Date Archives: April 2021

If it feels like your counters are consistently cluttered, or you waste precious time searching for the proper kitchen tools each time you cook, it's time to declutter your kitchen.

Ready to make your kitchen more visually appealing and organized? Follow this guide to maximize your decluttering efforts. 

1. Be Picky with Your Kitchen Utensils
   It's easy to collect a stash of kitchen utensils. After all, if a spatula is still functional, why throw it out? However, take a few moments and consider which utensils you grab when you're cooking. Chances are, you tend to reach for the same spatula or ladle, leaving the rest of your utensils untouched a majority of the time. Get rid of anything that's broken, redundant, or that you haven't used in two years. 

2. Rethink Bulky Items
   If you have limited kitchen or counter space, rethink how many bulky, oversized items that you decide to keep. Keep only pieces that you've used in the past year or two, and be leery of duplicates. Richmond homes for sale that have less "stuff" tend to look larger and appear more attractive to potential buyers. For the remaining items, consider storing anything that you don't use multiple times a week in your pantry or other storage space. Or, if some of your items are seasonal (like seasonal serving dishes or cookie jars), you can store them in a plastic tote in your garage or attic. 

3. Group Like Ingredients Together
   When decluttering your pantry or cabinets, you may find that you have several bags or containers of the same ingredient. Store these duplicates together so that you can clearly see how much flour or pasta you have before you head to the store. 

4. Downsize Your Collections
   It's not uncommon for homeowners to collect mugs or shot glasses, or even recipe books. However, when you have so much of a single item, it's easy for the best items in your collection to get lost. Keep only the pieces that you absolutely love, and display them, so that doesn't sacrifice your counter or cabinet space. A wall-mounted display unit (like a shelf or small cabinet) is an excellent alternative to add to your kitchen. 

5. Store Like Items Together
   Once you've gotten rid of pieces that don't fit your needs, it's imperative to store your remaining pieces in a way that makes sense for your cooking preferences. This will make it easier for you to find the item when you need to use it. There are a couple of ways to do this. One solution is to store like items together. For example, you might store all your baking sheets together, all your plates together, or all your Tupperware together. Another idea is to store items that you use for the same job in a single location. If you like to grill, you might stow everything that you need for grilling (utensils, silicone mats, spices, and meat thermometers) in the same cabinet. It's trendy to store or display items according to color. While this certainly creates a lovely space, it's usually not the most practical way to organize a kitchen. 

Feel like your home is lacking storage space? Our real estate agents can help! Contact us today to start exploring Richmond homes with spacious kitchens. 

As one of the oldest major cities in the United States, Richmond features stunning examples of the various architectural styles that have been popular through the years. Get a new appreciation of the city's rich historical heritage when you view these classic buildings, only minutes from Richmond homes for sale. 

1. Virginia State Capitol - 1000 Bank St., Richmond, VA 23218
   Any discussion of architecture in Richmond begins with the magnificent Virginia State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark. Founding father Thomas Jefferson designed the building in 1785 with assistance from French architect Charles-Louis Clerisseau. In addition to being the second-oldest working statehouse in America, the Capitol is the first structure in the country to be designed in the style of first-century Roman temples. 
   
   
2. Egyptian Building - 1223 E. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298
   Ancient pharaohs would have been justifiably proud of Richmond's Egyptian Building, located on the campus of VCU's Medical College of Virginia. Signature features of this style include the massive pillars at the entrance and the so-called battered walls, which are thicker at the bottom than at the top to give the illusion of height. Imhotep is considered the first physician of the Western world, so it's appropriate that the Egyptian Building is used for the medical school's classrooms and offices.
   
   
3. Wills House - 407 N. 27th St., Richmond, VA 23223
   Once home to a wealthy local merchant who owned the entire block, Wills House is the oldest residence in the historic Church Hill North neighborhood. Many of the original beaded boards still remain in this Federal-style building, which dates back to 1812 and is still in use as a private home. Just two doors down is Wills Store, believed to be the oldest commercial building in Richmond. 
   
   
4. Putney Houses - 1010-1012 E. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23298
   In stark contrast to the nearby Egyptian Building sit the Putney Houses, once owned by father-and-son shoe manufacturers of the same name. The Italianate style marked a loosening of the restrictions found in more rigid architectural forms, such as Greek. Distinctive features of these Italianate homes include low-pitched roofs, round-head windows, and arcaded porches. Today, the restored houses serve as offices for VCU.
   
   
5. Markel Building - 5310 Markel Rd., Richmond, VA 23230
   Looking like something from the world of The Jetsons, the Markel Building evokes polarized reactions from most viewers. The circular structure, wrapped with unbroken pieces of textured aluminum measuring 555 feet in length, is thought to have been inspired by the sight of a foil-wrapped baked potato. However, the material is significant due to the heavy presence of Reynold's Metal in Richmond. 
   
   
6. Altria Theater - 6 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220
   Back in the early 20th century, when entertainment venues were designed as "palaces,"  the Altria Theater still stood head and shoulders above the rest. Seven years of planning, two years of construction, and $1.65 million went into the completion of the building. Since its successful restoration in the mid-1990s, the Altria Theater has hosted a wide range of events, including Broadway productions, comedy shows, musical concerts, graduations, and lectures.

Our real estate agents are experienced in matching people with their perfect home. Contact us at Joyner Fine Properties to learn more.

