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The trend of multi-generational living amongst families moving into homes together (a family in a home welcoming in-laws, post-college children, etc.) has been a hot one for a while now – in fact, we touched on it and its prevalence in this blog in late 2019.

However, that was before the year 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic. Family members from multi-generations, in some cases, spent a good part of the year sheltering in place together for health and safety reasons, and realized that being together made sense financially, physically, and mentally. This sentiment, however well received by all, might not have translated well to a home’s current footprint. In addition, with the financial uncertainty that will potentially keep the country in a bit of an upheaval for an unpredictable period of time, soon to be retirees might be reconsidering moving on from their homes, choosing instead to age in place.

Ever wish you could arrive at your home, swipe your hand across your face, and magically the exterior looks different? If so, you’re not alone! MOSS has worked with hundreds of customers over the years to update their home exterior. Whether it’s new siding or roof, an updated porch, entryway, or front door, or, even a second level “pop top” addition, MOSS can help those dreams become reality. Making your home’s exterior pop, though, doesn’t have to start or stop with a remodeling project – we’ve asked two Northern Virginia landscaping firms to provide us some tips on how you can DIY (do it yourself) your exterior to heighten your home’s curb appeal, or, ideas for partnering with them for some more extensive landscape architecture. Read on for ways to really make your home’s exterior stand out:  

Beautiful Updated Porch for Visiting  

If you’ve found your front porch has been a welcome location this year to see neighbors and friends from afar, perhaps it’s time to make it even more warm and comfortable. We love the idea of using the front porch as not only an entry to your home but also a place to relax on warm evenings. Adding a swing, some beautiful outdoor furniture, ambient lighting, and plantings can go a long way to make your front porch really pop. We love this front porch in Great Falls, built specifically to entertain and visit with friends and neighbors. Think about your front porch as another way to express your design aesthetic and personality. Transforming your home exterior can start with just the front for curb appeal.

Level Up with a Pop Top Addition  

Been considering adding on to your home for an in-law suite, new master suite, or a bonus room? Then consider a “pop top” addition above your home’s garage or main level. The addition can provide so much more additional space for your family as well as make your home look totally transformed. One of our favorite second level additions is this one in Vienna. The family added an entire master suite above the garage, with a beautiful bedroom and gorgeous en suite bathroom to complete the remodel. You can see more photos of this addition here.  

New Roof or Siding or Both: Total Transformations   

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” so goes the saying. We would agree that the total transformation of this Great Falls home is best left to the before and after photo that we share here. In addition to adding on space to the home to the main level, adding dormer windows on the second level, and updating the front porch, the remodel included new siding on the additions to the home as well as new paint on the original brick to match the new siding color. Stunning!  

Home Exterior Landscape & Hardscape Tips from Local Landscape Pros  

Not only can your home’s exterior be updated in a variety of ways through remodeling, there are multiple ways that your landscape (or hardscape) can be transformed to really bring out the best look for your exterior. We spoke with two area landscape firms about some ways that you can DIY our home’s exterior or, if you are looking at high level changes, choose to have a professional map out and execute a design.  

Jeff Rossen from Rossen Landscape in Great Falls recommends choosing a variety of plantings for the front of your home, especially around your walkway. He suggests not only evergreen plantings but also perennials and annuals to provide a pop of color. Some considerations before planting: how much sun does the area receive? Does the area have a lot of foot traffic (i.e. kids running around)? Rossen Landscape discusses these topics and their “thriller, filler, spiller” mantra in a recent blog post. Jeff also shared that an impressive front porch can change the look of your home’s exterior entirely – he sees clients adding porticos or architectural elements to the front of their homes to give character and interest to entryways.  

Hardscaping, Rossen shared, refers to the work a landscape expert can do your home’s exterior to really make it shine. This could include replacing your front concrete steps or walkway with stone, creating a new walkway, or adding garden walls.  

State of the Art Landscape, based out of Sterling, touched on their three “must haves” for front yard landscaping in a recent blog post. As they rightly point out, a front yard is the first impression visitors have of your home. Their top three recommendations include focusing on your home’s driveway and walkway with borders to create distinction and clean lines, adding height and dimension to create the illusion of a larger space with above ground garden boxes or raised beds with plenty of colorful flowers and plants, and, finally, a focus on the front porch. State of the Art Landscape has been seeing a trend towards updated front porches, large enough for a swing, its own series of boxed garden features, and more. A bonus for any home’s exterior: adding in lighting features, whether they are in the ground or in pots, for example.  

