Each year on Founders’ Day, Randolph College plants a rose bush along the Red Brick Wall. During the College’s early days, rose bushes used to line the wall, and the College song features this mention: “…and roses tumble along sunny walls.”
Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce for Randolph College.
Mark Your Calendars March/April
Star Wars Sculptures for Good
Looking for a creative outlet that puts your artistic talents to good use? Join in on Lynchburg’s 4th Annual Canstruction—a unique event that helps provide hunger relief in the community. On April 9th, teams will use their collected canned foods to make the most creative Star Wars themed sculptures. “Canstructions” will remain on display in various downtown Lynchburg venues from April 10 to 17 before being deconstructed and donated to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Patches ‘n Pieces
Enjoy a unique display of more than 250 traditional and contemporary fiber art quilts at “The Magic of Fabric and Thread” quilt show hosted by local quilt club Patches ‘n Pieces from March 19 to 20. A donation of $5 at the door helps the club continue community service activities and gives you access to raffles, door prices, quilting demos and a boutique!
Paint Your Town
Grab your easel and paintbrush and join the Lynchburg Art Club (LAC) for a weekend of painting “in the open air” during the 1st Annual Lynchburg Paint Out from April 29 to May 1.
Let your plein air painting—French for “open air”—be inspired by the beautiful flower gardens, architecture and numerous downtown scenes that Lynchburg has to offer. For art admirers, you can watch LAC members Mark Johnson and Cindy Vener do plein air demonstrations and participate in a “quick paint” competition. Learn more at LynchburgArtClub.org.
Spot an Authentic Steam Train
Starting this spring after a 20-year hiatus, the newly restored Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611 steam train will once again begin public excursions in Virginia and North Carolina for four weekends between April and June. The season kicks off as the 65-year-old train, No. 611, pulls into Lynchburg for a stop on April 9! To enjoy a round trip ride yourself, visit NCTrans.org/Events.
Stop & Smell the Roses
Get outdoors to enjoy Lynchburg’s Annual Garden Day on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will experience a walking tour featuring five private homes along Peakland Place, a grand historic street in the Boonsboro section of Lynchburg. The houses, all built throughout the 1920s and 1930s, vary in size and feature gardens rich in history and some in budding infancy. There will also be outdoor lectures on beekeeping, growing grapes and harvesting lavender that take place along Peakland Place.
Lace Up for a Cause
Join hundreds of other runners on April 30 for the 8th Annual Run 4 Their Lives race being held for the first time on the campus of Liberty University (LU). It was only 8 years ago that an LU student first started Freedom 4/24, the sponsoring organization that works to bring freedom and justice to women and children all over the world who are trapped in sexual slavery. Visit freedom424.org/r4tl for details!
Lynchstock Music Festival
Love outdoor concerts? Then mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Lynchstock Music and Arts Fesitval on April 23 at Benjamin’s Restaurant in Forest. Enjoy festival favorites such as The Last Bison, Haley Greene, Dogwood & Holly and many more! You’ll also enjoy numerous food trucks, local vendors and visual artists at the festival. So grab a blanket and some friends and get ready to enjoy a day filled with local color and talent.
Vintage Lynchburg Returns
If you’re obsessed with antiquing, spend hours on Pintrest or Etsy or if you love shopping for unique home goods, then be sure to stop by Vintage Lynchburg. Not quite a flea maket and not quite a yard sale, this bi-annual sale is a place where local artisans gather to show off and sell their one-of-a-kind wares. Vintage Lynchburg will be held at the Urban Arts Garage downtown on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tip: Be sure to arrive early because vendors sell out quickly!
It’s spring, and all sorts of good things are beginning to pop up at area farmers markets. That includes peas, which, by all accounts, was one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite vegetables. At Monticello, he grew 19 varieties!
Each spring, the president held a competition with area gentlemen farmers to see who could produce the first pea of the season with a dinner to follow featuring the legume.
This dish, Garden Pea Pilaf with Mint-Basil Chimichurri (from my book, Dishing Up Virginia), would have made a great dish for that meal.
Remember, fresh peas taste best, though peas that have been quickly frozen while still fresh are a good substitute.
with Mint-Basil Chimichurri
Mint-Basil Chimichurri Ingredients
2 cups fresh mint
1 cup fresh basil
1 cup fresh Italian parsley
2 garlic cloves
1⁄3 cup distilled white vinegar
1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garden Pea Pilaf Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1⁄2 medium white onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup long grain white rice
1⁄4 teaspoon dry mustard
1⁄4 teaspoon turmeric
2 cups chicken broth
3⁄4 cup shelled peas, preferably fresh
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Method
Make the chimichurri. Pulse the mint, basil, parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade attachment. Drizzle in the vinegar then the olive oil with the motor running and continue processing until the herbs are finely chopped.
