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‘Tis the season for the family invasion. Is your home and gathering space ready to host for Thanksgiving? The Moss Building & Design team is here to help! 

Check out our tips for quick ideas to help you survive and thrive this holiday season.

MOSS Designers Focus On Room Decor

Our designers focus on small touches, like seasonal candles and DIY centerpiece projects, to make your home and holiday table warm and welcoming this season.

An Easy Way To Add Menu Flair

Moss Building & Design Supply Chain Manager Jodi Jameson has tried-and-true tips for making your stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy stand out.

Prepare In Advance

From pre-planning a meal to being organized with decorations, planning ahead is always a good way to make your holiday season go smoothly. Check out these tips to give you more time to spend with family during the day-of celebration and make decorating a breeze.

BY: JULIA KILBERG

MOSS transformed this beautiful McLean, Virginia, home to encompass the homeowner’s love of timeless design with functional style and simple sophistication. The home had great bones but was in need of MOSS’ design team to deliver that “wow” factor.

While the kitchen remodel was a priority, other updates to the first-floor living room and second-floor master bathroom made the new updated design carry throughout the home.

The MOSS project managers, design team, and contractors adeptly communicated with the homeowners, who traveled internationally during the renovation, to surpass expectation on this marvelous Northern Virginia remodel.

McLean Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen remodel is one of the best investments you can make in your home – and one you can reap the benefits of daily. This McLean kitchen was originally dated by the light wood cabinetry, so the homeowner completely updated the room with a classic white design. The painted fine maple cabinetry from Landmark features soft close doors – a must-have in all new kitchen designs.

The white Carrara marble and grey Caesarstone countertops and island marry elegance with functionality for long-standing durability in this kitchen. Caesarstone is a great kitchen countertop choice versus granite because it doesn’t require any sealant to resist spills.

The darker wood flooring adds to the updated look and wonderfully complements the white cabinets and enlarged island.

Even though the homeowner kept the original stainless steel appliances and two hanging pendant lights above the island, the other renovations make the space look completely new.

Living Room Remodeling Upgrades

This living room needed a few touches to make the home renovation complete throughout the home. A simple stone masonry fireplace was transformed into a more modern white mantle and hearth that makes the space look fresh and new.

The same dark hardwood flooring from the kitchen is carried through to the open-concept living space for continuity. Finally, updated paint colors and new furniture finish off the space.

Master Bathroom Remodel

This home’s large master bathroom offered the MOSS team a lot of real estate to complete a stunning bathroom update. The original brown and white colors of the room are drab compared to the new updates to the vanity countertops and flooring. The gorgeous gray stone tile floor adds rich warmth to the room.

Framed mirrors are very trendy. They make the vanity area pop and add color and depth to walls. The large mirrors in this bathroom remodel look great with the darker frames to help them stand out from the white and gray cabinetry and countertops.

Italian marble from Mosaic Tile was placed in the walk-in shower and around the adjacent deep bathing tub. We love the square Kohler rainhead fixture as well, which makes any shower feel like a spa experience.

Check out more pictures of this stunning remodel in our Houzz photo album here.

Is it time to fall in love with your home all over again? Contact Moss Building & Design to help you bring your design concepts to life at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

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By: Jenn Zschunke

Laundry. There’s no avoiding it, but there are ways to make it easier and more streamlined for you and your family. Moss Building & Design, the premier home remodeler in Northern Virginia, helped many families renovate their laundry rooms over the years.

From small spaces that needed reconfiguration to large ones that needed a facelift, MOSS designed and renovated laundry rooms to be more functional and organized.

Baskets & Bins For Organization

One of the best ways to make the task of laundry better is to involve the entire family. Give each person a laundry basket in their room and have specific baskets for whites, colors, and delicates in the laundry room. This sorting helps the process flow better.

After the laundry is completed, individuals can take personal responsibility for putting their clothes to their rooms and away (folding clothes, too, depending on their age!).

Cabinets For Detergent & More

Wouldn’t it be nice to store the detergent, dryer sheets, and fabric softener away from the washer and dryer? Upper cabinetry or lower drawers for these items solves the problem! It takes care of clutter and is neater with less possibilities for spills. Built-in laundry room cabinets are the solution that many of us need!

