Blog

Sometimes it’s difficult to grasp the changes that result from a home remodel. Showing “after” photos is one thing but looking at the “before” photos next to the “afters” is another. In the case of this beautiful Falls Church home, seeing is quite truly believing. From the original mid-20th century design of the home, which included very little overhead light throughout, lack of cohesive design and flow, and an entire basement trapped in wood paneling, the “after” effect is nothing short of a life-changing event. We invite you to follow along as we highlight how this home went from dark and old-fashioned to incredibly colorful and full of art, life, and light, and to the cultured, gorgeous space the homeowners envisioned.  

Main Level Updates 

Our customers wanted to create a beautiful sitting area/living room that flowed well into the dining room and kitchen as well as down the hallway to the bedrooms. The original footprint was very much in keeping with when the home was built in the 1950s or 1960s and the homeowners longed to bring more of a bright and open concept feel to the space. Because of their fondness for nature, birds, and original art (mainly curated from artists from the Asheville, North Carolina area), they also wanted to feature these elements throughout.  

Here are some shots of the main living area before and after. The most impressive update is the handcrafted built-in shelves around the fireplace, perfect for displays of books and art. Along with the recessed lighting and wall paint, as well as the homeowners’ pieces of artwork, the room is utterly transformed.  

The main level dining room was also completely updated with a peacock-inspired wallpaper (not textured although it gives off the impression of being so!), gorgeous overhead light fixture, and stunning wood dining table. The opening to the dining room was widened to create better flow to the dining room and attached kitchen as well.  

Stair Rail Remodel  

Our homeowners knew they wanted to up level the stair rail down to their basement. The original version was a very old-fashioned, white, wrought iron. The update to the current design is much more contemporary, keeping in line with the rest of the home’s look and feel.  

The home’s original basement, housed almost entirely in drab wood paneling, was essentially a mish mash of a few updates and former owners’ handywork. Our customers very much wanted a basement that was warm and cozy and that could be used in a variety of ways.  

Starting from the location of the basement bathroom, which was awkward and cut off the entryway, our designers shifted the doorway and a storage unit and made better use of the floor plan. Inside the bathroom, our team added gorgeous tilework on the walls and floor of the shower and bath and created a brighter and more colorful space.  

The main basement area was given a massive overhaul. The wood paneling was completely removed, as were the awkward wall closets that were used for storage. Instead, built-ins for books, games, and puzzles were added to the gaming area, along with a brand-new custom coffee and wine fridge kitchenette area. A cozy sitting area was added by the fireplace, which was updated to better reflect the style of the homeowners, and the entire basement was outfitted with luxury vinyl tile and recessed lighting throughout. 

It is astonishing to view this home’s full remodel both in person and in photographs – it was not only carefully updated by our MOSS teams but along with the homeowners’ personal sense of design, color, and art, it is now a showpiece that will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.  

Our MOSS Building & Design customers purchased their Annandale home many years ago, and while they always loved the set up and layout of the house, they felt that many parts of the house were getting older and required updating. They had specific goals for the remodel, including wanting better functionality and storage in the kitchen, and a fresh and updated look for both their hallway and primary bathrooms.

More Functional Kitchen with Unique Curved Cabinetry

The homeowners had specific goals for their kitchen remodel, including better storage, more food prep areas, wider doorways and openings to and from the space, and a more cohesive look overall. Working with the MOSS design team to re-allocate the space allowed for exactly what our customers wanted. The unique curved cabinetry helps use the space in the corner of the kitchen much more functionally and installing cabinets to the ceiling allows for even more space for storage, including a beloved and well-used spice rack. The cabinets were procured from Hampshire Cabinetry and are painted Nordic White.

The addition of the beverage center allows for more countertop space for a “catch all” spot when the homeowners enter their home, and frees up other countertop space for food and meal prep. The countertop stone throughout the kitchen is pristine polished quartz from EuroStone Craft. The kitchen backsplash, which was added on to the project once it began, is a gorgeous Calacatta Grey Teardrop from Ocean Mosaics. The shape of the teardrop mimics the mullion design on the glass-fronted cabinet doors in the kitchen as well as a trio of mirrors in the main hallway.

