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Giving back to the local Northern Virginia community is a core part of Moss Building & Design‘s values. We employ a team specifically to research local organizations and give volunteer time, monetary contributions, handyman labor, or materials to help make a difference. In 2017, MOSS’ contributed to a record 100 local organizations! 

Recently, we wanted to take this outreach even further and utilize the strength in numbers of individuals who attend the Capital Remodel & Garden Show, held in February. We shared with those who stopped by our booth about our charitable work and what it means to us. We wore t-shirts with the names of the organizations we have supported. And we promised to make a donation on behalf of those individuals, who took the time to have an appointment with MOSS, to one of three specific local charities. 

It’s amazing what a small group of individuals can do. It is a proud day when you can say that donations were made to the following three organizations which do so much good in the Northern Virginia community. We thank those people who took the time to spend more time with MOSS, and thank the organizations for allowing us to contribute to them. 

If you would like to learn more about MOSS and our charitable work, please email Jenn Zschunke, Community Relations Manager, at jzschunke@mossbuildinganddesign.com. 

Northern Virginia’s Best Remodeler Will be at the Arlington Home Show this Weekend

The Arlington Home Show and Garden Expo is this Saturday, April 14th from 10am-4pm at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA.

Last year Arlington’s prime home improvement and remodeling event gathered more than 75 home builders, contractors and specialist vendors, architects, inspectors, landscape designers, realtors, master gardeners, banks, nonprofit organizations and Arlington County housing, zoning and inspection representatives.

Northern Virginia’s premier remodeler, Moss Building & Design, is proud to once again be a part of the show. Located in booth 218 Moss will have design and remodeling professionals available to answer all of your home improvement questions.

Home show attendees are encouraged to bring pictures of their home, as well as any remodeling plans they may have. In addition to remodeling professionals, attendees of the Arlington Home Show and Garden Expo can expect to see a variety of specialist vendors, including master gardeners.

Join us this Saturday from 10am-4pm at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA. We look forward to answering all of your home improvement questions.

Design & Remodeling Contractors in Northern VA

Moss Building & Design is happy to answer your remodeling questions. From design related questions, remodeling questions and anything in between, we’re here to help. Contact us at 703-961-7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com. 

People often wonder if it’s worth it to build a custom home addition. Should you just pack up your house and move to a better space? Will this home addition add value to your property?

Moss Building & Design talks about why custom home additions are the way to go:

Building A Custom Home Addition In Northern VA

The pros of building a custom home addition outweigh any cons. Check out our comprehensive list of reasons why:

• Initial Price. Custom home additions are remarkably less expensive than new construction homes, especially if you’re in a fixer upper that’s below potential market value. This great alternative provides the coziness and comfortability of your own home with the feeling of newness.
  
• Value. It’s true than buying a new home provides you with a valuable asset that typically appreciates in value over time. It’s a great way to begin long-term financial stability, but it’s a huge decision that affects more than your living situation.
  
  However, if you’re looking to add value without affecting the distance to your workplace or where your kids go to school, a custom home addition is a great solution.
  
  Your existing home is an already solid financial investment that you’re comfortable in. When you include a home addition, your home becomes more valuable. If you want to enhance your financial foundation without changing your entire life, a remodeling project is a near-perfect way to get the best of both worlds.
  
• Customization. A custom home addition is a blank canvas. You have the freedom to design this room how you’ve always envisioned it, whether it’s a mudroom or an outdoor living space. A home addition also creates more square footage, whether you go up or out, and you can tailor this new space to your liking.
  
  On the flip side, home builders often offer design choices within their small portfolio of options for new construction homes. This gives you little to no wiggle room, and you might not be able to install farmhouse doors or a brick oven for pizza like you dreamed.
  
• Commitment. While a home addition is still a long-term commitment, you’re adding only a few hundred extra square feet. If you purchase a brand-new home, you now have thousands of square feet to take care of. That’s a risky game to play!

• Location. Love your neighborhood and school district? We definitely understand. Adding to your home is a great way to get the space you need without relocating the family. You’ve made a lot of memories in your home. Considering adding space before moving is absolutely worth it.Additionally, if you’re tight on yard space (Arlington and Alexandria), you should consider building up instead of out. Adding a second level to your home or master suite above your garage is a great way to get the space you need without sacrificing any of your yard!

