The beginning of a new year naturally invites reflection. We look at our spaces with fresh eyes, considering not just how they look, but how well they support what matters to us. Artwork is often part of that quiet background of daily life, yet the way it is framed plays a powerful role in both its protection and its presence.

As we look ahead to 2026, home design is shifting toward warmth, intention, and spaces that truly support how we live. The era of overly stark interiors is giving way to homes that feel layered, personal, and enduring. Here’s what’s defining the next chapter of residential design, and what we’re happily leaving behind.

We’ve seen it all: the nervous first-date handshakes, the “accidentally” shared dessert nobody wanted, and the absolute “no-go” behaviors that guarantee a second date will never happen. If your goal is to get ghosted before the check hits the table, here’s the industry-insider guide to losing a date—based on what you order and how you act.

As we step into 2026, there's a noticeable shift happening in how we think about our homes. After a year of uncertainty and rapid change, the design world is embracing something refreshingly simple: spaces that feel authentic, grounded, and deeply connected to the way we actually live.

The start of a New Year is upon us: fresh planner pages waiting to be filled, holiday decorations put away, and even the air feels crisp and new. Setting goals for 2026 is on everyone’s mind, and for many, these goals focus on money. Let’s set you up to feel confident, capable, and in control.

When Virginia Lawyer Weekly recognized Family First Law Group as a Top Women-Led Law Firm, it affirmed what our clients have been telling us for years: women’s leadership in law creates a different—and often better—client experience.

As families return from the holidays and children reenter school routines, it’s worth pausing to ask: What kind of childhood are we cultivating? At Alexandria Classical Christian Academy (ACCA), we believe the answer matters deeply—and it begins with reclaiming something simple, powerful, and increasingly rare: meaningful outdoor play.

As we wrap up 2025, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the moments that made this year memorable. From personal milestones to business wins and community impact, 2025 reminded us that progress often comes in many forms.

Every December, we press play on the same beloved holiday films, partly for the stories, but just as much for the homes. The twinkling lights in the windows. The staircases made for grand entrances (or dramatic exits). The kitchens where chaos, comfort, and Christmas collide. Long after the final scene fades, it’s often these houses that stay with us, becoming as iconic as the characters themselves.

In my studio, I meet folks who are new to town almost every week. After we chat for a bit, I usually ask them: Did you know how great this town was before you moved here, or did you just luck into it? It’s never a question of whether they like it here, of course they do, the real question is whether they came here because they knew this town was great, or lucked into it?

Shopping for the person who already has it all calls for a different kind of gift—the kind that feels thoughtful, unexpected, and a little unforgettable. This guide is all about experiences, heirloom-worthy pieces, and meaningful luxuries.

Holiday travel with children is stressful, and we frequently receive panicked calls from parents who’ve been stopped and questioned because they don’t have the right paperwork. This holiday season, as you pack gifts and coordinate travel plans, add legal documents to your checklist. It’s one gift to yourself that costs nothing but provides priceless peace of mind.

Shopping for the men in your life can feel impossible, so we pulled together a guide that actually makes it easy. Whether he’s into style, gadgets, travel or the little luxuries he’d never buy for himself, this list has something that’ll make him light up. From practical upgrades to splurge-worthy treats, consider this your go-to cheat sheet for gifts he’ll actually use, appreciate and maybe even brag about later.

Tis the season to shower the people you love with, well, love. And gifts. In this hurried season it can be difficult to wrap your head around what to give someone. Even for me, someone who’s made a living on gift giving. I wanted to share some quick advice that I hope will make things easier for you.

Last week a client stopped by asking if I had anything available for $500 or less. I told her I didn’t—until she pointed to that forgotten stack and asked if she could look through it. That’s when I realized I actually do. She ended up buying two pieces. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to collect one of my studies, this is it.

We’re endlessly inspired by the women in our lives. They are busy, brilliant, generous, and juggling more than most will ever know. Whether she needs rest, rejuvenation, or a little everyday luxury, these gifts deliver something she’ll truly love, and absolutely never re-gift.

Celebrate the season right here in our own backyard! From vintage treasures to handcrafted pastries, world-class art, and the friendliest neighborhood shops around, Hollin Hall has everything you need to make the holidays meaningful—and delightfully local. Meet the people and places that make this community shine.

We've all been there: standing in a store, scrolling through endless products, trying to find the perfect gift for someone who already has everything they need, or a best friend who insists she doesn't want anything. This holiday season, what if you could skip giving anxiety altogether and have confidence that you are giving something meaningful? There’s a wonderfully heartwarming gift that can make a tangible difference in our world:  a donation to a local nonprofit.

One thing I’ve learned: the most powerful tool in the studio isn’t a brush, charcoal, or even perfect light. It’s the ability to walk away. Stepping back isn’t quitting. It’s discipline. And it may be the hardest skill an artist ever learns.

After hosting hundreds of celebrations across the city, I know what truly makes a corporate party a success: warmth, efficiency and a touch of effortless style. This year, let’s rethink the calendar and the clock.