Add the salt, black pepper, and pepper flakes, and pulse until combined.
Prepare the pilaf. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until melted. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook about 1 minute. Add the rice, mustard, and turmeric, and stir to coat, about 1 minute.
Add the chicken broth, increase the heat to high, and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, and the rice is tender, 18 to 22 minutes.
When the rice is nearly done cooking, place the peas in a steamer basket set over a saucepan of boiling water. Cook the peas until they are bright green and crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
Remove the rice from the heat and let stand, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in the peas and salt. Divide the pilaf among the plates. Sprinkle each serving with pine nuts and drizzle with chimichurri. Serve immediately.
Makes 4-6 servings.
Looking for some fresh peas? Check out these area farmers markets and other green grocers in the region:
Lynchburg Community Market
1219 Main St., Lynchburg • (434) 455-4485
www.LynchburgCommunityMarket.com
Forest Farmers’ Market
15583 Forest Rd., Forest • (434) 665-5475
www.ForestFarmersMarket.com
By Patrick Evans-Hylton
From buck parties to hen nights to stag and doe events, a best man or maid of honor may be left wondering why pre-wedding celebrations have gone to the barnyard. But don’t be afraid of those mixed metaphors!
Marking that last night of freedom has evolved from a manly rite of passage to a variety of bachelor and bachelorette parties. Today’s party planners have moved past the Spartan revelry of conquest and temptation to a celebration of past meeting future.
Including both men and women, the best parties not only celebrate memories from single life, but also anticipate the joy of future togetherness. This spirit has spawned a host of new ideas for bachelor, bachelorette and group parties.
For the Group
The groom really can see the bride on the night before the wedding by starting with a group celebration. Stephanie Atkinson, long-time downtown Lynchburg resident, suggests that the whole wedding party start the night together. Then, they can separate into guys and gals to finish the evening. So, Atkinson recommends breaking the ice with a light activity like singing karaoke at Kegney Brothers. It will give bridal party members and friends a chance to meet before the rehearsal dinner or ceremony.
If you want the bridal party to be in sync, consider group dance classes at a local dance studio. It can even give you a chance to plan a YouTube-worthy entrance. For example, VA Dance Studio offers a “Wedding Bootcamp” package to practice some moves before the big day. Also, there are several dance halls and studios in Lynchburg where a group can dance together before the big day.
Finally, you can party like a local at Virginia Beach. Lauren MacMoyle, a Virginia Beach photographer, has several suggestions for beautiful waterfront celebrations. As a secret tip, MacMoyle suggests Croatan Beach, First Landing State Park and Beach Bagel Bakery. She explains, “Most locals don’t go to the main beach because it gets so crowded. Croatan beach is across the Rudee inlet south of the main beach, and it’s a lot quieter. There’s also a surfing area because the waves are better there.”
Similarly, First Landing State Park has “a quiet beach with plenty of hiking or biking trails.” With the natural dunes, MacMoyle suggests it as a spot to stop for photos. Finally, Beach Bagel Bakery is located slightly inland, making it less crowded than the beach-front breakfast spots.
MacMoyle also recommends spending a weekend at the boardwalk, saying, “No matter what you’re celebrating, you’ll always find something you like to do.”
For the Ladies
Set up a celebration to suit the bride by looking to her interests. Kendall Wong, graphic designer and bride-to-be, reflected on her celebration saying, “I think the primary thing that my maid of honor took into consideration for me when she planned my bridal shower was my personality and what would be most meaningful to both me and my guests. My maid of honor really put special effort and consideration into ensuring that the event was bright, fun and tasteful.” It’s easy to plan a personal event when you explore local Lynchburg.
For the active bride, consider sweating out some wedding jitters in a kickboxing class. If you’re looking for health benefits, Bruce Rubinberg, owner of FEKS Martial Arts Center, suggests starting classes four weeks before a wedding. If you simply need an active way to relieve stress, you can join in a class at any time. Dana Rubinberg, a kickboxing student since 2013, describes it as “…easy to jump in as a beginner.” This style of exercising also builds bonds from the interaction between friends as they practice, so consider making it a bridal party health goal in the weeks leading up to the big day.
