Don’t you just love those moments when life delivers an unexpected gift? It happened to me recently, via my inbox. My editor sent me an email asking: “So, Erin, how would you like to review a few books for the summer issue of Central Virginia HOME? You know, share a few of your favorites from the [...]

I recently came across a Zen quote that said, “Sit quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” True, indeed. The grass is in, the flowers are blooming, and I think to myself: how great would it be if my exterior home-cleaning checklist followed the example of the grass and took care [...]

Did you know the tomato, that hard-working staple of culinary culture, was first known as the pomme d’amour—the love apple? It’s true, and who could blame early cultivators? These gorgeous fleshy fruits are related to the mandrake, which means “love plant” in Hebrew. 
Native to South America, the tomato plant was said to have been introduced to Europe [...]

As our homes age, certain items tend to wear out or break down. Essential items such as appliances, faucets, light fixtures and more will need to be repaired or replaced over time. While some repairs require the expertise of a professional, many can end up on what we call the “Honey Do” list— a list of simple, [...]

Now that summer is here, all it takes is a little imagination and inspiration to transform your residence into a place that leaves the cold weather behind and welcomes the warmer weather’s bright sunny viewpoint into your home.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the shade of the old apple tree,” wrote Harry Williams in the 1905 song that evokes images of a peaceful setting for relaxing, enjoying the beauty of the surroundings and meeting that special someone. After all, gardens are not just for cultivating and displaying prized plantings; they also provide [...]