December 2021 Issue

Our December issue features our annual Made in Virginia Awards along with inspiring interior design ideas—from the fabulous interior update of a 300-year-old Powhatan house, to an estate in The Plains that’s all dressed up for the holidays, and a gardener’s guide to decorating with holiday greens. Find out why charcuterie platters are hot this season, discover the artful custom tiles of Loudoun County’s Joan Gardiner, and share a sumptuous meal at Keswick Hall’s Marigold restaurant, the latest in Chef Jean-Georges’ global collection. It’s all here—along with news on retirement living, seasonal spirits, and lots more! Pick up the December 2021 issue today!

Peace Piece

Colonial Williamsburg acquires an “incredibly rare” Native American peace medal. (Courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) By the time George Washington assumed the Presidency in 1798, “peace medals”—made of silver and engraved by hand—had become valuable diplomatic currency. Presented by the colonists to Native American tribal leaders during treaty signings and other ceremonial events, […]

by Markus Schmidt

D.I.Y. Hearing Aids

A new direct-to-consumer model from Bose wins FDA approval. In a seismic shift to the hearing-aid market, the new Bose SoundControl ™ Hearing Aids are the first to be cleared by the FDA for direct-to-consumer sale. At $849.95, the new SoundControl™ Hearing Aids are priced far below the $2,300 average cost of conventional […]

by Constance Costas

Made in Virginia Awards 2021: Style & Beauty

From earings to shampoo and leather goods, this year’s winners will really wow. Blue Mountain Sweater (Calluna: in Arrington) (Photograph by Fred & Elliott) Countless artists have been inspired by the Appalachian Mountains, and Heather Gonzalez, founder and owner of Calluna, can be counted among them. “When […]

by Eden Stuart

Virginia’s Historic Trails

When the pavement ends, the travel by gravel fun begins. Douglas Graham Douglas Graham / WLP Willisville Road Some historic treasures don’t fit inside a museum. Take the 300 miles of gravel roadways that wind through Loudoun County’s pastures and ridges. “These are the same paths traveled by early colonists, Revolutionary War soldiers, and George Washington […]

by Jill Devine

Made in Virginia Awards 2021: Food

From oysters to ice cream, here are our Food category winners. (Photography by Fred and Elliott) Frozen Burritos (Sous Casa: in Richmond) (Photography by Fred and Elliott) Created by Richmond chef Jim Hamilton, Sous Casa burritos pack massive flavor in a tidy tortilla parcel. Having cooked for touring […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Spirited Sips

Craft cocktails and wine, all with the convenience of a can. Biarritz. Tangier. Charleston Alluring destinations, yes, but also the artfully composed flavor profiles of Colony Cocktails’ three canned wine creations. Philip and Jessica Miller developed the line, inspired by their travels. “We loved how food and drink had the ability to pull people together […]

by Ashley Hunter

One House at a Time

Historic renovations bring housing to Roanoke’s needy. Roanoke’s Restoration Housing is breathing new life into blighted historic-district properties while helping those in need of stable housing. Founded in 2014 by Isabel Thornton, a preservationist and affordable housing developer, the nonprofit has transformed five homes, now occupied by local nonprofits and low-income residents looking […]

by Elizabeth Cogar

Bird is the Word

Forget frozen. For this Crozet farmer, boutique turkeys are all the rage. Kyle LaFerriere Kyle LaFerriere Photography LLC Virginia Living Magazine Kelly Bronze Turkeys (Photography by Kyle LaFerriere) As a boy, Judd Culver dreamed of growing up to be a fighter pilot or a chef. Instead, he became a turkey farmer. But […]

by Kinsey Gidick

Party on a Platter

Charcuterie boards are shareable, infinitely adaptable, and camera-ready. Tyler Darden (Photography by Tyler Darden) The bites we crave when sipping have been elevated to new heights, thanks to the proliferation of kaleidoscopic charcuterie “grazing boards” (remember when they were meat and cheese platters?). These artful arrangements now outpace restaurant #foodporn on social […]

by Phaedra Hise

The Buttery Restaurant

A local favorite shines with expanding offerings. (Photography courtesy of The Buttery) Clarke County locals have long loved The Locke Store—a modern country store in Millwood offering fresh, made-to-go food along with wine, beer, and local goods—but the opening of the store’s restaurant, The Buttery, has brought even more foodie fanfare. “Millwood […]

by Ashley Hunter

Taco Touchdown

This Herndon taqueria is FedEx Field’s newest vendor. (Photography courtesy of MWW Group) Whether you’ve got tickets on the 50-yard line, are tailgating, or watching from home, no gameday is complete without one crucial element: food. This season at D.C.’s FedEx Field, home of the Washington Football Team, fans can satisfy thirdquarter […]