Moss takes great care of you and your family during the remodel. We work with your family’s schedule to ensure that your family is comfortable and able to live day to day while we stay on schedule.

Will the contractor take care of any surprises? How will they communicate solutions?

We’re a little biased toward custom home additions, because the remodeling project is less expensive and time-consuming than buying a new home. It offers more customization, too, which means you can make your “Kitchen Goals” a reality without reservation.

To see how Moss Building & Design can help create your dream addition, contact us at 703.961.7707 or Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

Houseplants are the simplest way to bring the outdoors in. Flowers and small trees offer a freeform and organic life to any room, but it’s not as easy as plucking flowers from a garden in the park.

You have to think about how the container, whether it’s a pot or a vase, and how it fits into the design style of your interior. You must also consider the plant’s requirements for light, water, and soil, as well as which plants grow in similar climates to keep synergy throughout your home. You can’t put a cactus next to a fern!

African Spear (Sansevieria Cylindrica): Technically classified as a succulent, the African Spear takes care of itself. This bold plant needs little to no water or temperature moderation. However, it does need low-light conditions to survive.

English Fern (Hedera Helix): The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) lists the English Fern as the No. 1 air-filtering plant for homes. It absorbs formaldehyde, which is found in air fresheners, paper towels, furnaces, water heaters, polyester/cotton blend bed sheets, nail polish, and perfume made with synthetic fragrance.

It’s also incredibly easy to grow and adaptable as a floor or hanging plant, according to Huffington Post. Grow in moderate temperatures and medium sunlight.

Eucharist Lily (Eucharis amazonica): A dark green plant that features bright white flowers that bloom throughout early spring and winter. To take care of this lily, water once per week (the flowers droop when it needs water) and medium sunlight. 

Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus x meyeri): Meyer lemons are believed to be a hybrid of lemons and mandarin oranges that offer a more subtle, sweeter flavor than either individual fruit. Aside from a delicious snack, this small tree gives off a beautiful citrus aroma. All the plant needs is water once per week and a lot of sunlight.

Moss (Bryophyta) and ivy (Hedera). Our favorite! According to Pottery Barn, moss and ivy letters “bring a zesty personal touch to any wall. Just be sure to keep them away from direct sunlight. Also, don’t forget to take down and water your moss letters, so they remain fresh and green.” 

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This low-maintenance flower does well in shade and cooler temperatures. It also reduces the levels of toxins and improves indoor air quality.

Note: According to Safer Brand, peace lilies contain oxalates that can cause skin irritation. This is the result of salt crystals that cause a fierce burning sensation if crushed, chewed or eaten, which means keep this plant away from pets and children!

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): This plant is especially great for contemporary design interiors. The sword-shaped leaves gently wind from the soil, creating a snake-like charm from a basket. Place a Snake Plant anywhere in your home, and let the soil dry completely before watering.

Note: Saponins in snake plant leaves make this plant toxic to pets and may cause nausea and vomiting.

Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa): This plant, recommended by French artist Henri Matisse, “has a distinctive leaf that looks as though it’s been gently cut into by a careful hand,” according to Architectural Digest. All it needs is water once per week.

White Jasmine (Jasminum Polyanthum): Occasionally called Pink Jasmine, depending on the coloring, this flowering plant thrives in the winter. Its delicate yet not overpowering smell and adorable blossoms make this plant a staple to any room.

Keep it in a lit area of your home, and water often to keep the soil moist. 

Whether you need to green up your kitchen or put a little organic life into your bedroom, these houseplants are the perfect addition to your home. If you’re ready to bring the outdoors in, consider including one of these houseplants.

If you’re thinking of committing to a home remodel, call Moss Building & Design at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@mossbuildinganddesign.com.

There’s something about springtime in Northern Virginia (well, usually – this year is special with its cold!): the sun comes out, flowers bloom, and we emerge from winter for outdoor sports!

One of the best signs of spring are the little league players on the fields, dressed in their uniforms, learning how to throw, catch, bat, and slide. Moss Building & Design has been a big supporter of local little league programs for several years – this year, we decided to up the ante and add several more organizations to our list. It is an honor to support the boys and girls who are learning to work as a team, improving their individual skills, and being a part of their local community.