Make Your Home’s Exterior Shine 

Inspired? If so, feel free to contact MOSS at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or 703.961.7707 if you’ve been considering a remodeling project for your home’s exterior. Take some time to peruse our portfolios of exteriors and additions on our website. Or, if your exterior could use a little “spring shine,” reach out to one of the Northern Virginia landscape firms we reference here in our blog. They have vast amounts of experience with landscaping, hardscaping, and even larger and more impressive projects such as stonework, pools, and spas.  

If you’ve ever lived through a remodel, you know that even under the best of circumstances it can be, at times, overwhelming and exhausting (even when on schedule with a company you trust). At Moss Building & Design, we understand this. We strive to create an atmosphere, for the duration of the home remodel process, where customers are as comfortable and informed as possible.  

2020 is proving to be an historic year for the remodeling industry, as the current pandemic has had us pivot how we serve our customers while also continuing as an essential business. We are proud to have already implemented many of the steps listed below (optionally) prior to COVID-19, and hope that all our current and prospective customers understand our commitment to your health and safety as well as that of our employees.   

Here are some ways that we are helping our customers navigate a remodel right now during the pandemic:  

Online Research for Inspiration 

MOSS has been a digitally forward company for years, showcasing photography of the remodels we’ve completed on our website, across social media platforms, and, most helpfully, at websites such as Angie’s List, Houzz, and Pinterest. We know that many people still enjoy flipping through magazines for home remodel inspiration, but, these websites and our online portfolios capture all the beautiful trends and ideas that you could find in any newsstand magazine. We encourage anyone interested in remodeling their kitchen, bathroom, or basement, or those who are thinking about a home addition, to peruse our various online portals, pin your favorites, or create a “dream book” for your remodel vision. Almost more importantly, you can research reviews and testimonials, understand a company’s rating on various sites, and, ask questions about specific fixtures or paint colors you are curious about. We’re ready at our keyboards to help!  

Virtual Consultations

Whether it’s via an online virtual meeting or a scheduled telephone call, MOSS is able to meet with customers in a variety of settings. While still offering face to face meetings (socially distanced and wearing safety protocols), MOSS is a strong proponent of working with our customers in the setting in which they are most comfortable. Luckily, we have multiple options and flexibility to set up any kind of virtual consultation. Take advantage of today’s technology when beginning the process of your remodel – any company should be understanding and provide you what you are seeking while also providing the utmost reassurance and commitment to your comfort level.  

Virtual Design Meetings

If you began your remodel process prior to COVID-19, but have had to do a 180 with regards to in person design sessions, you can rest assured that MOSS is able to lead you through those entirely online. We offer the ability to share any designs we’ve made on our systems with you, and walk you through the process of selections virtually as well. We always take any changes our customers request and implement them as possible, as well as suggesting a layout or design that perhaps you haven’t considered, honed from our years of experience. 

Health and Safety Screenings   

Beginning in March 2020, following the guidelines set forth by the Governor of Virginia as well as those for an essential business, MOSS implemented multiple actions to maintain the safety, health and integrity of both our customers as well as our employees. Each day, every customer whose home is being remodeled is contacted for a health and safety screening prior to any work beginning (this screening applies to all individuals in the home). The same screening occurs for each employee heading into a home each day. This ensures that if there any changes to a person’s health it can be documented and the work re-evaluated as to whether or not it can occur. In addition, all MOSS employees wear masks at all job sites, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently, as recommended by the CDC. In addition, MOSS employees always wear personal protective safety, including safety goggles, work gloves, and appropriate footwear.  

Putting Your Remodel on “Hold” Or Re-Adjusting Time Frames 

Even with all of the virtual options and precautions that have been put in place, MOSS realizes that some of our customers are not comfortable with individuals in their home during the current pandemic. We understand and are ready to work with any customer who would like to put their remodel on “hold” for a certain period of time. The other option is scheduling your remodel during a time when you and your family will be out of town for an extended length of time. This allows our employees to work and clean as much as possible so that when you are in town, your home and life won’t be disturbed as much. MOSS is always ready to work with our clients and their personal preferences.  

