Professional Services

Homeland Contractors:

Crafting the Heart of the Home Outdoors Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Homeland Contractors For more than 20 years, Homeland Contractors has been a familiar name in Northern Virginia, built on the belief that a home doesn’t end at the back door. For owner Mario Monroy, the outdoor space is an essential extension of the home experience. His journey began with hands-on experience in outdoor work, where simple lawn care and small planting projects grew into a lifelong...

Home + Design

Tracing the Dream:

Timeless Living in Northern Virginia Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of James McDonald Associate Architects The Art of the Sketch The design process at James McDonald Associate Architects is a collaborative journey that begins with a simple roll of trace paper. McDonald believes in active listening, putting aside ego to truly understand how a family functions. He asks granular questions: Do the kids have space for their activities? How does the family use the kitchen? Is the...

Professional Services

Finding Home

with Lori Mensing Article by AJ Jones | Photography by Courtesy of Lori Mensing The foundation of Laurie Mensing’s real estate success was built on an eye for detail. Before she was a top-tier industry leader, she spent her time mastering the art of design, a skill that now allows her to curate and market homes with unparalleled precision. While her peers in her college sorority house were receiving standard mail, Laurie was poring over the latest issues of  Architectural Digest  and  Adweek...

Health + Wellness

Doing Wellness Ourselves

In the first quarter of a new year, people get motivated to make lifestyle changes. Many people decide to paint the house, declutter the closets, purge the wardrobe of unloved or stained clothing, go on a diet, and so many other initiatives!Since starting a LifeWave business, personal growth and self starter behaviors are now a new lifestyle. I am finding that my enthusiasm for do-it-yourself projects around the home carries over into our family’s health and wellness.We are “doing wellness”...