ROANOKE VALLEY HOME Magazine 2022 Nov/Dec/Jan

It goes without saying that we all want to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible. Yet for many, there may come a time when some level of assistance and support is needed.

At Richfield Living, our purpose is to help seniors experience life to the fullest, through every phase of their journey. Our assisted living options provide comprehensive services tailored to meet individual needs. We strive daily to provide environments that are nurturing, comfortable, and secure, where each resident’s personal qualities are recognized and respected.

With over 40 years of experience, hundreds of satisfied customers throughout central and southwest Virginia, and an Interior Designer on-staff, we can facilitate your project from design to completion.

Roanoke

Holiday/Winter

IT UP

beautiful gift wraps

CIRCLE OF STYLE Make the most of curvy trends BY MARGIE LIPPARD

SPARKLE

the season with the Stephensons

TIME

MITZI BIBLE

you love this

NOELLE MILAM

JANE RENNYSON

STYLISH SOFAS

ALYSSA MERCADANTE

BELOVED KEEPSAKES

BY JESSIE THOMPSON

THROWS

PAULA PETERS CHAMBERS

IMPROVE

BREATH OF FRESH AIR

AMELIA POORE

AVOID COLD SHOWERS

JERRY HALE

GARDEN

MOTH ORCHIDS

MARGENE WHITLER HUCEK

WINTER BIRDING

BECKY CALVERT

SWAP

SARAH NICHOLAS

BARN QUILTS

KENDALL ATKINS

Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season to revel in the comfort and joy of family, friends and falderal! It feels as if Yuletide 2022 might just be as festive and celebratory as holiday seasons of yore. (Yes, I do mean loooong ago, pre-pandemic!) This issue of Roanoke Valley HOME will get you set for everything that twinkles and shines from November through January.

Of course, it’s our mission to make your holiday planning go beyond fabulous. Host a cookie swap to satisfy even the most persnickety sweet tooth and find out how to take your gift-wrap ping skills next level. Party planning and Holidays go together. HOME’s rundown on Holiday Entertaining provides the tips and cookbooks you need for a unique and tasty gathering.

Our Holiday feature home is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. This home has been enjoyed by multi generations of interior design professional Elaine Stephenson’s family for many years. Elaine and her husband, Bill, recently oversaw the home’s complete renovation and the finished product—bedecked for the Holidays—is warm and welcoming.

Baby, it’s cold outside: Stave off winter’s chill with a cozy throw while adding color and texture to your décor. With freezing temps and gray days, your home is closed up for the winter. Air purifiers come in all sizes with a plethora of bells and whistles to help you breathe easier this season. Time for a new sofa? Figure out what works best within your space and plays well with existing furniture.

Our Reader’s Favorites issue in September celebrated all manner of businesses, professionals and craftspeople in the Roanoke Valley. Thank you to our wonderful readers who voted. It was brought to our attention that although Freedom First Credit Union was voted Platinum in the Bank category, it is in fact a Credit Union. James River Media will make diligent efforts in the future to review nominees to protect the integrity of these awards.

There are roughly 42 days between Thanksgiving and the New Year so amidst the wrapping, decorating, noshing and visiting we hope you’ll take a moment to reflect and recognize all that’s transpired this year. It goes beyond the Improve, Design, Garden and Live content that you read in HOME each issue, as we consider our HOME readers and advertisers framily; therefore, we wish you and yours every blessing and delight of the season!

Thank you for reading, Anne Marie Poore

DIFFERENCE

decide on that special

VOLUME

PUBLISHER

Trish Roth

EDITOR

Donna Dunn

ART DIRECTOR Chris Byrd

LOCAL EDITOR

Anne Marie Poore

FEATURE HOME CONTRIBUTOR

Noelle Milam

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mitzi Bible

Becky Calvert Paula Peters Chambers Jerry Hale Margene Whitler Hucek Margie Lippard

Kendal Atkins Livick Noelle Milam Sarah Nicholas Amelia Poore Jane Rennyson Jessie Thompson

PHOTOGRAPHER

Kathryn Feldmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Donna Collins

ADVERTISING SALES

Kirsten Morey Becker Julia Belvin Lisa Bowers

Joe Katany

Anne Marie Poore

Kenny Shelton

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Roanoke Valley HOME is published five times annually by James River Media, LLC. For an annual subscription, please send $20 and your name, address and telephone number to: Roanoke Valley HOME 109B Tradewynd Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502

For advertising information please call (434) 845-5463 or email HOME@jamesrivermedia.com

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

JAMES RIVER MEDIA, LLC

(434) 845-5463

Copyright 2022 by James River Media, 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 James River Media 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, James River Media, 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, James River Media, 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.

the Season around the

SCAN FOR DINING GROUPS

More Than

A Bow On Top Clever and Creative Gift Wrap

BY JANE RENNYSON

The best gifts are often the ones you’d like to keep for yourself. Help your gift receiver to enjoy the moment as much as the gift. From unique paper to embellishments, your personalized gift presentation will help the recipients to slow down, not rush past the moment and savor the sight of what has been laid before them.

Let’s explore the wide range of creative ideas available when wrapping a gift.

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We help you find home decor that invites joy, that tells the story of you, your past, your values and turns a house into a HOME

More than a casual shopping encounter,

DESTINATION.

Unconventional choices for wrapping paper

When we think of preparing a gift, we instantly think of wrapping paper. But we aren’t limited to the typical holiday or birthday paper with snowmen or candles on it anymore. Consider using a more personalized selection based on who will be on the receiving end of your gift.

Fans of all things classic will delight in a gift presented in vintage newspapers. Try to find one close to their birth year, or a special period in their lives. Similarly, a gift wrapped in old, handwritten letters will add a historical feel to the presentation. Maps, sheet music, leftover wallpaper, or a printed word search are unique and whimsical ways to wrap a gift.

Layering is another way to elevate the look of your gift. Start with a simple paper, such as plain white or brown craft paper and add any one of the options above. Or choose two patterned papers with contrasting designs but similar colors, and wrap each half of the present. Complete the look with a coordinating colored ribbon separating the two sides. Plain black paper with white paint pen lettering or drawings mimics a chalkboard, and is an ideal presentation for teacher gifts.

Other substitutions for traditional wrapping paper include a handkerchief, a scarf, or burlap fabric. Baby gifts can be bundled up in a cozy blanket and tied with a beautiful satin ribbon. Use a tea towel or two to wrap a kitchenthemed gift for a wedding shower or housewarming party, and your favorite fabrics can easily be made into no-sew gift bags. Simply cut two pieces of fabric into the same size using pinking scissors. This will create a fun zig-zag edge that won’t fray. Attach double-sided tape to the inside of one of the swatches of fabric on all three sides. Firmly press the other piece of fabric on top, insert your gift and tie up the top. Voila — a gorgeous way to present your gift!

Distinctive decorations

Now that you have created the base of your wrapping, it’s time to think outside the gift box. Embellishments will take your gifts from wonderful to wow!

You may have seen candy canes, ornaments, pine cones and greenery adorning presents for the holidays, but

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have you ever considered wrapping your holiday presents in battery-powered lights? Or creating a winter or holiday scene on the top of your present with small trinkets and figurines? To accomplish this look, spray your wrapped present with a light layer of faux snow and allow it to dry for three to four hours. Then create the scene by attaching Christmas trees, carolers, snowmen, street lamps, Santa and his reindeer, or even characters from your favorite holiday movies. For Hanukkah, use gold or silver spray paint and add a menorah, a dreidel, or the Star of David. This idea is not limited to winter holidays. Toy cars, action figures, animals, doll house furniture, and tiny fairies can create a delightful scene for children’s gifts.

Other attractive items to adorn your presents include feathers, buttons, pompoms, tassels, beads, pearls or jewels. Use alphabet letters to write a message on the outside of your gift such as “No peeking,” “Surprises inside” or “Prepared with love.”

Stamps and stencils offer another way to jazz up simple wrapping paper. If you used old maps, letters and newspapers as wrapping paper, add twine and a wax seal to complete the vintage look. For a fancy and feminine presentation, add lace or doilies on top of solid colored paper. Flowers and greenery are another way to add interest. A tiny bouquet of dried flowers wrapped in burlap would look adorable on any present. Or draw a vase on a plainly wrapped present, and glue on flowers so they look like they are in the vase. Another idea is to use pressed flowers. Position dried, pressed flowers on top of the gift and use clear contact paper to secure them in place.

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All tied up Ribbons and trim will add a finishing touch to your pile of presents. Instead of using a single ribbon, use three different ribbons in small, medium and wide widths. First tape the wide ribbon around the box, then add the medium and smaller widths on top of each other for a layered look. You can also create a basket weave pattern around your present with two different sizes of ribbon. Wrap individual pieces of ribbon around the box and tape together on the bottom. Next, tape a smaller sized ribbon perpendicular to that ribbon and wrap it around the box, alternating over and under the existing ribbon.