For the busy bachelorette, some spa therapy will refresh and refocus. London’s Salt Spa features a unique salt cave with zero gravity chairs and fresh air full of 80 minerals. If you book the space for a party, your group can take advantage of the whole space, including catering in the reception area. The regulars prefer it for the atmosphere, which has been compared to the comfort of your living room.
For the sentimental friend, create a little art to commemorate your friendship. All Fired Up is a pottery studio where you can paint bisque pottery as a group. The owner, Vicky Ledbetter, recommends painting several pieces in the same colors so that the bride can use them in her home. For example, each friend can paint a plate with a different design in the bride’s colors. Then, she can remember her fun night out with every table setting.
For the foodie, a night in with friends can include an in-house wine consultation. Scott McCauley, wine consultant and co-owner at Magnolia Foods, recommends tasting as an opportunity to both educate and entertain. He can either bring a selection of wines to taste or make pairing suggestions based on the bride’s collection. Some couples even choose to create a wine registry based on the tasting, making it easy for guests to stock the couple’s cellar.
Cyndi Kelley, a wine pourer at Afton Mountain, recommends an in-house tasting as an easy way to start conversations and entertain without going out for the evening. She explains that bringing in a consultant, “…removes the added expense of a travel limousine…, [and] it’s more intimate.”
For the Gents
Steven Bowler, a local writer, values personalization and creativity when it comes to planning a bachelor party. He explained, “I think the activities should be tailored to the individual in a way that brings the group of friends together without compromising the integrity of the couple’s relationship. That could be anything depending on the individual: sports, drinking, swimming, games, hiking, billiards, bowling, canoeing, road trip, movies, food or music.”
For the nostalgic groom, recreate that summer camp experience by climbing a top rope system. Rise Up Climbing offers a 30-minute basic skills class so that the bachelor party can belay for each other. During climbing breaks, the observation area and party room are easy to customize with food and decorations.
Jacob Vinson, an avid adventurer, agrees that getting outside is a great way to kick off wedded bliss. He recalled, “My buddies know me well. They know I love being outdoors and am usually up for anything, so they thought zip lining would be a good time. They were right!” You can also enjoy a day on the water with a canoe tour of the James, Banister or Staunton Rivers. Tri Rivers Canoe Rental is affordable and a great way to enjoy Central Virginia’s natural beauty.
Similarly, an all-in weekend at a cabin allows a group of guys to explore nature. Mack Lloyd’s bachelor party took him out of Lynchburg and up to Appomattox where they were able to rent a cabin. Located near High Bridge Trail State park, the cabin was remote yet comfortable with several sleep spaces, televisions, a hot tub and WiFi.
For the busy bachelor, a morning at The Parlor combines gentleman’s fun with a great hot shave. With hot shaves, mugs of frosty beer, shoeshine chairs and chessboards hedged by leather chairs, the experience is special. Ralph “Chopper” Wilson, Owner and Master Barber, recommends scheduling the party for the morning of the wedding. They can host up to 15 groomsmen, and photographers are always welcome.
For the micro-brew enthusiast, an afternoon at a local brewery is an authentic experience. For example, Apocalypse Ale Works specializes in serving craft beer. You can sit inside, with a view of the tap room, or take over the back porch bringing your own food and entertainment.
From active to artistic to adventurous, personality is key to hosting a pre-wedding celebration. Just start with the bride’s or groom’s interests to plan a perfect party!
By Danielle Verderame
As the last of the snow melts and warm temperatures greet us, it’s time to go exploring! In case you missed some of these exciting openings while holed up over the cold months, check out this list of regional restaurants and culinary experiences that have recently popped up. Whether looking for a fresh take on date night or a fun family night out, there’s something for everyone!
Graziano’s Italian Restaurant, Forest. Calzones. Large salads. Fresh Italian soups. Half-pound burgers and “smashed” fries. Philly cheese steaks. And the pizzas… NY-style pizzas! Gluten-free pizzas! Stop by to see why so many 5-star Facebook reviews say “amazing!” Open since November, this family-owned and -operated eatery seems to be building on the foundation they inherited from the former Lil’ Cucci’s. Open Tuesdays to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call (434) 525-9510.
Azul, Bedford. Enjoy their fresh-Mex menu and find out for yourself why they’ve earned so many 5-star Facebook reviews since opening last fall. Focused on providing quick, fresh, from-scratch offerings where you select a protein (ranging from chicken to venison and tofu) and a method (in a bowl? in tortillas?) finished off with your preferences from a range of toppings. Brought to you by the Siehiens who also own Bedford Social Club. Open Mondays to Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (540) 583-5088.
