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Articles by Caite White
Cross talk: A wearable solution to storage - C-VILLE Weekly
Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. At least, it was for Margaret Murray Bloom, who as a local event planner (and a woman tired of hauling around a purse all day) needed a solution to keep her hands free. “I developed the idea from a true pain point,” Bloom says. “I never knew where to put my phone, wallet and keys.
Floor fashions: Paint isn't just for walls anymore, says designer Franny Hurt - C-VILLE Weekly
Though they’ve been around since the 18th century, painted floors (when done right) can be nostalgic, practical and surprisingly modern, says designer Franny Hurt. Back then, they were used in everything from modest farmhouses to Victorian mansions, helping to protect hardwoods before modern sealant was developed.
Meet you on the Rivanna: 14 ways to get in the water this summer
“We’ve got a beautiful recreational river right beside the town, but nobody knows it,” says Merrill Bishop. Back in 2005, the local canoe enthusiast was hoping to make the river more visible when he organized the first Rivanna River Regatta—a canoe and kayak race that, this year, will take place on May 12. “Merrill has put in the vast majority of the legwork” to organize the regatta for the last 14 years,” says Dave Segars, a participant for most of those years.
A change of landscape: For some garden variety, get out of town - C-VILLE Weekly
Between Shenandoah National Park, Ivy Creek and Ragged Mountain (among others), there are (seemingly) more than enough natural attractions in our area. But we can’t overlook Charlottesville’s proximity to other noteworthy nature spots. Here are three we’re crossing off our list this season.
Suit up: Yama Mountain brings the gear here - C-VILLE Weekly
Born from conversations with hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006, local gear company Yama Mountain combines founder Gen Shimizu’s love of designing and making with his appreciation for the outdoors. “Yama is the result of those passions coming together,” he says. The company’s products, which range from tarps and tents to rain mitts and skirts, are designed and manufactured in its East Market Street studio in the Linen Building.
Smooth transition: Swivel chairs offer smarter décor options - C-VILLE Weekly
It’s an open concept world and we’re just living in it. And while the kitchen-living-dining layout creates accessibility (and visibility), it’s a challenge to decorate. John Kriebel, a designer at The Artful Lodger, has a solution: swivel chairs. “I use them as a great connector for entertaining,” he says. “You have two places guests and families hang out—the kitchen and the living room.
Stroke of genius: Virginia-made paint brightens décor prospects - C-VILLE Weekly
For the last five years, Christy Baker has made herself into Charlottesville’s go-to person for refinishing furniture in bright, unexpected colors as the creative director at Pigment, so it was just a matter of time until she got to the heart of the matter: the paint itself. With Good Bones, her line of durable, low-VOC paints, she’s seeing an idea realized. “When I opened Pigment I was essentially converting a production paint shop into a publically accessible destination,” she says.
Community building: A longtime dream of building a home reno business prompted Brian and Andrea Hubbell to launch HubbHouse - C-VILLE Weekly
Don’t call Brian and Andrea Hubbell flippers. Even though they admit what they’re doing sounds a lot like that, the husband-and-wife team behind HubbHouse think they can come up with a better term, one that conveys their more thoughtful approach. “We’re definitely not a quick-flip company,” says Brian.
Ask a technologist: Will losing net neutrality protections affect me? - C-VILLE Weekly
In December, the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal its own 2015 ruling about how Internet service providers should be regulated, saying it was eliminating “heavy-handed micromanagement” of the Internet. Many users saw it differently, and lamented what they saw as a loss of important safeguards. At the heart of the FCC’s ruling is an important question for the future of the web: Should Internet service providers (ISPs) be classified as common carriers?
Love is in the air
“We wanted it to feel informal, fun and celebratory,” says Joby. That aesthetic spilled over into décor, as well, with flip-flops provided for dancing, cornhole boards made by the father of the bride and plenty of nods to the couple’s alma maters, the University of Tennessee and Ohio State.
