Arts + Culture

Art That Grows With a Community

The Works of Matthew Johnston Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Matthew Johnston In a town where history and creativity walk hand in hand, Matthew Johnston has long been a quiet force shaping the local arts landscape. A resident artist at the iconic Torpedo Factory for over four decades, Johnston isn’t just a painter, he’s a pillar of the Alexandria arts community. His studio is more than a workspace; it’s a place where conversations turn into friendships, and first-time visitors often...

Life + Culture

The First Teacher We Never Forget

How a Kindergarten Teacher Shaped a Community Article and Photography by Katie Moore Think back to your very first classroom: the smell of crayons, the tiny chairs, the teacher who knelt to your level and called you by name. For many of us, kindergarten wasn’t just the start of school; it was the beginning of learning how to be in the world. For over two decades, Nancy Stansberry was that first teacher for hundreds of children in McLean, Virginia — and her impact has rippled far beyond the...

Home + Design

Custom Architecture, Personal Touch

Designing Where Luxury Lives Article by Katie Moore | Photography by James McDonald Associate Architects McLean and Great Falls is a melting pot of lifelong locals and post-graduate transplants, all of whom contribute to the area’s blossoming community and hometown feel. Those who moved to the area, or simply switched neighborhoods, each play a role in the towns’ character and personality — and nothing speaks to character and personality like a person’s home.  The architecture of Northern...

Real Estate

Understanding the Market

Insight from a Local Expert Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Casey Margenau No zip code is immune to the ups and downs of the housing market — even the most sought after neighborhoods like McLean and Great Falls experience shifts that impact buyers and  sellers alike. While online research can offer a starting point, truly understanding when and how  to act in today’s real estate landscape often requires insight from those who live and breathe  the market every day. One powerful way to...

Home + Design

Where Craftsmanship Endures

The Return of Michelbach’s in Old Town Alexandria Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Justin Bernhardt In an era defined by convenience and mass production, it's rare to find a business that moves at the pace of thoughtfulness. But on a quiet stretch of King Street in Old Town Alexandria, one such business continues a legacy that began over a century ago.  Michelbach’s, a furniture store that was once a cornerstone of Alexandria’s commercial life, has returned to its roots — this time...

Arts + Culture

A Journey in Color, Texture, Passion

Meet Local Artist Sharon West Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Sharon West Art has a way of calling to us, sometimes quietly and sometimes with a force that cannot be ignored. For Sharon West, that calling came later in life, but once she embraced it, there was no turning back. As an award-winning Loudoun County palette knife artist, Sharon has built a career on the power of texture and color, transforming blank canvases into dynamic, expressive works of art. Her journey from corporate...

Home + Design

Our Homes, Our Stories

Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Pembrook Interiors There’s something about being at home that sparks the imagination. You pass through the same hallway and think, What if we painted this a color that makes us smile every time we walk by? Or you sit down in the family room and wonder why it still feels like a  showroom instead of a cozy retreat. Maybe it’s bigger than that — maybe you’ve lived in your house for years, and despite your best efforts, it still doesn’t quite feel like you...

Real Estate

Where Expertise Meets Excellence

Building Trust in a Competitive Real Estate Market Article by Katie Moore | Photography by Long & Foster McLean and Great Falls are more than zip codes — they're a mindset. Both areas exhibit strong demand, particularly in the luxury housing market, with homes selling swiftly and at premium prices. What’s driving such a successful market? Proximity to D.C., top-tier schools, a strong sense of community, and estates that blend traditional elegance with modern luxury. Homes are off the market in...

Life + Culture

Retiring in Style

Bringing quiet luxury to the DMV Article by Natalie Tsay | Photography by Andrea Joseph There’s no denying that the word “retirement” has close associations with the word “Florida.” For decades, people across the country (including the DMV) have packed it all up and flown south to spend their retirement somewhere warm. But over the years, the number of retirement-age residents in Virginia has been steadily growing. More and more, people are choosing to spend their golden years in the DMV, not...

Fitness

More Than a Workout

Finding self-care and community through fitness Article by Natalie Tsay There’s no shortage of advice on how to get in shape. From trendy workout programs to quick-fix fitness fads, it can feel like there’s always a new “best” way to stay active. If you listened to many of these tips, you’d think fitness is one-size-fits-all — but it’s far from it. Because everybody (and every body) is different, what works for your neighbor may not work for you at all. In other words, fitness is highly...