Updated Bathrooms Create Calm and Comfort

This project also included the remodeling of the home’s two main level bathrooms. The hallway bathroom had been updated by the previous owner, but the materials used were basic and were showing their age. Our homeowners knew they wanted to keep the tub in there but otherwise the space was updated with a new prefabricated vanity with quartz countertop (purchased by the homeowners themselves), flooring (Atlas Concorde Impression Grey Leaf Mosaic porcelain tile from Mosaic Tile), and wall tile on the bathtub/shower (Atlas Concorde Impression White 3"x12" porcelain tile also from Mosaic Tile).

The primary bathroom was originally awkward in design. Inspired by the tile that was eventually installed as the vertical “waterfall” in the updated shower (“Feathers” marble and glass mosaic from Mosaic Tile), which our homeowners knew they wanted, the idea to flip the location of the double vanity made sense for better flow in the room. Now with semi-custom vanity cabinets from Hampshire Cabinetry, providing plenty of in-bathroom storage, as well as two recessed medicine cabinets, and a heated floor, the bathroom is a calm and cozy oasis for our customers. The shower itself showcases not only the beautiful vertical waterfall effect tile as an accent, but also matte white subway tile on the walls, also from Mosaic Tile. The accent tile in the shower is mimicked on the backsplash of the vanities as well. The glass enclosure for the shower is from Dulles Glass.

Contemporary Stair Railing & Flooring

Another area that our homeowners longed to modernize was the stair railing heading to their basement. It was original to the home, and they wanted a more modern and contemporary look. The stair railing and stairs were re-built and stained to match the flooring on the entire main level of the home (which was also not part of the original scope of the project). The floors are pre-finished hardwood in an oak dark chocolate color from Mullican Flooring and procured from Derr Flooring. The trio of mirrors mentioned earlier are displayed above the stair railing and provide a gorgeous backdrop when entering the home from the front door.

Almost every room on the main level of this Annandale home was touched by our MOSS teams – and, all of our customers' goals were reached and their expectations met. Interested in transforming your home and family’s life as well? Contact MOSS today to schedule your free consultation.

Our Springfield homeowners
loved their home and older, established community, but long hoped to add on to their house for their growing family. According to several contractors they had contacted, however, they were told that an addition wasn’t possible for their model and style of home. They came to MOSS Building & Design hoping for a solution to their dilemma, and fortunately for them, our team found one. Not only was a beautiful addition built on to the main level of the home, but it was also created to allow a new, larger, open floor plan kitchen, which was also only made possible by the ingenuity of our MOSS team. Read on to learn more about the creative solutions MOSS utilized to make this dream remodel possible.

Gorgeous Great Room Showcases Handcrafted Mantle & Fireplace

The main level addition, which measures 28 x 15 feet, houses the new great room and expanded kitchen. Not originally in the design was the now focal point of the room, the center mantle and fireplace. Surrounded by Calacatta marble tile (procured from Tile Bar) and shiplap, and topped by a peaked roof, the great room is a glorious place for our homeowners to relax and entertain family and friends. While the mantle was handcrafted by MOSS professionals, the fireplace, from Fireplace Solutions, is a heat and glo gas prefabricated model.

Expanded Kitchen Includes Stunning Coffered Ceiling

One of our customers' main concerns was whether they could expand their kitchen at all, as due to further inspection, it was found that plumbing ran through the walls that would have to be removed for an addition to be built in the first place. Fortunately, our team concluded that a coffered ceiling could be created to house the plumbing for the area, and it is now one of our customers favorite design elements.

The massive center island was something our homeowners desperately wanted to create an anchor for the room, and a place for their family to not only dine but also to play games and be together, not only in the kitchen but open to the great room. The island and perimeter cabinetry are from Hampshire Cabinetry, and the top, a Calacatta Verona quartz, is from EuroStone Craft. The pendant lights above the island were procured from Ferguson and all kitchen hardware is from Top Knobs. Finally, the kitchen backsplash is from Tile Bar, and is a Calacatta marble tile placed in a herringbone pattern, mimicking the tile at the fireplace surround.

Functional Mudroom Created from Original Pantry & Shed

This project also included the addition of an adjoining mudroom created from existing pantry space and an outdoor carport shed to house the family’s items as they entered the home from the outdoors. The mudroom now houses storage for each family member, hooks for coats and helmets, and cabinets for other miscellaneous items. Finally, the main level powder room was completely renovated to match the style and aesthetics of the rest of the floor. Bathroom selections were procured from Kohler and Delta Faucets.

