Woods Goods & Mercantile Brings Back a Bygone Era

Photos by Ashlee Glen

Years ago, sitting on horseback with feet in stirrups, a group of children would saddle up and ride their stallions to a place formerly known as Tom’s Grocery. Their intention was to snag some sweet treats from the owners of the storefront, not knowing that it would someday become much more than a gas station located in front of U.S. Route 460. 

After a short period of being Witt Wholesale before it relocated, the market so loved by many sat desolate for a long while, serving only as a storage and rental unit. That was, until the Wood family discovered it. Originally hailing from Northern Idaho, Heather Wood and her family relocated to Bedford County in June of 2022, where they fell in love with the weather, scenery, and community. Instantly, Heather began searching for the perfect place to turn her dream of what would soon become Woods Goods & Mercantile into a reality. After discovering the forgotten structure, she knew that was just the place, and the Woods knew it was time to give it both new life and a whole new personality. 

“We really had no idea how much work it would require to get her heart beating again,” Wood said. 

The renovation process was a whole family affair with Heather, her husband, their two children, and Heather’s parents and brother-in-law working tirelessly to renovate the abandoned building. Together, they updated the electrical, flooring, paint, and landscaping of the old market. 

“We had to tear out 1950’s appliances and plumbing,” noted Wood. “None of us are home renovators so it was DIY trial and error. Through the process, we met locals who were willing to help and who are now dear friends of ours!”

Now, standing where horses once galloped and cars filled their gas tanks, is a remodeled home and goods store. Woods Goods & Mercantile is a family-run love letter to the olden days, holding within their walls antique pieces and heirlooms for any customer to appreciate. Wood noted that she and her family take pride in displaying items that allow their customers to feel as if they are being transported to another time.  

Those with a green thumb will feel right at home here, as well.

 “We love flowers and houseplants,” Wood said. 

She encourages customers to visit their plant room, where they are able to create their personal houseplant with the store’s abundant selection of pots and plants. 

“At Woods Goods & Mercantile, we believe that our plant buddies need their own decor,” she said. “We have many fun little plant decor items to add to your new green pet!”

Also available at their boutique is a curation of handmade novelties—ranging from woodworker MJB Artisan, who “transforms blocks of wood into beautiful bowls and jewelry boxes” to leather artist Banister Goodes who crafts purses, hats, wallets, and more. The store holds an all-natural body care line by Keitha’s Artful Garden who, according to Wood, grows many of the plants used in her products. On one corner, a shopper could discover Nana’s Nifties, who creates Memory Bears and kitchen items. On another corner, one could spot one-of-a-kind birdhouses, made from barnwood and antique hardware with original artwork by Geppettoz. 

Woods Goods & Mercantile not only caters to the avid shoppers, but also to those who happen to come along for the ride. Wood goes on to note that her family’s store even carries “‘husband’ chairs for the gentlemen to rest while their wives feather their nests.” 

“We have a booth to satisfy the huntsman, veteran, engineer, or antique connoisseur,” she said. 

After said gentleman finds his desired purchases, they are directed to bring their finds to Edison, a 1929 Model A-turned checkout counter.

“Antique vendors and consignment artists also grace our store,” noted Wood. “We support the Bedford Humane Society by selling items with 100 percent of the profit going to the Humane Society. We also contribute to CASA of Central Virginia.” 

Wood, longtime lover of home decor and antiques herself, said, “This store is a dream come true with new home lovelies, antique treasures, plants, talented vendors, and just darn good coffee!” 

She notes that she and her family are even working on transforming the old kitchen located inside the shop, aiming to turn it into a small coffee shop, where they will serve, in her words, “the most amazing coffee from Floyd, Red Rooster Coffee!” 

When asked what her favorite part of being a small business owner is, Wood answered, “feeling like a part of the community! I have met so many wonderful people and love to hear about the memories our store’s products bring back. Many of our customers are now friends!”  

Tips for Creating a Wellness-Centric Living Space

The concept of wellness has become increasingly vital in our daily lives. As we seek to optimize our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, one area that often gets overlooked is our living space. Creating a home environment that fosters wellness can have a profound impact on our overall health and happiness. From reducing stress to promoting better sleep, here are some tips for transforming your living space into a sanctuary of well-being.

