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Modern design appeals to many people. It’s known for its straight, clean lines and simple decor. There are many modern design elements that you can use to achieve a modern design style in your bedroom. As your expert Northern Virginia remodeler, we’ve designed many modern homes and can share tips to help you create a modern home design.

Less Is More

When it comes to designing a modern bedroom, it’s important to remember that less is more. Modern interior design is very simple and minimalistic.

The furniture you pick should be very sleek and simple. Detailed woodwork and decorative details shouldn’t be used in modern interior design. When choosing a bed, consider a platform bed like this one from Houzz. It’s simple yet stylish and will certainly help achieve a modern home design.

Incorporate Wood Into Design Accents

Another modern design element is incorporating wood into the design. This platform bed from Houzz is another great option. It’s functional and adds a touch of wood to the space.  

If done correctly, a shiplap wall is another great option to achieve a modern look in your bedroom. Take it a step further and paint the shiplap white or another neutral color to make the room even more modern.

Let There Be (Natural) Light

The best light is natural light. Oftentimes, you’ll see modern bedrooms with tall windows and no curtains or window treatments. Skylights are another great addition. Modern home design has a clean feeling, and letting natural light flow freely through the room creates that clean, open feeling in your bedroom.

Neutral With A Pop Of Color

Consider a neutral color for the walls, bedding, and floor. Consider a bold pop of color that’s consistent throughout the space, because using the same bold color in accent pillows and other decorative pieces ties everything together and maintains consistency.

In this remodel in McLean, notice the neutral color used on the bedding and walls, as well as the bold red that’s used in the lamps and chairs. Again, being cautious about avoiding too much color, this room successfully adds that pop and maintains a very clean, modern look.

Creating Straight, Clean Lines

You’ve heard that modern interior design incorporates straight, clean lines, but what exactly does that mean? Honestly, exactly what it says.

From the use of decorative accents to the furniture, each element provides an opportunity to create straight, clean lines. House Tipster has a gallery of modern bedrooms, where you should notice that each one incorporates straight lines through the bedding, flooring, or the dressers.

Simple Decorative Elements

When choosing decorations, stick to the ‘less is more’ concept. There’s no need to get too crazy when trying to achieve a modern look.

Take the painting that’s hung in the remodel in McLean. It’s very simple and adds the right amount of color to tie the room together. When achieving a modern look, it’s all about the room as a whole as opposed to independent pieces.

White, fresh flowers are often used to decorate a modern room, as well as accent pillows. HGTV has a great gallery of modern interior design bedrooms for more inspiration.

Minimal Clutter

Last but certainly not least, you can’t have a modern bedroom with clutter. Out with the old and in with the clean space!

Nightstands should be free of clutter with a simple table lamp or small vase with flowers. Your dresser should be cleared and have one or two decoratives pieces, if any at all.

Lastly, don’t overdo it with wall decor. One simple painting should suffice in a modern bedroom and tie in the accent color you chose.

Remodeling With Northern Virginia’s Best Contractor

Whether you’re in the market for a traditional or modern home or you’re unsure of your specific design style, we can help! Email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com, or call us at 703-961-7707 to talk about your project. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Clean. Minimalist. Abstract. Simple.

These four words are often used to describe modern design and the whole modernist movement that inspired the design style. If you’re a curious design history junkie, read on to learn more about how the modern style adapted over the past few decades.

How Modern Design Began

Modernism is a philosophical movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, categorized by abstract thinking that deviated from realism, romanticism, and renaissance beliefs in previous eras. Modernism in art and architecture, in particular, was popular during the 1940s to 1980s.

During this era, homes designed in the modern style consisted of smooth, straight lines; open floor plans; large glass windows; geometrics shapes and patterns; man-made materials; and natural elements that showed an integration with the outdoors. 

As described by AnOtherMagazine, modernism “was rooted in notions of functionality, elegance, and simplicity as championed by the likes of the Bauhaus and Le Corbusier, whose dictum [was] ‘a house is a machine for living.'” 