Shelf Or Drying Rack For Spot Cleaning & Folding

Even in a small space, a tabletop or shelf for folding and organizing clothes is a wonderful laundry room addition. Using the space before laundry for spot-checking is also a great idea. The ability to iron clothes and either hang them up or fold them neatly is equally amazing. So many possibilities!

In any size laundry room, the mantra should be, “Everything has its place.” Families should be able to be a part of laundry activity from start to finish.

A functional and flowing process makes laundry a less arduous task for everyone! Let MOSS make the laundry room of your dreams a reality. Contact us at 703.961.7707 for a free estimate or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

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By: Jenn Zschunke

Fall is beckoning! With this orange and yellow season comes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other seasonal happenings.

What else comes along and into your house? Trampled leaves, muddy shoes, piles of kids’ sports equipment, wet boots, and more.

These messy fall situations call for a solution that works: A functional, organized, and attractive mudroom.

Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s top remodeling contractor, has extensive experience. We work with our customers to create the mudrooms of their dreams. Here are some of our favorite mudroom design ideas:

Organized Cubbies And Hooks

This gorgeous Oakton, Virginia, mudroom keeps the whole family organized. It has cubbies for shoes, shelves for miscellaneous items, and hooks for jackets and bags. Other cold-weather items, such as gloves and hats, are higher up until winter comes.

Sliding Doors

If your entryway isn’t from the outdoors or the garage, it’s through the front door. No matter! You can have a mudroom that comes into play when you need it. This functional Oak Hill, Virginia, mudroom has sliding doors. These doors keep the family’s belongings out of sight when out of use.

Combining Laundry & Mudroom

What a glorious thought! All the dirty socks go into the washer. Shoes go on the mudroom shelves, drawers, or cubbies! Combining a mudroom with your laundry room is a great idea for keeping the dirt away.

This Oak Hill home is beautiful and brings the two rooms together to make life a lot easier for the entire family.

Make Your Mudroom Fun & Functional

A mudroom doesn’t have to be boring. A fun color or an interesting lighting fixture makes the mudroom a room that’s suitable to visitors and family. This Arlington, Virginia, mudroom is a perfect example of how this family uses it day in and day out. Yet, it keeps an element of fun and interest in the design style.

Add Seating Options

It’s more comfortable to take shoes on and off if you’re able to sit down. We love this comfortable bench in this mudroom. You can also keep the seats uncovered as another option. The interesting wallpaper and recessed lights also add an element of comfort and calm. This makes the entry into your home via the mudroom one of ease.

Feeling inspired? Don’t let mud, dirt and fall mess get into your home. A new or renovated mudroom is the answer! Contact MOSS at 703.961.7707 or atHello@MossBuildingandDesign.com for more information.

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By: Jenn Zschunke

Whether it’s a simple framed-out space or a necessary update, a basement remodel is overwhelming.

Consider the possibilities of your basement transformation. The final options include storage, a playroom, office, home gym, extra bed and bath, media room — or all of the above.

Approach a basement remodel with a good idea of what you’d like to achieve. Have a vision and (hopeful) end result, as well as a good grasp on your budget, basement features, and priorities. The cost to remodel a basement can vary, with these tips you can maximize your budget for transforming your existing space.

A broad range of possibilities are available for a basement remodel. A good contractor, like Northern Virginia’s premier basement remodelers, Moss Building & Design, is the best first step.

Here are a few important considerations when determining how much a basement renovation might cost:

Ceiling Height Of Your Basement

The International Residential Code requires that “…basement living space must have a clear floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet.”

If your basement ceiling is shorter than 7 feet, consider how to reach that height, either by raising the ceiling or lowering the floor.

Plumbing

If you’re considering a basement bathroom, it’s important to understand the basement plumbing.

Is plumbing already available in the basement? If so, where is it?

If you want to add a bathroom away from the current plumbing lines, extend the pipes — and consider the cost.

If no plumbing is in your basement, it’ll have to be specially drilled and constructed. Having this knowledge ahead of time and working with your contractor saves you headaches down the road! It's important to try to estimate your basement bathroom cost before you begin the project.

Basement Flooring

If you’re walking around on concrete floor, it’s understandable to want something more comfortable. These days, the range in options (and costs) is great.

Consider carpeting, tile sheets, luxury vinyl tile, or hardwood. Before putting down new flooring, a basement floor must be level, which is an additional cost. Concrete settles easily, so it’s important to hire an expert to level the floor before any top flooring is placed. This avoid future cracks and unevenness. Ensure you know how much square footage needs to be modified to add flooring to ensure you are meeting your budget.