Tulle in any color is an elegant substitute for traditional ribbon, and yarn wrapped around the present in a rainbow pattern is sure to make anyone smile. There are numerous tutorials available to learn how to make your own bows. But don’t just add one bow. Make three or four bows in different sizes and attach them in order, smallest to largest.

it to the

level by also incorporating some of

the outside of the box with the bow. Secure a sweet treat on your present, or tie on a bracelet, bookmark or bow tie.

Choosing a distinctive way to wrap your presents can be rewarding for this holiday season and beyond. It automatically makes wrapping seem more like an entertaining activity instead of a chore. Gift givers and recipients alike will be amazed by the creativity on display and may even spark a little competition among friends to see who can design and put together the most perfectly wrapped present! ✦

Moth Orchids

THE PERFECT CURE FOR WINTER

BY MARGENE WHITLER HUCEK

Orchids, once only available to the wealthy few who could afford greenhouses, have been democratized by the introduction of moth orchids that can be grown successfully in our homes. This graceful orchid, with its thick broad green leaves and arching flower sprays, is now widely available at a reasonable cost.

Large flowers, ranging from pure white, pinks, purples, salmon and lemon yellow, bloom along the orchid’s stalk, opening one at a time. Your orchid will bloom for two to three months if properly cared for.

Moth orchids bloom at approximately the same time each year, so it’s a good idea to purchase plants in the winter if you want winter blooms the following year. Look for an orchid with healthy green leaves; avoid yellow or shriveled leaves. For the longest flower show, pick an orchid with only one or two open blossoms.

An east-facing window is an ideal location for orchids, or try a shaded southern or western window. Keep in mind that the orchid is a tropical plant that appreciates a moist environment. An easy way to increase humidity is to place pots on trays filled with gravel and water.

Caring for your orchid

Water only when the plant is nearly dry. The easiest way to judge when an orchid needs water is how it feels. A light pot means the plant needs water; if the pot feels heavy, wait a few days. Until you get used to judging your orchid by weight, reach in to feel the medium. Wait to water until it feels fairly dry.

When you water, simulate the tropics by saturating the bark, then draining away any excess water. If the pot is not too heavy and the outside temperature is reasonable, take the plant outside and pour lukewarm water (do not use salt-softened water) over the medium and let any excess water drain out. In the winter, you can water over the sink or a bucket. Always water in the morning so the foliage will dry before nightfall.

Misting is not a good idea as the moisture from misting is not the same as moisture circulating in the ambient air.

The fairly common practice of using ice cubes to water orchids, while easy, is not a good practice. Ice water, in general, is bad for plant roots and especially so for plants from the tropics. Another consideration is the fact that a couple of ice cubes will not saturate the growing medium.

Moth orchids appreciate being fertilized on a regular schedule. It’s best to use a balanced orchid fertilizer. Every three weeks run clear water through the bark to remove any excess fertilizer.

New blooms

When the last bloom has faded on your orchid plant, you can encourage more blooms by not removing the flower stem. Instead, cut the stem, leaving at least two nodes (the little brown lines on the stem below where the flowers were).

If the orchid is healthy, a second flower spike should grow from a node. You can also cut the spent stem entirely at the base where it comes out of the leaves. The plant should send out a new flower spike in two to three months.

Time to repot

If your orchid starts to grow over the edge of the pot, it is time to either move the orchid to a larger pot or divide it. Even if your plant has not outgrown its container, keep an eye on the health of the planting medium. Once it has started to break down, it is essential to replace it to avoid root rot. The best time to repot is in the spring when root growth is active.

To repot, remove the old potting mix, trim any soft or rotted roots, and spread the remaining roots over new medium. Work the medium among the roots until the junction of the roots and stem is at the top of the medium. Do not trim the gray aerial roots. Resume regular watering, but do not fertilize until you see new growth.

Exotic beauty

Emerson wrote, “If eyes were made for seeing, then Beauty is its own excuse for being.” And the graceful moth orchid, indeed, can claim its reason for being, especially when snow covers the meadows and cold winds blow. ✦

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Open seven days a week, The Little Gallery is a fine art gallery and consultancy that provides art sourcing, art installation and art advisory services for residential, hospitality and corporate spaces.

Come in and let’s discuss how The Little Gallery can help on your next project and experience our beautiful selection of talented artists in historic Downtown Roanoke at 301 Market St. SE. You can also browse all our artist collections online at TheLittleGalleryVA.com.

Come in and let’s discuss how The Gallery on your beautiful artists historic Downtown 301 Market St SE. You can also browse all artist collections at

HOME premier profile 2022

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With over 30 years’ experience in the art industry, our network of artists and galleries enables us to feature a wide-ranging collection of landscape, still life, and abstract paintings, as well as select photography, giclee and sculpture.

Our services include art consultation and advice, art acquisition, custom framing, and installation of all types of artwork, from fine original paintings and sculpture to beautiful but economical framed prints.

Committed to excellence at all levels, our experienced staff collaborates with you the owner, with your interior designers, facilities managers or key persons to ensure each project is executed on time and within budget while clearly expressing your vision and achieving the perfectly inspired space.

Delivery and installation are also available within a 5-hour radius. The Little Gallery can perform most artwork installations on a variety of wall surfaces and locations using a variety of hanging systems and/or hardware.

DESIGN find the right fit

SOFA SHOPPING:

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Things to Consider When Choosing a Sofa

BY ALYSSA MERCADANTE

Sofas are much more than a place to sit. It’s where we find comfort after a long, hard day. It’s where we connect and have meaningful, lifechanging conversations.

For some, it can even be where meals are eaten or work is done. Your sofa can make or break the comfort level of your home, affect the ability to create a conversation space and set the vibe of your lifestyle.

Purchasing a sofa is an investment in more ways than one, so there are some important items to consider when choosing the perfect one for your space.

What atmosphere are you trying to achieve?

Do you want something calming and neutral or bolder and more colorful? What style is the rest of the furniture and décor? Is there a particular painting from your grandmother that you want to pull a color from and tie into your sofa? If you base your purchase strictly on comfort, you could wind up with something that looks quite out of place.

Colby Rorer at Better Sofas in Roanoke says furniture is a representation of your style and who you are.

“What would you like to convey to the people who come into your home? Picking out a sofa is really no different than picking out your own clothing,” Rorer says.

Once you know the general style of sofa you are looking for, it’s time to think about how you will use it as well as who will use it. Do you love entertaining and want to create a space for people to sit and have drinks while conversing with each other? If so, a more structured sofa with chairs combo would be suitable. Or do you want something for lounging and cozying up with your significant other or children while watching movies? A plush sectional with abundant seating and reclining options could be your best bet.

What size sofa do you need?

Furniture is not typically one-size-fits-all. A 6'5" man and a petite 5' woman most likely aren’t going to find comfort in the same size sofa. That’s where

trying out a sofa in person is vital. You might browse sofa styles and colors online, but when it comes down to buying, you’ll want to take a seat.

Rorer says buying a sofa should be a very personal experience. That is why furniture stores often ask buyers a series of questions pertaining to your lifestyle: Are pets or kids in the picture? Do you or your spouse prefer to lie down most of the time? Are you a red wine lover?

“With buying in-store versus online, you have the huge advantage of getting the expertise of people who serve a broad spectrum of buyers. You are not just an average consumer. You are YOU. You need your sofa to provide what you need for your own, personal lifestyle,” Rorer says.

There are dozens of different styles of sofas. Talk to furniture experts to get advice on getting the best quality for your budget. Many stores will allow you to customize fabrics, colors and even leg styles.

Another important, and probably obvious, aspect to consider is sizing for your space. What other furniture do you have in the room that you need to work around? If your living room is on the smaller side and not very open, you may want to stick to the more traditional sofa and loveseat or chairs combo that can be easily moved around. If you have a larger space with a more open floorplan, a sectional could be your best option.

The biggest pro of owning a sectional is maximized seating. You can get the same amount of seating in one sectional that is found in a sofa, loveseat and chair — without as much room needed. Sectionals can also be great for breaking up a large, multipurposed space. For example, if you work from home out of your living room, a sectional can help create a partition between your home office area and living area.

Be sure to measure your space and take inventory of other furniture before heading out to sofa shop. Knowing your maximum length is key. And don’t forget to measure doorways, too. If the sofa won’t fit through your living room entryway, you may have an issue and need to pivot!

What color, fabric and style matches your home? There is a cavern of options available these days as far as materials and colors go. Again, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, and even your future lifestyle, when investing. The best pet-friendly material is microfiber as it is easy to clean and difficult to scratch or rip. Microfiber or leather are great options in terms of cleanability and durability if you have children around and are worried about spills and stains.