This idea of the machine house or “form follows function” are very important concepts to modern home design, as they emphasize the space’s practical and functional nature  rather than its aesthetic or ornate elements.

In that case, the purpose of the building, home, or room should dictate the design. This mechanical ideal is also reflected in modern interior design styles through the use of materials like metals, glass, vinyl, and plywood.

When someone discusses modern style, you’ll also hear the sub-genres of modernism, used to describe the movements inspiring furniture, art, and architectural styles of the time, such as the following:

• Futurism
• Bauhaus
• Neo-Dada
• Cubism
• Minimalism
• Abstract Impressionism

Mid-Century Modern Home Design

When speaking specifically about modern home design and decor, you’ll often hear the aesthetic referred to as a “mid-century modern design style”. This phrase describes interior design, furniture, graphic design, architecture, and urban development from 1933 to 1965.

In this mid-century modern kitchen in McLean, Virginia, for example, you’ll see modern style reflected in straight lines and sharp angles of the cabinets and bar stools. Other characteristics of the mid-century modern style include the following:

• Little to no decorative elements or embellishments
• Furniture in geometric patterns
• Bold accent colors with art or counterpiece piece
• Flat panel cabinets
• Floor-to-ceiling windows

Author Cara Greenberg coined the phrase “mid-century modern” in her 1984 book Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. However, the birth of the architectural movement really took off after the second World War. 

“The birth of midcentury modern was after the war,” said Sian Winship, president of the Southern California Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians, according to an article on HGTV.com.

“The houses had open floor plans and giant sliding-glass doors, which encouraged people to go outside and be healthy. In a traditional home, the window height is 4 to 5 feet, and you can’t see out as a child. With these walls of glass, children became engaged and open-minded because the environment stimulated the senses in a different way.”

Modern interior design hit a resurgence at the turn of the 21st century. In 1999, the Library of Congress opened an exhibit on Charles and Ray Eames, two of the foremost modernist designers.

This, and other exhibits, was followed by the debut of the television phenomenon Mad Men in 2007. The show inspired a new generation to find appeal in modernist styles at work and home. In many workplaces, you’re likely to see Mad Men icons like the Eames Lounge Chair and Knoll Barcelona Chair.

Modern Home Design In Virginia Homes

Modern home designs flourish in Northern Virginia. This remodel in Oakton, Virginia, for example, shows a lovely modern designed living room. The floating, angled staircase with metal railings and spherical light fixture draw the eye, while the large glass windows allow plenty of natural light and provide a view to the beautiful backyard. Many of our customers look to us to help bring to life their bold modern design vision. Let us know if you’d like to speak to a designer to make your dream a reality.  

The Best Remodelers In Northern Virginia

If you’re in the market for home or basement remodeling or you’d like to talk to a professional about a modern home interior, call us at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

Here at MOSS we love giving back to our local community and that is never more true than now, in the leadup to the holiday season. This fall, our team coordinated a donation of a mud kitchen to The Country Day School in McLean. A mud kitchen is an outdoor structure made from wood, pallets, and a sink, that helps kids explore the many textures of nature through playing with dirt, water, leaves, bark, and anything else they find outside. Often, this leads to children using the kitchen to create grass cakes and mud pies, hence the “mud kitchen” name.

One of our expert contractors, Richard, working with the community relations team and a project manager, designed and built the wonderful kitchen play structure for the kids from scratch. Working indoors, right in our storage room in Chantilly, the kitchen was quickly and beautifully assembled and then transported to McLean this week for installation.  Complete with a sink, faux stovetop and oven, and hooks and shelving for pots, pans, and other kitchen accoutrements, the mud kitchen is fully equipped for all the upcoming learning-through-play adventures.

We loved working with The Country Day School and hope the preschoolers and teachers who use the playgrounds every day enjoy trying out their new outdoor kitchen. We also offer a special thanks to TW Perry, who donated the supplies and materials used to build the kitchen.

Modern Interior Design With Northern Virginia’s Best Remodeler

If you’ve been considering a redesign for your home, the New Year is the perfect time to start. It’s a new, fresh start with the modern interior design you’ve always wanted.