Basement Bedroom And Egress Window

Would you like to add a bedroom to your basement for guests and relatives? It’s a great idea, especially for privacy, but take these considerations into account.

For a bedroom to be in a basement, an egress window must allow for an escape in an emergency situation. An experienced contractor is able to share what this is and its costs for installation.

These are a few of the considerations to take into account before embarking on the basement remodel of your dreams.

Are you considering a basement remodel? Contact Moss Building & Design at 703-961-7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

By: Jenn Zschunke

An unfinished basement is a blank canvas. Thinking about how to renovate your basement and make it a warm, inviting live/work/play area is exciting!

Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s premier basement remodeling contractor, is here to make your unfinished basement go from blank to a space for the entire family. Check out some different unfinished basement ideas that MOSS has for your space & learn about some unfinished basement ideas for kids.

Add A Media Room To Your Basement For Added Entertainment

Why go to the movie theatre when you can show big-screen blockbusters at home? Plus, you can have your favorite snacks and drinks on hand without paying top dollar. This beautiful media room showcases the hallmark of MOSS basement remodeling work, from the boxed ceiling to built-ins. You’ll never go out to the movies again after adding a media room to your basement floor plan! Having custom lighting added to your home theatre also allows you to forego natural light, and focus on building the best quality home theatre possible.

Add A Basement Bedroom And Bathroom For Guest Privacy

What’s that saying about guests? Having visitors to your home, whether for a few nights or weeks, adds a layer of stress to your usual routine. A private basement bedroom and bathroom give your and your guest space to decompress after a long day of fun. It’s a win-win! Having a large area dedicated to guests can allow them to feel more welcome, and can be cost-effective as opoosed to remodeling a main level.

Basement Ideas for Kids: Add a Playroom

It’s a nice feeling to be able to send the kids outside to play, but they can’t do that on cold or wet days. A fun playroom for the kids in the basement is the solution. It creates organization out of the chaos and gives the kids a sense of their own space. Plus, it keeps the toys out from under your feet on the main level.

Add A Workout Area

Workout motivation comes from many directions. It can be personal health, weight loss, and so on. Yet, getting to the gym is often difficult when you have children, a busy career, or other commitments. A basement workout and exercise area is a good option for anyone who needs to a quick workout or can’t get out of the house. MOSS is an expert in renovating and adding an exercise room that rivals any gym.

Create An In-Home Office In Your Basement

Telecommuting is an option for many in the Northern Virginia area. Why not consider building a home office in your basement? Carve out the space in the floor plan to consider how you work best. Would a window view help you succeed? Do you want built-in shelves for a printer, documents, and other storage? Give yourself the calm and productive space you need to get your work done.

Whatever you decide for your basement remodeling project, know that MOSS is here to work with you to make it an incredible transformation.

You can also call us at 703.961.7707 or email us atHello@MossBuildingandDesign.com to begin the basement remodel you’ve been thinking about.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Need some design inspiration? Look at the before-and-after transformation of this beautiful home in Reston, Virginia. The kitchen showcases gorgeous views of the nearby lake. The wall removal and additions of specific features in first-floor cabinetry, ceilings, and lighting achieved a final remodel that made the homeowners’ vision a reality.

Knowing the kitchen cabinets and appliances needed replacements, the homeowners realized that an expansive kitchen remodel required tackling other first-floor issues, too. This was to better use the space and make it more functional. Working with Moss Building & Design, Northern Virginia’s top home remodeler, the homeowners needs and wants were met.

An Updated Entryway

With dated chair rail moulding and a lack of natural light, the home’s entryway needed an update. By adding new a railing, front door, and an incredible chandelier, the entryway became modern, welcoming, and warm.

Kitchen Remodel In Reston, VA

The original kitchen layout didn’t have great flow. We knocked down a wall between the kitchen and formal living room and added gorgeous open shelving on an incredible hand-laid stone wall. Also, we replaced the original double-hung windows with large panes of glass. This resulted in beautiful views of the lake and a much larger kitchen area.

The kitchen remodel included a large island that the family could sit at. It also included a custom appliance garage to house appliances and to reduce countertop clutter!