Choosing a sofa isn’t just about the sofa itself – it is far more than that. Think big picture. Mull over your five-year or 10-year plan. It may sound silly, but it really does help. Happy sofa shopping!

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A SOFA

1. Measure first — your space and doorways to get there.

2. Choose a fabric to fit your lifestyle — look for pet and kid-friendly options if needed.

3. Consider the frame — you can restuff and reupholster down the line, but if the frame is made of poor quality materials, the sofa won’t last.

4. Look at the features — if you want a reclining sofa, be sure to include the width while reclining in your measurements.

5. Decide if you want to be on trend or traditional — rounded edges are back in. See our story on curves on page 38. ✦

Clearing The Air Filtering Through Air Purifier Options

BY AMELIA POORE

cooler weather requires all of us to make changes at home to stay comfortable, such as keeping windows and doors tightly closed until mild weather returns. Although closing up our homes keeps us warm, it causes the interior air quality to drop during the winter months due to allergens and pollutants from pets, fireplaces, dryers and stoves. These airborne irritants can cause stale-smelling air and increase respiratory inflammation.

How it works

Fortunately, we can combat stale air without sacrificing comfort with air purifiers. Air purifiers remove dust, smoke and pollen from the air. They typically consist of a fan that draws in and circulates air, and a filter. As the fan pulls air through the filter, airborne particles are caught inside, and clean air is recirculated into your home. While an air purifier is not a cure-all, if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer, an air purifier may be helpful for you.

Typically, filters are made of paper, fiber, fiberglass or mesh. The best choice is a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air), which removes 99.97% of air pollutants down to 0.3 microns, such as particulate matter in smoke and paint fumes. Of course, HEPA filters take care of larger particles, too, including dust, pollen and mold spores.

HEPA filters use a multi-layered netting made of ultra-fine fiberglass threads, creating a dense sheet of fibers pleated and sealed in a metal or plastic frame.

Depending on use, these filters need to be replaced every eight to 12 months.

In addition to HEPA filters, some air purifiers include activated carbon filters to capture odor-causing molecules. Depending on use, activated carbon filters require replacement more frequently than HEPA filters — every three to six months. However, finding an air purifier with a third washable and reusable filter that collects very large particles before they reach the HEPA and carbon filters may extend the filter life and save money on replacements. Keeping the filters clean is the key to an efficient and effective air purifier.

Purifier choices

Aesthetics. HEPA-equipped air purifiers come in a wide range of shapes, colors, and prices. Typically, smaller air purifiers are more aesthetically designed, but most models are non-descript and offered in neutral colors such as white, black or steel gray to fit with any décor.

Effectiveness. To achieve top-effectiveness, place your air purifier in an area with a lot of airflow, such as a hallway or near a door or window. A high-traffic area means moving air, which is more likely to lift dust, mold, and other particles so that the air purifier can suck them in and recirculate clean air. Alternatively, you can place the air purifier in the space you will get the most use out of it, such as the living room or bedroom.

Noise. Another consideration is how loud the air purifier can be without affecting your use of the space. Before purchasing an air purifier, look for its decibel levels on the packaging or website listing. For reference, 50 decibels is roughly equal to the hum of a refrigerator. However, a slightly louder air purifier may be ideal if you use a sound machine or fan for white noise. Moreover, to keep noise to a minimum, try running the air purifier on its highest setting when you’re not in the room and lowering it when you’re nearby.

Size. The best air purifier for you depends entirely on your space — the more square-footage you have, the larger the air purifier should be. Some models are small enough to put on a table top, while others must be on the floor. Purifiers come with a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) that can help you calculate the appropriate size. Use this formula to help you choose the right size: CADR x 1.55 = Square footage of your room.

Price. When looking at the price of an air purifier, be sure to factor in the cost of the filters and how regularly they need to be changed. Some larger purifiers need three or four filters to be changed regularly. Spending $75 every 6 months on filters can quickly add up!

Cooler weather can cause us to feel cooped up as we wait for springtime, but circulating clean air throughout the house can be refreshing. A quality purifier improves the air quality without sacrificing warmth and comfort during the winter.

3 WAYS TO INCREASE AIR QUALITY WITHOUT A PURIFIER WITH OR WITHOUT THE HELP OF AN AIR PURIFIER, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO INCREASE THE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

1. Vacuum regularly. Air purifiers remove only airborne particles, not larger allergens that settle on furniture and carpets, such as pet hair or dust mites. Using a vacuum with hepa filtration once or twice a week will keep these larger irritants to a minimum.

2. Limit smoke....causing activities such as smoking, burning candles and woodburning fires.

323. Ventilate where you can. Be sure your HVAC filters are clean. If you don’t have central air, consider running the air conditioner on warmer days to move fresh air into your home. When it’s too cold, try running the exhaust fan in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms when in use, and even periodically when not in use, to move stale air out of the house. ✦

COMFORTING CURVES WITH TIMELESS APPEAL

INCORPORATE THIS INVITING TREND THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME

BY MARGIE LIPPARD

The lines of design are softening as the iconic circle and curve motifs surge in popularity among interior designers and consumers. From arched ceilings and curved walls to circular chairs and round mirrors, curved edges are trending. The COVID pandemic has helped fuel today’s escalating demand for rounded shapes, rhythmic curves, and bendy lines in home design. Though lockdowns and quarantines are waning, we still spend more time at home and seek refuge amongst our furnishings and décor. Curvilinear shapes offer a comforting and captivating aesthetic, which enjoys timeless appeal.

What’s behind curve appeal?

Scientific research suggests that curves make us happy. In a 2013 study conducted at the University of Toronto, participants judged spaces with curvilinear features as more beautiful than those with rectilinear elements. Psychology Professor Oshin Vartanian explains, “We have found that people find spaces that have curved features more beautiful than spaces with sharp features, and that this preference is driven primarily by how pleasant they find those spaces to be.” In an earlier 2011 study published in the Environment and Behavior Journal, participants also found that interior settings with rounded contours elicited greater pleasure and relaxation than those with angular contours. Evidently, we humans are innately drawn to curves.

Many designers opine that curves make us feel good because they remind us of the warmth of the human body and the calming patterns in nature. Australian architect Tony Owen, quoted in a recent Architectural Digest article, thinks we instinctively love curves because they “relate to the human body, the feminine form” and the efficient designs in nature. Biophilic design, an aesthetic which gained cachet during the pandemic, has as its guiding artistic principle that we have a primordial need to connect with one another and nature. The style incorporates natural materials and organic curves and aims to rekindle a connection to nature which, biophilic theory asserts, boosts mental health, creativity, and productivity.

The rebirth of curvilinear design recalls earlier epochs in art history. According to some art scholars, curves and circles in design have long symbolized the inspiring notions of nature, femininity, infinity, perfection and eternal divine love. The Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century turned to nature and the Industrial Revolution for inspiration as World War I

raged. Influenced also by the 18th century Rococo movement’s fanciful curves, the Art Nouveau style embraced serpentine lines, curvy shapes, arches, and stylized ornamental motifs. Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s undulating architectural masterpiece, Casa Mila, and Louis Comfort Tiffany’s elegant water-lily lamps are excellent examples of the Art Nouveau style from which the current curvaceous design trend descends.

Introducing curves on a budget

According to Pinterest and Zillow, curved furniture is a top design trend among retailers from high-end luxury to budget brands. You can incorporate sumptuous curves into your home without breaking your budget just by adding a few select pieces. In your quest for curvy elements, you don’t have to abandon straight-lined furniture and accents: Blending curvilinear and rectilinear shapes sparks visual interest and even showcases your furniture’s design.

In the living room

Curvy sofas and round chairs create an inviting ambiance in any living or family room. Curved sofas engender intimate conversations better than boxy ones because your guests can easily chat without craning their necks to gaze at one another. A round coffee table establishes an attractive focal point for a circular chair and sofa arrangement that gracefully traces your furnishing’s contours, creating a dynamic yet relaxing vibe. Design experts note that upholstery color palettes are trending toward earthy brown, camel, taupe and cream hues and away from minimalist crisp white. As well, nature-inspired textures are burgeoning, ranging from nubby, reeded, or furry textures like mohair to stone, marble, and terra-cotta.

In the kitchen, bar and dining room

Pinterest reports a threefold rise in 2022 searches for curved kitchen islands. Curved kitchen islands and cabinets attractively streamline the flow of your kitchen and can significantly expand storage space. If your budget doesn’t accommodate major kitchen renovations, you can add less expensive curvy flourishes in light fixtures, drawer or cabinet handles, and backsplash tiles. For your bar, a curved stone or marble topped bar and round stool seats create a stylish setting while a round drink trolley brings a dose of glamour and libations into your dining room. At the pinnacle of its popularity, the rounded dining room table proffers intimate and elegant dining, especially when illuminated by a cascading chandelier light.

