Luxury is defined as “the state of great comfort and extravagant living.” At Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s premier kitchen remodeling company, we take this to heart – whether big or small, each kitchen remodel that we undertake is a reflection of the needs of our customers. And if luxury is a customer’s dream, then Moss Building & Design makes that a reality.

With the holidays soon upon us, we’d like to showcase our favorite luxurious kitchens in Northern Virginia – imagining how these homeowners will enjoy entertaining family and friends in these beautiful kitchen remodels full of “…great comfort and extravagant living…” fills us with joy:

Stunning McLean Kitchen Remodel

Originally filled with muted neutrals and outdated cabinetry, this stunning McLean kitchen remodel is beautifully updated throughout. The long kitchen island has a sink prep area as well as plenty of room for seating and conversation, and the lighting fixtures above and nearby are delicate and beautiful. The white cabinetry and soft grey and white backsplash complete the look of a bright, lovely, and luxurious room, perfect for entertaining during the day or evening.

Gorgeous Fairfax Station Kitchen Remodel Design

It’s impossible not to stop in your tracks when seeing this incredible Fairfax Station kitchen remodel design – luxurious touches exist throughout the room. From the double massive kitchen islands, capable of seating a great number of people, to the ceiling moldings, large windows letting in plenty of light, and the open concept layout, it’s one of our favorites!

Incredible Kitchen Remodel in McLean

This lovely kitchen remodel in McLean is the perfect place to entertain over the holidays. Filled with luxurious selections, including all white cabinetry, a built in butler’s pantry and bar area, beautiful hardwood flooring, and a center island perfect for conversation or relaxing. It goes without saying that this ranks very high on our list of luxurious kitchens in Northern Virginia.

Gorgeous Centreville Kitchen Remodel

If your dream is to have an open concept main level, Moss Building & Design is the best kitchen remodeling company for you. This incredible Centreville remodel included a completely overhauled kitchen design that opened up into the home’s sitting and eating area and outdoors to the porch. Luxurious touches like the curved center island, which houses seating, a sink area, dishwasher and more, makes the space both high end but also functional. With recessed lighting throughout the rooms (that can be adjusted for day or evening), we think this is the optimal place for holiday entertaining.

Uniquely Luxurious Fairfax Station Kitchen Remodel

From the double refrigerator and beautiful square center island to the stone countertops and beautiful white tile flooring, this Fairfax Station kitchen remodel is the model of luxury. The homeowners’ bright artwork is on display throughout, with the contrast to the all white cabinetry (save the contrasting island cabinetry in a dark color) a lovely way to showcase personal aesthetics along with luxurious details.

Feeling inspired to update your kitchen? These luxurious Northern Virginia kitchen remodels showcase just the tip of the iceberg of Moss Building & Design’s kitchen design capabilities. Visit our kitchen remodel portfolio to see more kitchen remodels. Ready to start the conversation? Call us at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@Mossbuildinganddesign.com.

Many Northern Virginia homeowners find that the home that worked well for them when originally purchased has outgrown its initial appeal. This was the situation for Jeff and Wendy and their Oak Hill, Virginia home. While located in a beautiful, secluded community with a large lot and plenty of stately, mature trees, homeowners Jeff and Wendy came to a point in their homeownership where either a dramatic home remodel or a move became necessary to fulfill their changing family landscape.

As the prospect of moving decades of compiled memories and goods did not appeal to the family, the decision was made to completely renovate the main level of their home. Jeff and Wendy chose to work with Moss Building & Design after interviewing several contractors – ultimately choosing MOSS for its commitment to high-quality workmanship and willingness to work with Jeff and Wendy on their specific design vision throughout the project.

“We met with a number of contractors…and selected Moss. It just felt right, and it was.” Jeff and Wendy.

Need for Open Concept Design

Jeff and Wendy’s original Oak Hill home’s main level layout consisted of several rooms that were, essentially, unused and/or not large enough for the couple’s grown children and their grandchildren’s visits. The formal living room and dining room provided some square footage that could be remodeled for better use of space, but the couple’s ultimate vision was for an open concept main level great room that opened from a large kitchen remodel, maximizing the space for family gatherings.

