HomeLifeStyle

First Alexandria was the Fun Side of the Potomac. Then it was Charmville. Now Alexandria is being sold as "extraordinary" in a new $1.6 million destination advertising campaign that hopes to generate overnight stays by targeting people within a five-hour drive radius.

NOVEC Warns Of Energy Vampires

Electricity courses through wires in homes, schools, and businesses just as blood courses through living creatures’ veins. While fictitious vampires materialize on Halloween and in “Twilight” movies, energy vampires are real. They can suck enough electricity to account for about 10 percent of a consumer’s electric bill. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative says consumers don’t need garlic or wooden stakes to stop energy vampires — they need power strips.

Family Celebrates 50th Foster Puppy

What does the Fairfax County Animal Shelter do when it takes in an extremely young animal, one too young to adopt out? It finds a foster family willing to take on the responsibility of nurturing the sometimes days-old animal until it is old enough to be adopted permanently.

Brickyard Coalition Gives Awards

Brickyard Coalition to Honor those helping to save brickyard property.

Holiday Gift Show to Benefit Area Charities

Shopping takes on a new meaning.

Decorating for Fall

Local designers offer suggestions for bringing the harvest into your home.

The colors of autumn are all around as pumpkins and squash fill produce stands and leaves change from green to orange, red and yellow before falling from their branches. Local designers and tastemakers are unveiling home accents that bring the warm hues of the season into the home. Whether using pillows, throws or flowers, adding the colors and textures of fall requires less effort than one might expect. “Emerald green, orange and turquoise are three of the biggest color trends we’re seeing,” said Marcus Browning of European Country Living in Old Town Alexandria. “Throws and pillows are a given, but you can also tie in traditional and modern accessories with rugs, stained glass lamps with modern or intricate designs.” Small trays provide a canvas for highlighting color and adding functionality to a room, says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors in Bethesda, Md. “Color and pattern are in right now,” she said. “I just purchased the C. Wonder (http://www.cwonder.com) navy and white chevron tray for my home. It adds a punch of color and freshness to a room. Preppy is back in a big way, too, offering lots of patterns.”

The Connection

HomeLifeStyle

Oak Hill, Herndon Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 81 homes sold between $1,365,000-$147,000 in the Herndon and Oak Hill area.

Great Falls Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 19 Great Falls homes sold between $7,400,000-$770,000.

Fairfax Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 83 Fairfax homes sold between $1,393,860-$169,000.

Centreville Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 88 Centreville homes sold between $740,888-$180,000.

Chantilly Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 11 homes sold between $837,500-$75,000 in the Chantilly area.

Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 60 homes sold between $1,555,000-$146,250 in the Clifton, Fairfax Station and Lorton area.

Burke Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 53 Burke homes sold between $783,000-$130,000.

Arlington Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 207 Arlington homes sold between $2,965,000-$80,000.

Alexandria Home Sales: September, 2013

In September 2013, 181 Alexandria homes sold between $2,000,000-$84,000.

New $1.6 Million Advertising Blitz Seeks to Rebrand Alexandria

First it was Fun Side. Then it was Charmville. Now Alexandria is extraordinary.