In the bedroom and bathroom

You can easily infuse your bedroom with sensual curves that exude luxurious relaxation. Wavy bed headboards, graceful canopy beds, and furled sleigh beds soften a bedroom’s atmosphere. If your bed doesn’t have a headboard, try making a DIY painted circle headboard. A rounded decorative mirror can serve as a striking focal point in both the master bedroom and bathroom. Your master bathroom will beckon as a spa destination when you install an elegant, curved stone bathtub and circular marble sink.

Curves in architecture

Many architects are retiring box-style rooms and embracing curvilinear lines that reflect nature’s fluidity. Lofty arched ceilings and doorways heighten a home’s spaciousness while curvy walls create movement in rooms and halls, especially when ceiling lighting splashes over the curves. The return of arches, arcades and vaults reflects a stylistic shift toward more fluid architectural elements.

Getting ahead of the curve

When updating your home to include curvilinear designs, you can get ahead of the curve by taking some designing precautions. To keep your curved furniture from looking bulky or feeling uncomfortable, you’ll want to carefully measure the base and back of the piece. If possible, try to construct the piece in 3D first and then translate its dimensions to paper.

A straight line efficiently connects point A to B, but a curvilinear one meanders, undulates, bends and turns before reaching its destination. Perhaps we have an emotional and timeless affinity to curves because they visually evoke life’s amazing journey itself. ✦

ReidsFurnishings.com

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DESIGN cultivate collections

Decking the HallsCOLLECTIONS ADD WARMTH, CHARACTER TO HOLIDAYS

BY JESSIE THOMPSON

As temperatures dip and humidity becomes a memory, we naturally spend more time indoors. It’s easy to see why so many of us opt to decorate our homes for the holidays, and, even if decorating isn’t always at the top of the to-do list, why it can be meaningful to do so.

In years past, it could be challenging to add something significant to a collection, especially if looking for vintage or discontinued items. But now, with year-round holiday shopping and dozens of online auction sites, it’s a lot easier. People can collect just about anything for the holidays, but there are perennial favorites: trains, nativity scenes, angels, vintage ornaments, tree toppers, and nutcrackers.

Some of us like to decorate the exact same way each year. It’s a tradition; just like what is served for the holiday meal or what the family does together on Christmas morning. Decorative items have been carefully collected for generations, each has story, and each has a designated place. But if you’re game for changing things up — a little or a lot — designers offer valuable and easyto-follow advice on how to best display your holiday collections.

Edit

The first thing you’ll need to do is to pull those holiday boxes out and evaluate what you’ve got. Do you really love everything? Decorators would never suggest tossing family heirlooms, but there might be an opportunity to edit. While this may border on insulting for some, it is possible to have too much décor.

Ideally, holiday displays feature special items — whether a family treasure or some prizes you snagged at a tag sale — that successfully call attention to themselves, but don’t overwhelm a room. When thinking of decorating a room (or an entire floor), pick your best and most meaningful items. You might be surprised that many of your decorations naturally “go” together. Perhaps you collect different versions of the same thing, such as snowflakes or nutcrackers. These can easily be made into, depending on the size of your collection, a larger grouping or several smaller vignettes.

Create groupings

The first thing to know is that there is only one “right” way to decorate: Put things you love on display. The items people inherit, save and purchase to add to their collections each year are personal, and what appeals to you might not appeal to one of your friends. Who cares? It’s your home, and you will be the one spending the most time in it.

There are, however, rules of thumb. Just like when decorating a house or a room, create visual appeal with varying height, shapes, patterns, colors and sizes. If one of your collections is complementary to colors already in a specific room of your house, plan on displaying it there. If you’re introducing a new color within your collections (let’s say bright red for Christmas), see if there are easy ways to repeat that color in some of your other décor — like candles, throw pillows or even fresh flowers.

Here are a few general suggestions from designers to create beautiful groupings:

n Arrange displays in odd numbers, which tend to be more visually appealing than those with even numbers.

n Opt to put displays on lower-than-eye-level, flat surfaces: end tables, shelves, coffee tables, deep window ledges and even the back of a toilet. While this may seem counter-intuitive, the pros suggest not using your mantel for collections. Even though a mantel is often the focal point of a room, it’s likely too high for anyone to easily see and appreciate.

n Keep groupings appropriate for the space available to avoid clutter. For example, a dining room table will be able to hold a much larger display than an entry table.

n Group objects with varying heights. If necessary, use “risers” under some, which could be a book, or, especially during the holidays, a box wrapped in festive paper.

n You can make seemingly unrelated objects “connect” by grouping them on a plate, tray, bowl or basket. This also helps give a natural boundary so the collection doesn’t become too crowded. If using a tray, another visual connection can be made by weaving in strings of beads, ribbons or greenery. Another beautiful way to display fragile items is to use glass vases, apothecary jars or glass domes.

n Use lights to showcase some collections. A mirror, which captures light, placed behind or under a display can draw attention. Some groupings can be elevated to next-level with tiny, battery-powered Christmas lights woven through; others can benefit from candlelight.

n Finally, consider adding family photographs or cherished holiday cards among collections.

YOU THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAT YOUR HEART DESIRES…

RELAXed

LOOK FOR WHATEVER THE HOlIDAYS BRING!

Explore display options

If you are really committed to collections and displaying them in unique and different ways, here are two options to consider: display a collection on a Christmas tree or within greenery along a banister. While neither of these options are suggested for fragile or irreplaceable collectibles, when done well, the results are magnificent.

For trees, use clear fishing line, floral wire and/or picks around items you’re OK hanging. It might be a good idea to wrap the area with a ribbon first, so that the lines/wire don’t etch the surface. If possible, add a hook, and hang items from your collection.

For banisters: start with some greenery, and use floral wire, zip ties, or specialized garland ties to add pieces of your collection. Pay particular attention to weight and spacing. Place larger, heavier items where the garland is tied, giving you additional ways to secure the items.

The bottom line is that if you’re up for it, experiment with your embellishments.

You can always add (or take away) items until your decorations – and the rooms that house them – feel right to you. What objects you choose will depend on your personal tastes, budget and style. The goal of displaying any collection should be to stir up happy memories and add enjoyment, beauty and love to your holidays and your home. ✦

Home Away from Home

Mother-Daughter Design Duo Transform Ancestral Home

IBY NOELLE MILAM Photography by Kathryn Feldmann

In a small community off the Blue Ridge Parkway, a treasured property holds generations of memories for Roanoke interior designer Elaine Stephenson and her family. Built in the late 1800s by Elaine’s great-grandfather as a part of a summer golfing community, the cottage provided a restful mountain environment to escape the heat and humidity in the days before air conditioning. For more than 100 years and five generations, the family has gathered to enjoy the cooler temperatures, outdoor activities, and fellowship with family and friends.

Now owned by Elaine and her husband Bill and their adult children, Will and Seely, the ancestral summer home has been completely rebuilt and redesigned with contemporary living in mind.

“We planned this project for five years,” explains Elaine, "The original house was showing its age and the design did not have an easy flow. It was definitely time to modernize."

Camp Nanny Pearl

Working together with her daughter Seely, who is also an interior designer, with her mother's firm, but works in Raleigh, and with Wishon and Carter Builders of Yadkinville, N.C., they managed to capture the charm of the old summer place affectionately known as “Camp Nanny Pearl” after Elaine’s mother, while bringing modern conveniences, sound design, and a thoughtful repurposing of the many antiques that were part of the original summer home.

From the stone foundation, cement board and poplar bark shingle siding, to the standing seam metal roofing, the home is designed to last generations with minimal care. Construction on the 5,000-square-foot home took 17 months, and the finished product was completed in June 2020. The timing was perfect as it turns out.

“We really were so very fortunate,” says Elaine, “because we finished just as COVID was getting started. We sidestepped a lot of building headaches that came after, plus we had a place to go when everything shut down.”

Their children, Will and Seely and their spouses welcomed new babies during this time, so Elaine and Bill found themselves with a triple blessing: two new grandchildren and a “new” vacation home.

A holiday escape

The mountain home is a holiday escape where the Stephensons gather to celebrate the holidays. The oak double doors with three-quarter panels of mullioned glass, display large wreaths and are flanked by topiaries festooned with twinkle lights that set the scene for joyful family celebration. The entry is a bright and welcoming space, with an heirloom braided rug, and a ceiling of whitewashed tongue and groove pine that Seely suggested to create visual interest.