Working With You And For You During Unprecedented Times

Each day brings new information. MOSS is committed to staying on top of any and all COVID-19 updates and news that affect our customers, their remodels, and our employees. Navigating a remodel during our “new normal” is one that we have prepared for in the past by taking advantage of technology, are committed to focusing on each day of the present, and strive to continue to lead best practices for the remodeling industry into the future. If you’d like to begin your own home remodel journey, contact MOSS at 703.961.7707 or at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com.  

Spring is here! Warmer weather, longer days, and more time spent outdoors are among the things we all look forward to every year at this time. This year, of course, is a bit different – the time spent outdoors will be spent mainly at your home and in your family’s personal outside space. Perhaps, then, this is the perfect time to update and upkeep your home’s outside space in ways that you haven’t had time for in the past. Moss Building & Design is here to provide some do it yourself (DIY) ideas for improving and updating your outside spaces that can help further beautify the space that you’ll be enjoying this spring.  

Porch & Deck Cleaning  

After the winter, it’s important to clean your porch and deck – who knows what debris and leaves have blown in and made a mess! Plus, spring brings pollen and other dust, which settle on everything. Take the time to thoroughly clean your porch and deck by hosing everything down, wiping all the layers of dirt off, and sweeping away any other remnants of winter. Next step, if you have access to one, is to power wash the flooring and steps on your deck or porch. It’s amazing what a power washer can accomplish (it’s a very satisfying chore)! Be sure to follow all instructions and safety guidelines for using a power washer. Cleaning off your space and making it ready for family time this spring will help bring your family together in a new space for game nights, grilling, or hanging around your fire pit.  

Bonus tip if you have a power washer: power wash your siding. It’s amazing what the winter (and just time in general) can do to your siding! The green tinge you see on your siding in spots where nature has made its presence known? A little bit of time and effort on your part (and your power washer’s) can completely update the exterior of your home and make it look brighter and lighter!  

Garden & Flower Planting  

It’s time to pull out your green thumb! Or, attempt to – we understand that not all of us are master gardeners. That’s okay! If you want some new color around your front steps or porch, you can research heartier options for annuals, like pansies, geraniums, and begonias. Plant starter flowers this year and see how it goes. Spring is a wonderful time to start a garden as well, and can serve as a fantastic opportunity for your family to learn more about earth science and what it takes to grow the food we all eat. The nice part is that you can start with starter plants that are readily available at nurseries in the area – these will make your life a lot easier versus starting from seed. In general, you’ll feel a profound sense of accomplishment by planting both flowers and a garden, plus, this activity can go a long way in updating your home’s curb appeal (and teach your kids something along the way).  

Fence Repair  

While we didn’t experience the toughest winter in Northern Virginia in 2020, that doesn’t mean that your fence isn’t necessarily without issues. Some of your fence slats might have weakened or broken. Spend some time outside checking your fence, making sure it’s secure, the gates are functioning properly, and that your yard is a safe place for the little ones and four-legged friends to run around and enjoy themselves.  

Outdoor Lighting  

Are all your outdoor lights working correctly? Make sure that any lights out front and out back are functioning as they should to lengthen the time your family can spend outdoors on beautiful spring evenings. Perhaps you have the lights programmed to come on with sunset and to turn off with sunrise. Better yet, you can even install a smart light switch and system that allows you to turn lights on and off with an app! The installation isn’t difficult and the app allows you to turn lights off at your convenience (and not make you get out of bed to go turn off the backyard light…again). Here’s a YouTube tutorial on how to install a smart light switch: https://youtu.be/anYCOmeqAeE  

Tree Health  

How are the trees in your front and back yards? Are they as healthy as they could be? Now might be a good time to do some tree upkeep. You can contact an arborist to give you ideas of your trees’ health and possibly give you suggestions for cutting branches back or potentially removing a tree entirely if its health is in question. We all love mature trees in our yards but if they are not 100% healthy, you run the risk of them falling on your home or in your yard, especially during the turbulent weather months in the spring and summer.  

How Can MOSS Help  

There are a lot of things that need to happen on the regular for outside space maintenance: lawn mowing, leaf raking, etc. But these ones we’ve listed here might not always be front of mind for the average homeowner. Perhaps this spring is the perfect time to take advantage of just that: time. Tackle one or a few over the next few weekends. And, if you feel like you might need a little extra help, contact MOSS for the heavy lifting. We’re here and available to help you this spring (and the rest of the year) for all your home remodeling and maintenance needs. Contact us at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or at 703.961.7707.