Handmade, with love
“We had 500 million boxes of flowers delivered to our hotel room,” says Drake, “which we arranged ourselves (with the help of family).” Of course, they couldn’t control everything, and while the saying goes that April showers bring May flowers, the days leading up to their mid-May day were quite rainy, and on the Friday before the wedding, part of the road to their venue was flooded. Luckily, an hour before the ceremony, the sun came out and the outdoor wedding was clear.
That's how love grows
Laura Falconi & Kenny Brown | September 3, 2017, at Old Metropolitan Hall Though it wasn’t a phrase she’d ever heard before, “botanical elegance” kept ringing in the bride’s ears as she planned her big day. “I wanted our wedding to feel timeless and classic with subtle elements of nature,” says Laura. “It really inspired a lot of my decisions, from the décor to the signature cocktails.” Laura and Kenny met in a chemistry class during their first year at Clemson University.
Please and thank you: Every season is the right season for practicing manners
While it’s true that proper manners can take a lifetime to learn (or is that just us?), Etiquette Empowerment founder Patty Hughson teaches a local four-week course in the foundations of table manners and polite interaction to young adults. But because attention spans are fickle things, we asked her to distill it down even further and provide us with some basics for kids to practice this holiday season. As Hughson says, “Etiquette isn’t about rules.
Wall this way: Are painted murals making a comeback?
Design trends come and go. And, sometimes, they come back again. Take, for instance, wall murals. Interior designer Karena Akhavein says she’s been getting more and more requests for 21st century versions from clients of her Gordonsville studio, Pebble Hill Design. “In grand Virginia estates, it was the tradition to use pictorial wallpaper in the dining room,” says Akhavein.
Pretty brutal: For a dramatic accent, try a popular mid-century style
Traditionalists beware: This style is not for you. (We’re looking at you, too, shabby chic-lovers and those after French country.) But if you have eclectic taste and aren’t afraid to experiment, local designer Alex Bracey says brutalist design might be right up your décor alley. But, what is it? Brutalism derives from the French word for raw, brut. In architecture, it translates to large, fortress-like structures with exposed concrete exteriors.
Solar gain: A prairie-style house makes the most of the sun
Ray Gaines has been involved with sustainable architecture since the energy crisis of the 1970s—long before “sustainability” was a term du jour. So when an old friend approached him about building a house with passive solar functionality and other green attributes, he was more than ready to accommodate. “We talked in generalities,” he says, as the client searched for the right piece of land.
Iconic eats: 26 signature Charlottesville dishes and drinks (and a few instant classics)
ALL YOU CAN EAT Pizza is one of those things—like coffee or tacos or, hell, for a while, even cupcakes— that seem to crop up in bunches around here. Christian’s is the trailblazer, having topped our Best of C-VILLE list in its category more years than we can count for choices like artichoke and spinach or meatball marinara or chicken parm. Are there more sophisticated versions, culinarily speaking? Sure. But nothing tops the toppings at this pizza shop.
Thanks, honey: A no-fail shortbread for gift-and-party season
If you’re not going to a lot of parties—Friendsgiving, holiday soirées, New Year’s Eve gatherings—this season, you’re doing it wrong. And if you are, but you aren’t bringing a treat to share? Well, that’s where we come in. Knife & Fork reached out to the folks at Found. Market, a brick-and-mortar offshoot of The Bee’s Knees Kitchen that boasts baked goods with ingredients grown on the family’s farm in Orange, for a crowd-pleaser.
Blank slate: How white walls can save a space
It’s a not-so-secret design secret that mirrors can help open up a dark space. But, says WKNDR Design owner Becky Seager, in some cases, white walls can deliver the same effect: They visually open up a space and reflect light (as long as there’s natural light to reflect). And there’s another benefit to white walls. “They make it very easy to constantly change and update your space,” Seager says.
The refinish line: A little paint goes a long way
To make something from nothing requires a certain amount of optimism. To make something from something? That requires some elbow grease. No problem, says designer Caroline Faulconer, who regularly takes neglected pieces and breathes new life into them. “When designing a space, the ability to refinish or repurpose a client’s existing piece or a flea market find allows me to make the most of the budget and really customize the space,” Faulconer says.