The powder room, which conveniently opens off the entry, is wallpapered in an arresting teal botanical by Harlequin Wallpapers, and the custom quartzite

topped vanity with gold inlay was designed by Seely and brought to life through the artistry of Phil Horton of Horton’s Cabinetry. In fact, the custom cabinetry throughout the home was crafted by Horton. “Phil is one of the best cabinet makers I’ve ever worked with. He did an amazing job,” says Elaine. The gem tones of the powder room are enhanced by the warm brass tone fixtures, mirror, hand-rubbed brass sconces and Elaine’s collection of tiny, framed Trace Mayer Museum Bees.

With its wall of windows showcasing stunning views of the 16th hole of the golf course below, it’s no surprise to find that the cozy great room is where the family spends most of its time. It’s a room that exudes a refined warmth, with soaring ceilings, roughhewn beams, and a commanding stone fireplace.

“My husband was really invested in the beams and the stone fireplace,” Elaine explains with a note of pride, “We love having the raised hearth, it is the cozy center of the home.” She also credits Bill with designing the efficient firewood storage in the custom wormy oak built-ins on either side of the fireplace and for sourcing the beautiful reclaimed mixed hardwood flooring found on the main level of the home.

The iron and brass chandelier was chosen from the Visual Comfort line by Elaine and Seely. “Seely and I had so much fun choosing lighting together,” says Elaine. “We knew we needed something big in that high ceiling, and we both loved this one.”

Above the fireplace mantle, decorated with seasonal greens, red berries and large pillar candles is a commissioned oil painting by Roanoke artist Courtney Cronin. The 12-foot Christmas tree was purchased from Sweet Providence Farm in Floyd, Va., and is hung with family decorations…plus a few extras. “It’s the biggest tree we’ve ever had,” Elaine reflects, “I had to augment our decorations a bit because it looked a little sparse! I love the colors of the new ornaments.”

Perched above the warm holiday scene is a large stuffed Pink Panther. “Oh yes, the Pink Panther,” laughs Elaine, “Bill won him in a raffle years and years ago, and ever since he’s been a focal point of our holidays. He’s a family favorite.”

Elaine kept most the home’s original furnishings, and she and Seely worked together to find ways to use their family heirlooms in the new space. The old spinet piano for example, belonged to Elaine’s grandmother. Its size, surface, and location make it the perfect place to display three generations of family wedding photos (Elaine, Bill, and both of their children were married in this picturesque location), as well as a charming collection of nutcrackers and miniature Christmas trees.

A welcoming space

From the breakfast area, sliding doors open onto a large, covered porch and open deck. Built using composite material decking, with bluestone

flooring, the space feels like another room of the house. It’s a welcoming space, and thanks to built-in ceiling heaters and remote-control shades, it can be enjoyed year-round. Bahnson Gray, a family friend and woodworker at Bear Creek Woodworks custom built the pecky cypress coffee table. Beyond, a stone fireplace, adorned with seasonal greens and glass lanterns filled with succulents and tiny fiberoptic lights bring the holidays outdoors.

Perhaps the biggest transformation occurred in the kitchen: once cramped and antiquated, the kitchen is a bright space that opens to the great room. “The old summer home was never designed to do much cooking,” recalls Elaine, “and this new space is fabulous to work with family and friends.” Cabinets, “a nice mix of drawers and doors,” according to Elaine, are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray, and the counters are dolomite, a stone in the quartzite family. A large central island made from wormy oak, provides ample space for prepping meals, as well as eating them, at the four counter height stools.

Between the windows and above the porcelain apron sink hangs an antique plate rack that belonged to Elaine’s parents. The backsplash, in 12x12 cement tiles, purchased from ProSource in Roanoke, is reminiscent of Appalachian quilts. “I love those tiles,” Elaine says, “in fact, once I found them, I used them as inspiration for designing the whole kitchen.” The light fixture, also from Visual Comfort, is an example of this. Elaine loved

the linear look and the pattern of Moravian Stars, which echoed her tile pattern.

The mudroom/laundry off the kitchen was designed especially for the family’s Labrador Retrievers. Cabinets hide away food and supplies, with an ingenious niche underneath for food bowls and dog beds.

In the airy dining room, Elaine and Seely chose a blue patterned wallpaper by Anna French for above the whitewashed pine wainscoting, and a simple twillbanded jute rug. Large windows on three sides of the room are dressed in sky blue Pindler and Pindler curtains with contrasting green bands. Arranged on the walls and furniture, Elaine’s mother’s precious Limoges fish patterned china enjoys pride of place. The room boasts a custom dining table that seats 14, which Elaine and her parents designed and commissioned from Carolina Farm Tables.

For the holidays, Elaine enjoys dressing the table festively in the jewel tones of Estelle Colored Glass goblets. The sideboard and corner cabinets were also original to the home, and with such a wealth of furnishings at her disposal (not to mention a growing family), Elaine designed this large room to comfortably accommodate these heirlooms. In the corner stands an antique lawyer’s desk that belonged to Elaine’s grandmother, which displays whimsical antique “patch boxes,” the Victorian era’s answer to makeup concealer.

R

Restful rooms

By adding square footage to the home, Elaine and Seely were able to redesign the sleeping arrangements to better suit their family and visiting guests. The home now has five comfortable bedrooms with ensuite baths. In addition to Elaine and Bill’s ground floor suite, there are two additional upstairs suites flanking an extra sitting area.

Upstairs, Elaine and Seely created a perfect nursery with a crib, changing table, and rocking chair — a cozy home away from home for visiting grandbabies. On the home’s lower level, are two additional bedrooms and two baths, sitting area and pool table.

The ground floor primary suite give Bill and Elaine a space to call their own. The primary bath is wallpapered in a green Nina Campbell patterned wallpaper, and features a custom-designed vanity with a quartz countertop, Visual Comfort sconces, and a Pottery Barn tilt mirror. The towels throughout the home are monogrammed CNP for “Camp Nanny Pearl.”

Elaine makes great use of her heirloom furniture. The upholstered chair, “sugar stand” side tables and the bench at the foot of the bed, blend seamlessly with the custom designed upholstered headboard in green Thibaut fabric, with coordinating pillow shams and bed skirt. “I really do love green,”

explains Elaine, “It’s both happy and restful.” In addition to the furnishings of the original cottage, Elaine saved the mantle and repurposed it for the fireplace in the primary bedroom, complete with the original mantle clock. The bedroom opens, via sliding barn-style door, into a large home office with fabulous mountain views.

“Camp Nanny Pearl” has been a place of rest and relaxation for more than a century. For Elaine Stephenson and her family and friends, it’s also where the joys of family are magnified by the history of generations past. “It meant so much to work on this project with my insightful daughter,” says Elaine, “I could not have achieved the end result without her.”

Through their combined design talent, Elaine and Seely have lovingly recreated the space so that it will live on to be cherished by future generations. ✦

PHOTO: CURTAINS, BLINDS & BATH

IN THE THROW OF IT A bevy of blankets to keep everyone comfortable this season

BY PAULA PETERS CHAMBERS

AAs temperatures begin to fall, the blankets and throws found in your home can take on greater meaning. While these accessories can be overlooked, they are a great way to brighten a room, update a space, add visual interest and texture, and keep everyone comfortable on chilly days.

Meredith Draper, owner of Ivy’s at Piccadilly Square in Roanoke, says there’s a great range of options when it comes to throws for your home. There are differences between a decorative throw and a comfort throw, with decorative throws typically more delicate than those used for snuggling. A comfort throw is all about warmth and texture, two qualities that can be highly subjective, given the user.

“It depends on how you live,” Draper notes. “You can purchase a little fleece throw at Walmart or spend thousands on a designer throw.”

But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice look and feel, Draper says. Many throws can be laundered at home – just check the label before purchasing – and make great gifts for weddings, new homes and graduations. For that special touch, Draper recommends adding a monogram, which elevates a practical gift into something truly special.

Ashley Lawson, owner of the French Farmhouse, said throws and pillows are an affordable way to update any room.

“This season is all about adding interest and texture by mixing and matching prints and patterns. So long to the days of matchymatchy everything and using all solid colored neutral colors in a space,” she says. “At the French Farmhouse we love our neutrals, but adding in patterns, prints and some deeper earthy colors are very on trend.”

Moody colors such as dark green, black, warm beige, burgundy, taupe, deep oranges, mustard yellow, brown and even navy help to add depth, especially in winter. These colors paired with prints, such as stripes, windowpane, plaid and floral, make an ideal throw.

“It is advisable to always choose a fabric that is comfortable, even if only bought for decorative purposes. So avoid anything that is itchy or irritating to the skin. Marrying function and style should always be the goal when shopping for any item in your home,” Lawson adds.

As with other home accessories, styles and tastes change. Draper says faux fur and 100 percent wool blankets are two oncedesirable options that have fallen from favor.