With opening weekends coming up, we wanted to wish all the players (and coaches, and umpires, and volunteers!) a wonderful spring little league season. Good luck to everyone! Play ball! 

If you’d like to learn more about Moss Building & Design and our community outreach, please contact Jenn Zschunke, Community Relations Manager, at jzschunke@mossbuildinganddesign.com. 

Many people mistakenly interchange the terms contemporary and modern when describing their home design style. Contemporary design style is fluid and ever-changing.

Unlike traditional design style, which can become over-the-top with ornamentation, and modern design style, which can be overly sharp and stark, contemporary design blends the two in perfect balance. While I must admit, it’s a little confusing, some distinct differences exist between the two.

Modern Design Reflects A Particular Period

As you may remember from our modern design series of blogs in December, modern design is a style that rose to popularity in the 1920s to 1950s. Its minimalism, sleekness, and airiness has a very distinct look. You’ll likely see sharp lines and bold colors standing out from a stark white, black, or gray color palette, as well as plastic, glass, or wood furniture.

In the following McLean, Virginia, home that MOSS remodeled in 2015, you see a perfect example of modern design style through accent furniture used in this hallway.

What Is Contemporary Home Design?

Contemporary home design is up-to-date and “modern”. It’s ever-changing and in-the-moment. It adopts some elements of modern design, such as a clutter-free environment and a lack of ornamentation and embellishments.

However, in a contemporary home, you also see the latest trends or a homeowner’s eclectic personality shine through.

This Arlington, Virginia remodel features a lot of natural light and open space. It uses neutral gray colors and is clutter-free but still very comfortable and inviting. The recessed lighting is a must-have in today’s homes, but the lamps on the end tables still make the room feel very cozy.

Finally, the nailhead trim headboard on the bed is a very contemporary trend. If this bedroom were more modern (instead of contemporary), you’d see furniture and accent pieces with sharper, straighter lines.

How Do You Achieve Contemporary Design Style?

Newly remodeled contemporary homes focus on finishes like fir, cedar, and stone, which are popular at this time, according to Relish Interiors.

Another highly utilized trend is luxury vinyl plank flooring, which is hot right now in just about any room of your home from kitchens and bathrooms to basements. This is such a desirable floor option because of its versatility and durability. It’s very difficult to scratch or tarnish and holds up well against changing temperatures and moisture levels.

See the picture below of a MOSS bathroom remodel that features plank flooring in Arlington, Virginia.

Sometimes, being “contemporary” means embracing vintage elements that have become trendy again. In our blog, Our Predictions for Popular 2018 Design Trends, we outline some of the top remodeling trends we’ve seen rise over the past year. A few of those trends lean toward rustic or vintage design styles, including farmhouse sinks, vintage pendant lights, and touches of brass.

When done right, you can add any of these trends into your design while still remaining contemporary.

For more tips on how to incorporate a contemporary home design into your living space, download our style guide by clicking on the button below. We outline best practices for creating the best contemporary kitchen design, living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

If you’re thinking of a contemporary home design for your next remodeling project, work with Northern Virginia’s top remodeler. Call Moss Building & Design at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@mossbuildinganddesign.com.

Contemporary Design 101

Contemporary and modern design are often used interchangeably. While some similarities are present, the two design styles aren’t the same. Modern design actually comes from a specific time period while contemporary design is ever-changing. Contemporary design often incorporates modern elements but also includes new and trendy pieces from “the now.”

Contemporary Living Room Remodel in Northern VA

Unlike modern design, which has stark straight lines, contemporary design often incorporates soft and rounded lines. In a contemporary living room, you see rounded lines particularly in the furniture and decor.

Our first favorite contemporary living room is from this remodel in Arlington, Virginia.

As noted above, you immediately see a living room full of rounded, soft lines. The furniture, center coffee table, and light fixture all play up the rounded lines in this remodel. The bold red and blue are used in this contemporary space, really creating a “wow” look.

The use of geometrical shapes is also a common element in contemporary design. This living room incorporates many geometrical shapes from the pattern on the chairs and pillows to the shape of the light fixture.

Contemporary Living Room Design

This gorgeous contemporary living room takes a much different approach than the remodel in Arlington, Virginia. The monochromatic scheme is very different from the bold pops of color in the first living room, but it’s still beautiful in its own way.