1. Prioritize Natural Light and Airflow: One of the fundamental elements of a healthy home is ample natural light and proper airflow. Exposure to natural light not only boosts mood but also helps regulate the body’s internal clock, promoting better sleep patterns. Ensure that your living space allows plenty of natural light to filter in during the day by keeping windows unobstructed and using sheer curtains or blinds. Additionally, promote airflow by opening windows regularly to let fresh air circulate throughout your home, reducing indoor pollutants and creating a more refreshing atmosphere.

2. Declutter and Organize: A cluttered living space can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. Take the time to declutter your home and create a sense of order and harmony. Start by sorting through belongings and getting rid of items that you no longer need or use. Organize your remaining belongings in a way that is functional and visually pleasing, utilizing storage solutions such as baskets, shelves, and containers. By creating a tidy and clutter-free environment,
you’ll promote a sense of calm and well-being within your home.

3. Choose Natural and Non-Toxic Materials:The materials used in your home can have a significant impact on indoor air quality and overall health. Opt for natural and non-toxic materials whenever possible, especially in areas where you spend the most time, such as bedrooms and living rooms. Choose furniture made from sustainable materials such as wood or bamboo and look for upholstery and textiles made from organic fabrics. When painting walls or renovating, opt for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or zero-VOC paints and finishes to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

4. Create Spaces for Relaxation and Meditation:Designate areas within your home specifically for relaxation and meditation to promote mental and emotional well-being. Create a cozy nook with comfortable seating and soft lighting where you can unwind with a good book or engage in mindfulness practices. Consider incorporating elements of nature, such as indoor plants or natural materials, to evoke a sense of tranquility. Whether it’s a dedicated meditation corner or a soothing bath area, having spaces designed for relaxation can help reduce stress and promote inner peace.

5. Foster Connection with Nature: Bringing elements of nature into your home can have a profound impact on your well-being. Incorporate indoor plants to purify the air, add greenery, and create a connection to the outdoors. Consider introducing natural elements such as wood, stone, or water features to bring a sense of the natural world indoors. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and promote overall health, so bringing elements of the outdoors into your living space can help foster a sense of calm and well-being.

6. Promote Healthy Sleep Habits: Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and your home environment plays a crucial role in promoting healthy sleep habits. Create a bedroom environment that is conducive to restful sleep by keeping the room cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows that provide adequate support, and choose bedding made from breathable, natural fabrics. Minimize electronic devices in the bedroom and establish a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

Creating a wellness-centric living space is essential for promoting health and happiness in our daily lives. By prioritizing natural light and airflow, decluttering and organizing, choosing natural and non-toxic materials, creating spaces for relaxation and meditation, fostering connection with nature, and promoting healthy sleep habits, you can transform your home into a sanctuary of well-being. Incorporate these tips into your living space to create a healthier, happier home environment for you and your loved ones.  

One Healthcare Professional Weighs In

There seem to be endless, conflicting studies and opinions on foods that are good for you, and foods that are not. Claims volley back and forth; data suggests something one day, and another thing the next. 

Red meats; milk and dairy; eggs; tallow. Some tout these commonly debated foods as necessary nutrition; others say they are unhealthy for the body. 

Dr. Michael Jones, a medical bariatrician, said in many ways, the surface is just being scratched in metabolic health research—and there is no “silver bullet food.” >>

“Nutrition research is notoriously difficult, because our test subjects are free-living subjects, and a lot of the data we get is self-reported, because we can’t force people to do what we want them to do,” Jones said.
“Now, that doesn’t mean it’s worthless.
We get good insight. But it takes repeated studies in different populations over time, looking at different angles to start putting it together like a jigsaw puzzle.” 

Dairy

Jones said his general advice is to limit dairy. Although he does not forbid dairy consumption, humans do not need it.

Milk contains “a little bit of Vitamin D, but you can get more Vitamin D by eating the right veggies. You don’t really have to have milk to get your Vitamin D,” Jones said. “Calcium? OK, a reasonable amount of calcium. There’s also a lot of foods where, if we’re eating a broad variety of healthy foods, we’ll get our calcium intake as well. You don’t necessarily really have to have milk to do that.”

Jones said the main culprit in many dairy products—like most other foods—is added sugar. Yogurts, ice cream, flavored milk drinks; all include added sugars. 