Throws made from breathable fabrics – such as classic cotton or new, eco-friendly bamboo – are versatile as well as practical, since they can accommodate temperature swings. One hundred percent cotton blankets can be exquisitely soft, depending on the finish, and withstand regular, at-home washing and drying. Bamboo, a relatively new option, has its own pluses, including the fact that it’s sustainably sourced.

PHOTO: CURTAINS, BLINDS & BATH

“[Bamboo blankets] regulate body temperature and will keep you warm without making you sweat,” Draper says. But, she warns, a bamboo throw has to be cleaned with greater care: gentle machine wash and line-dry or a dryer set on air dry, with no heat.

For families with children or pets, it’s wise to have blankets on hand that can take the wear and tear of regular use. Throws with looser weaves are more susceptible to holes from fingers, toys or pet claws and also tend to be lighter in weight than densely woven options.

“Blankets that have a really loose weave are more decorative than functional,” Draper says. For a really heavy option, try a weighted blanket, which is often used on beds for a restful sleep, but can also be found in smaller sizes for sofas and chairs. “Those are very personal; some people love them,” Draper says.

When it comes to when to clean a throw, consider a common-sense approach: Does it look dirty? Is it getting a lot of use? Is it a popular sleep cushion for a pet? When there’s a lot of traffic, whether human or animal, you’ll want to make sure you’re laundering those blankets regularly. If the home is quieter, less so.

“When [all our children] were home, if I was doing a load of laundry, one of those [blankets] was going in,” Draper says. “The wear and tear depends on how much you use them. There’s no general rule of thumb.” ✦

COZY TIPS FOR THROWS

n Remember the rule of three: Style your sofa with a throw and two pillows or two throws and three pillows.

n Display throws on furniture, a wooden ladder, a basket or rolled into spirals on a bookcase.

n Complement your setting by mixing and matching textures and colors.

n Instead of neatly folding, drape your throws to invite guests to enjoy your space.

n Choose something you love!

GARDEN for the birds

A WINTER WONDERLAND OF BIRDING WHAT BEGINNERS NEED TO KNOW

BY BECKY CALVERT

Birdwatching, otherwise known as birding, is an increasingly popular past time. There’s something slightly soothing in the practice that to begin, requires nothing but your attention.

Of course, as one’s interest in birding deepens, you can certainly invest in guidebooks and binoculars, perhaps even a fancy digital camera, but to set out to birdwatch, one only needs to stop and watch the winged creatures already flitting about. And then, once you’ve gotten hooked on the habit, you’ll find yourself looking for birds everywhere you go.

Getting started

All it takes to begin birding is a willingness and a curiosity to observe the outside environment, with a little bit of patience as you become familiar with bird habits. Birding is an activity that can be done almost anywhere, although some areas are better suited for spying a wider variety of birds. Time of day, season and weather can also affect the types and birds you will see. While many birds migrate in the spring and fall, winter is still an excellent time to go birding. The lack of foliage on trees allows more visibility of seasonal visitors you might not see at other times of the year.

You can begin by getting to know the birds in your immediate neighborhood. A spot where birds can find food and water does much to attract them, as does a habitat that provides shelter from the weather. Birds prefer a slightly messy environment – they love a good brush pile or a flower bed left to winter over with unraked leaves and flower heads gone to seed, as that provides them with cover as well as food sources.

Feeding the birds

You can set out food for the birds, preferably in a covered feeder that keeps rain and snow out of the food. High fat foods, like black oil sunflower seed, peanuts, thistle seed and suet are best

for feeding birds in winter. Place the feeders close to brush or another protected area like evergreen shrubs or trees – this can help protect the feeder from the worst of winter weather, while also giving the birds a quick escape from any threats.

Having the feeder in a protected spot near the house can also allow you to watch the birds from the comfort of your own home, especially as you begin to get to know your feathered neighbors. It’s important to regularly clean the feeders, as they can spread diseases between birds. You may want to consider deterrents for other pests that may be attracted to either the bird seed or the birds themselves, like squirrels, bears, chipmunks, stray cats and other pests.

Birds won’t require to be fed once the weather warms up and spring blooms, so you won’t need to leave your feeders out all year long. Plant native flowers, shrubs and trees in your garden to make your yard a bird-watching oasis all year long.

Fresh water is another requirement for attracting birds to your winter yard. A heated birdbath isn’t a bad idea, but just a dish kept clear of ice in cold temps works just as well. Like the feeders, it will also need to be cleaned and refreshed regularly. Keeping birdhouses or other nesting boxes up throughout the year also welcomes birds to your yard in cooler weather.

Beyond the yard

Of course, you can also go outside your yard to watch birds. When bird watching in winter, you’ll want to dress for the weather, in colors that blend into the surroundings. Station yourself where two habitats meet, like the edge of a forest or meadow or a shoreline and just begin to observe. It can be helpful to not move around much, as sudden movements can frighten birds into hiding.

The cooler air of mornings carries the songs of birds farther, so there can be a wider variety of birds to be identified during that time of day. You may even discover birds you can hear but can’t see. The same can be true in the evenings, when the darkness hides the presence of birds you can’t see but certainly hear, like owls. While mornings are generally considered a great time for birding, one doesn’t have to be an early riser to be a bird watcher. There is plenty of activity throughout the day to take notice of.

Many birders like to keep notes of the birds they’ve seen and where they’ve seen them. There are both field guides as well as apps available to help one identify various birds on one’s own while area groups such as the Roanoke Valley Bird Club and the Lynchburg Bird Club host meet-ups of birders. Another excellent resource for local birders is Birding Virginia, which offers local and regional information on birds.

Once you begin paying attention to birds, you’ll probably start noticing other subtle changes in the natural environment around you. Birding is one of those gateway activities that may lead to you spending more time outside, observing your surroundings — a winter wonderland filled with interesting creatures.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER BIRD CLUBS ARE A WEALTH OF INFORMATION FOR BIRDERS. THEY’LL CONNECT YOU WITH FELLOW BIRD ENTHUSIASTS, CAN HELP YOU IDENTIFY BIRDS, HELP KEEP TRACK OF WHAT’S CURRENTLY PASSING THROUGH THE AREA, POINT OUT THE BEST BIRDING SPOTS, ORGANIZE FIELD TRIPS AND SO MUCH MORE.

Birding Virginia

(birdingvirginia.Org) is a statewide organization that offers information about birding throughout the state, including a list of birding hot spots in every area.

The Roanoke Valley Bird Club

The Roanoke Valley Bird Club (roanokevalleybirdclub.com) meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Contact them for the link and more information. ✦

Residential and Commercial CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Lake

Creative Pursuits

Try your hand at a new hobby this winter

BY MITZI BIBLE

When I was a child, I loved visiting Ms. Figgans, an elderly family friend. Her house was a fascinating museum of sorts. The parlor was filled with display cases of precious gems, minerals, and fossils, all neatly labeled. At the top of her spiral staircase was a room plastered with newspaper clippings and piled high with books about our solar system and space travel. Her bookshelves were filled with many collections, including Fabergé eggs. She would often turn on her record player and teach us a new dance she learned or pull out a new recipe she tried. At every visit, she would show us her “hobby book,” where she numbered and catalogued all of them. She was proud to say she had 100 hobbies. Ms. Figgans was all the evidence that we needed to prove that hobbies can enrich our lives — and the lives of those around us.

It’s scientifically proven that carving out “me time” can improve our mental health. The slower winter season may be a chance for you to get your own creative juices flowing and take up a new hobby. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas.

Photography

Bruce Ward has an eye for photography. A lawyer by trade, he started by taking photos of what he knew: courthouses. Later, he developed an interest in sailboats and began shooting them on and off the water. To him, photography can be a personal art that serves a bigger purpose.

“Photography can be both an art form and a historical reference,” he said. “We take photographs of our family over the years for historical purposes. We take photos on vacation as a reminder of where we’ve been, or parties we go to — all those things are important as a part of photography.”

Ward is vice president of the Roanoke Camera Club (www. RoanokeCameraClub.com), a group that dates back to 1951 and now meets once a month. Photo contests are offered every month, with members voting for their favorites. The group also hosts “group shoots” at different locations, from the downtown market to Mill Mountain to a local sunflower farm.

Ward said photography has changed drastically since the age of film cameras, but it’s for the better because anyone can try the hobby now — even if they don’t know the difference between aperture and shutter speed. Most people in the group now resort to using their smartphones because of the ease and convenience, as well as affordability.

“The cameras in phones are so sophisticated that you can take professional-quality photos,” he said. “And we always have our phone with us, so we always have our camera with us. There’s so many potential photos that you’re not going to miss now.”