You notice the symmetry in this living room almost immediately. Modern elements in this space include the clean, straight lines, but they’re offset by the addition of rounded lines. The side tables and lamps all add softer lines to the design.

While this space is organized and clean, you notice a bit more decor here than what you typically find in modern design. A cozy element is in this space as opposed to the starkness that’s found in modern design.

Our Final Favorite Contemporary Living Room

Our final favorite contemporary living room incorporates natural elements and maintains a neutral color scheme. The fireplace, made from natural stone, goes from floor to ceiling and makes the room more dramatic.

If you look past the living room, you see that it’s not the only room in the home to use wood. From the hardwood floors to the sliding doors, many wooden elements are in this home. In addition to straight lines, rounded lines are also found in the decor on the shelves and table behind the sofa. The neutral color palette is very contemporary.

Home Remodeling with Contemporary Design

Contemporary design is tricky to spot since it’s an ever-changing design style, but, by process of elimination, you should be able to spot a contemporary room. Our design blog series is a resource for you to learn more about each design style:

• Traditional design
• Modern design
• Transitional design
• Farmhouse Chic design
• Contemporary Design

Unsure of which design style you prefer? Take our design quiz to find out!

If you’re considering changes to your home, give us a call. We’re happy to answer any questions that you have about design and home remodeling. Call 703-961-7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

We spend a majority of our time under the fluorescent lights of an office, and then swap a computer screen glow for a television blur. Most of us want to spend more time outside, basking in the sunlight or frolicking in the snow.

So, how do we merge the best of both worlds? According to Moss Building & Design, here are a list of ways that you can bring the outdoors in (and skip the excess house plants):

Use natural materials. A great way to bring the outdoors in is by using natural materials, such as stone or wood, in your home. It’s important that these interior design features stand out, like this Native Trails Trough Stone Rectangular Drop-In Bathroom Sink from Wayfair or this Three Posts Abigail Standard Bookcase that’s made from dark oak.

Pick up accent pieces outside. We’re not talking about using nature as inspiration anymore. Literally pick up a beautiful rock, a handful of stones, or a set of pinecones off of the ground. Use these small accents to decorate your home, and combine with hanging planters, vertical gardens, or fresh flowers in a vase for an extra touch of organic essence.

Incorporate natural floors. Natural materials, such as bamboo, cork, and actual wood, have unique textures and shapes that mimic Mother Nature. To make your floors stand out, contrast the walls and surroundings. For example, if you use a bamboo floor, install smooth white cabinetry to contrast in color and texture.

Light a scented candle. Elle Decor mentions peaches, jasmine, white cedar, saffron, vanilla, and dark wood as some of the best smelling candle scents. NYMag quotes tomato, gooseberry, rose, pine, mint, and cypress as celebrity favorites. Orange blossom, tuberose, and mushroom were handpicked by interior designers for POPSUGAR.

What do all of these popular candle scents have in common? They’re all found in nature! To spruce up your home, bring the outdoors in by lighting an earthy, floral, citrus, or sweet scented candle.

Choose your color palette wisely. Mother Nature offers a gorgeous variety of colors, but what really feels closest to home are the colors that you see everyday. Instead of investing in the rich blues and deep purples of Greek or Moroccan scenery, start with leafy greens, sandy taupes, and earthy browns of your own backyard.

Take advantage of natural light. To feel fresh and cheerful during the day, use every natural light source in your home. Draw the blinds, open the windows, and install a skylight in your bathroom or bedroom to leverage natural light as often as possible. You can’t get more outdoorsy than sunlight!

Embrace natural motifs. For an artsy touch, hang paintings or photographs of natural elements, such as coral reefs, forests, animals, oceans, flowers, and so on. Even though it’s a still image, it “connects the natural architectural elements with traditional” design style, according to Southern Living.

Decorate for the season. To seamlessly integrate the outdoors and your home’s interior, decorate your space for the appropriate season. When it’s the chilly fall season, break out plastic pumpkins and gourds. As winter rolls around, collect and arrange bare branches and twigs in a vase above the fireplace. When it’s summer and spring time, invest in water features for your home.

If you’re interested in a home remodel from Northern Virginia’s best remodeling team, call Moss Building & Design at (703) 961-7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com to see how we can help.