Say what you mean to say: Need assistance with vows? There's help for that
One day last winter, Cathy Stapleton attended a wedding. Everything was, as she puts it, painstakingly planned (“even the weather cooperated”). But when it came time for the wedding toasts, things spun out of control. “The best man gave a lengthy speech that started out fairly amusing but went off the rails rather quickly with some inappropriate jokes,” Stapleton says. “The bride began to cry and the father of the bride was livid.
Real Charlottesville wedding: Katie & Halston
Once they decided on a location and date, they fully embraced the “summer” theme: “Blue was a defining color,” Katie says. “We created an atmosphere that was more on the informal side, while still being very wedding-appropriate. And we gave an ever-so-slight nod to the Fourth of July!” Katie, a wedding planner and creative, had a hand in most of the wedding details: welcome bags, custom cocktail napkin design and escort card display.
Real Charlottesville wedding: Ruth & Dan
For their first spin on the dance floor, the couple had the bride’s sister, a musician, sing as they danced.
Color story: Forest to shamrock, three fresh green Charlottesville weddings
Color plays an important role in any wedding—it shows up everywhere, from the flowers to the napkins. Yellow is cheerful, white is classic, pink expresses romance and green suggests new beginnings. Especially, as any of the next three couples can tell you, a deep shade of emerald.
Real Charlottesville wedding: Chris & Michael
Classic, elegant and timeless: That was the goal of the wedding. So Christopher and Michael chose a white and gold color scheme with black accents. Inspired by The Great Gatsby movie, the couple asked Blue Ridge Floral Design for large flowing centerpieces and candelabras on the tables. The rainbow LOVE sign, a last-minute purchase that was popular with guests, was the couple’s favorite detail. “It spoke volumes to the nature of our wedding,” says Christopher. Other stand-out details?
Illuminate me: Use lighting to change your space
“Rustic elegance,” says Blue Ridge AV & Lighting’s Bill Randall, is the style Charlottesville couples are most interested in right now. But how does that translate to lighting? And what if you want a lighting feature but don’t want it to overwhelm your overall aesthetic? We asked Randall to give us three ideas. 1. Café/bistro lighting. This relatively low-cost element can provide an outdoor feel, even when indoors. Randall says it’s currently the company’s most-requested item. 2. Cake table lighting.
Hunt and gather: Set the scene with an artful arrangement
Coco Chanel supposedly once said that, before leaving the house, one should look in the mirror and take off a piece of jewelry. The same goes for the house itself, says designer Jan Roden, when it comes to vignetting. “What I would call vignetting,” she says, “is good accessorizing. Accessories can be anything from a lamp to a favorite rock with a fond memory of its origin.” But don’t go overboard.
Mirrors might be your secret weapon for decoratingC-VILLE Weekly
There’s a mythical element to mirrors, says interior designer Alana Woerpel, that’s very intriguing. “Some cultures believe that mirrors hold powers over our souls. Hence, a vampire without a soul has no reflection,” she says. “The queen in Snow White had a magic mirror. Alice fell into an alternate world beyond the looking glass. It’s fun to imagine that the mirror on my wall might hold a little bit of magic, too.” Indeed it does—decorating magic, that is.
Summer VILLAGE: A Wilson School dance student shares her passion
It’s a little odd to hear a 12-year-old talk about her “greatest focus,” but for Chloe Carpenter, who’s been dancing for nearly 10 years, that’s exactly what the sport has been. “Dance is my passion,” she says. She takes tap, lyrical and performance group classes each week at The Wilson School of Dance, which this year will celebrate its 40th year, and has recently been focusing on mastering her turns. “I am staying more balanced and my posture has improved.” But what really keeps her going?
Say cheese! How to get the senior portrait you really wantC-VILLE Weekly
Gone are the days of a simple cap-and-gown shot. A senior portrait in 2017 means a photo that’s personal, creative and authentic. “The senior portrait is one of those historical visual documents that we come to treasure later in life,” says photographer Jen Fariello. “[It’s] become so much more real and I think that really adds to its value for both the senior and the parents.” And, it’s a confidence-booster.