Culinary Classes, Lynchburg. Are you the next Emeril? Come put your cooking skills to the test in classes focused on Indian cuisine or techniques such as sushi rolling. Ever wanted to bake a whole chicken but a bit too intimidated to try it on your own? Then this is your place to learn. Information on class times and costs can be found at www.LynchburgParksandRec.com; you can also register online. Variety of days and times; call (434) 455-5858.
The Tuscan Italian Grill, Altavista. Operated by the owners of The Pitted Olive, this eatery has people buzzing about their Douby bread. Curious? Stop by to explore their vast menu featuring Italian classics—calamari, bruschetta, stromboli—and some American favorites—bacon and cheese fries, chicken wings—as well. Open for lunch and dinner; visit www.EatTuscan.com.
By Jennifer Redmond
Best Of Awards
Our 12th annual Best Of award winners were announced in our last issue; look for the banner and plaques around town to spot the winning businesses!
Feedback
Susan Fetzko posted on Facebook, “I am new to the area and am ‘WOWed’ by the latest issue! What a great resource for me! I also love the cover; it looks so professional and very well done!”
PK Wade posted, “The cover design is fantastic!”
Coming Soon!
Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Lynchburg Restaurant Week coming June 18 to 25, 2016
Heather’s Hints: Spend these Cool Spring Nights Making Plans to Refresh Your Home’s Interior
1. Small Spaces: A small space doesn’t have to feel that way. Bright spring colors, clean uncluttered lines and modern amenities can make old rooms and small spaces feel larger and more open. Rethink scale, proportion, furniture arrangements and color choices when working in a tight spot. One small change can make a big impact.
2. Old vs. New: Modern elements can marry
seamlessly with antique pieces if there is a common thread.
The Townsends used old wood to make a modern computer station and an antique frame to hide a contemporary television. Think of new ways to use old things.
3. All Hands on Deck: Renovations
can be a great opportunity to involve your children and get them interested in hands-on projects. When it comes to DIY, find ways to get the whole family involved and teach your kids the tools of the trade along the way. You may just spark an interest in their young hearts that will stay with them for years to come.
4. An Attitude of Gratitude: The more involved
we are in a project, the more we tend to appreciate the
investment. If your default mode is to always call the repairman, make it your mission to learn something new and invest energy into preserving things yourself. Having a curious and teachable spirit will carry you far!
5. “Lynchburg Living:” Our community is so rich with history. Learn more about that history and the people in it by visiting the Jones Memorial Library, the Lynchburg Historical Foundation and DiscoverLynchburg.com. (Hint: Check out our back page on 146 for some more local history and resources!)
Behind-the-Scenes
This issue of Lynchburg Living features our annual Hitched! section, brimming with inspiration and ideas. Our photo shoot incorporated some gorgeous gowns from Celebration Bridal and was shot by Megan Vaughan at Tresca on 8th. Turn to page 34 to see the full shoot!
Quote Me
“A wonderful college professor told my class, ‘Make sure you remember that you are ultimately teaching students, not just a subject.’ I’ve learned that every student brings a strength to our classroom, and students learn more when they are convinced the teacher knows and believes in their strengths and cares about them individually.” —Tracy Foster, one of this year’s Top Teachers; read about them all starting on page 79.
#LynchburgLiving
Despite the snow and cold temperatures we’ve had the last few months, our community stayed busy and found ways to enjoy the winter!
Share what life looks like in the Hill City. Tag your photos on Instagram, and you may see them featured in a future issue! Know of someone or something exciting? Tell us! Send info to feedback@lynchburgmag.com.
We bought a view, and the little house came with it,” said Mark Townsend, a cardiologist at Centra.
“The view sold us—the rest of it was trying to figure out how to make it work.”
When Townsend and his wife Alice purchased their small home in the spring of 2010, they had no idea what adventures would unfold over the next few years. The original home, constructed in 1901 per Lynchburg city records, was a small L-shaped cottage that saw numerous additions and changes throughout the years. When the Townsend’s moved in, the house was 1,400 square feet with only two bedrooms and one bathroom—a tight squeeze for any family with four small children.
“We bought our house for the view and location, as it overlooks the James River above the Reusens Dam and downriver where we can see the train trestle that crosses from Amherst County into Riverside Park,” said Alice, a physical therapist at Centra.