In addition to adding more space to their main level as well as updating their moderate kitchen, Jeff and Wendy longed for high-end finishes and incredible, intricate workmanship in all aspects of the remodel.

Great Room Bump Out Addition For Family

With plenty of land behind their home’s original structure, Jeff and Wendy ultimately chose to remodel their Oak Hill home with Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s premier home addition remodeler. In their own words, “The centerpiece of the renovation was the open concept great room and kitchen. We moved the dining room to the unused living room, almost doubling the square footage. The old dining room was added to the kitchen.”

Moss Building & Design created a 25 x 22 foot great room addition bump out after removing the brick and back wall of the home. With a soaring cathedral ceiling, the great room boasts an entirely stone exterior wall. Inside, the great room and the newly renovated and upgraded kitchen are separated by a gorgeous ten foot, two-level island. Guided by the vision of the homeowners, Moss Building & Design’s craftsmanship in the newly built great room and kitchen included high-end finishes, semi-custom cabinets, granite countertops, and intricate molding woodwork on the ceiling of the ten foot high great room. In addition, a large stone patio was added off the side of the great room addition and the home’s roof and all the windows were also replaced.

70% of Northern Virginia baby boomers are choosing to remain in the area and in their much-loved homes as they age, according to the Northern Virginia Aging Network. So what can a homeowner do to make this a reality, considering their home’s initial layout might not be best suited for this possibility?

The answer: aging in place interior design and home remodels, which are focused on functionality, accessibility, visual appeal and life-long solutions. Remodeling a home to create single-floor living offers tremendous benefits, as a bump-out addition can provide more square footage in the kitchen and family room, as well as the possibility of a main level master suite, providing homeowners who want to remain in their original homes many years of that option.

Moss Building & Design experts are certified in Universal Design and Aging in Place, with vast experience remodeling kitchens, additions, and bump-outs to help homeowners age in place safely, comfortably, and conveniently. Here are some of our favorite kitchen design trends to consider for a bump out addition:

Clutter-Free Cabinetry

Clutter contributes to accidents, so it is important to have enough easily accessible storage space. Several cabinet features can provide cost-effective solutions:

• Mount upper cabinets three-inches lower than the standard height or install pull-down shelving
• Install a Lazy Susan inside deeper corner cabinets or upper shelves
• Utilize slide-out shelving in the pantry or lower cabinets to prevent the need to bend over
• Install wider drawers to accommodate large-handle utensils, full-size oven mitts, and jar openers
• Replace cabinet hardware with wide pull-handles or D-shaped cup-pulls for homeowners with arthritis

No-Slip Flooring

According to the AARP, the majority of serious senior accidents are due to falls in the home. When remodeling to age in place, the best flooring options are low-pile carpet, textured vinyl, cork, or non-slip tile. Regardless of the type of flooring you install, keep it clean:

• Install non-glare flooring and non-slip flooring with a commercial rubber mat for anti-fatigue.
• Avoid a tripping hazard with flush thresholds between rooms or flooring materials, and do not use throw rugs
• Choose smaller tiles (if you desire tile in the kitchen or bathroom) as more grout lines offer more texture

Multi-Level Prep Areas

The ideal kitchen allows for mobility and easy access. Being comfortable while cooking and baking is important to keep homeowners safe in the kitchen:

• Create a countertop work space that allows for 30-inches-wide and 27-inches-high leg room while sitting and between 28-inches to 32-inches high for comfortable arm maneuvering while prepping
• Consider varying heights for your countertops. A standard height of 35-inches for a large section is ideal for the majority of family using the kitchen, a lower section at 30-inches for those, like Grandma, who need to sit while prepping, and a 42-inch section for taller adults is a good balance
• Install convenient slide-out workstations for cutting boards or drop-leaf islands.

Easy-Grip Faucet and Door Handles

Due to arthritis, less strength, and fatigue as we age, it becomes harder to grip, open jars and door handles, maneuver dual-faucets, and lift items. Changing out faucets and door handles that require less fine motor skills helps one to be more self-sufficient in the kitchen:

• Add a shallower sink, or a double-basin one with one side smaller in depth, to allow enough space beneath for a wheelchair or stool
• Consider the new design trends that focus on motorized, adjustable sink and counter heights so that a wheel chair can roll under it at a lower height, or, for those standing to work in the kitchen, can be raised to a standard height
• Install a single, lever-handle faucet or a hands-free faucet with a pull-out spray device to make it easier to adjust the water temperature (adding an anti-scald device will keep homeowners from getting burned)
• Choose lever-handles and wider door spans designed to fit a walker or wheelchair.