What’s Modern Design? How Does It Compare To Other Home Designs?

Modern and contemporary design are often used interchangeably. However, the two actually have distinct differences. Simply put, modern interior design refers to a period of time. It’s a design style that was created between the 1920s and 1950s, according to Relish Interiors, a design blog out of British Columbia. It doesn’t change, as its definition is cemented in history.

Also, it actually doesn’t encompass a futuristic design as the word implies. Modern broke away from earlier decorating style, which was ornate and handcrafted like traditional design. Modern interior design embraced simplicity and straight lines, according to The Spruce. 

Contemporary design, on the other hand, is ever-changing. This style incorporates what’s trendy in present day. That’s why people use the word ‘modern’ to describe what’s actually contemporary.

Color Palette

When designing a modern room in your home, a specific color scheme should be followed. Neutral tones work best, so consider cream, gray, brown, and white when choosing paint. When choosing an entire color palette, think simple.

Behr has great paint palettes to achieve modern interior design. For example, the color company recommends creating a stylish statement with a neutral palette by adding a bold accent wall in a cool color, such as deep eggplant.

Behr explains that a bold accent wall adds a focal point of color, breaking up the uniformity of a neutral palette. The accent color wall also adds depth and character and allows you to coordinate complementing accessories to create an elegant and unified whole. 

Simplicity

Modern is all about simplicity, minimal use of space, and clean lines.

The opposite of traditional design, modern homes keep decorative accessories to a minimum. Kitchens, living rooms, and master suites avoid clutter with decor.

This kitchen remodel in McLean, Virginia, is the perfect example of being uncluttered. The countertops contain only the basic items that are necessary to make a kitchen functional. It’s open, allowing everyone to see the clean, straight lines in the modern design.

The minimal use of space creates an open and airy atmosphere that this design type is known for. Think about a free-standing tub or pedestal sink for the bathroom, because both offer functionality but allow a free flow of space to make the room feel open.

Home Decor

This Dado Rectangular Cocktail Table from Pure Modern is a great example of modern design furniture. It has straight, clean lines that are hallmark to modern decor, and the cut-outs literally open the space around it.

As exemplified by the cocktail table, modern style home decor is very clean and simple. It incorporates straight lines and geometric patterns like this Albers Inspired Canvas Art or Stacked Canvas Art from Inmod. They’re neutral in color and incorporate straight lines for a very simple piece of wall decor.

This World Rug Gallery Alpine Modern Geometric Rug from Kohl’s also incorporates color and geometric shapes to make your living space more modern.

According to The Spruce, modern furniture has a long, low shape. Rather than boxy furniture that sits on the floor, modern style home decor raises furniture up on its legs and is typically made from metal. For example, Modern Classics has an Exhibition Chair inspired by Mies van der Rohe and Exhibition Loveseat.

Design A Modern Home With Northern Virginia’s Best Contractor

If you’re thinking about redesigning your home, our team of talented designers can help you transform your space. Call us at 703.961.7707, or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com to get started on your home project.

Kitchens are often called the heart of the home. Because your family spends most of their time here, you want to ensure that the room reflects your style and is a place that makes you feel comfortable. If you like classic and time-honored styles, a traditional kitchen is for you.

Kitchens built in traditional interior design style have a well-proportioned and elegant look, often characterized by decorative elements like ornate backsplashes, arches, stacked moldings, raised panels and valances on cabinets, and decorative range hoods. Any combination of these accents can achieve that traditional look.

These five gorgeous kitchens are our favorites that have been designed in the traditional style. Which do you like best?

Dark Cabinets Reflect Traditional Style

This Oak Hill kitchen was designed with dark wood cabinets and a pop-out shelf above the range that presents rich traditional detailing. The tile backsplash also adds to the traditional look with dark accent tiles that draw your eye to the space.

Islands Help Traditional Style Pop

This Herndon kitchen mixes light and dark wood in a complementary way. The pairing of wood cabinetry and a dark island with a wood floor makes this a very traditional kitchen. The cabinet detailing conveys the traditional interior design furniture of the period, while the kitchen’s accent lighting also enhances the look.

