When was the last time you edited that collection of mini toiletries? Don't overdo it, especially if you're staying in a hotel as there will be everything essential at your disposal. With Spring Break right around the corner, here are our suggestions for what NOT to bring on your next trip!

When I first got the call from a Discovery Plus producer and location scout, I was immediately intrigued that they were interested in using Boxwood as a backdrop for their show, Baylen Out Loud. Then my mind started running through scenarios…wait, how long was the shoot? But in truth, what store owner wouldn’t want their shop featured on TV? And it became more than serving as background scenery, I learned so much about Tourette Syndrome.

The Patterson Group is proud to present four exquisite new listings in Alexandria, VA, each offering a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and timeless elegance. Whether you're looking for a spacious colonial, a stunning custom residence, or a charming updated home, these properties showcase the finest in design and craftsmanship.

As time moves forward, so should your picture framing and art choices. Art and fashion trends shift, but the subjects remain timeless. Whether you’re updating your collection or incorporating inherited art, we’re here to help you stay on top of the latest trends while keeping your cherished pieces in style.

After a 14-month renovation, my husband and I were thrilled to move back into our home. We are enjoying our new kitchen along with the dining area and family room addition. But our biggest thrill was getting to sleep in our bed! Patina cannot emphasize enough how important it is to love your whole sleeping situation. 

Art is emotional and complex, it’s individual, reminding us of a moment, a phase, an introduction, a feeling. It speaks to a mood, a transition, a passion – something that strikes you at first glance – and you know you have to have it. It stays with you, becoming a part of your personal landscape.

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I LOVE the Oscars. Every year we try to commemorate the occasion in some way. This year we are hosting our first ever Oscar’s Pool! Compete against friends, neighbors, our team, and complete strangers from around the country to win a $100 gift card to one of our three stores.

We tapped two of our local experts, Lauren O’Brien of XML Financial Group and Brittany Patterson of The Patterson Group, for their insight into the current real estate market and how it may affect your financial future. If anyone knows how to invest and make your money work for you — it’s these women. Here’s some advice to consider when making your next real estate decision.

Every year, rankings from organizations such as the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) highlight the cities that offer the best quality of life. Cities that consistently rank highly in livability, such as Vienna, Zürich, and Calgary, attract residents and investors alike. Their strong infrastructure, stable economies, and vibrant cultural scenes make them highly desirable locations for high-net-worth individuals.

Winter is the perfect time to advance in art. The warmer months bring so many that it’s hard to focus on my work. The cold days, with their muted light, are my ideal backdrop for studio time. It also should be your busiest time as an Artist.

As soon as customers step into The Cut Butchery, they will be welcomed by an enticing selection of cheeses, charcuterie meats, fresh produce, in-house stocks, soups, and broths—a testament to the shop’s zero-waste philosophy. The butchery is deeply committed to working with local docksmen and farmers, ensuring that all beef, lamb, pork, seafood, and chicken are sustainably and locally sourced.

Some of the most impactful projects we’ve worked on have involved weaving cherished memories into a home’s design. We’ve incorporated antique heirlooms, like dining tables where generations have gathered, and reimagined childhood homes to accommodate modern living while preserving their sentimental essence.

The little black book. That’s what we call the running list of client preferences we’ve kept over the last ten plus years of business. Within it are preferences on colors, flower varieties, vases – you name it. We thought it would be fun, in honor of Valentine’s holiday, to lay out what some of our favorite boutique and business owners would love to receive. 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and now is not the time to skimp on love. Love deserves to be celebrated! All of the love. Romantic or not, love keeps us moving and provides joy in what can sometimes be a pretty tough world. Use this day as an excuse to celebrate the relationships that make your life a bit easier, brighter, sillier, and more meaningful.

Your fabric softener and dryer sheets are unnecessary, damaging your clothes and slowly destroying your dryer! Thankfully there is a safe, natural and environmentally friendly way to reduce static and soften clothing in the dryer – wool dryer balls. And the best part about them – they actually cut down drying time as well.

I always find it funny how something that is typically free can be so difficult for many people to edit. Reusable bags and tote bags tend to pile up and spread out into different areas of the home. The goal for this category is to set boundaries.

There’s an antidote to this midwinter slump: infusing your space and spirit with love, light, and a touch of Valentine's Day magic! By decorating with soft, romantic accents, warm lighting, and symbols of affection, we can transform our homes into a cozy haven full of positivity and warmth.

Whether you burn candles all day long or just on special occasions, here are some simple tips to help you care for your candles and make them last longer, burn more evenly, and look even prettier!

For painters, color is not just a visual element—it’s an emotional and psychological tool that shapes how a viewer experiences art. Color evokes feelings, creates balance, and tells stories, making it an essential part of any composition.

They say home is where the heart is, and my heart is in Alexandria!  When my wife and I moved to the DMV, we knew we wanted to live in Alexandria to be close to my mom, be part of an amazing community, and raise our family here. But how to find a home that we’d LOVE? The answer? Redesign my childhood home to support three generations.