Is it time for your family to re-envision your space? Contact MOSS today to schedule a consultation!

Our MOSS Building & Design Haymarket customers’ home had a full, unfinished basement when they purchased it, and they knew they wanted to make maximum use of the square footage (of which there was plenty). Not only did they envision a large and comfortable area with plentiful seating options in front of a television and fireplace, but they also wanted a child-friendly space, more dining areas, and, for a “wow” factor, a full bar with plenty of storage and seating for entertaining family and friends. When our customers came to MOSS, they had the basic design of the space already in hand from an outside contractor. Partnering with our design team helped them make the final selections that came together to create the basement of their dreams.

Full Bar Featuring Gorgeous Stone and Tile

The biggest focal point in this basement remodel? The bar! It features a curved island that can seat up to six. Its dark wood cabinetry, as well as the cabinets along the back wall, are from Hampshire Cabinetry. The bar island houses two beverage refrigerators from Insignia and plentiful prep area. The gorgeous countertop is Calacatta Laza quartz procured from EuroStone Craft.

The back wall of the bar area features a television and glass-fronted storage cabinets, while the backsplash is Arctic White Ledger Panel 6 in. x 24 in. natural marble wall tile, which was found at MSI International. Along with a Sharp drawer microwave and Frigidaire dishwasher, the back area also has a deep prep sink from Ruvati.

A stunning feature of the bar area is the wine storage unit, as seen here.

Massive Entertainment Wall Featuring Fireplace

Who doesn’t love a comfortable seating area to watch the big game or cozy up with family movie night? One of our customers’ goals was to create such a space. The decision was made to add tile to the entire wall where the prefabricated fireplace and television would be placed. The tile is the same as at the bar area so that the basement flows design-wise. The fireplace is from Build.com and is a Real Flame Corretto model.

Interested in creating the basement of your dreams? Contact MOSS today for a free estimate!

The roof is one of the first things most people see when looking at your home. It is also an integral part of your home structure, so you need to take proper care of it. If your roof isn’t in optimal condition, you might consider remodeling it. 

However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before you go for renovation of your home. It will ensure that you get the best results from roof remodeling projects. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it. 

Possible Signs That Your Roof May Need a Renovation

Though roof remodeling might be an investment for some, it might be necessary for others. If your roof isn’t in optimal condition, then it is time for you to think about roof remodeling. Here are some signs to keep in mind: 

• Visible Cracks or Other Issues: If you see visible cracks or holes in your roof, then it is a sign that you should think about remodeling.
• No Renovation in a Long Time: If you haven’t renovated your roof in quite a long time, you might start thinking about it. 
• Leaks During the Rainy and Snow Days: A water leak from the roof during rainy days is a clear sign that your roof requires repair and remodeling. Additionally, you should consider hiring a roofer if you see sun rays through the roof. 
• Ventilation Issues: Another reason to consider roof remodeling is if there are issues with the ventilation. For instance, feeling hotter than usual means an issue with your roof. 

Experience any of the above means that you should start considering roof remodeling. But before you do so, there are a few things to remember. Let’s discuss them in more detail. 

Roof Remodeling: 6 Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting the Renovation Work

When we talk about a roof remodeling project, there are many things, processes, decisions, and other things involved. Knowing about these things can help you complete the renovation without any issues.

Find Out What You Want from the Renovation

Roof renovations are a significant investment for most people. Therefore, you should decide what you want to achieve from these renovations. For instance, some people might go for roof renovations to enhance the overall aesthetics of their house. 

On the other hand, some people might want to increase the resale value of their homes. Either way, you need to have a clear idea about the objectives you want to get from the investment in roof renovations. You can find it easy to plan your roof renovation projects. 

Do a Thorough Inspection

The next thing before you move on to renovation is the roof inspection. Use a binocular to spot all the issues, such as curling, missing shingles, or cracking. Apart from doing an exterior inspection, you should also check inside the home. Go through the attic space and look for any water stains since it indicates a possible roof leak. 

Create a Budget and Stick to It

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you need to create a budget and stick to it. In most cases, we might often spend more than we planned for renovation planning. And the primary reason for that is not having a proper budget or not sticking to it.