WFH (“Working From Home”) has been a popular catchphrase for a while. And now, it’s a full-time reality for many of us. If your home has an office space that exists already, then you’re probably all set for the long-term. Most of us, however, have been figuring out how best to WFH – and if that’s a dining room table, a card table in a closet, or even your bed, you might be itching to update to an actual, more formal rendition of a home office. Here are some of our favorite Moss Building & Design home office additions to provide you with some inspiration for your future WFH endeavors:  

Privacy Is Key for These Home Office additions in Great Falls and McLean

We love this home office addition in Great Falls. The room is just off the family’s sitting room and has sliding barn doors to close off the office when necessary, giving the homeowners privacy to work with focus. The colors in the room are neutral and soothing, there is plenty of natural and ambient lighting, and the various seating options allow for either straightforward desk work or relaxed reading by the window.  

The entryway to this home office addition in McLean is just off the family’s kitchen. With the rolling barn doors separating it from the rest of the house, the look is rustic chic and not “office-y” in the least. The view from the desk is to the outdoors, with large windows allowing in light and energy to whomever is working away at the computer or desk.  

Oakton Home Addition Has Everything You Need Close at Hand 

Part of a larger home addition in Oakton, this home office was deliberately designed to be just off the new bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet, creating a suite of rooms easily connected to one another. The office is generously sized, has plenty of storage, and has large windows opening to the home’s backyard, allowing views of trees and wildlife throughout the day.  

An At-Home Retreat for WFH in Oakton  

A sliver of a view into this Oakton home office reveals that it was designed to allow in light from the windows but also a view into the rest of the home. The use of barn doors for opening and closing is a trendy design aesthetic, and the neutral gray tones throughout allow for concentration while WFH.  

Arlington Home Office Addition with Plenty of Natural Light  

This Arlington home office bump out addition was designed for a variety of purposes. Not only does it have a wraparound desk with plenty of storage, there is a separate seating area for small meetings, volunteer gatherings, and more. We love the soothing blue tones and bright white contrasting décor.  

Are your WFH days feeling unproductive, possibly due to your space? Consider these home office additions and how something similar might work in your home. Contact MOSS for a free estimate at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or 703.961.7707 

Warm weather approaches (finally!) and our Northern Virginia outdoor spaces beckon. Are you longing for a new or updated spot to spend time with family, relax in the spring and summer weather, and to just be able to slow down for a while? Moss Building & Design understands! We’re all ready for a change of scenery as well (even if just from our homes’ interiors to their exteriors) and are inspired to share these beautiful porch and deck designs from our portfolio that we’ve created for our clients over the years.  

Relaxing McLean Back Porch  

A soothing space to calm the senses (especially with the skylights!), this McLean back porch is a relaxing and peaceful room. The comfortable furniture, access to plenty of natural light, and the view of the woods make you immediately want to slow your step and stay awhile. We can only imagine how much time this family spends out here together!  

Stunning “Man Cave” Deck in Arlington  

One of our most favorite decks is this one in Arlington – with the outdoor stone fireplace, mounted TV, and access to both covered and uncovered areas, this “man cave” of a space is perfect for hosting guys nights, family evenings, or just to take a moment to warm up on a cool evening.  

Welcoming Great Falls Front Porch  

The “pièce de résistance” to a full home exterior and interior remodel is this homey and welcoming front porch in Great Falls. The owners desired a space to hang out with neighbors and MOSS delivered this stunning space just for that. Painted in a warm grey, outfitted with outdoor furniture and touches of décor, you’d almost rather stay outside than head inside.  

Nature Inspired Back Deck in Oakton  

Sometimes simplicity is best. We love this “close to nature” back deck in Oakton. With plenty of room to entertain friends and family, but with privacy as the most important aspect, this deck is a minimalist canvas ready to be enjoyed during the spring, summer, and early fall.  

Beautiful Centreville Four Season Porch  

Sometimes it would be nice to be able to enjoy your porch year-round. If that’s something that appeals to you, then you’ll love this beautiful Centreville four season porch/room. Outfitted with heaters and fully enclosed, this cozy room allows for plenty of light and leisure possibilities at any time of the year.

