Unlike Santa Claus who needs a solid roof only once a year to ensure a safe landing, homeowners depend upon their roofs every day as the first line of defense against the elements. A neglected roof can quickly become an expensive problem.
Even if you never plan to set foot on a roof, it is important [...]
“I love them!” “They heat the entire house.” “I wish we had installed them a long time ago!” Ask homeowners with gas-log fireplaces how they feel about their glowing hearths—part accessory, part appliance—and these are common expressions you will likely hear.
While gas logs are high on most new homebuyers’ lists of desired features, many homeowners [...]
The mailbox is the first hint that Deitz and Terry Lilly’s home, just off Hooper Road in Forest, is not going to be the standard, run-of-the-mill house. Rescued from Black Dog Architectural Salvage in Roanoke, the ornate box not only directs people to the Lilly home but is a small indication of what’s inside.
Terry and [...]
Although Central Virginia has a rich history as an apple-growing area, it’s sometimes hard to find apples in more than a handful of varieties, even at the farmers’ market. At one time, there were more than 14,000 varieties of apples growing in the United States, and hundreds of varieties growing in orchards in this area. [...]
Historical Homes Open for Tours
Enjoy an insider’s look at some of the city’s oldest and finest homes during the Lynchburg Historical Homes Tour, to be held Sunday, September 27 from 1 to 4:30 pm. The tour culminates in a Patrons’ Party at 106 Oakwood Place from 6 to 8:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at [...]
Sacre bleu! I knew there had to be a reason that I am a bit of a Francophile. Along with champagne, Monet, Gerard Depardieu and wine bars, the French are generally credited with having developed what has become the modern incarnation of the armchair. In fact, the word armchair (chaise a bras) was coined in [...]
As your colorful summer garden fades, you may think you’re finished pinching, pruning, digging and deadheading…but no! There’s no rest for the gardening weary. There’s just one more gardening project for you this fall that will bring you immeasurable joy after a long cold winter. So grab your gear, one last time: It’s time to [...]
In movies, the closets are always filled with flawlessly folded sweaters, jewelry is nestled in velvet-lined cases, and Prada peep-toe pumps are perched neatly on shelves. Down here in the real world, most of us have closets that are a bit less, shall we say, visually appealing.
A streamlined closet is practically a necessity, according [...]
Although we Virginians love our autumn foliage—those vibrant reds, oranges and yellows!—we are all left to wonder, year after year: Just how are we going to deal with all of those leaves once they descend and cover our lawns and flowerbeds?
Although a potentially daunting task, managing fallen leaves is important because the leaf cover can [...]
One of the first home-cooked meals I ever had as a newlywed with my stepmother-in-law was breakfast. She’s a gifted cook and fabulous entertainer, and makes every meal special—including breakfast. On our first occasion, she served us scrambled eggs—on a silver platter. Noting this humble food on a fancy dish, I looked at my husband, [...]