The three drop-down lights over the island resemble bare bulbs, giving the space a very cozy and authentic feel. Instead of a full suite of stainless steel appliances, which some consider too modern, most of this kitchen’s appliances are paneled to match the surrounding cabinets.

Traditional Hardware Adds Accent 

This traditional kitchen in Oakton used a lighter wood hue for the cabinets, but chose deeper hardware and incorporated some beveled glass in display cabinets. The embellished tile backsplash offers another nod to the traditional style.

Furniture Serves As Ornate Design Inspiration

This kitchen from Drury Designs truly encapsulates the traditional style. From the deeply dark cabinets to gold embellished barstools, the room evokes an 18th Century feel while keeping the modern comfort of today’s kitchens. The chandelier over the kitchen table resembles candles sitting atop the frame, giving that time-travel, historical feel.

Traditional Kitchens Don’t Have To Be Dark

While traditional interior design predominantly calls for darker cabinetry, that doesn’t always have to be the case. This kitchen by Onekindesign is very traditional, from the cabinets to the lighting. 

However, it still maintains a clean and classic white look. The detailed columns on the kitchen island transform it into a decorative piece of furniture. At MOSS, one of our most frequent design requests are traditional kitchens that are white. This McLean kitchen remodel is also done in a classic white with beautiful column accents.

For more kitchen inspiration, check out Onekindesign’s 65 Extraordinary Traditional Kitchen Designs, or look at Moss Building & Design’s Kitchen Portfolio.

If you’re looking for professional remodelers to make your home more traditional, call us at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.  

Create A Traditional Living Room Your Family Will Love

Aside from the kitchen, the living room is a common place to socialize with your family and binge watch Stranger Things together. A living room with a traditional design style is more formal with lots of decor and detailed woodwork.

A traditional living room is also very symmetric. Often times, you’ll find pairs of sconces, candles, and windows on each side of a fireplace to add balance, according to The Spruce.

Symmetry in a traditional living room centers around a focal point, whether it’s a fireplace or built-ins with a television. You’ll also find many arches in a traditional living room, whether it’s furniture curvature, an arch in the fireplace design, or slight bends in the cabinets.

To learn more about traditional interior design, check out our blog, What Is Traditional Interior Design?

Paint Colors

Choosing the right paint color is important to achieve a traditional design style. Warm, neutral colors and cream palettes are very common with jewel-toned pieces throughout the space. There’s many articles on the psychology of color, and you want to pick a tone that you’re going to enjoy while simultaneously completing the traditional feel of your space.

“Poised Taupe” by Sherwin Williams

Poised Taupe is Sherwin Williams’ 2017 Color Of The Year. This color would look great in a traditional living room, as Sherwin Williams describes the color as “a timeless neutral with a beautiful balance of warm and cool…The earthen brown combines with conservative grey, and the result is a weathered, woodsy, and complex neutral that celebrates the imperfections and authenticity of a well-lived life.”

“Shale 861” by Benjamin Moore

If “Poised Taupe” is a little too dark for your taste, consider Shale 861 by Benjamin Moore to create a traditional design in your living room. It’s not surprising that Shale is a part of Benjamin Moore’s Classic Collection, as the company describes the colors in this palette “as timeless as they are forward.”

“Calm” by Benjamin Moore

Looking for a lighter color to brighten up your living room? Calm by Benjamin Moore is a classic color used to create a traditional look.

Window Treatments

Make your living room more traditional by pairing drapes with tall windows.

If you went with a darker paint color, consider selecting drapes in a lighter color, as you don’t want the space to be too dark. For solid-colored drapes, consider cream colors, beiges, and taupe like this Antique Beige Grommet Blackout Faux Silk Taffeta Curtain from Houzz.

You can also consider drapes that have a paisley or floral design, because both create a traditional look. This Clara Window Panel Set from Houzz is a lighter option with a paisley print.

Fixtures, Furniture & Home Décor

To achieve a traditional design in your living room, add tufted pieces of furniture like this Barryknoll Settee from Wayfair. If you’re looking for an even more traditional look, consider furniture in dark, rich brown tones, like this Ansel Park Brown five-piece set from Rooms To Go.