Feeling inspired yet by our porch and deck designs? If so, and you’re also ready to step outside and make your space ready for the season, contact MOSS today at 703.961.7707 or at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com to set up your free consultation today.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner! What greater gift could your children give their mom than help around the house? We’re not talking about just making beds and putting clean clothes away, but also taking on household chores and home improvement projects that are both helpful and learning activities. Moss Building & Design has compiled a comprehensive list of the Top 10 DIY Household Chores that your kids and your family can start tackling today – not only improving the appearance and organization of your home, inside and out, but also providing Mom the gifts that keep giving. Note that some activities are best done with adult supervision for safety reasons.

• Test out smoke detectors and change their batteries, change the fan blade direction for spring/summer on ceiling fans, and help change the home air filter: these are chores that can be taught once and then taken on by kids on their own. The good part about these chores is that they must be done on a regular basis, but not every day. Learning to schedule out when certain chores need to happen will teach your children planning and preparation (i.e. buying the air filter in advance, making sure you have enough batteries in the house).
• Clean and organize the garage: is your garage a complete mess? Used mainly for storage versus what it’s supposed to be for (parking your cars)? It’s understandable, because these days, kids have so many items that are stored in the garage, like their bikes, sports equipment, balls, toys, etc. Why not get the kids to really go through their items, get rid of those pieces they don’t use, and organize the garage better? One way to work together as a family is to figure out a better way to store the family bicycles – you can hang them from the garage walls, from the ceiling, etc. Adding in floating shelves for organization is also a great activity that a family can do together – teaching kids how to measure, use a level, and use a power drill.
• Plant flowers, spread mulch, weed the garden: a spring garden is a terrific way to get kids involved with home improvement. Not only will they learn about nature and science, but they can enjoy the fruits (no pun intended!) of their labor. Flowers add a lovely touch to a home’s curb appeal, and a vegetable garden can help supplement your family’s food budget. Owning the tasks of weeding and watering gives kids a sense of responsibility as well.
• Wash outdoor toys, sweep patio/deck, wipe down outdoor furniture: spring has sprung, and with it, the effects of winter weather and spring pollen. Get the kids to take on the task of cleaning up the backyard space. Kids can certainly wash their outdoor toys with a hose and a scrub brush, sweep the patio or deck of leaves, and wipe down outdoor furniture. It’s a nice feeling to have a prepped outdoor space for spring and summer evenings spent at home.
• Pick up yard debris and small twigs: this is an on-going chore that kids can take on for themselves. After a storm or a windy day, twigs and debris show up in our yards. Have the kids make it a regular job to go clean up the yard, front and back, to help out and make lawnmowing, for example, an easier activity (and if the kids are old enough, make them start mowing the yard!).
• Re-organize the laundry room (family activity): being at home a lot more doesn’t mean that laundry levels off. Nope, laundry never ends! Kids can always help do the laundry, fold and put away their clothes, but is your laundry room as organized as it could be? Maybe it’s time, as a family, to examine your space and think about ways that the room could be better organized. Mounting shelves for storage and organization of laundry detergent and other related items is a great start. We found this DIY tutorial courtesy of the Home Depot, which can help you get started with creating a more usable space plus teaching your children the benefits of using tools and materials such as a tape measure, level, power drill, screws and nails: https://blog.homedepot.com/diy-laundry-room-storage-ideas/.
• Build a compost bin (family activity): creating a compost bin is another part to the gardening chore. We found this easy and simple tutorial that your family could use to create a compost bin together. Not only will having a compost bin help your garden grow, but your kids will learn more about recycling and re-purposing of what previously was thought of as “garbage”: https://www.younghouselove.com/younghouselovedotcompost/
• Help with pets – feeding, cleaning up poop or litter, and walking. This goes almost without saying. Even young children can aid with the pets more. Feeding them on a regular schedule, keeping water bowls full, cleaning the litter box, and picking up poop in the yard are all ways the kids can be helpful and learn about responsibility! Pets are members of the family too!
• Use screws, nuts, and bolts to re-decorate the kids’ bedrooms: hanging photos, framed posters, string lights, etc. Is your child ready to redecorate their room? Especially your teenager? This is a great home improvement project for not only teens but kids of all ages – they can research different ideas online, create a design and room layout on paper, get photos or posters framed for their walls, hang up lights and wall décor, etc. The list goes on and on! This process also gives kids access to learning about budgeting, how to hang things properly, what their personal design style is, and more. We found some fun ideas here: https://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/teen-bedroom-decorating-5-quick-tricks/
• Most important tip for kids to give Mom a break: change the roll of toilet paper and load, unload, and reload the dishwasher WITHOUT BEING ASKED! This tip doesn’t need to be explained any further.