Layered Lighting

Because our eyes can play tricks on us as we get older, lighting is one of the most essential elements in a kitchen designed for multigenerational living or aging in place. A combination of artificial light and natural light will help prevent accidents, reduce strain on our eyes, and make tasks easier:

• Install multiple sources to evenly distribute and minimize glare, including: under-cabinet lighting; task lighting above the sink, stove, and prep areas; an overhead light that does not cast shadows on the floor or surfaces; and nightlights on timers or sensors
• Choose non-shiny surface and colors for kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring, and paint sheen to lower glare
• Improve safety with ‘smart’ lighting, automated systems designed to use a motion sensor or time.
• Investigate T8 light strips to reduce glare, CFL bulbs to increase clarity and contrast as well as decrease glare, or bright white LED bulbs.

Strain-Free Appliances

Universal Design offers elevated built-in dishwashers which reduce the strain of unloading and loading; raised front-load washers and dryers on pedestals that provide more convenience; drawer refrigerators and drawer microwaves or side-by-side narrow-door refrigerators which are more easily manageable, and induction ranges or cooktops that cool much faster than standard ranges:

• Wall mount a pot-filler above the cooktop to help with meal prep by limiting the need to move around heavy pots filled with water
• Look for energy-efficient appliances
• Use electrical appliances that have an auto-shutoff features.

 

Safety and functionality take priority in our living environments as we age, but style does not have to be sacrificed in the design. Ready to get started? Email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com or call us at 703-961-7707 to start the conversation!

For all families, large to small, the kitchen is the place to share a meal, reflect on the day, or just relax. But as families grow, and the kitchen becomes more crowded, the time might come to think about a kitchen remodel. What would be the best solution for your family when considering remodeling your kitchen: add an addition or bump-out to provide more space, reconfigure your space to include a kitchen island, or possibly do a kitchen re-organization from scratch?

Moss Building & Design is Northern Virginia’s most highly experienced home remodeling company, and has worked with many families to transition their kitchen into a more practical living space for their growing families. No matter how you look at it, kitchens are the pulse of the home for the entire family, and a kitchen remodel can solve many of the challenges that your growing family will encounter.

Here are some kitchen remodeling ideas to turn your kitchen into a space that everyone in the family can use…..even Fido!

1. Add a Kitchen Island with Additional Seating —

If you’re looking to add value to your home and provide a gathering place for your family, consider adding a kitchen island: it’s a great space that can be used by the entire family. When planning your kitchen remodel, a beautiful kitchen island can be a place where everyone can cook, chat, and congregate with friends and other family members. The additional counter space also serves as the perfect place for additional seating. This kitchen remodel in Arlington, VA showcases this idea beautifully, with a large kitchen island as well as island seating, providing the perfect place for a family gathering.

2. Additional Cabinets —

As your family grows, you may need to acquire more dishes and silverware, as well as a place to store them. Depending on your kitchen layout, you may be able to add new cabinets to your walls or replace your current cabinets with more spacious versions. Moss Building & Design’s expert designers can walk you through the various ways that you can upgrade your cabinetry to include soft-close drawers, pull out drawers for pots and pans, and other semi-custom options.

3. Walk-in Pantry –

Food storage always seems to be an issue, and as your family grows, the amount of food you’ll need on hand grows exponentially! Expanding the kitchen pantry is a great way to make sure you’ll have plenty of space for snacks and cooking essentials. A walk-in pantry with plenty of shelving may prove to be a far better option to expanding your kitchen versus knocking down a wall to create more floor space.

4. Create an Organization System —

Kitchen organization will help to make your space even more family-friendly. It may seem like a daunting task, but an essential “must do” to keep clutter down. Different colored storage containers for each family member can help organize the fridge, and having labels on cabinet shelves can also be helpful. Throw in a little fun by adding a chalkboard wall to the kitchen! It can be used for menu planning, chores, or notes between family members.