So, how can you deal with this issue? Ideally, you should consider all the costs associated with the renovation work. You can then set up a contingency fund to cover the additional costs. 

Find Out if You Need Any Permits

Before you begin the renovation work for your roof remodeling, you need to know if any special permits are required. Make sure to contact your local municipal building department to know if you need any permits.

It will also help you determine whether you can add another layer of the same material to re-cover the current roof. Simply put, checking with your local municipality will allow you to make certain renovations that don’t break any local rules. 

Choosing the Right Materials and Roofing Systems

Since roof renovations aren’t something you do every day, choosing the right materials for your project is important. You can also consider using the latest ultra-modern roofing systems for your businesses. For instance, the “vinyl PVC membrane” is an amazing roofing system that you can consider. 

It consists of a solid piece of thick vinyl that connects with the roof substrate. The commercial roofer will melt it with the heat guns to fit it into the right place. The best thing about the vinyl PVC membrane is that it’s waterproof and reflects light and heat. As a result, it improves your roof’s insulating qualities significantly. 

Choose the Right Roof Contractor

Last but not least, the roofing contractor will handle all the aspects of your roof’s remodeling. While you might consider doing it yourself, hiring a professional might be a better option. It is because you’ll have the confidence in the company to complete the project properly and on time. 

However, it is equally important that you find the right contractor for your roof. Make sure to ask for referrals and check the online review before you assign any work to the contractor. 

Find the Best Remodeling Services for Your Home Today!

We hope you now have a clear idea about the tips you need to keep in mind before starting renovation for your roof remodeling. It will allow you to ensure that you complete the project with minimal issues. Also, you must find the best company to handle the roofing project for your home. 

Since there are so many companies that you find online, it can be a little challenging for you to find the right one. Nevertheless, Roofing Company is here to save you from the hassle of going through thousands of companies online. With years of expertise, Russell Roofing Company can help you with any roof remodeling project.  

Our MOSS Building & Design homeowners dreamed of owning a historic home in Herndon and had their eyes specifically on this property for many years. When it came on the market, they jumped at the opportunity to purchase it. Built in 1910, the home has incredible charm and character and the location, in the heart of the town, was ideal. However, two principal areas, they knew immediately, had to change to fit the more modern lifestyles of today.

Formal Dining Room Re-Imagined as Eat-In Kitchen

The home’s original kitchen, located at the rear of the home, was originally intended to function as a place to prepare and cook meals to be served in the grand dining room, which was in the center of the home, serving as an entertainment hub. Knowing this wasn’t their long-term vision of their home, our customers partnered with MOSS to essentially flip the two spaces, creating an eat-in kitchen with massive center island, plentiful storage, and much more.

Massive Center Island with Marble Top

The center island, topped with Cosmos New Super White Honed Brazilian marble from Eurostone Craft, dominates the room and seats up to three people, and features two dishwashers, a microwave, prep sink, and storage. The cabinetry in the kitchen, procured from Hampshire Cabinetry, is painted in the color Chantilly Lace, which is highly popular with MOSS customers. A unique feature in one of the cabinets is the built-in baking center; semi-custom cabinetry gives our customers the opportunity to create the space and storage they want versus being limited by pre-built cabinetry sets. Finally, the light fixtures above the island, supplied directly from the homeowner, are Clemson Classic Pendants that were procured from Restoration Hardware.

The use of navy throughout the kitchen is a nod to the homeowner’s fine china, displayed throughout, as well as the stove, which is an AGA Elise 48” dual fuel range in Midnight Sky, providing a contrasting look to the otherwise gorgeously streamlined all white kitchen.

Finally, the kitchen backsplash, set in a traditional subway pattern, is Imperial Bianco Gloss 3x6 tile, and is from The Tile Shop.

New Primary Bathroom from Former Bonus Room

It is taken for granted these days that a primary bedroom will automatically have an ensuite bathroom. For this historic home, however, that was not the case. The primary bedroom was connected to what was known as a “bonus room.” Our MOSS design team investigated creating an attached primary bathroom for our homeowners from this space. This process involved not only closing off a set of stairs, but also firming up the structural engineering of the home.

