Lifestyle, Home & Design Britt Patterson Lifestyle, Home & Design Britt Patterson

From Waterfront Retreats to Urban Gems: Alexandria’s Newest Homes on The Market

This week’s new listings showcase the best of Alexandria living — from a waterfront retreat with a private dock to an updated single-level home just minutes from Old Town. Whether you're dreaming of a luxurious, resort-style escape, a private woodland haven, or a turnkey property with unbeatable convenience, these homes offer something special for every lifestyle.

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Home & Design, Lifestyle Nikki Seaman, SLP Home & Design, Lifestyle Nikki Seaman, SLP

The Purpose of Play: Insight from a Local Speech-Language Pathologist

At the end of a long day, parents just want time to take a deep breath. Then comes that ever so innocent, yet loaded question, “Mommy, can you play with me?” I am here to tell you that something as simple as playing catch or building a tower can help your child expand their vocabulary and develop essential social and cognitive skills.

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Home & Design Renée C. Gage Home & Design Renée C. Gage

Exhibiting With Friends: ‘More Moments of Art’ at River Farm

It’s always such a gift to be included in an exhibit with other artists. There's a sense of community, creativity and appreciation for each other and our life’s passion. When Carrie Garland, a dear friend and owner of Nepenthe Art Gallery, approached me about being in the More Moments of Art exhibit at George Washington’s River Farm, I was beyond excited.

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Home & Design Amy Rutherford Home & Design Amy Rutherford

Let’s Talk Tariffs

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been on a tariff international press tour. Toys have been the biggest topic, but I get to speak about how it affects all our local businesses. I have been interviewed twice and those stories appeared on ABC World News and Good Morning America and NBC Washington and NBC Nightly News. This is clearly a complicated global issue that is getting a lot of attention. I want to bring it to the local level and give it a bit of context.

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Home & Design Kristin Try Home & Design Kristin Try

KTI Project Underway: A Basement Built for Living, Hosting, and Everything In Between

This basement renovation is part of a full-home project with a dynamic family that lives, hosts, and celebrates with intention. Their home is a revolving door of energy—kids, neighbors, colleagues, and book club friends—and this lower level was designed to keep up with it all while reflecting their fearless love of color and thoughtful design.

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Home & Design Britt Patterson Home & Design Britt Patterson

Introducing River Row in Old Town, Alexandria

Situated along the most prestigious street in Old Town Alexandria—within one of the nation's most historic and desirable neighborhoods—River Row comprises six newly constructed, LEED Silver-certified residences. Each four-level home offers a rare combination of timeless architecture, innovative engineering, and a premier location—with no HOA or condominium fees.

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Home & Design Don Ripper Home & Design Don Ripper

The Courage to Start Over: Erasure as a Creative Act

In art, as in life, the idea of starting over often feels like failure. A false line. A bad decision. A misstep. Something to be hidden or corrected, preferably without anyone noticing. But what if we reframe erasure, not as a sign of weakness or regret, but as a deliberate, even powerful creative act? What if starting over is not the undoing of progress but an essential part of the process itself?

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Home & Design Amanda Mertins Home & Design Amanda Mertins

The Hunt for the Extraordinary

In the world of interior design and retail curation, finding truly one-of-a-kind pieces is like striking gold. For many designers and store owners, like Patina Polished Living, the challenge lies not in spotting what’s beautiful—but in finding what no one else has. Sourcing unique pieces isn’t as easy as it once was. Markets are saturated with reproductions and look-alikes. What our clients and customers crave are those unexpected gems.

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Home & Design Jessica Moak Home & Design Jessica Moak

Curated with Care: Bringing Handmade Pieces to Your Home

When we opened Eries Interiors last September, our vision was clear: to create a warm, inviting space filled with original art and truly special pieces that make a house feel like home. Whether it's a set of vintage coupe glasses that reminds you of your grandmother’s Sunday suppers, or a hand thrown ceramic bowl that elevates your everyday salad—we want our items to have a story and for you to make them part of yours.

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Home & Design, Lifestyle Britt Patterson Home & Design, Lifestyle Britt Patterson

Flipping The Script on Blue Collar with Pink’s Window Services

When you think of window cleaning, retro branding and curated gift bags probably aren’t the first things that come to mind. But Pink’s Window Services is on a mission to flip that script—and it’s doing so with precision, polish, and a whole lot of personality. Marcus Ivery, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, is part of a growing movement to reinvent the way blue-collar services are delivered. 

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Home & Design Lisa Soboleski Home & Design Lisa Soboleski

April’s Hopping By – Shop Must-Have Easter Products Before They’re Gone!

April is hopping right along and Easter will be here before you know it. There are springtime treasures to be found at Red Barn Mercantile, Penny Post, and Pippin Toy Co. Have a look around the shops and find something wonderful help you celebrate the season. Whether it's a basket filled with chocolate eggs, decorative items for the home, or a heartfelt card, these gestures can brighten someone’s day.

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Home & Design Alexandria Stylebook Home & Design Alexandria Stylebook

She Said, She Said: The Spring Interior Refresh

We tapped two of our local home and interior experts, Amy Rutherford of Red Barn Mercantile and Kristin Try of Kristin Try Interiors, for tips on how to refresh our homes for spring. If anyone knows how to add a touch of subtle luxury and comfort to our indoor space — it’s these women.

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Home & Design, Lifestyle Don Ripper Home & Design, Lifestyle Don Ripper

Unlearning Color: Seeing the World with an Artist’s Eye

Consider this: the ancient Greeks had no word for blue. Imagine the freedom of describing the sky as a cool shade of green or a muted violet rather than defaulting to "blue." Every child instinctively reaches for the blue crayon for the sky, the green for trees—associations that linger into adulthood, subtly shaping how we interpret the world.

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Home & Design Britt Patterson Home & Design Britt Patterson

Three New Listings in Alexandria: Mediterranean-Style Villa and More

Set along the picturesque banks of the Potomac River, this 5,200 square foot Mediterranean-style villa offers a seamless blend of Old World charm and contemporary innovation. Its warm, earth-toned brick façade and classic terracotta roof exude timeless elegance, while integrated solar panels provide a sustainable touch without compromising its architectural authenticity.

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