The colors you choose for your walls affect your mood, how you feel about a room and your comfort level in that room. So choosing the right color for a home office presents a special challenge; it’s part of your home, yet it’s also a place where you must be productive, whether you use the [...]

Toss those stiff old paintbrushes and half-empty paint cans buried in your garage. Do it now because you won’t need them this summer. Luxurious and vibrant wallpapers that turn rooms into art are ready to reclaim their place in your home.
Wallpaper makes everything look better, from your artwork to your furniture, says Elaine Stephenson, owner of [...]

The arrival of summer arouses many senses. From the sounds of wildlife to the brilliance of floral displays, the undeniable sensory celebration is upon us. For those with a passion for the culinary benefits of warm weather, nothing compares to the awakening aromas of the barbecue. Smoky varieties of savory meats and sweet scents of [...]

Have you lost your appetite to eat in your dining room? Does your powder room lack pizzazz? Is your great room so vast that it’s not so, well…great? Consider this: The solution may be just over your head—literally. You can use your ceiling to add a unique touch to your décor; after all, it is [...]

Lawn irrigation systems are not just about creating a beautiful yard. Water conservation and the environment are forefront in the minds of landscapers and irrigation companies today. That means fabulous floribunda without a drop of water or moment of time wasted.
“Everything that we are doing right now is based on conservation and intelligent irrigation. It [...]

A wise friend once told me that if you have fresh flowers around the house, you will no longer notice the imperfections of your home. (What dust bunnies under the couch?) The loveliness of the flowers helps you focus on the beauty of nature and the happiness in your home. My friend was on to [...]

It was several years ago when my then-6-year-old daughter Caroline was dropped off by her carpool from the very last day of kindergarten. I met her at the door, anxious to hug her and ask her about her day, when she marched past me into the kitchen. She very purposefully set her backpack down on [...]

 
Grilling gadgets are more varied and plentiful than ever before. It’s heaven on earth for grill lovers in hardware stores and on websites nowadays. Gone are the grill kits with mere tongs, a burger flipper and a basting brush. Today’s selection of barbeque tools would make Tim the Toolman from the popular TV show “Home [...]

This year’s Historic Garden Week in Virginia ended with a bang, with the final day of this statewide event culminating with tours in our own Roanoke area on April 25. Roanoke Valley and Mill Mountain Garden Clubs, both of which are members of the Garden Club of Virginia, team up each year to host the [...]

Don’t you just love those moments when life delivers an unexpected gift? It happened to me recently, via my inbox. My editor sent me an email asking: “So, Erin, how would you like to review a few books for the summer issue of Roanoke Valley HOME? You know, share a few of your favorites from [...]