Bathroom Features Mimic Whole House Look & Feel

MOSS transformed the home’s bonus room into a stunning spa-like primary bathroom, which required that all associated plumbing for the bathroom be run upstairs through the floors and walls. The layout of the new bathroom reflected both present day needs and original touches. For example, the custom arch on the ceiling above the water closet matches the original arch located in one of the open doorways in the home’s kitchen. Bringing that element upstairs provided a continuous flow of design throughout the home.

Today, the bathroom is a welcoming, bright space with a large walk-in tiled shower, a free-standing tub next to a window that allows in soothing natural light, and a gorgeous vanity repurposed from a beloved piece of furniture. The shower has a glass enclosure from Dulles Glass and Carrara Mosaic marble tile from Mosaic Tile, while the tub, purchased by the homeowners, is from Kohler. The vanity top is the same as the kitchen countertops, marble stone from Eurostone Craft. The master bathroom’s floor is the original hardwood, treated to be able to withstand water, and was provided by Derr Flooring. The bathroom wall sconces are from Restoration Hardware.

Working in an historic home is best left to the professionals – there are many “behind the scenes” intricacies that are unique to these houses. If you’d like to learn more about this remodel and the homeowner’s vision behind it, we invite you to view this video about their MOSS experience. To learn more about MOSS and discuss your own home renovation, reach out to us here.

If you have tried painting your room yourself, you probably understand how challenging it can be. Yes, anyone can paint a room, but doing it correctly is different. A flawless paint job requires a professional touch, whether residential or commercial. 

It’s understandable if you’ve dealt with painting your properties before. You need tips to ease the process if it’s your first time painting. That’s what we will share with you in this article

5 Essential Tips for the Perfect Paint Job

Painting a property correctly is necessary when working on a commercial painting project. If you want to make a property paint look great but don’t know how to, we have some tips to assist you. Let’s begin. 

Gather All Necessary Items in the Same Place

Before you start painting the property, you must ensure you have everything ready for your needs. The best way for this is to think of the whole painting project and ensure you have all basic items ready for use. Start by preparing a list of paints, brushes, primers, and other essentials you will need when working on the paint job.  

Collect all these supplies nearby for easier access and segment the essentials based on your working rooms. For instance, if you begin by painting a bedroom, select the paints accordingly. Segment your brushes and tools accordingly, whether a fence or a garden area. This additional planning saves painters from unnecessary hassle and makes the process much quicker.

Don't Forget to Prime

If you think you can pick up paint and a brush and start painting—you’re wrong. Before you start painting, priming every nook and corner of the area is necessary. Without priming, your paint job will never have the required finishing. 

It might take some extra time to prime the surroundings, but it will guarantee better results. You should “stipple” on the wall instead of brushing over it if you don’t want the pain and the cracks to show later.

Use a Canvas for Protection

Let’s be honest—a paint job is pretty messy, and there’s a chance you might make a mess if it’s your first time with it. Plastic sheets are the go-to option for most painters but are not the most efficient. They might help you protect the flooring, but they aren’t suitable for your furniture. 

We recommend investing in canvas drop cloths. Unlike plastic covers, these don’t try off the paints slowly, saving you from unnecessary smudges and problems during painting. It will also prevent paint marks from spreading everywhere. 

Prepare with the Right Gear

One of the biggest reasons any painter may have issues with their paint job is that they aren’t prepared properly. Many painters end up damaging their clothing, skin, and hair because of these mistakes. We recommend setting up your painting gear before you begin working. 

For instance, a baseball cap is a staple if you want to save yourself from paint droplets. You will need a professional helmet if you’re working in commercial painting. Similarly, we recommend purchasing safety glasses to save you from squinting during the process. 

Store Your Paint in the Freezer

If a commercial paint job takes longer than anticipated, place the paint in the freezer. It allows painters to store the items for up to a week without cleaning the brushes. Just ensure your paint is airtight, and you shouldn’t have an issue with it.

Plan for Your Paint-job Today

Planning is necessary if you’re planning to repaint your property or begin with a paint job. We recommend planning for the paint job project and following the tips listed in this article for ease. We are sure you’ll have a flawless experience with the help of the tips we have mentioned above.

Roof remodeling and renovations can be nerve-racking since there are many things you need to consider. You have to decide which materials would be suitable and which design would be ideal. However, the most important factor in roof remodeling is budgeting. 