Updating Your Family Room

Lack of light was a big concern for the homeowners. New windows helped a great deal, but the addition of ambient lighting throughout the room, especially over the fireplace, provided a level of warmth the homeowners were looking for.

Trim work was updated and matched throughout the entire first floor. We also added a built-in wet bar, wine fridge, and an extra dishwasher for overflow.

Are you inspired now? Contact Moss Building & Design to discuss the remodel of your dreams at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

By: The MOSS Team

Moss Building & Design gives the best remodeling tips because that’s what we do every day! Trust our experts when planning a successful home remodel.

1. Pick your appliances early. With so many appliances to choose from, you need to research and pick appliances early in the design and selection process. MOSS recommends purchasing appliances before ordering cabinets. Appliance models change, update, and discontinue on a constant cycle. Your dream appliance may go through dimensional changes and not fit into your dream cabinets.
2. Think about how the remodeled space will be used. Jodi Jameson of MOSS said, “I see this a lot in kitchen remodeling. Homeowners…end up duplicating their existing kitchen layout because it’s what they’re used to. They’ll overlook the opportunity to change the layout to one that could be used better.” When planning any remodel, carefully consider how your family functions every day. What’s the most beneficial layout? Do you entertain guests often or have large family dinners? How much time do you spend in this room?
3. Consider what you already own. When designing a remodel, don’t forget about what you already own. Make space for the old, too!
4. Discover what you do and don’t like. MOSS’ Project Designer tells their clients to consider what they do and don’t like in their current space. “I tell them to make a list of those things,” she said. “They don’t forget anything when they meet with their designer. Your designer needs to know everything, so they can come up with a new design that you’ll love.”
5. Talk to other homeowners. Another great way to discover what you do and don’t like is to ask other homeowners who recently remodeled. Talk about the process, from start to finish. Ask them what they would’ve done differently.
6. Understand the entire process. When a remodeling company quotes the timeline as 7 months, that doesn’t mean the construction takes 7 months. It means that part of that time is design and selection, and the other part is construction and cleanup.
7. Find your design style. This is the most fun part of a home remodeling project! Browse through Pinterest and interior design magazines to choose your preferred home design style. Turn to Houzz for expert inspiration from architects and interior designers to solidify your idea of a dream addition. Remember that every design style is interpreted differently by those involved in your remodeling like interior designers and painters. Before you break ground, identify what problems you want to fix in your home, and then discuss solutions with your chosen remodeler.
8. Choose the right remodeling company. Chip and Joanna Gaines make do-it-yourself remodels look easy, but it’s best to find an expert in your local area. First, determine your requirements. Narrow down your vision board according to your Houzz saves, Pinterest pins, and magazine cut-outs. Afterward, let the remodeler offer you solutions to get there. Second, ask the right questions about the remodeling company (permits, history in the business, licenses, proof of insurance), an outline and timeframe for your project, contract options, project plans, and more. Lastly, hire a legitimate company that cares. After seeing if their project portfolio looks similar to your dream addition, ask the right questions about the legitimacy of the company and project scope. If they answer everything to your liking, book them!
9. Understand that kitchen remodels require special post-construction care. While your entire new remodel should be taken good care of, MOSS suggests making your kitchen cabinets a priority. After the remodel, follow the cabinet care instructions for the longevity of the cabinet finishes. A slightly damp cloth should be used for day-to-day cleaning. The cabinets should be dried immediately with a dry soft cloth. Harsh cleaners like ammonia-based products, bleach, or abrasive materials, should never be used on cabinetry finishes.
10. Don’t make it too visually busy. Find one focal point for your home remodel. Crazy tile, fancy floors, and busy cabinets are overpowering. It gives the eye too much to look at. Pick a focal point in your design and complement that area with what suits your design style.

You can also reach us at 703.961.7707 or Hello@mossbuildinganddesign.com for more home remodeling advice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

By: Jenn Zschunke

As it has for the past several years, Moss Building & Design‘s Community Relations team visited various fire stations around Northern Virginia on the anniversary of September 11th. Taking this time to bring a sweet treat and a special thank you to our area’s first responders reminds them that we are all grateful for their service to us and our community.

Today our team visited the following fire stations: Alexandria Fire Station # 206, Arlington County Fire Station #7, West Centreville Fire Station 38, and McLean Fire Station #1.

We honor and remember those whose lives were lost 17 years ago. #NeverForget