We hope that your family (and kids!) takes on a few or all these DIY tips. There’s no reason not to give kids the responsibility that comes with chores and home improvement projects – they not only teach them how to manage projects, but also teach them valuable skills, how to use tools and materials, and learn about science, math, gardening, recycling, and much more. From all of us at MOSS to all of you, wishing all our mom friends out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

The idea of your perfect outdoor oasis might not be, say, your current backyard. But…since we’ve all been spending plenty of time in and around our yards these days, the timing might be excellent to add some elements to your outdoor space to make it the perfect destination for your family this spring and summer. Moss Building & Design has come up with a list of the five things you need to create the perfect outdoor oasis (and can help make that happen!):  

New/Updated Deck, Patio, or Screen Porch  

Perhaps you have a deck or patio already, but, is it checking off all the boxes of your outdoor space “must haves”? If not, consider updating your space to a screened-in porch that feels like a natural extension of your current home. You can add more homey features like lighting, décor, and much more. If you don’t have an outdoor space already, now is a great time to add a stone patio or a full deck (which can utilize long-lasting materials for durability and resilience throughout every season). Depending on how your home is situated on your property might dictate what is best suited for your home, and that’s where the expert designers at MOSS come into play. We can help you make the best decisions for your space to make it work well for your family. This Annandale, Virginia porch and deck remodel combines the best of both worlds, providing the family with space they can use practically year-round.  

Outdoor Fireplace  

Here’s one way to really up the ante: add a fireplace to your outdoor space! This remodel in Arlington, Virginia included not only a three-story addition, but, an outdoor “man cave” of sorts, including this gas fireplace. Not only is it functional, but the incredible stonework on the fireplace gives the space an outdoors-y, natural vibe. If a full fireplace isn’t in your wheelhouse, you can also have a portable firepit or have a permanent firepit built in, perfect for cool summer evenings and s’mores.  

New Long-Lasting Furniture 

Has your outdoor furniture taken a beating from the elements? It might be time to purchase new furniture. But there’s no need to limit yourself to specific furniture for fear of the weather. New developments in material have created many brands of furniture that are able to withstand rain, wind, snow, and more throughout the year. Explore the options available for comfortable seating for your screened in porch, tables and chairs for your patio, and more. This McLean, Virginia client now enjoys many a summer evening in their screened porch with their beautiful furniture:  

Better Lighting  

Outdoor spaces look romantic and lush when lit with ground, spotlight, or ambient lighting. Why not add those to your outdoor space to give it the look that you’re earning for? There are many ways to install lights: low points like on stairs or around the perimeter help provide soft lighting that is also practical (i.e. helping people see where they are going!), and higher installed lights provide a backdrop to the space, giving the illusion of a “room”. Lighting is an extremely personal decision – here’s a great resource on many ways to plan out lighting your space: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/landscaping/21017967/all-about-landscape-lighting.  

Plantings & Flowers  

If you’ve been considering adding some plants and a flower garden to your outdoor space, now is the perfect time! Even if you lack experience, you can learn a great deal from your local garden center and online. Pick what you think is pretty and would work well with your space – whether that’s around your patio’s perimeter or in pots or planter boxes on your railings or on your deck. Want to see how easy it is to create a planter box on your own? Moss Building & Design recently hosted a live workshop on Facebook in which viewers learned to build and fill both a flower and an edible planter box. Check it out with your family and challenge yourself to create your own: Planter Box Part 1 and Planter Box Part 2.  

Bonus Idea: Water Feature 

If you are thinking about taking things up a notch further, then installing a water feature might be something to consider. Here’s a beautiful set of ideas that could really bring some unique beauty and serenity to your outdoor oasis.  

We hope you’re inspired to update your outdoor space with any or all these ideas. And if you’re ready to begin, please contact us at Moss Building & Design for a free estimate to begin your outdoor space remodel at 703.961.7707 or via Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com.

