day shopping pass for $20. For more information, visit jlrv.org and click on “Support Us.”

Grand Home Furnishings...................................... 59

OLD SOUTHWEST PARLOR TOUR

Halifax Fine Furnishings......................................... 14

Always the first weekend in December,” the 38th annual Old Southwest Parlor Tour of Homes will be December 2 to 3. Saturday hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Seven properties will be featured this year, along with the historic Alexander-Gish house, located at 641 Walnut Ave SW, where refreshments will be served. Tickets are $20 (free for 12 and under) and can be purchased on the dates of the tour at the entrance to Highland Park, on the corner of Washington Ave and 5th Street. Funds raised go to maintaining the Alexander-Gish house and other neighborhood projects. For more information, visit oldsouthwest.org.

HomeTown Bank.......................................................... 9 Jeannine Hanson, Realtor.................................... 67 Kevin Hurley Photography................................... 63 LinDor Arts...................................................................... 2 Magnolia...........................................................................31 Member One Federal Credit Union..................13 MKB Realtors............................................................... 34 N-Hance............................................................................4 National Pools of Roanoke, Inc............................4 Punch Boutique......................................................... 35 Reclaimed @ Smith Mountain Lake................ 48 Richfield Retirement............................................... 34 Ronnie Mitchell and Son Landscaping............. 7

HISTORIC FINCASTLE HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

This year’s Historic Fincastle Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace will be held on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour destinations range from the heart of historic Fincastle to nearby rural locations, including Broad Oaks, Neighbors Hill, Israel Christian House, Clear Dawn, Rustic Lodge, and the Botetourt County History Museum. Tickets are $15 and will be on sale the day of the event beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Fincastle Baptist Church, located at 7330 Roanoke Rd. Here you can also visit the free Marketplace, featuring gift and home items from forty local and regional artists. Proceeds from this event support the preservation of the historical, physical, and cultural resources of the Fincastle area. For more information, visit hisfin.org.

Southern Lamp and Shade Showroom........ 33 Spectrum Stone Designs......................................... 7 Star City Striders....................................................... 62 Taubman Museum.....................................................57 The Cabinet Gallery.................................................... 8 The Columns..................................................................21 The Happy Housekeepers..................................... 14 The Little Gallery....................................................... 68 Vinton Appliance Center........................................18 Virginia Mountain Mortgage.................................17 Viva la Cupcake......................................................... 49 Whitt Carpet One..................................................... 24 YARID'S.......................................................................... 33

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INTERIOR OF NEIGHBORS HILL, HOME OF MACK AND MARCIA NEIGHBORS R o a n o ke Va l l e y H O M E W i n t e r / H o l i d a y 2 0 1 7

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