Budgeting is vital since it will help you determine the costs you will incur for the entire project. So, what are some of the important things to remember when planning and budgeting for a roof remodel? Let's discuss these things in more detail.

Planning and Budgeting for a Roof Remodel: 4 Important Tips

The roof is integral to your home structure since it protects you from rain, heat, sunlight, etc. Therefore, you need a proper plan and budget to ensure your remodeling project goes smoothly. Here are a few things that you need to note. 

Evaluate Your Roofs Condition

The first thing to do is assess the roof condition to decide whether you need to remodel. You need to know about the roof's state before you start remodeling. It will also help you determine how much repair work is required and what amount to set aside. 

Ideally, it is best to contact a roofing contractor who can examine the roof for you and then give you a proper quote. Examining your own can be dangerous and won't help uncover issues with your roof. So, it is best to leave it to the professionals to examine your roof. 

Measure the Size of Your Roof

The size of your roof will also play a major role in the overall costs of renovation or remodeling. The larger the size, the more it will cost you to renovate. But other things, such as the size of the project, will determine the cost. 

For instance, you might only want to remodel a small portion of the roof. In that case, you won't require a lot of money for materials or labor. But if you plan to repair or remodel the entire roof, you would require more material and labor. 

As a result, it will increase the overall project cost. Not many people take into account their roof size when making a budget for roof remodeling. In the end, they end up having limited funds for their project. So, it is important to consider the roof size when planning and budgeting for your roof renovation. 

Decide on the Roofing Materials

Roofing materials will also significantly impact the overall cost of your remodeling project. So, you should go through the different types of roofing materials and then decide which one is suitable for your home. Most homeowners have asphalt shingles as their first option for roofing.

They have a life span of almost 15 years and come in various styles. Nevertheless, there are other roofing materials that you can consider. Some people are also using solar tiles to reduce their household carbon footprint. You can also consider the weather conditions, style, and pricing to decide on roofing materials. 

Set up Contingency Fund

No matter how much you plan and budget, unexpected expenses are still possible. These can impact the overall progress of the roof remodeling project. So, the best way to do with this issue is to set aside a contingency fund to deal with unexpected expenditures. 

The miscellaneous expenditures can hamper your progress since you won't have the fund to deal with them. Setting aside some amount will ensure that the entire project is going smoothly. 

Plan for your Roof Remodeling Project Today

Now that you have an idea about the things to consider for the remodeling project, you should start budgeting. This way, you'll know the amount you need to save or borrow for your roof remodeling project.

What does a family do when their contractor fails to complete a remodeling project? This is what happened to these Oakton customers, who were in the process of adding a main level addition to their home so that the homeowners, who were experiencing ongoing health issues, could age in place at their beloved home. Rather than continue to wait and hope that their original contractor would finish the project, the homeowners reached out to MOSS Building & Design to help them finish the space so that it could be used as soon as possible.

Working quickly and diligently, our MOSS team helped achieve the result our customers wanted, finishing off the main level addition that features a full bedroom, ensuite bathroom and private water closet, a large walk-in closet, and large and roomy home office.

Large Bedroom with Plenty of Light

The new addition was added to the main level of this Oakton home off the living room, which makes it a natural extension from the original structure. The addition is within several feet of the kitchen, which is helpful so that another kitchen didn’t have to be added. The doorways are wide to accommodate wheelchair use, and the windows have electric shades easily controlled by remote. The carpet is from Mohawk Flooring in the color Ghost Town while all interior doors are courtesy of TW Perry.

Spacious Bathroom & Water Closet with Safety Features

Again featuring large doorways, the addition’s bathroom and separate water closet feature several safety elements. The water closet has safety bars for grabbing, and the shower has a curbless entry. The shower has beautiful neutral tile and fixtures from Morris Tile.

Walk-In Closet and Home Office Complete Oakton Remodel

Because the goal of this remodel was a full suite, not only does it include a bedroom and bathroom, but, also, a roomy walk-in closet and generous home office. The closet was designed specifically so that clothes could be reachable from both standing and seated. The office faces the home’s backyard and has large windows with plentiful views of nature.

If aging in place is a possibility for your family, MOSS has the experts to help remodel your home into a long term fit for your needs.