My friend Jay Paul posted this link to Design Sponge on his Facebook page a few days ago. I’m so glad I checked it out. Not only did I get to see his awesome photography — some super shots highlighting Richmond, but I also, I got to read a great report of the city highlighting everything Richmond.  Here’s the West End section, but make sure you check the entire list out. Based on the 71 comments left as of yet, I’d say this is going to be a go to list for quite a few travelers. The focus is on design and food. Two of my favorite topics!

West End

The west end is both an urban and suburban part of Richmond. The University of Richmond’s gorgeous rolling campus is located in this area and is quite a magnet for families. It has some wonderful shopping areas along Patterson Avenue as well as Libbie & Grove Avenues.

Fraiche: This ittty-bitty boutique store in the heart of the libbie/grove shopping district carries a carefully edited collection of furniture, art, lighting, bedding and accessories. Think slipcovers, rattan baskets and cashmere throws – perfect pieces to finish off your weekend beach house.

Sunny’s Goodtime Paints:
This is not your average paint store. Pay a visit and you’re likely to run into Sunny herself. With a personality as bright as her line of decorative paints, glazes, color washes, stencils and how-to books – you’re sure to find everything you need to get started on your own paint project. Don’t know where to start? Armed with an incredibly skilled staff of decorative painters, artists and color consultants you’ll not only start your project, you’ll finish it with grace and finesse.

Verve: Don’t let the website fool you. This mod boutique located in The Shops at 5807 mixes 60’s south beach kitch with 70’s shagedelic lucite and chrome. Think Jonathan Adler meets Austin Powers – now that’s groovy, baby!

Open House: Another favorite boutique located in The Shops at 5807, Open House provides a retail platform for up and coming indie design stars, from textiles and ceramics to bedding and dinnerware. Don’t miss out on Looolo Textiles yummy, organic wool pillows; Lorena Barrezueta’s “Gourmet Collection” of porcelain dishes cast from disposible tin food containers and local Charlottesville artist/cardmaker/photographer Cary Olivia’s Unique goods ByCary.

Charles Luck Stone Center: Did you ever think stone could be as sexy or en vogue as New York Fashion Week’s latest trends? No? Guess again. The flagship showroom, designed by Peter Fraser is an inspiring muse for anyone looking to build something – anything out of stone. Whether it’s a fireplace mantelpiece or a custom mosaic from an Italian artisan – you’ll rock (er, walk) out wearing more than just the clothes on your back.

Edible Garden: A leisurely drive just outside the heart of the city, this tiny cottage serves up delicious, savory dishes in the back sunroom and (weather permitting) quaint patio flower garden. Made with local, organic ingredients, this humble bungalow even goes so far as to list the farms under each entrée that have contributed to that particular dish. Locavore-ism at its best.

These historical homes are in Windsor Farms, just off Cary Street.

Agecroft: Agecroft is actually a Tudor house built in England, saved by Richmonder Thomas C. Williams, Jr. and brought to Virginia and painstaking reassembled. Agecroft also hosts The Richmond Shakespeare Festival- a treat under the stars!

Virginia House: The Virginia House was the home of Alexander and Virginia Weddell completed just before the stock market crash of 1929. The home is overlooks the James River and was constructed from the materials of a sixteenth century English manor house.