“At the center of most metabolic conditions…we end up tracing a lot of this back to insulin resistance,” Jones said. “Abnormal glucose metabolism, and abnormal utilization of insulin, and abnormal production of insulin.” 

Alternative sources of some commonly-cited dairy nutrients are available. Sunlight, fatty fish, egg yolks, soy milk, beef liver, and cheeses—both in moderation—are good sources of Vitamin D, Jones said.

Red Meat

Controlled studies on the impacts of red meat, especially its impact on LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, are limited. However, Jones said current research suggests LDL cholesterol and its link to cardiovascular diseases tends to be more genetic. 

“A lot of the rise in LDL cholesterol is not lifestyle-dependent. It’s largely more genetic,” Jones said, citing studies published in some journals. “Now, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol tend to be linked to dietary choices. Contrary to popular understanding, it’s not as much the fat intake as it is the sugar intake.” 

As a medical specialist, Jones said he is more inclined to treat a person for insulin resistance, get high blood pressure under control, or otherwise treat underlying risk factors and cultivate good exercise habits to reduce cardiovascular risk than he is to instruct them to cut out red meats. 

Alternative protein sources include lean meats; certain seafood; eggs; legumes, like beans, lentils, and chickpeas; nuts and seeds; soy products, including tofu, edamame, and tempeh; whole grains, like brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro, and bulgar; and cheese and yogurt in moderation.

Eggs

Some studies have linked eggs to increase in cholesterol. Other studies say eggs are packed with important nutrients, show no correlation to elevation in cholesterol, and are an excellent food to incorporate in one’s diet.

“Personally, I think eggs are great,” Jones said. “They’re a great source of protein. We’ve never found a significant increase in somebody’s cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease that we can pin on eggs alone.”

Eggs have one gram of carbohydrate each, and Jones said he frequently recommends them. 

Tallow

Tallow is a saturated animal fat predominantly used as cooking grease, and in things like candles, soaps, and lubricants. It can also be used in skin care, providing natural vitamin-rich moisturizer. 

Concerns about tallow typically revolve around its status as a saturated fat.

While tallow can be used healthfully, Jones said, it is not one of his normal recommendations and
should be moderated.

“Tallow is not something I have gotten into the habit of recommending routinely, as it does have some benefits, but could also have some reasons to limit,” Jones said. 

Nutrients found in tallow include vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, and selenium and zinc. Other taste benefits are a high smoke point, and a source of beefy flavor for dishes like stew. Tallow can also be cheaper to purchase than some plant-based oils and butters. 

“Fats in general sort of have been given a bad rap,” Jones said. “To this day, we still don’t really have any great cause and effect studies showing a direct causal relationship between saturated fat and cardiovascular disease. There is a correlation that could eventually be proven to have causation, so I’m not out here telling my patients, ‘Look, live completely off of bacon.’ But I don’t tell people they shouldn’t eat it, either.” 

Jones said his family uses these fats to season some of their foods. 

“As for how much to use in nutrition, I know of no helpful studies looking at this, though I do believe that the idea of saturated fats as the bogey-man are a bit overblown,” he said. “In the end, however, if someone is overly fixated on tallow they may find themselves guilty of ‘majoring in the minors’. For most Americans, there is much lower hanging fruit to pick as it relates to our eating habits.”  

How to make healthy choices? 

Jones’s top three health-promoting foods, which he recommends, are a variety of leafy greens; fish, particularly salmon; and avocado. 

“There are very few perfect foods, and the characteristics of one food that might be perfect for one person, depending on their health and their conditions, might be slightly different for somebody else, but in general, I think we can categorize health-promoting foods,” Jones said.

Consuming unprocessed, or minimally processed foods, is crucial to overall health and longevity.

While studies agree that processed foods are less healthy, and in some cases even harmful, prone to causing health problems over time, scientists are still trying to find out what exactly about the processing causes such detriment to human health. It is best to avoid processed, or hyper-processed, foods as far as possible, Jones said.

“We pretty much have honed in on the fact that processing of foods makes them less helpful for us, and in some cases harmful. We don’t completely understand why,” Jones said. “The more that oat looks like it did when it was on the stalk… chances are, the better it is for you.”

Jones developed an acronym to help guide individuals in food and nutrition choices: eat CLEAN. 

C = Clear of additives and preservatives. 