Three of UVA's architecture school grads tell us where they're headedC-VILLE Weekly
Now that they’ve made it through the program, we asked a few of UVA’s architecture graduate students to tell us where they’re headed come May 21. Summary of your thesis: My thesis is looking at high-tech corporate campuses in Silicon Valley and their relationship with the suburbs of the Bay Area.
New York state of mind: A new Crozet home leans urban and modern
You wouldn’t expect a townhouse in Crozet to have an urban feel. But Ashley Jewell got a jolt of inspiration last year when she looked at a rendering of the townhouse that she and her husband, Tim, were planning to buy in the Old Trail development. Then unbuilt, the home had a long windowless wall along one side that, unexpectedly, made Jewell think “brick.” Having lived in and renovated a 1920s bungalow in North Carolina, she was ready for a change.
May Abode: On stands now!
In this month’s Abode, learn about Charlottesville kit homes’ past, present and future; see why lighting is better in threes; explore an Ivy landscape that matured over 30 years and—we saved the best for last—peek inside V House, a palatial Albemarle estate designed in Jeffersonian tradition. And then some! Here’s what’s inside: An ode to Jeffersonian architecture, this 21st century home is one for the ages—both in durability and design, thanks to architecture firm Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton.
Brighten up: When it comes to good lighting, layering is key
Good things come in threes: primary colors, books in a trilogy and, says designer Kori Messenger, lighting. “There are three layers of lighting: ambient, accent and task lighting,” she says. “We like to see all three in a space if possible.” In a recent client’s home, Messenger and her designer partner at Foxchase Design, Nicole Fagerli, reimagined the lighting concept in the dining room, moving sconces from above the hunt board to its sides to make room for lamps, creating accent lighting.
April Abode: On stands now!
This month’s Abode is historic—peek inside a 19th-century farmhouse, explore an updated 1850s James River estate, find out the best way to preserve wood detailing in your home and more. Here’s what you’ll find inside: Named for the family who ran a nearby grist mill in the 1800s, the 25-acre Wilhoit Mill Farm near Earlysville is a pastiche of eras. Luckily for the owners, it didn’t require extensive renovation, thanks to intact original details that tie everything together, blending then and now.
An alternate design house event takes shape at Bundoran FarmC-VILLE Weekly
Every year since 2009, the Shelter for Help in Emergency has hosted its Design House event, taking a local home that’s on the market and transforming it with the assistance of some of Charlottesville’s best interior designers, landscape designers and local vendors. Proceeds from tours of the home benefit the nonprofit, which provides safe environments for survivors of domestic violence. This year, however, SHE is changing its format, opening a Design House every other year rather than annually.
This time, Melissa Close-Hart's kitchen is all her ownC-VILLE Weekly
Melissa Close-Hart rarely eats breakfast—who has the time? The Junction chef is often in her Belmont restaurant kitchen by 8am and sometimes doesn’t leave until 12:30 in the morning. Such is the price of running the kitchen at one of Charlottesville’s most anticipated restaurants. In the works since 2014, its doors officially opened in January, and Close-Hart is the star of the show, cooking up creative Southwestern dishes like pork tenderloin tostadas and empanadas with sweet potato.
Brasserie Saison's Tyler Teass is excited about spring peasC-VILLE Weekly
What says spring cuisine more than a salad? Answer: nothing. “I looooove salads,” says chef Tyler Teass. And it shows. From simple greens to grilled endives, his Brasserie Saison menu is overflowing with them (“and I plan on keeping it that way,” he says). But it’s this one, with peas both snap and snow, that he’s looking forward to including this season at downtown’s new Franco-Belgian spot. “Peas and pork and cheese go well together,” says the former Clifton Inn sous chef.
March Abode: On stands now!
The latest issue of Abode features a Shenandoah Valley home with everything to hide, a minimalist kitchen in Albemarle, the best performance fabrics and more. Here’s what’s inside: On a clear day, the furthest visible point from this month’s featured home is 35 miles away. Needless to say, the view—a panorama of the Alleghenies—was of utmost importance to the homeowners, who bought the property 30 years ago and waited to build their dream home. Read more here.
