The fundamental nature of art,” says Tate Pray, “is that it has no use.” But the Charlottesville-based designer seems bent on proving that maxim wrong, crafting wooden furniture that’s both functional and reflective of his playful sense of humor. Pray seems to thrive on contradictions. He uses traditional woodworking techniques to give his stylish Modernist […]
The address of the wedge-shaped building is 550 E. Water St., but it is better known simply as 550. That’s what happens when a piece of architecture breaks new ground. It becomes a symbol, and a shorthand reference is enough to identify it. Designed by Cecilia Hernandez Nichols and her husband, Robert Nichols—founders and principals […]
This can’t be real. That’s the thought that popped into my head when I saw Wade’s Mill. The rustic wood-and-stone structure, with its big water wheel and dark raised- seam roof, basked in the soft sunlight of a late-fall day. As I approached, car windows wide open, I felt as if I were moving toward […]
“I started painting moths eight years ago. Each of the first few took months to complete, but now I can paint one a week. I’ve done 110, including several of the same species; I expect that number to rise steadily, since I paint every day. “At night, on the side of the shed on my […]
Much of the local uproar about the import tariffs levied by the Trump Administration last year appears to have died down, though concerns remain. The U.S. government placed a duty of 30 percent on imported solar panels in January 2018, and several months later added a 25 percent tax on steel and a 10 percent […]
The world of social media marketing—particularly Instagram—is increasingly dominated by influencers, individuals who have amassed a sizable social media following, who’ve gained their audience’s trust, and who can sway consumers’ purchases—or even what they think. Yet many businesses today—and the strategists behind them—are becoming influencers in their own right, with the power to move products, […]
Charlottesville’s biotech industry—of which the University of Virginia is a major driver—is lively and growing, employing around 1,800 people. Nikki Hastings, formerly an executive at two of those companies, recently took the helm at CvilleBioHub, a local industry group with an ambitious vision: “to double the size of the biotech industry over the next 10 […]
In 2014, when Matt Loftus was about to enter the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, he knew he wanted to start a business, but he didn’t realize how quickly it would happen. Loftus and a group of friends had partnered that summer with the clothing company Vineyard Vines in a marketing campaign that […]
Could Charlottesville rectify its dearth of commercial and residential space in 2019? Put ’17’s political and social unrest behind us? Create more opportunities for minority-owned businesses? Charlottesville Office of Economic Development Director Chris Engel thinks prospects are promising. “I think 2018 was kind of a rebound year,” Engel says. “We are putting some time between […]
Charlottesville routinely finds itself on lists of the best places to live in the country. But it’s also a great place to work, judging by what people had to say about the following organizations. For this look at the best places to work in Charlottesville, we used job and recruiting website Glassdoor’s ratings system, a […]
Humans were not designed to sit for eight hours a day, much less be hunched over a computer. A potential cure for this modern malady? Thai yoga massage. Licensed massage therapist Brian Festa believes this type of healing art is “beautifully synonymous with the needs of everyday working people.” Thai yoga massage is a therapeutic […]
Michelle Cheng & Yang Zeng | August 10, 2018, at The Market at Grelen Photography by Jen Fariello The happiest days comprise many little moments—some unexpected details and some planned. For Michelle Cheng, one of the best moments of her wedding day was an ATV ride with her photographer, planner, and new husband, to the top of a […]
Delilah Ohrstrom & Alexander Harris | August 25, 2018, at home Photography by Ashley Cox While Delilah Ohrstrom and Alex Harris met in the fifth grade, they didn’t start dating until they were 19. But growing up in the same town meant that their families were already well-acquainted, so a wedding at Delilah’s parents’ Virginia home made sense, […]
Claudia Seixas & Jim Marzluff October 7, 2018, at Sweet Greens Farm | Photography by Amy Jackson Smith Perfect moments Among the couple’s favorite moments from the day? Planting a magnolia tree—to symbolize their growing love—during the ceremony (“We’ll always be able to remember that moment as we take care of our tree,” Claudia says) […]
Kayla Foust & Quinn Matthew September 22, 2018, at House Mountain Inn in Lexington | Photography by Ashley Cox Get on the floor Having taken a few ballroom lessons prior to the wedding, the couple’s first dance—a waltz to The Piano Guys’ version of “A Thousand Years”—was no problem. And, it inspired others to hit the […]
Kate Robinson & Dante Schiavo | August 11, 2018 at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Photography by Shannon Moffit “Looking out at everyone from the altar, walking through the crowd during our introduction into the reception hall, being cheered on by everyone during our sparkler farewell,” says Kate Robinson of her wedding day, “the whole night was filled […]
Isabelle Marshall & Andrew Giordano | September 15, 2018, at James Monroe’s Highland Photography by Beth Seliga Not wanting to look back in a few years and cringe at the trendy choices she made, bride Isabelle Marshall worked hard to choose details and décor that wouldn’t go out of style. And, she says, she wanted a mix […]
Lindsay Schimpf & Kristin Beers May 12, 2018, at Lydia Mountain Lodge | Photography by Amanda Maglione Unexpected inspo When Lindsay Schimpf and Kristin Beers started dating, gay marriage wasn’t legal in many states, including Virginia. So neither bride had a vision for their dream wedding. Turns out, they got the perfect day anyway. “We had […]
You’ve chosen the escort card display and the fold of your napkins. But what about the cake topper? If So INKlined’s Jen Maton has that covered. After nearly two decades as a professional calligrapher, she started thinking about creating her own product line. “The light bulb went off and I realized that cake toppers would […]
On a Sunday last September, Betsy Bilharz and Dan Savage were dropping off the welcome bags for their wedding guests at a hotel in Charlottesville when her parents called to say that the weather report was looking pretty bad. The couple’s wedding day was supposed to be the following Saturday, September 15, and a hurricane […]
The getaway car is the last thing wedding guests see as the happy couple is whisked away into marital bliss. And there are several options to rev up that final impression—modern limos, slick sedans, and vintage classics. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and a museum-quality vintage limousine helps create a magical and unforgettable experience,” says […]
Of all the details that go into planning a wedding, local experts say one shines as the difference-maker between perfection and paltry—lighting. “Lighting touches everything,” says Jake Anderson, owner of Lighting Professors. “And we’re seeing increased awareness of recognizing how important lighting is as an enhancement. We’re one of the first vendors couples are booking […]
Among the many ways to show the love to your wedding guests: Help them figure out where to stay when they travel from out of town. Some folks may appreciate a group rate at a big hotel; others might look to you to recommend a unique rental property. Depending on where your wedding is happening, […]