Built in 1910, the historic home purchased by our clients last year fit all the criteria for what they were looking for in a forever home: ideal location, vintage charm, and space to entertain family and friends. However, the home’s original layout, with its large dining room and small kitchen, and lack of a master bathroom, while appropriate for the era in which it was built, did not suit the modern sensibilities and needs of the homeowners. With this in mind, Jacey and Brad reached out to MOSS and our team of expert designers to transform their main level to give them the gourmet kitchen that would provide them the opportunity to better receive family and friends, as well as create a brand new master bathroom entirely from scratch from a little used second floor “bonus” room. To paraphrase the homeowners, MOSS was able to assess the situation and visualize the solutions to make the homeowners’ vision of their dream home a reality.  

Creating a Beautiful Gourmet Kitchen from the Original Formal Dining Room 

When they first purchased their new home, Jacey and Brad immediately knew that the small corner kitchen and incredibly large dining room, used in the past for formal entertaining, was not to their taste. Rather, they knew that they wanted a large, beautiful kitchen that could be used to gather with family for the holidays and with friends throughout the year. Here’s what the dining room looked like originally:  

 

The solution? Switch out the dining room and make it into the new, grand kitchen the homeowners desired. Once the decision was made, and with a focus on having a white kitchen with entirely white cabinets (Jacey’s dream come true!), the MOSS designers created a seamless look to the cabinetry, including utilizing cabinet panels as the front for the refrigerator and freezer (a very trendy look these days) and using a section of corner cabinetry to house a baking center with appliances and supplies, as well as adding a half wall of cabinetry with glass fronts to showcase the homeowners’ beautiful china.  

The massive center island, which houses two dishwashers, a sink, plenty of prep area, lots of seating options, and a great amount of storage, is home to a beautiful countertop of honed marble, matching the rest of the kitchen’s countertops. The piece de résistance in the kitchen, the island truly serves as the gathering spot for Jacey, Brad, and their close-knit family.  

A final unique touch, in contrast to the all-white kitchen and countertops, is the stunning navy blue stove, which matches the china on display as well as the curtains on the tall windows. Add in all new new light fixtures, recessed lighting, and, along with plenty of natural light, the stunning new kitchen is a “wow”!  

Creating a Master Bathroom from the “Bonus” Room 

While at first glance having a “bonus” room would seem to be just that, a bonus, that was not the case for our MOSS clients. The bonus room was simply another room that served little purpose. On the other hand, the lack of a master bathroom was a bigger issue that needed to be solved. MOSS brought its creative energy to help solve the issue, and the team, along with Jacey and Brad, all agreed that the bonus room, with its location next to the master bedroom, would be the perfect space for a new master bathroom.  

With its odd layout, however, as well as three staircases in and out of the room and the top of the former kitchen’s chimney running through it, the bonus room had to be completely transformed to become the master bathroom Jacey and Brad were seeking. To solve these issues, one staircase was completely closed off and the chimney covered up so as to essentially disappear, while all the plumbing for the room had to be run through the lower level ceiling and walls up to the bathroom.  

The final result? A calming oasis for the homeowners to relax in at the end of the day. The large walk-in shower is beautifully hand-tiled and located next to a standalone soaking tub, which sits next to a large window that allows in plenty of natural light. The water closet area has a unique wallpaper that draws the eye, as does the curved archway above the toilet, which matches the design in the kitchen leading from the hallway. MOSS was also able to transform a beloved piece of family furniture, which had traveled the globe with Jacey and Brad, into the master bathroom’s vanity, adding in a gorgeous countertop. While the room was transformed almost entirely from its original purpose, the homeowners kept the original hardwood floor, which provides continuity to the rest of the home and the original look and feel of a bygone era.  

  

Can’t get enough of this gorgeous renovation? See more and hear from the homeowner in this video. 

Stunning Home Renovation in Herndon, Virginia 

Helping to transform this Herndon home was a labor of love not only for Jacey and Brad, but also for the MOSS team that worked with them. A forever home is a dream home, and every day in it, post remodel, should feel special. MOSS strives to give every client the incredible result that they desire for their home remodel – and this beautiful transformation is a testament to that commitment. If you’re feeling inspired and/or been considering a home remodel, contact MOSS today for a free consultation at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com.