5. Let’s Not Forget Fido –

Pet experts will tell you that your dog needs his or her own space to sleep and eat. Consider transitioning unused space under the stairs to build a nook for your pet’s bed or toys, or add a special watering station just for your four legged friend. These homeowners in Fairfax Station are passionate about their pets – they wanted to add a special watering station especially for their dogs. Check out how beautifully their kitchen remodel incorporates this need.

Ready to get started? Browse some of our beautiful kitchen remodeling photos or give us a call at 703-961-7707 to get started on your own kitchen renovation in Northern VA.

The saying, “you can’t go home again” might hold true for some, but, in today’s world, it’s actually becoming more and more common for multi-generational families. Almost 1 in 5 Americans now live in a multi-generational household – thus coming back to a trend that was more commonplace several generations ago.

Today, Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s home remodeling expert, is helping many families remodel their homes to accommodate families of all shapes and sizes, whether that means a home addition of an in-law suite, a main level bump out to create a kitchen renovation and larger gathering space, or updating a bathroom with accessibility for all in mind. Our home additions designers and contractors have identified some of the best home design trends for multi-generational living, which include these and others.

Open Concept Home Additions

Moss Building & Design understands that each family is unique and needs to create spaces that work for each member of the household. With a multi-generational home, having more space to relax and unwind is key – not only in a main gathering area, but also in carved out niches for each generation. We love this great room in a home renovation in Oakton, in which walls were removed to create an open concept kitchen and living area. There’s a spot for everyone with additional space for larger family entertaining.

Bathroom Renovation Accessibility

A key component to multi-generational living is remembering that abilities change throughout our lives. An older person cannot access bathroom features as easily as a younger person (and the same can be said of the members of the youngest generation). A bathroom renovation with accessibility in mind is the answer to both. A shower that doesn’t require a step up and a bathtub that isn’t built too high gives everyone a chance to continue independent access yet with the accommodations necessary. This Fairfax whole home remodel included a “shower room” in which access to the shower was placed directly next to the bathtub. A large doorway and safety bar complete the look – creating a beautiful yet safe bathroom renovation.

In-Law Suite Home Addition

For the utmost privacy, many Northern Virginia homeowners choose to add on an entire in-law suite through a home remodel. Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s premier general contractor, has experience adding on an in-law suite with all the specifics that anyone could need to live independently, but also within close proximity of the rest of their multi-generational household. This in-law suite in Fairfax includes a separate entrance, a stand-alone kitchen, and a generously sized bedroom and private bath – thus carving out the space and quiet needed by those who reside there.

Home Additions Contractors in Northern VA

There are so many ways that you can make your home one that works for your multi-generational family household. We realize that the initial process of what to do, how to do it, and how to begin it can be overwhelming. Visit our Additions Portfolio pages on our website to be inspired and understand how Moss Building & Design can help you achieve the home renovation of your dreams.

Ready to get started? Email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com or call us at 703-961-7707 to start the conversation!

The positives outweigh the negatives when considering having your older parents or in-laws move in with your family. The wisdom that is imparted on your children, free childcare, and the extra financial help are some of the most beneficial ways that a multi-generational household can be a wonderful way forward. Harnessing those positives towards a home renovation can, at times, be a challenge, as there are many things to consider, including how to create the perfect space for your new housemates.

Many of Moss Building & Design’s Northern Virginia client homeowners have chosen to add an in-law suite addition as part of a home addition as a solution to the space conundrum– and through their experiences, we have learned that there are five major things to consider when adding on a home addition:

Privacy Makes An In-Law Suite Addition Key

There’s nothing like going from an empty nest household to a full one. Many times, when a family chooses to move into the same home, concerns about maintaining the privacy gained from a quieter home is key. A private entrance from street level is one solution, as is a private sitting area or den created within an in-law suite. Adding an ensuite bathroom and functioning kitchen (or even a pseudo-functioning kitchenette) solves the issue of privacy. This Fairfax home addition included all of these options in the in-law suite and made for a perfect enclave.

Personal Tastes are Personal For In-Law Suite Additions

While there’s no reason to expect that your personal tastes will match your in-laws or parents, that doesn’t mean that there has to be a jarring difference in design style between your home and the new in-law suite addition. Plan for the in-law suite addition to be relatively straightforward and classic in design style, keep wall color to muted neutrals, and allow for personal touches that can be added such as bold artwork or furniture.