When it comes to flooring, if your living room floor isn’t carpeted and you have hardwood floors, use a large area rug, like this Wayfair Charlton Home Coleraine Red Area Rug, to create a traditional interior design.

There are many different pieces you can use to decorate your living room. When designing this type of living room, consider adding some of these pieces:

• This hand-carved Sakandi Cabinet from Pier 1 Imports
• Mirrors with lots and lots of detail, like this Design Toscano Royal Baroque Mirror from Jet
• These Thirstystone Old World Passages Coasters from Wayfair
• This lovely Turquoise Mosiac Platter from Pier 1 Imports

Check out this traditional before-and-after home makeover from HGTV for more design inspiration. 

Traditional Design With Northern VA’s Best Remodelers

If you’re looking to transform your home into a traditional space or if you have questions about an upcoming remodel, contact us. Our experts love hearing and talking about your project ideas. Call or email us at 703-961-7707 or Sales@MossBuildingandDesign.com, respectively.

Traditional interior design is a classic design approach that never goes out of style. What we often refer to as “traditional interior design” can be identified by its dark wood elements, ornate architecture, and elegant decor. However, this doesn’t equate to old and stodgy.

Over the years, traditional design styles adapt to meet homeowners needs while continuing to capture an 18th to 19th Century feel. Before learning how present-day homeowners and interior designers interpret the classic look, let’s take a look at where it all began.

Virginia’s History Reflected In Traditional Design

Traditional style dates back to American and European homes in the 1700s and 1800s. It’s most closely associated with architecture from the Neoclassical and Georgian periods, but some overlap exists with the Colonial style as well.

In homes of this period, you often see the staples of detailed woodwork; dark furniture; long, deeply colored draperies; ornate cornices; gold-framed wall decorations; and other elegant accents. Traditional homes can also often featured Queen Anne or Chippendale furniture.

In Northern Virginia, specifically, traditional interior design has adapted over the years to take on more colonial traditional elements that were common in the Commonwealth’s homes and estates of the American Colonial period. American Colonial design in Northern Virginia still incorporates very traditional elements, such as the use of wood furnishings and a keen eye for architectural detail.

“Clients always ask us for the timeless look,” said Liz Lee, a project designer for Moss Building & Design.

When Northern Virginian customers come to Moss Building & Design for timeless, traditional styles, our designers often incorporate accents like coffered ceilings; tall, decorative baseboards; raised panels versus flat panels on cabinets and doors; and valences on the bottom of cabinets into their project designs.

These elements add character and style without being too modern or bold.

Remodelers Adapt Traditional To Meet Modern Needs

Thoughtful built-ins help achieve traditional style by adding wooden accents to rooms in your home without purchasing large, bulky furniture. For example, the dark wood shelving in this McLean, Virginia, living room incorporates traditional design elements in a cozy way.

The remodelers and designers who worked on this MOSS home improvement addition in Vienna, Virginia, truly encapsulate traditional interior design in the whole master bedroom suite. In addition to the notable furniture and decorative pieces, the room has green paint from the walls and moldings to the floor and ceiling. The gorgeous freestanding tub and ornate bathroom mirror add to the rich flare of the master bedroom suite.

In the past, remodelers didn’t always think about how the kitchen could also be designed to achieve a traditional look. Now, with the focus on kitchens as the centerpiece of the home, incorporating a chosen design style is essential, whether you choose traditional or otherwise.

To get a more traditional look, this Oak Hill, Virginia, kitchen remodel was designed with dark wood cabinets and shelving above the range to present rich detailing. 

Traditional Design In The Modern Era

Unlike other design styles, traditional interior design has held on throughout home design history as a style homeowners continue utilizing. To add a touch of tradition in your home is easy with simple accents like chair rails, wainscoting or decorative crown moldings, which add necessary architectural detail without overwhelming your space with formality.