Performance fabric helps furniture survive life's wear and tearC-VILLE Weekly
It’s no secret that outdoor fabrics often make their way inside, too—they’re a great way to protect against spills, stains and smells and the patterns and textures are often indistinguishable from regular fabric. But, says Folly co-owner Victoria Pouncey, occasionally the right textile for the space just isn’t available. Enter performance fabrics.
Summer smarts: Nine educational camps your kids shouldn’t miss
When school lets out, capitalize on Charlottesville’s amazing camp offerings to make this summer one your kids will remember. From outdoor survival to modern dance to computer programming, the following camps are guaranteed wins. An area favorite for 25 years, TCC has options for day and overnight campers ranging from ages 2 to 14.
February Abode: On stands now!
The February issue of Abode features a historic home overlooking the James River (it once belonged to a relative of Thomas Jefferson—yes, that Thomas Jefferson!), a mix-and-match kitchen in Ivy, a primer for wallpaper and more.
Paper perfect: Why wallpaper is your new best friend
Love it or hate it, there’s an undeniable appeal to a papered wall. Unlike paint, wallpaper adds detail and dimension that a solid painted wall can’t achieve. And, says Kenny Ball Antiques designer Chloe Ball, it gets an unnecessarily bad rap. “If walls are primed properly, it’s not harmful and easily removed,” she says. (She recommends using Benjamin Moore Fresh Start, an oil-based primer, before you hang anything.) Feeling intimidated?
Winter C-VILLE Weddings: On stands now!
By Caite White | LEAVE A COMMENT Each of the next seven weddings have one thing in common: love. Now you’re probably thinking, Isn’t that what all weddings have in common? And the answer is, of course, yes.
A local planner forecasts Virginia's next big-day thingC-VILLE Weekly
There’s a joke in Charlottesville that, whatever trend is popular elsewhere, it’ll be popular here in a year or so. We decided to put that to the test, asking Charlottesville-based wedding planner Adam Donovan-Groves, who keeps satellite offices in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood and New York City, to tell us what’s hot, what’s not and what’s coming for Virginia weddings. “Extensions! Brides want the hairstyles they want and sometimes, they don’t have the time to grow the hair.
Lean on me: Seven Charlottesville weddings we love
Each of the next seven weddings have one thing in common: love. Now you’re probably thinking, Isn’t that what all weddings have in common? And the answer is, of course, yes. But in the case of these weddings, the love was pouring in from all sides—friends, family, guests—and throughout the whole planning process. One bride’s mom hand-crafted paper flowers for the altar, tables, seating and cake. Another bride’s aunt custom-made her fiancé’s vest for the big day.
All together now: A Fredericksburg wedding focuses on family
Even before she was engaged to Evan, Kaitlyn had a few ideas about their wedding. “I first saw a picture of the barn at Big Spring Farm on Facebook and thought, ‘Now that is where I want to get married,’” she says. Luckily, after he proposed, Evan agreed. The couple wanted one venue that could accommodate both a ceremony and a reception—somewhere simple, casual and outdoors. The Fredericksburg spot checked all the boxes. From there, it was just a matter of deciding how to keep that casual vibe.
Tradition with a twist: Personal touches complete an Indian wedding
Planning an Indian wedding, Anjali and Gopi knew, meant incorporating certain traditions when it came to attire, décor and even food. But the couple made their special day their own thanks to a few key details. “The months leading up to the wedding were a little bit of DIY-mania,” says Anjali.
Tasteful details round out a perfect Keswick weddingC-VILLE Weekly
There were three things that Palmer and Kenny knew they wanted to make sure were perfect: the setting, the food and the music. The setting was easy: Having grown up in Charlottesville, Kenny knew the venue. “The beautiful setting of Keswick in the fall is how I like to think of Charlottesville,” he says. The food, by Keswick, was a no-brainer. And the music? Diverse.
Hip hip hooray: A stylish day redefines DIY
What’s the best way to ensure your big day feels special and personal? Enlist many helping hands, as Caroline and Samantha did for their spring nuptials. “A lot of our wedding felt DIY’d because we had so many amazing friends and family members who volunteered their talents to us,” says Caroline.
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