Photography is also a good motivator; you can’t sit in one place very long. You literally need a change of scenery. Taking photos keeps you active and out and about meeting people and exploring new places.

“I try to remind people that there are photograph possibilities all around us — all one has to do is open their eyes and the opportunities are there,” Ward said.

PHOTO: BRUCE WARD

Music

Maybe you took lessons as a child but had to give them up when school, sports or a job begged for your time. Or maybe you’ve never held an instrument but always wanted to play piano or guitar so you can lead family sing-alongs.

Many people find that learning a musical instrument as an adult comes with more freedom than it does as a child. There are no tryouts or auditions and no pressure to perform for audiences. Plus, studies show that playing an instrument can preserve memory function, so it is never too late to take up the world’s universal language.

But where do you start? The same place you did as a child — with lessons and practice. Many local music stores offer education programs for all ages, and local professionals who give private lessons to children are pleased to welcome adults. It’s also fun to share music with those you love, so ask a child or grandchild who plays an instrument to teach you the basics. (Musical talent can be hereditary, so you may have more in common than you know.)

If you’re interested in sharing your passion for music by blending your voice with others, join a choral group, such as the Roanoke Valley Choral Society (www. RoanokeValleyChoralSociety.org). You may also consider joining a church choir and finding solace in worship and fellowship

Cooking

Most of us have made it to adulthood with basic cooking skills, but some of us may long to cook our restaurant favorites or entertain guests with fare more exquisite than our weekly chicken casserole. TV cooking shows have become popular for this reason, and you have probably felt challenged by those brazen chefs who make cooking look easy.

But choosing cooking as a hobby can be one of your most beneficial endeavors. It can cause you to take more interest in your family’s nutrition, and it can open the door to explore other cultures.

Many catering businesses offer classes, and many companies, such as ClassBento, offer online-based workshops. You can order a kit with all the ingredients sent straight to your door and can interact with a private instructor online as you cook. Classes are offered in Thai, Indian, or European food.

A personal challenge to heat up your new hobby and expand your palate is to choose one ingredient a week that you’ve never cooked with before. It may be a vegetable, a type of pasta, a meat or fish, or even a new sauce. Commit yourself to cooking with at least one new-to-you item every week.

Another idea is to throw a cooking party. Ask a friend who knows their way around the kitchen to serve as host and give you pointers. Spend time preparing a full meal with your friends and then reap your rewards at the table together.

Wishingyouthe happiestholidays!

Needlecrafts

You may have tried needlecrafts years ago, or maybe you watched your grandmother from afar, but they are making a resurgence. Now could be the time to try cross-stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, quilting, or a close cousin of needlecrafts: crochet.

Kay Shackelford, co-owner of Point on Piccadilly, a local store dedicated exclusively to the art of needlepoint, said business has really taken off since the pandemic, especially among younger adults.

“It’s popular with all ages — it’s relaxing, it’s creative, it’s about having control over what you’re doing, whatever colors you want, when you finish,” she said. “It’s an accomplishment, because you’ve made something pretty, you turn it into something else.”

She said one of the best things about needlepoint is that you can take your projects with you wherever you go. Plus, how many times do we find ourselves waiting for something: a doctor’s appointment, sitting in a carpool line, traveling by plane or train, or simply waiting for the tiredness to kick in before bedtime?

Needlecrafts can be therapeutic, too. The back-and-forth rhythm of the stitching is calming.

“We call it mind yoga,” Shackelford said.

Her store, located inside Ivy's Fine Gifts, has a giant wall full of patterns and canvases, from traditional designs to more modern. The store also stocks thread, scissors, stretch bars and bags. There are more options for decorating with needlepoint than ever before. The store can send your work off to a finisher, based on the product you choose, which can range from a belt to a headband, cummerbund, clutch, eyeglass case, and even shoes.

Shackelford encourages beginners to choose easier objects, such as Christmas stockings and ornaments, and work their way up.

Cross-stitch and needlepoint are perhaps the easiest of the needlecrafts and a great place to start. Both of the crafts call

Katie Peters katie@sheltersewingstudio.com

India

for making art out of stitches on fabric; cross-stitch uses mainly x-shaped stitches, while needlepoint tends to be more intricate and involves a variety of textured stitches.

“It’s easy for any age,” said Shackelford, who remembered learning to do it when she was 7 years old sitting in her mom’s car. Her mother is 90 now and just finished a needlepoint clutch.

When time allows, Shackelford said she will show customers how to get started, suggesting the tools they will need as well as canvas, threads, needles, and scissors. She hopes to be able to provide classes for beginners soon. (Visit Point on Piccadilly on Instagram for some inspiration and updates). ✦

WHEN WE FILL OUR FREE TIME WITH HOBBIES, WE WILL FIND OURSELVES BEING WHISKED AWAY FROM THE REGIMENTED WORLD AS OUR CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION ARE ALLOWED TO RUN FREE. HOBBIES ARE MEANT FOR PURE ENJOYMENT, TO FIND LEISURE AND CONTENTMENT IN THE EVERYDAY. AND AT THE END OF YOUR PURSUIT FOR THE PERFECT PASTIME, YOU MAY EVEN DISCOVER A HIDDEN TALENT AND PASSION YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD.

Be a cookie swap

Hero

Beyond the peanut butter blossom

BY SARAH NICHOLAS

It’s cookie baking season y’all! Get out those aprons, here comes some cookie inspiration. No matter what your age, who can resist a cookie?

When winter rolls near, we all start dreaming of making cookies with kiddos and destroying our kitchens in the process, but who cares! Some of you may partake in the tradition of a Cookie Swap, and we are here for it. Not to point any fingers, but are you tired of seeing the same chocolate crinkles, iced sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies with Hershey’s® Kisses®?

It’s OK, we get it, and we are here to up that cookie game. These cookies are fun and easy with elevated ingredients that may surprise you and will certainly make you top contender for cookie swap hero this year! Word of caution, one is only for adults, but who said kiddos get to have all the fun?

Your

Community

BOOZY DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES OK, who is on board with an adults-only cookie? This cookie is drool-worthy and made especially for nostalgic adults who crave some chocolate chip cookie goodness!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark brown sugar, tightly packed

1/2 cup salted butter (melted)

1 large egg

1/4 cup bourbon

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups dark chocolate, chopped

2 teaspoon orange zest

Sea salt for sprinkling

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk together until fully blended. In a different bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, egg, bourbon, and vanilla. Whisk together until fully blended and smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix again until well combined. Lastly, fold in chocolate chunks and orange zest. Cover the bowl and chill for one hour. While chilling, pre-heat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease two cookie sheets. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the chilled dough onto the cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for about 10 minutes until the cookie’s edges are set, but inside is still a bit gooey. Devour!

FANCY ALMOND & PISTACHIO SHORTBREAD

Shortbread is a classic and is so simple to make. Most of the time, you probably have the ingredients in your pantry. This version amplifies the buttery flavor of this classic cookie with almond and toasted pistachio. Great for a cookie swap, and they are even better after a few days!

16 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons almond extract

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 cup shelled and raw pistachio, finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 300°F and lightly grease two 8” square cake pans. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar and extracts until fully incorporated. Add the flour. (It may seem dry but keep beating, and it will come together.) Divide the dough in half and add each half into the cake pan. Gently press into the pans and sprinkle on pistachios, smoothing it out. Use a fork to prick the dough all over. Bake until light golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove and cut immediately into 12 equal strips (per pan). It won’t cut as well cold. Enjoy!

REvItAlIzIng

RESULTS

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trustED RESULTS

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ORANGE & ROSEMARY OLIVE OIL COOKIES

These cookies are a go-to every year around Thanksgiving but are honestly great any time of year if you are looking for something unique, pretty and oh-so flavorful. The little specks of rosemary shine through and combine sublimely with the orange flavor. They are a little sweet, a little tangy and herbaceous!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/3 cup olive oil

3 teaspoon orange zest

1 tablespoon orange juice, freshly squeezed

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Using a stand mixer, beat both sugars, olive oil, zest, juice and rosemary until smooth. Beat in the eggs and almond extract. One cup at a time, add the dry ingredients, beating until combined. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out balls and place on the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack. Swoon! ✦

Care for life

“The LifeCare offering at Brandon Oaks was first and foremost on my list when finding a new home for the future. At my age and circumstances, I wanted a guarantee for my care and a feeling of security and comfort for my family. I also found a new family of fellow residents and a truly compassionate staff.”

—Buster Jones, resident

IN

Hot water 3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WATER HEATERS

BY JERRY HALE

Homeowners who’ve experienced a hot water outage know just how disruptive and inconvenient a dying hot water system can be. And while there’s never a good time for a water heater to fail, folks with the worst of luck have it happen when a house full of company is about to arrive for a long weekend.