L = Low glycemic index.

E = Eclectic. A wide variety of healthy foods.

A = Anti-inflammatory.

N = Non-processed.

How to Correctly Use Color Theory in Design

Maybe mood rings were never an exact science, but there is some truth in the relationship between color and mood. 

Color affects how we see the world—whether it’s through our own emotions or what a color may represent to us. We associate black with funerals, yellow with sunshine, and red with anger. 

That’s why color psychology plays a huge part in how we decorate our spaces. 

“The color of a room changes the very essence of a room,” says local interior designer Tera Janelle, owner of Tera Janelle Designs. “Many times, homeowners consider how they want their home to look, but a better question to ask yourself is, ‘How do you want your home to feel?’”

Knowing where to start when painting or decorating a new space can be overwhelming, but Tera says not to overthink it. 

“Worry less about what color a room ‘should’ be painted and more about how you want that room to feel,” she says. “Look for inspiration rooms that evoke a feeling you love. What colors are present in that room and how are they used?”

According to Tera, a great resource when beginning is a paint deck or fan deck—a collection of all the paint chips from a particular manufacturer or designer—which allows you to look at a wide range of colors without multiple trips to the hardware store. 

“It can be difficult to read the undertones of light colors on a single-color chip, resulting in a room mistakenly painted light purple instead of light gray,” she says. “Instead locate that paint color on a paint deck that shows the color in a line of its shades from light to dark. The darkest colors on the strip will reveal a color’s undertones.”

A way to bring cohesiveness throughout your home is to consider establishing a color story, bringing together each room without having them look all the same. 

“Consider how the colors in your home work together as a whole,” Tera says. “Focus on creating a color through-line throughout the home. A home’s through-line color might be blue, showing up as French blue on the dining room walls, navy on the kitchen island, and a pale robin’s egg blue in a bedroom’s bedding.”

But Tera says it’s important not to take a color story too seriously in order to allow for creativity—especially in places like your kids’ rooms. 

“Feel free to allow kids’ rooms or creative spaces to deviate from your whole-home color story,” she says. “Worried to introduce the ‘grape purple’ your child loves for their bedroom? Try eggplant or a soft lilac on the walls for a neutral grounding, and introduce grape purple in the bedding, stuffed animals, or art.”

“The key to using color is to exercise control,” she continues. “Avoid painting every room a different color. Instead use different hues of one or two colors to provide an interesting overall color story.”

When you first select a paint color, Tera says to apply your paint samples to multiple walls in a room and make sure to review them during different times of day before deciding on a final color. This will save you time and money in case a color doesn’t work in that space. But it’s also important to consider artificial light as well as natural light. 

“A lightbulb’s color [measured in degrees of Kelvin or ‘Kelvin temperature’] dramatically affects color in a room,” Tera explains. 

For example, her preference is 2700K (or 3000K at maximum) for a soft glow that feels equally inviting day or night. Tera says she avoids daylight bulbs or bulbs of 3000K+ because they cast a cool blue light that can make colors in a space feel cold and sterile. 

While Tera says there’s no great place to experiment with colors or patterns, there are easy hacks to try different things without overwhelming your space. 

“If you are looking to experiment with paint color, such as a darker trim with lighter walls or a saturated wall color that feels like a risk, avoid open concept rooms and instead choose a room that can be easily repainted, like a small bedroom or powder bath,” she says. 

Using decor that can be easily switched out such as bedding, pillows, napkins, or towels is also a great way to experiment. 

But color palettes aren’t always black or white. 

“Neutral colors include more than white and beige,” Tera says. “If you are scared to dip your toes into color, earth tones are a low-risk way to introduce color. Earth tones such as mocha, olive, blush, camel, blue, and khaki are also neutrals.”

Using neutrals as anchors in a room can also allow you to be more expressive.

“Neutral anchor pieces such as cabinetry, sofas, and rugs allow you more freedom to play with color in other elements, such as the art, wallpaper, and accent fabrics,” she says. While it may seem overwhelming and intimidating, Tera says don’t be afraid to trust your gut and take risks.

“Even seasoned interior designers use their own homes as design laboratories,” she says. “The practice of playing and experimenting teaches the most valuable design lessons. And we do not always get it right the first time! Instead embrace the pivot. The best designs are fluid.”