The holidays are coming, which means cozy gatherings, cherished traditions and, yes, a bit of chaos. But don’t let the season overwhelm you! With some thoughtful preparation, you can create a welcoming space that lets you focus on what really matters: making memories with loved ones. 

Patina not only has lovely items for your loved ones but we also have gifts for the house. There is still time to add that extra chair(s), art, lamps – anything you need to make your home feel special this holiday season.

In Alexandria, Kelley Reynolds’ home has become a haven of warmth and joy during the holidays, thanks to a six-year collaboration with Kristin Try Interiors. Room by room, the partnership has created a space where design and function blend seamlessly, offering the perfect backdrop for celebrating family traditions and hosting loved ones.

Wine and flowers are great go-to gifts. If you want to go that route, then be sure the flowers are in a vase, and you tell them clearly the wine is for later. If you want to go a slightly different route, then here are a few good ideas. Keep in mind that a thoughtful gift doesn’t need to break the bank. The overall theme is to pamper your host and make sure they don’t feel like they have to act immediately.

I’m grateful to my parents for leaving their rural roots behind in pursuit of a better life in Northern Virginia. In their communities, during that time, imagining a career as an artist would have been nearly impossible. Growing up surrounded by art and artists allowed me to dream of what could be. Proximity to museums and galleries can be a powerful spark for a young mind, and it certainly was for me.

If traveling and being with family fills you with joy and is what you need this year, then here are a few tips to make it easy. You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re traveling with a partner, they should share the load. I’m talking to you, Moms. It is not your job to manage everything and make everyone happy. A partnership means they fully participate.

This holiday season, Rachel of Helen Olivia and Kristin of Kristin Try Interiors teamed up to create a couple of festive tablescape ideas for you at Kristin’s home. Together, they’re sharing their tips and tricks to help you craft a stunning holiday table that’s as warm and inviting as the season itself.

We all live with little necessary home repairs. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, broken fence, missing trim, holes in drywall – well you get the picture. Most of the time we let these things go until we decide it’s time to sell our house. We get everything repaired, replaced, painted and then wonder why we didn’t do it sooner!

With December on the horizon, we’d like to show you the Advent calendars we have this year! So many creative, fun, and tasty ways to countdown to Christmas. We have several options that all double as darling decorations and a few that have extra special surprises inside, some edible and some that will last for years to come.

It goes without saying that table styling is serious business in my house. And, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of orders we get from our Stylebook community each year, I know that it’s serious business in your homes, too. One of the things I love most about Alexandria is how much we all love a holiday and decorating. We have new tabletop décor items, many of which are transitional from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

As a local, Traci shares our love for Alexandria and our community so you may already know her bright smile and welcoming personality! In fact our mutual love for Red Barn Mercantile and design helped us meet and now I see Traci at many of my favorite places around town as well! 

Many of us will have friends and family staying overnight in our homes from now until the New Year, so take the time now to make sure it's neat and well stocked. Consider adding a luggage rack or small bin with toiletries. Adding a framed print-out of your Wi-Fi password can be a really nice touch, too!

One of the hardest things for a young artist is finding your own voice. I wanted drama in my work—and life, as it happened, provided plenty. Going through a divorce was that pivotal moment, opening a well of raw emotion. During this time, I painted a series of self-portraits from a mirror, capturing a pain that pushed me deeper into myself than I’d ever been.

The best time to start decorating for Christmas is when you have energy for it! In my younger years, time got away from me, and I wouldn’t decorate until well into December. If you’re going to spend time making your home look great, I strongly urge you to do it right after Thanksgiving. You then get to enjoy everything for the whole month of December.

From grand estates to chic penthouses, here's a glimpse into the stunning homes that A-list celebrities have bought and sold through Sotheby's International Realty, each property showcasing unique style, elegance, and one-of-a-kind amenities.

In this week’s episode of “What kind of nostalgic goodies does Caiti have up her sleeve?,” I am reminded again of those simpler times. No responsibility, carefree and oblivious. Do I miss them? Sure. Would I trade today-me for yesterday-me? Not a chance. Yesterday-me would not have the appreciation for those wild times that today-me does. 

A beautifully staged home helps buyers envision themselves living in the space, creating an emotional connection that can lead to more competitive offers. Addressing repairs and ensuring the home is spotless reassures buyers that the property is well-maintained, reducing concerns about future issues. These efforts not only enhance the home's appeal but also increase its perceived value, helping it stand out in a crowded market.

For us we know that the holidays are full of emotion – love, happiness, stress, and melancholy. It’s our job to make them as joyful and stress-free as possible and we take that job very seriously. I’m extremely excited for the selection that we curated for you this year and can’t wait for you to see it! On November 7 from 6pm to 9pm Red Barn Mercantile will fling open its door to our annual Christmas wonderland!

As we approach our holiday reveal in just a week and a half, I can’t help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling within me. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of planning, with UPS and FedEx deliveries becoming a regular sight outside our door. We've been unpacking an astonishing number of boxes—truly, tons of them! I couldn’t be more excited to share what we have planned for you—our cherished customers, friends, and neighbors, both new and old.

Last week, Maria and I set off for Maine, with a brief stop in Rhode Island. Many of you know that the majority of my landscapes are inspired by Maine, and these annual pilgrimages recharge my creative energy, offering fresh perspectives for next year's show at Artemis Gallery. Every year reveals something new, and this trip was no exception.