Lifestyle journalist based in Richmond, Virginia
Even With High Gas Prices, the Open Road Still Beckons
Itineraries may change, and less money may be spent on food and lodgings, but road trips historically haven’t been stopped by the price at the pump.
8 Places to Visit Along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway
With an autumnal ombré and cooler temperatures, fall is prime time for journeying along this Appalachian Mountain roadway.
Back To Basics
New kids' boutique sunset + pine brings a minimalist aesthetic and slow-fashion ethos to North Naples
A Couple Build a Cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains for $150K—Without Borrowing a Cent
To avoid taking on a loan, Remo Kommnick and Emi Moore rolled up their sleeves and DIYed as much as they could.
Want to break up with your gas fireplace? Here’s how to convert it.
For homeowners who enjoy the simplicity of pushing a button to create instant, cozy ambiance, gas fireplaces have long been the obvious choice. But amid growing pressure to ban natural gas in homes, preferences are changing.
How to renovate your kitchen on a budget, from $1,000 to $15,000
When my husband and I bought our house in Richmond, we knew we’d need to renovate the kitchen. The laminate countertops, off-white cabinets, 1990s appliances and dim lighting made the space feel dark and dirty. I envisioned gutting it and adding square footage. Then I got a harsh dose of reality from a contractor. My plan, he said, would cost $88,000 and take two months.
Okay, so we’d live with the layout. After some more research, I opted to have the cabinets professionally spr...
How to tame a monstera that’s growing like crazy
It is among the most popular houseplants, but this fast-growing philodendron can become a bit, well, monstrous
10 Tips for Nursery Storage and Decoration
With the arrival of a baby comes all the baby's things. There’s the diaper gear, toys, clothes and all the feeding accessories. When planning for your little one, it’s important to set up the nursery to be an organized space. You need the right storage gear to wrangle it all, so baby’s room is tidy and serene for sleeping.
Yes, pegboards are utilitarian. But now they’re stylish, too.
Pegboards have long been organizational mainstays in sheds and garages. But recently, the compressed wood boards once reserved for corralling screwdrivers and gardening shears have been popping up in other parts of the home, including kitchens, laundry rooms, offices and playrooms.
A once-obscure type of beekeeping could help save colonies
Honeybee colonies have been dying more frequently in recent years than they used to, in large part because of a phenomenon commonly known as colony collapse disorder. Parasites and the stresses caused by commercial beekeeping practices have contributed to the problem, according to Thomas D. Seeley, a retired Cornell University professor who studies the behavior and social life of honeybees.
Design the Country Farmhouse Kitchen of Your Dreams with Hardwood Floating Shelves
The farmhouse kitchen never goes out of style. Warm and inviting, this rustic aesthetic pays homage to America’s westward expansion when settlers started rural farmsteads in the 19th century.
Floating Shelves Done Right: 12 Ways to Style Floating Shelves
By surrounding yourself with the things you love, you’re telling your story while giving your home personality and a sense of place. Floating shelves are the perfect display for thoughtful and personal vignettes. They add a functional design element and smart storage solution that is a welcome upgrade to any room. Ledges are especially useful in small spaces, where square footage is limited and you need to think vertically. Read on to learn how to add open shelving to your home ...
Love both vintage and contemporary design? Here’s how to combine them.
Vintage furniture and accessories can add personality, authenticity and a touch of sentimentality to any home. Reusing old pieces is also more eco-friendly than buying new. It’s no wonder secondhand pieces are having a moment.
Budget Breakdown: A DIY Designer Builds a Tiny Guesthouse for $109K
Kelli Hix creates a charming ADU off the back of her historic bungalow in Nashville, Tennessee.
How to find art that fits your home — but won’t break your budget
Choosing art for your home can be tricky. You want to collect pieces that have staying power, that will be relevant for many years and that you won’t grow tired of. That’s a tall order. Where do you start? And how do you know what — or where — to buy?
The right pieces ar...