Initially, their plan was to live in the house a few years and then build a new structure behind the existing one, but only six weeks after moving in, the Townsend’s recognized that the house needed many improvements, so they attempted to work with the footprint they had and make major updates along the way.
They loved the expansive views during every season and appreciated many of the old details such as the wood floors, so they enhanced much of the interior including adding sub-floors where there were none, retiling floors and tearing out and adding walls. Mark fixed every single doorway in the house after the floor repairs made them too short and gutted all of the rooms. Outdoors, even their landscaping was overhauled since there weren’t even steps leading up to the house.
The more they went into the walls, the more they discovered of the home’s fascinating history, which propelled them along their journey. They were told that Thomas Jefferson used to cross the James River to get to Poplar Forest at a ferry in front of the lock and canal at the river basin in front of their home. An elderly set of sisters in town, along with a brother, also introduced themselves, sharing memories of their years growing up on the property.
According to the brother, they had a truck farm, a hog barn and a turkey barn, along with chickens and vegetables. The brother recalled sitting on the front porch, shelling butter beans until it felt like his fingers would fall off. Ironically, the Townsends have carried on a few of those traditions with their own flock of chickens on the modest one-acre spread. They also discovered an old outhouse (though that’s not a tradition they revived).
After the sisters’ family moved away, a gentleman built the first addition to the home with a kitchen and bathroom sometime in the 1970s, taking the house from an L-shaped cottage to a rectangular footprint. The Townsends believe there were at least two more additions to the home before they moved in.
Unfortunately, though, day-by-day projects were derailed due to a leaky kitchen roof caused by incorrect materials and an improper pitch that had been installed prior to their ownership. Every time it rained, they would be reaching for the buckets.
After several unsuccessful attempts at roof repair, and with only one room left to renovate, the couple decided at the start of 2014 that the entire roof would need to be replaced. That drove them to an unexpected decision—they had done so much work to the house by that point they didn’t want to start over by building new or moving, so they asked themselves how they could work with what they had. With their family of six, the couple made the decision that together with everyone’s help, they could build up by adding a second story to their one level house, even though they would have to completely rebuild the home’s foundation to support the structure.
“We tried to renovate what was here as best we could,” Alice said. “It’s what we do on weekends and our weeks off, [but] we decided that now was the time to make the house just a little bigger and add a second story over top of the first. We did not want to lose the cozy feeling of our home, where you can hear everybody no matter where you are in the house.”
Mark drew inspiration from the home’s spectacular surroundings and rich history, then took on the task of redesigning the house with advanced planning and better flow than it had previously. He was also very aware when he drafted and drew up the house plans to keep the home’s “cozy feeling” intact.
The kitchen now opens up to the second floor with a hallway overlooking it, making it feel connected to the upstairs, which is also home to the master bedroom, two bathrooms, the children’s rooms and the laundry room. With the help of Bob Flint of LG Flint who did their foundation work, John Joyner of Driven Builders who did the framing, Matt Kluender, the finish carpenter and Tim Columbus of Columbus Woodworks who customized the handrails, they added 1,200 square feet, bringing the house to a total 2,600 square feet, and nearly doubling their original floor plan.
“The great part of 1,400 square feet is everyone feels like we’re together—no one feels like we’re missing out on anything,”
Alice said. “[Now] our 2,600 square-foot house feels pretty big on the inside, but there’s an open flow and great connectivity. We use all of our space—no rooms that we don’t go into.”
Throughout their ongoing renovations, Mark got his children involved as well. The kids helped by using electrical pliers to get all of the staples out of the floors and using wire brushes to clean floors. The first Thanksgiving in the house, Mark handed each of his kids hammers—ages 4, 5, 7 and 8 at the time—and told them to start tearing down a wall. Alice said, “They were hammering at that wall as fast as they could.”
“We’ve done a lot of work on this project ourselves, with my husband leading the charge, teaching my children and me so much along the way,” Alice said.
“He has been a great leader with all of us, teaching the kids while doing it. It’s been a family endeavor and journey. Thankfully, Mark is really handy and has great carpentry skills. We’ve made so many trips to Home Depot as a family that the staff recognize us and if we happen to go in without our children then the staff always ask where our children are and how they’re doing.”