If you’re in the market for home remodeling or you’d like to talk to a local design professional about making your home more traditional, call Moss Building & Design at 703.961.7707 or email us at Sales@MossBuildingandDesign.com.  

We all know that kids like to get dirty. There’s nothing more guaranteed than grass stains on a toddler’s brand new, clean pants. I’ve come to embrace it. Children learn through play and there’s no better place to explore and learn than your own backyard. With this in mind, there are a number of educational outdoor structures you can build for your children that go beyond the typical playhouse or playground.

Simple Mud Kitchens for Your Backyard:  A Kitchen Remodel for Kids

Mud kitchens are by far my favorite outdoor structure because they can be designed in so many ways to meet your needs and accommodate the space you have in your backyard.  A mud kitchen, also known as a texture kitchen, is a simple outdoor structure made from wood, pallets, and a sink. This helps kids explore the many textures in nature as they play with dirt, water, leaves, bark, and anything else they find outside. Mud kitchens can be just a few feet wide or more elaborate structures that resemble real kitchens.

(from aroundthethicket.com)

Incorporate Real Kitchen Elements

Add a few indoor kitchen items, like pots, pans, muffin tins, and spoons to your mud kitchen and your kids will be making you mud pies in no time. You could even build an herb wall next to the mud kitchen to help teach them about gardening and cooking. Plus, you’ll have fresh herbs for when you’re cooking real dinner later. 

(from onelittleproject.com)

Bigger Mud Kitchens for More Advanced Play

If you have the space, larger mud kitchens can incorporate even more elements of a traditional indoor kitchen. They also provide more space for multiple children to play at once. While one child preps the mud in the sink, another can chop grass on the counter, while a third bakes the muddy treats in the “oven.” Add some hooks for hanging pots and pans, old coffee cans to collect spoons, spatulas, or other utensils, and finish it off with a chalk board for announcing the day’s meal. 

 (from Hoselink.com)

Northern Virginia’s Best Kitchen Remodeler

If this has you thinking of how to best design your own indoor kitchen, the professionals at MOSS are here to help.  We look forward to continuing to be your one stop shop for all your home improvement needs.  If you have general questions, call MOSS at 703.961.7707 or email Sales@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

The first thought many homeowners have when preparing for the holidays is: “Where am I going to host everyone??” Whether you are hosting out of town guests for days or entertaining for just a few hours, you are already anticipating all of the cleaning and decorating that will go into the preparations. Here are a few tips for creating that perfect accommodating space in your basement!

Open Concept Design for your Basement Remodel

Let’s start with the basics. Open concept design for houses is very popular right now and for good reason! It allows rooms to flow within each other and creates the perception of a larger space. This is the perfect design for entertaining guests, for they have plenty of room to spread out without being closed off from each other.

Credit: Mashall Design Group

Cozy Living

It’s imperative to have enough seating to accommodate all of your guests. Or, if you’re hosting overnight, make sure you have enough beds! If you don’t have a guest bedroom, there are so many trendy options for sleeper sofas now, it’s easy; like this one from Ikea!  This basement remodel in Oakton, VA has plenty of seating with the secitional and even has a guest bedroom and bathroom for friends and family that stay overnight.

Add a Wet Bar/Kitchenette to your Basement

We all know a favorite way of spreading holiday cheer – in a glass! Whether the kids are snuggling up with a hot chocolate or you’re creating a fancy adult drink, a kitchenette or wet bar is necessary for the basement. It also offers overnight guests more privacy during their stay, not needing to leave the basement for kitchen needs.  The basement remodel in Oakton (pictured above and below) features a gorgeous wet bar.

Entertaining in your New Basement

Finally, the fun part – entertainment! The best part about hosting guests is the opportunity for fun. Whether it’s a new TV sound system or game room, this is a great opportunity to liven it up! Pool tables, foosball tables, or a fireplace to gather around makes for the perfect holiday season surrounded by family and friends.

We look forward to being your one stop shop for all your home improvement needs. If you are looking to finish or update your basement, the professionals at MOSS are here to help. If you have general questions, call MOSS at 703.961.7707 or email Sales@MossBuildingandDesign.com.