Accessibility Is a Consideration in In-Law Suite Additions

One key point when creating an in-law suite addition is the need for accessibility. Not necessarily from a private entrance, but, in the bathroom. As we age, our capabilities become more limited. Therefore, keeping accessible showers with ease of entrance (through wide doorways) and having grip bars placed throughout the bathroom (at a lower height) is a consideration to put on the list of “must haves” in an in-law suite addition.

Multi-Functionality in In-Law Suite Addition Design is Crucial

An in-law suite addition doesn’t need to have cookie cutter rooms throughout – think open concept and multi-functional room layout design. Having an eat-in kitchen next to a den or family room, with all necessities close at hand, makes for a living situation that allows for the independence that many still crave later in life.

Compromise Is Part of the In-Law Suite Addition Process

Before heading into any conversation about a home addition or home renovation, jot down a list of priorities that each family member has for the home, then rank them in order of importance. This isn’t a weekend visit that you’ll be enjoying, after all. Take the time to work as a family and then with Moss Building & Design and our designers and contractors to create the vision of the in-law suite addition that works best for your family. The end result will be a beautiful one that everyone will agree was worth the time, energy, and effort.

Home Additions Contractors in Northern VA

An in-law suite addition is a home renovation that is a big decision for your family, and we realize that the initial process of what to do, how to do it, and how to begin it can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you achieve the in-law suite addition of your dreams.

Ready to get started? Email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com or call us at 703-961-7707 to start the conversation!

As families grow and transition from having young babies and toddlers to elementary-aged children and teenagers, they often find that the home that once seemed large initially becomes barely big enough. And since there is still plenty of time left for children to be living in the home (and possibly returning home as part of the boomerang population of young adults post-college), it might be time for your family to discuss a partial or full home renovation.

Home Remodeling Ideas - Why is MOSS qualified?

Moss Building & Design is Northern Virginia’s most highly experienced home remodeling company, and has worked with many families to re-design and transition their homes from their original layouts to ones they want to reside in well into retirement. Overwhelmed at the thought of a major home transformation? Don’t be. We share some ideas and ways home remodeling can work for you and your family to help you get started on the right path.

Open Kitchen Concept Kitchen Design

Tired of bumping into one another in your current kitchen? Consider a kitchen remodel. Opening up walls (especially into low-used formal living and dining rooms) and creating an open concept kitchen design with eat-in capabilities, such as large kitchen islands, can transform your kitchen. With a growing family that has children who are able to fend for themselves, having plenty of space to cook, eat, and be together as a family might be the answer.

This kitchen remodel in Arlington showcases this idea beautifully, with a long dining table located near an incredible kitchen island, with seating at both, allowing for conversation and flow.

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Sure, we all love our families. But sometimes, privacy is especially important. Are your home’s bathrooms serving all your family members well? What about in five years? A bathroom remodel (or two) might be the best solution. Creating a “Jack and Jill” bathroom for your children to easily share a bathroom is one idea as your children get older and will want to close off a door for privacy.

Another idea would be to renovate your master bathroom. In this home in McLean, Moss Building & Design created a bathroom remodel that included a “shower room”, in which the tub and shower were placed together behind glass walls. The tub is lower to the ground for easier access for both older persons as well as younger ones. Being able to keep an eye on little ones is helpful, especially for splashes and spills, but also thinking ahead to when getting in and out of tub might require more assistance (with the addition of a safety bar, for example).

Home Additions…

Perhaps the answer to it all is a home addition! Additions can come in all shapes and sizes, from a main level kitchen bump out, to a full three story addition. The perfect solution for your family is as unique as you are. Moss Building & Design, Northern VA’s best home additions contractor, has many clients who chose to do a bump-out off the back of their main level, finish out their basements with the addition of a private exit, create a two level addition for more bedrooms and/or office space, or add a four season room off their family room. The options really depend on your family’s needs and how you see them changing and growing over time. A client in Herndon chose to add on a media room with a bar to their basement level and add a screened porch over top, both of which created more entertainment space for their family.

