An historic house renovation becomes a labor of love 

The pandemic changed directions for so many lives. For Chad Pelton and Christie Bazemore, it sent them to a new town and a new home. “We were ready for a change after COVID,” Bazemore recalls. “My business lease was coming due, and we’d fallen in love with the Staunton area. Chad’s father lives on a […]

Inspired renovation makes a developer house a custom dwelling

“This was our first house, and we were excited to make it feel like home,” says Nicholas Wilson. He and his wife Rose had spent five years working abroad, mostly in the Middle East, then they lived in the San Francisco area for a time. When they moved to Central Virginia with their young son […]

Volunteers educate residents about their bear neighbors 

“Everybody around here has a black bear story,” says Beth Kuhn.  And Kuhn has likely heard them all. As outreach coordinator for the Rivanna Master Naturalists, the local chapter of the state’s master naturalist program, Kuhn helps deploy a cadre of volunteers to teach Living With Black Bears. Because in Virginia, black bears are our […]

Outside and inside blend in this integrated home

This project started with a vision one couple had of living in the midst of the landscape they love. Once they discovered the perfect spot, the adventure of making that vision come to life began. In 2017 they found about 20 acres in southern Albemarle County that had been left in pasture, close (but not too […]

Landmark house holds one man’s history as well

A 1930s house in the Rugby-Venable neighborhood has recently been granted Virginia historic status—but to its owner, it’s worth preserving as part of his own family’s history. The wood-frame and stone house, built in the Dutch Colonial Revival style, was designed by noted local architect Milton L. Grigg. A Virginia native, Grigg attended UVA but left […]

Dreaming of a winter wedding in Charlottesville? Plenty of options…

While spring, summer, and fall are the most popular seasons for Charlottesville nuptials, winter weddings can be especially romantic. But scheduling your celebration for the time between Thanksgiving and Easter requires planning around several facts of life.  First and foremost is weather, and in central Virginia, that can be tricky. Any particular winter day can […]

Kelly Chambers finds—and brings—joy to special celebrations

Kelly Chambers explains her calling simply: “I have a heart to play for people,” she says—and isn’t that the kind of person you would want making music at your wedding? Weddings of course are the most special of special days, but Chambers also plays for graduations, parties, church services, and celebrations from birthdays to Father’s […]

Exploring some unusual Charlottesville wedding venues

One of the beauties of wedding celebrations is that they can be a true expression of the two of you. And whether that expression is traditional or modern, formal or casual, large or micro, two hours or an entire weekend … well, it’s your wedding! The Charlottesville area has a wealth of wonderful wedding spots, […]

Grief on the line

After a loved one’s death, how often do we say, “I wish I could talk to …”? Addressing this need is the idea behind the Telephone to the Wind in Darden Towe Park: an unconnected phone booth, next to a bench in a quiet spot under the trees. Anyone can use it, any time; their […]