If you love gracious Victorian architecture in all of its styles, from Queen Anne to Colonial Revival, you need look no further than the Fan District. But you didn't need our real estate agents to tell you that, did you? If you're considering one of the lovely Richmond homes for sale, let's look at some of the things that you may not have realized the Fan has to share. 

1. Community Events
   Close proximity to the Virginia Commonwealth University campus attracts athletes to the annual Monument Avenue 10K. Halloween on Hanover is another exciting event that takes place each fall. The houses experience a Halloween makeover as stunning as Richmond itself.
    
2. Biking Around the Park
   With no fewer than eight parks in the district, there is plenty of green space to enjoy with or without a pet. RVA Bike Share is a community program that allows you to pick up a bike anywhere in the city and drop it off when you are finished. After enrolling online, you can select an annual membership, a monthly membership, or use the day rate if you don't wish to ride frequently. 
   
   
3. Dining Options
   Whether you're hungry for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or even a beer and a game, there are plenty of options in the Fan. You can find Cuban cuisine at Kuba Kuba, Asian Fusion at Foo Dog, pizza and beer at 3 Monkeys, or traditional American at The Savory Grain. If you would rather cook at home, visit local market Ellwood Thompsons in Carytown, or Whole Foods and Kroger are east of Broad street.
   
   
4. Cultural Events
   At the southwest corner of Monroe Park, you will find the striking Altria Theater. Originally built by the Shriners in 1918, the City of Richmond purchased and renovated the exquisite building, which now offers theatrical and musical performances and many magnificent affairs in the ballroom. VCU is also home to both visual and performing arts. You won't want to miss the First Friday art walks or the Richmond Shakespeare Festival in the summer. The entertainment options are boundless. 
   
   
5. Historic Sites
   A short distance from the Fan, historians will find a treasure trove of sites, including Old Town Manassas, Tazewell, Mathews County, and the Halifax County Historical Society, to name just a few. Virginia is known as the Mother of Presidents, and you can see the homes of eight of them, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
    
6. Museums 
   Immediately next door to the Fan, you'll find the Museum District, with six blocks of museums, including the Science Museum of Virginia, the Children's Museum of Richmond, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. More than twenty properties that grace the neighborhood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 
   
   
7. Shopping
   When you are tired of chain stores, the Fan can offer you plenty of unique shopping experiences, such as Halcyon Vintage Clothing, Rumors Boutique, and Addison Handmade and Vintage. For the musician, Fan Guitar and Ukulele sells all the replacement strings you need. Plaza Artist Materials is well-stocked with paints, canvases, and other materials to fulfill an artist's needs. 

Now that you have a taste of what life in the Fan District of Richmond has to offer, why not take a look for yourself? Contact us to arrange a tour of some of the most elegant homes in Richmond. 

Over the last decade, food trucks have become a crucial part of Richmond's food scene. It's a trend that our real estate agents are definitely on board with. 

But where to find them? One of the advantages of food trucks is that they're mobile. They can go where the people are, but that can make tracking them down tricky.

The Richmond Food Truck Association website offers the ability to pinpoint many popular food trucks in the city. You can also keep tabs on these awesome food trucks by following them on social media, where current and upcoming locations are frequently posted. Be sure to look out for these food trucks throughout Richmond.

1. Intergalactic Tacos
   Tacos are arguably the dish that jump-started the food truck craze, and you'll find some of RVA's finest at Intergalactic Tacos. Their tacos are truly out of this world, and you'll often find them set up around the Malvern Manor, Highwoods, and Stony Point areas, not far from these Richmond homes for sale.
   
   
2. The Return of the Mac
   Gourmet mac and cheese? Yes, please. The Return of the Mac has earned a reputation as one of Richmond's most popular food trucks by crafting next-level cheesy creations. Some of the most reliable places to find them are at Dancing Kilt Brewery on Thursdays and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on Fridays. The latter is a food truck staple that often hosts different tucks on different nights. 
   
   
3. Arroz RVA
   The idea behind Arroz RVA is to bring healthy and delicious bowls, burritos, and salads to the people of Richmond. Although Southwest-inspired, their ingredients are sourced locally. The food is fresh, flavorful, and healthy. You'll find Arroz RVA parked outside Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop most Saturdays, and be sure to check their Facebook page for their updated weekly schedule. 
   
   
4. Redemption BBQ
   Offering authentic slow-smoked Virginia-style barbecue, Redemption BBQ is a carnivore's paradise. They also offer vegan pulled jackfruit barbecue for all you plant-based eaters out there! Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is where they set up most Saturdays, and on many other days, you can find them parked at the "Hatch Food Truck Corral," an unofficial food truck gathering place in the parking lot of Hatch Kitchen, on Maury Street. 
   
   
5. La Bête
   Offering savory, spicy, Trinidadian-inspired Caribbean Creole fare, La Bête is one of Richmond's most fun and exciting food trucks. Look for them most weekends (usually Sundays) at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Their offerings are seasonal and ever-changing but always fresh and bursting with flavor. 
   
   
6. Zorch Pizza
   Offering New York-style pizza by the slice, Zorch Pizza is a food truck offering a taste of NYC around the RVA. Typically, that means the Veil Brewing Co., where they park most weekends. They've recently been setting up shop at the Hatch Food Truck Corral on Fridays as well. 

Contact us today to learn more about Richmond's incredible culinary culture and more reasons why we think Richmond is a unique place to call home. Our team can't wait to help you find your dream home in Richmond!