So let’s explore the ins and outs of water heater longevity and replacement, with the goal of never having to shiver through a cold shower again.

How long do water heaters last?

Most experts say homeowners can expect eight to 12 years of life from a standard storage tank water heater, and over twice that from a tankless, on-demand heating unit. Variables that shorten water heater life include unusually hard or acidic water, location in an unheated space where it must work harder to achieve and maintain desired temperature, and amount of use — that is, how many people in a household are regularly taking showers and generating dishes and clothes to be washed.

An increase in instances of insufficient hot water is one sign a heater is at the end of its life span. Other hints of imminent failure include noisy operation (hisses and clunks), water puddles below the base of the unit, lime scale buildup on plumbing surfaces and odd-tasting or smelling hot water.

Water heater replacement parts are quite expensive, so attempting to resurrect a malfunctioning unit that’s eight or more years old is usually unwise. While replacing a water heater is not cheap either — think $1,500-$2,500 for a quality 75-gallon tank type and two to three times that for an on-demand unit — it does provide assurance of steady hot water flow for years to come. Natural gas or liquid propane-fired water heaters tend to have lower energy costs than electricity-powered units, and water heaters produced since 2014 must meet a government-mandated efficiency standard.

Maintenance needs vary by type of system, of course, but there some fairly easy tips online if you’re the handy sort. Most homeowners will have the skills and tools to accomplish these steps, but if not, a plumber can do it in a couple of hours.

Should I go tankless?

On-demand tankless units are all the rage in vacation home construction due to their longevity, ability to handle periods of high demand (i.e., lots of guest showers) and the fact that they aren’t consuming energy when no one is in residence.

“And we hear lots of initial interest in upgrading to on-demand from customers whose tank system has failed,” said Chad Angle, Service Manager at Wisler Plumbing. “But then reality sets in. That change-over, which does offer twice the life span, will have an initial cost of three times and up, and may require installation of a water treatment system for the homeowner to qualify for Navien’s (the brand Wisler handles) 15-year warranty. Meeting code requirements for air intake and venting of a gas-burning system can also add significantly to installation costs.”

Jason King, a master plumber at SML Plumbing, elaborates on the importance of water quality. “Just as excessively-hard or acidic water will cut into the life of a tank-style system, it will also impact longevity of an on-demand system. A water analysis should always be obtained to guide selection of and the maintenance schedule for a new system,” he says. “But I always start with a lifestyle assessment. A couple living mostly alone in a small cottage has very different water usage needs than a family of four or five that frequently hosts weekend guests.”

Another consideration mentioned by both professionals: Allelectric on-demand systems are not practical energy-wise. Notes King, “They draw two to three times the current of a clothes dryer, and few homes are wired to supply that. It takes a lot of juice to instantly heat water to shower temperature.”

Is solar an option?

Perhaps, if your pockets are deep. According to angi.com, the basic parts for a solar water heating system run $1,000 to $4,000, depending on system capacity. Add an additional $1,000 to $2,500 for additional plumbing, backup heaters or switches to control the system. The number of solar panels needed also plays a role, costing between $800 and $1,500 each. Labor for the conversion may add several thousand dollars. Federal, state and utility tax credits and rebates may apply in some cases.

Your practicality calculations can assume a usable life of well over 20 years. Access to direct sunlight is critical to system performance, and a professional in this area will likely recommend a back-up heater as “hot water insurance” for cloudy weather and the shorter, colder days of winter. Remember that some communities may have covenants that govern roof-top installations. ✦

LIVE

TAKE A TOUR OF BARN QUILTS

A CELEBRATION OF AMERICANA

BY KENDALL ATKINS LIVICK

Joining the ranks of “Americana” staples like apple pie, blue jeans, and the bald eagle, barn quilts have reclaimed an important spot in sentimentality. While quilt designs first appeared on barns up to 300 years ago, they’ve made a resurgence. For 20 plus years now, this art form has found a home in Appalachia and has made its way into the hearts of the people of the Blue Ridge and beyond.

Quilting itself endures as a tradition brought over and inspired by English, Dutch, Irish, Scottish and German settlers. The patterns that remind us of Grandma and encourage us to cuddle up in cozy southern comfort, continue to greet the eye and provide enjoyment even for those who have never picked up a sewing needle.

What is a barn quilt?

Despite the name, “barn quilts” aren’t actually made of fabric, and they don’t necessarily have to be hung on barns. This newer art form, made of wood and paint, look strikingly similar, if not identical, to those reminiscent patterns of the past. This nod to our roots has evolved into a new form of rustic décor.

The regional epitome of barn quilt culture is the Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Trail of Greene County, Va. According to Greene’s tourism site, the barn quilt era rose in popularity starting in 2001 when an Ohio woman named Donna Sue Groves painted a meaningful quilt pattern on her barn to honor her mom. From there, other locals were inspired, and they too wanted to show off special quilt symbols that held meaning within their family tree.

As neighbors mimicked the style, the trend spread over the next couple of decades all across America. Patterns once displayed as textiles are now displayed as painted wooden blocks on barns and beyond — making the two concepts of barns and quilt patterns intertwined like peanut butter and jelly. They just fit.

Established in 2016, the Blue Ridge Trail, the most inclusive barn quilt trail in Virginia, features 145 barn quilt blocks, scattered around the countryside and displayed on barns, houses, sheds, porches, fences, mailboxes and even as garden

PHOTO: GREENE COUNTY TOURISM

PHOTO: GREENE COUNTY TOURISM

accoutrements. Businesses have also joined in the fun. The Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Trail celebrates this neighborly collaboration of rural folk art and invites locals and tourists to partake in barn quilt culture as they drive through the smattering of colors and geometric patterns.

Beyond the barn

You don’t have to actually have a barn to get in on this trend. In addition to the aforementioned structures of sheds, fences, and the like, you can even hang barn quilts inside your home. Why not display a sacred mural of some sort over the fireplace, on top of the bookshelf, in the office den, in a child’s nursery or in the farmhouse kitchen? A diversity of patterns make this a versatile accessory that could fit seamlessly in any domestic or outdoorsy space.

Next, decide whether you’ll hire an artist or DIY your own barn quilt. If opting for a DIY project, head to YouTube or Pinterest for step-by-step tutorials on how to measure, mark, select paint, and exercise precision in the execution of your pattern. You might start with a smaller version for the interior of your home to get a feel for the marking and painting techniques, before moving onto a larger project like a massive outdoor barn quilt.

Whether hiring an artist or undertaking the project as a solo or collaborative group effort, you’ll want to select a place to display the art and determine the size of your block. Go for sandboard or plywood if possible when making a traditional barn quilt. If aiming for the overall style on a smaller scale to be displayed in the interior of your home, a local craft store might have different suggestions for lighter weight materials.

Most importantly, choose a pattern that is personally meaningful. It could be from a quilt handsewn by your great-great grandmother, a symbol that ties into your family namesake, a hex sign with an inspiring meaning for protection or abundance, or simply a fractal of sacred geometry that appeals to your eye. Then display anywhere you choose and enjoy beholding your chosen piece of art and sharing the meaning with your neighbors and visitors.

PHOTO: RICHARD ALLNUTT

FOR BARN QUILT ICONOGRAPHY

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

PHOTO:

PHOTO: VIRGINIA DELK

ADVERTISER index

American Moving and Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Aspire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Bank of the James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Bass Sod Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Better Sofas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Bower Heating & Air Conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Brandon Oaks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

By Design Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Capps Home Building Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Carillon Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Consolidated Construction Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Construction Marketing LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

CTS&I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Dixie Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Elaine Stephenson Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

EZ Rampz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Fabulous Finds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

F&S Building Innovations 8

First Bank 22

Fortress Foundation Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Freedom First. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Geico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Generation Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

George's Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Grand Home Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Halifax Fine Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Ideal Cabinets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Indoor Outdoor Living. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Ivy’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Kitchen Tune-up of Roanoke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

LinDor Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Magnolia Decor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Member One Federal Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Mountain City Realty & Auction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

National Pools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Our Lady of the Valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patrick Team Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Picture Frame Warehouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pitman Construction

Phoenix Hardwoods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Potter Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Prescott Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Punch Boutique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Reid's Fine Furnishings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Richfield Living. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Roanoke Glass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Ronnie Mitchell and Son Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Seven Oaks Landscape Hardscape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Shelter Sewing Studio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Signature Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Skyline Door & Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Susan Bailey, Realtor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

TBS Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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

The French Farmhouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

The Little Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

The Little Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29

Townside Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Trent Currin Photography 21

Troika Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

ValleyStar Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Virginia Furniture Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Virginia Mountain Mortgage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Whitt Carpet One Floor & Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

For advertising info: (434) 845-5463 or HOME@jamesrivermedia.com

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