Home Additions Contractors in Northern VA

There are so many home remodeling ideas for growing families! We realize that the initial process of what to do, how to do it, and how to begin it can be overwhelming. Download our Beginners Guide to Remodeling to begin the process and understand how Moss Building & Design can ensure you have the home renovation of your dreams.

Ready to get started? Email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com or call us at 703-961-7707 to start the conversation!

Every year, the Moss Building & Design Community Relations team identifies various organizations in the Northern Virginia area that help needy students get the new school year started on the right foot. Or, moreso, with the best set of backpacks and school supplies necessary! It is important for all of us in Northern Virginia to realize that while we live and work in some of the wealthiest counties in the country, there are still families that need our assistance. And that’s where MOSS comes in! It is truly heartwarming to know, that year after year, our dedication to the local community is meaningful and makes a difference.

The organizations that lead the way in helping students and families are committed to reaching those that perhaps wouldn’t have access to a backpack, pencils, glue, or even erasers. MOSS has, for several years, done our best to touch various geographic areas of Northern Virginia where our community outreach can make the most difference.

In 2019, MOSS was able to participate in three back to school collection drives – if you are able to participate as well, and can help with making a difference in the lives of our area students, we encourage you to reach out to these organizations, or, email MOSS at community@mossbuildinganddesign.com.

Local Community Organizations that MOSS Partnered with in 2019

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

Cornerstones Reston

SHARE of McLean

When you’re about to have a baby, so many things are going through your mind. Your worries likely include how the new child is going to fit into your family and literally into your home. Remodeling or redecorating a new room for your baby-to-be is usually at the top of your baby preparation list. Moss Building and Design has all the remodeling tips you need to get started on this fun nursery project!

Put Painting at the Top of Your List

Decorating with new paint colors is the quickest and easiest way to update your room. Most parents pick serene, light palette colors like baby blue, light pink, yellow, or green for the walls, while light gray is also a very popular, modern choice. Painting should be done early in your process as you’ll want the room to be properly ventilated before baby’s arrival. Wall decals are also a great way to add personal touches to the room without having to get out the hammer and nails.

Create a Sitting Area in your New Nursery

One thing you’re going to be doing lot of in the nursery is sitting and rocking. Create a relaxed corner with a comfortable chair, side table near a power outlet for plugging in phone chargers, and floating shelves to store books or other knick-knacks. Add a plush rug for a cozy feel and keep must-have items, like burp-cloths, diapers, and blankets stored nearby in baskets or bins.

If you’re remodeling, consider an upgrade in overhead lighting. Directional ceiling lights will point brightness exactly where you need it, while dimmable switches allow you to choose the lighting level you need whether you’re up all day or all night.

Nursery Built-Ins are Safe Alternatives to Furniture

Nearly all furniture will need to eventually be anchored to the walls in your child’s room. As your baby becomes mobile, you want to avoid any toppling situation related to pulling or climbing on the furniture. Remodeling your room to include built-ins is a great way to permanently enhance the look of your room and completely remove that toppling risk. You should also consider renovating a closet for more organized storage solutions. A built-in bench seat would be a wonderful addition to your nursery sitting area as well as a perfect place for storing things, like extra diapers, out of sight. It will continue to be appealing for your older child or teenager’s reading, relaxing, and storage needs.

Built-in shelving and cabinetry is another necessity. You’ll undoubtedly receive a lot of baby gifts, stuffed toys, and books. Keep your favorite items out on display and store the rest. Design the shelving in the room with a mix of lower-to-the-ground shelves for your small child to have easy access to board books and higher shelves for more fragile items. Adding labeled storage bins to the shelves for easy organizing will keep things neat from the start.

Northern Virginia’s Best Remodeling Company

If designing a nursery or child’s room is on your horizon, contact Moss Building and Design to help. Our designers will work with you to create visualizations of your room before remodeling begins and our team of project managers will work to keep the remodel the least disruptive as possible. The team has long-established processes in place to keep you and your family safe and works to accommodate your needs if you already have small children or pets in the home. Contact us today!

Get a jump start on your remodel by signing up for Moss’ Design Days of Summer. Receive a FREE in-home Project Development Consultation and a design session with one of our expert Designers in our Design Center.