Even with the addition and all the changes and updates the Townsends have made, they still only have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms for six people and three dogs. The three girls—Virginia, now age 14; Annie, 13; and Margaret, 11—all still share a space and though their youngest and only son, David, age 10, has his own room, there is a trundle bed under his bed for midnight guests so that no one is alone or missing out on something that might be going on in the family.
“We want to encourage our children to have great communication skills,” Alice said. “We want them to grow up together [and] sharing a room is a fun part of that.”
One of the many advantages to living in a small space is that less space means less to clean, which is definitely a positive aspect for a busy family. Alice says the key to keeping the walls from closing in on a small house is to keep everything orderly, clean and neat, so that it doesn’t take several days to clean the whole house. She said that she and Mark love having their children be active participants in all they do, so whether it is cleaning the house, gardening, folding laundry or doing weekend house projects, they always try to involve their children into the everyday.
“They are such great helpers, paying good attention with lots of guidance along the way,” Alice said. “It is neat seeing them learn through this and being creative. The children take better care of the house [than we do]—they are proud of the fact that they’ve helped and invested.”
One such moment where their investment paid off was when their son David helped problem solve in the midst of a construction dilemma.
Since they live by the river, they occasionally spot eagles on their property, so Mark decided to put an appliqué of an eagle on the center of their fireplace. They found a metal plaque but were puzzled with how to mount it.
Their youngest child, David, who was nine at the time, came up with the idea to use Liquid Nails—a construction adhesive. Having worked closely with his dad for the past five years, he had learned what supplies are available and how they function and was able to put that knowledge to good use for his family even at a young age.
The couple was very conscientious to preserve as many details from the original house as possible, including the heart pine floors, the oak wood paneling in the kitchen and the ceiling medallion from the old Hotel Carroll—a hotel in Lynchburg that was built in 1893 and demolished in 1959.
The last plaster that remained in the home was in the dining room but was lost when it rained. The couple used new Fypon crown molding reproduced from original plaster molds inspired by the plaster medallion in the dining room. Columns that existed in the home were repurposed for the fireplace mantle and a week’s worth of vacation was spent stripping 11 coats of paint off of and restoring the wood paneling in the kitchen.
In reference to the home’s architecture, there are not a lot of mansard-style second empire homes in Lynchburg, which makes its unique style even more satisfying.
“It was fun to take something that was fairly popular in the early 1900s and reconstruct that,” Mark said.
When they added the second level to the house, they looked for ways to integrate the same character and interest that had been passed down for generations to the new areas of the home. One such example is the stained glass that shines from the upstairs hallway. They incorporated it to look like windows and bring attention to otherwise bland walls. Even the oak beams in the kitchen are not structural but rather were installed to feel original and tie it all together.
Downstairs in the dining room, they wanted chairs that fit the scale of their hand-me-down table but felt modern chairs were too large for their space. By utilizing antiques, they added to the home’s expanding story—since each chair features a different needlepoint seat cushion, they have a diverse look even while the group of chairs feels like a collection.
Another feature that adds interest to the home is how the Townsends have tied modern elements into a historical house. Though not indicative of the home’s time period, they seamlessly incorporated a computer tech center into the kitchen. Alice’s grandfather had an old fir wood board that her mother had made into a sideboard table in the kitchen, which they use as a homework center. To downplay its modernization, they mounted mirror glass above the fireplace to hide the television. They found the frame at an antique store that happened to be the same size as the television and then put mirror glass in it. Even the staircase and the alcove for the grandfather clock were designed to maximize space and reflect the time period of the home.
“We wanted to make it feel like it had always been there,” Mark said. “Our hope and intent is that it feels like it’s original.”
Heather Cravens is a Lynchburg native with more than 10 years of experience in the interior design industry, including owning Becoming Designs. Heather is passionate about creating environments that inspire and build families through the hospitality of their homes. She mirrors that passion with her own family by spending time with her husband and their one-year-old son.
Photography by Tera Janelle Auch
A bride.
That five-letter word represents so much.
For a little girl it is the dream of “one day my prince will come.” For a grown woman it is those dreams come to life. And perhaps nothing symbolizes a bride more than her wedding dress.
Few traditions still carry as much weight as the meaning behind that white dress. It’s the dress that will make you and your mother cry when you find it.
It’s the dress that will make your father choke up when he first sees his now grown little girl appear at the back of the church.
And it’s the dress that will fill your beloved’s heart with joy as you walk down the aisle.
The dress.
It’s also a five-letter word that represents so much.
We hope this styled shoot inspires your dreams of that dress and helps bring meaning to your own journey as a bride.