by Ashley Hunter

Happy Farmers, Healthy Chickens

Farmer Focus brings better birds to your table. (Photography courtesy of Farmer Focus) Do you know where your chicken crossed the road? Unless you’re buying from a local farmer or specialty market, it’s hard to know where your chicken comes from. Farmer Focus is changing that. Founded in 2012 with 300 birds […]

by John Haddad

The Tile Maker of Loudoun

For tile artist Joan Gardiner, anything goes. Ryan Donnell © 2021 Ryan Donnell (Photography by Ryan Donnell) “I love a fun challenge,” says tile maker Joan Gardiner, looking up from a set of oversized Van Gogh prints and smiling in anticipation. “And these will be gorgeous.” Gardiner is the most sought-after designer […]

by Jill Devine

Breaking the Ice

Welcome programs help newcomers feel at home in new surroundings. Shutterstock Portrait of cheerful seniors playing card game at lunch table on outdoor terrace laughing happily Being new in a senior living community can feel a little like the first day at a new school. Your surroundings are unfamiliar, and you haven’t […]

by Elizabeth Cogar

Steampunk Sipping

A passion for sci-fi informs Caitlyn Horton’s Gears and Lace wines. Winemakers love dreaming up special blends to please their own palates. For Caitlyn Horton, the result is Gears and Lace, a line of steampunk-themed wines with names drawn from Victorian-era slang. The inspired theme earned Horton, the daughter of Horton Vineyard […]

by Constance Costas

Marigold Blossoms at Keswick Hall

The latest in Chef Jean-Georges’ global collection arrives in style. When a world-renowned chef chooses Keswick (population 4,304) for his latest outpost, it’s a coup. But after Keswick Hall’s extravagant renovations, the luxury resort makes a fitting home for Marigold, the newest showstopper in Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s portfolio of 40-some restaurants, scattered […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Tech Tools for Seniors

Even in memory care, “nana” technology is winning fans. Technology is helping older adults stay sharp and expand their horizons in surprising new ways. At The Virginian, a continuum care community in Fairfax, tech tools are being fully integrated into the resident experience from independent living to memory care, where tech-focused games […]

by Elizabeth Cogar

Hill City Charm

A flourishing downtown is just one reason to visit Lynchburg now. (Photography by Stacey Van Berkel) It’s got everything you need for a weekend getaway: fantastic food, a thriving creative community, and an outdoorsy vibe. Toss in striking architecture, a rich history, and friendly locals, and Lynchburg—a city that boasts five colleges and […]

by Staff

Legends that Linger

Virginia’s history includes stories of sasquatch sightings and pirate gold. Virginia Legends & Lore by Charles A. Mills. History Press. pp.173. $21.99 Virginia Legends George Washington’s secret son, the origins of Chincoteague’s wild ponies, the hiding place of the mysterious Beale Treasure? Virginia is full of strange […]

by Konstantin Rega

Pages: 12

Events

January 14, 2025

Edgar Allan Poe in the Military

January 14, 2025

November – January @ Art Works!

Art Works

January 15, 2025

November – January @ Art Works!

Art Works

These Virginia Cities are Tops for Retirees

The golden years are about living your best life in ways you prioritize—be it weather, cost of living, or access to amenities like restaurants, golf courses, fitness facilities, and healthcare. With proximity to the mountains and coastline, Virginia is a nature lover’s mecca. And it’s one of the few states that counts Washington, D.C., as […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Secretariat is Home at Last and Cast in Bronze

People call Secretariat Virginia’s greatest athlete for good reason. The thoroughbred racehorse, foaled near Ashland at Meadow Stables, not only won the American Triple Crown in 1973 but set and still holds the record in all three of its races. Yet, until recently, all monuments dedicated to Big Red were found outside his home state. […]

by Hope Cartwright

Christmas in Central Virginia

Merry Christmas, Charlottesville! Merriment & Magic. If you like your holidays with a dash of razzmatazz, check out Charlottesville’s Christmas events. The Grand Illumination takes place at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall on Dec. 6. The merriment commences just as evening falls and features vendors selling holiday crafts, tasty treats, and beverages, as well […]

by peggy sijswerda

December 2021 Issue

Peace Piece

Current Issue

Events

Edgar Allan Poe in the Military

November – January @ Art Works!

November – January @ Art Works!

Most Popular

These Virginia Cities are Tops for Retirees

Secretariat is Home at Last and Cast in Bronze

Christmas in Central Virginia

December 2021 Issue

Peace Piece

Current Issue

Events

Edgar Allan Poe in the Military

November – January @ Art Works!

November – January @ Art Works!

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

These Virginia Cities are Tops for Retirees

Secretariat is Home at Last and Cast in Bronze

Christmas in Central Virginia

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today