Blog

Here at MOSS, we love to showcase photos of homes we’ve remodeled so the artistry and craftsmanship of our team can be experienced by all. Even better is when we can also share photos of how residences looked before and during the remodeling timeframe, so the hard work that is shown at the end can be even more eye-catching. We recently completed an entire main floor interior remodel in a Reston home that encompassed the entire main level, including the crafting of a new staircase, removing walls, shifting doorway openings, totally overhauling the kitchen, and much more. It’s our pleasure to share the transformation of these many rooms from beginning to end, so that the care that goes into every project we undertake can be truly appreciated.  

Entryway and Staircase  

In its original iteration, the home’s staircase was closed off and traditional in design. Our customer wanted to have a more contemporary look for the entire main level and knew that the staircase had to be changed to show that off better. By removing the walls of the staircase and changing the balusters, as well as brightening up the color, the end result is a stunning, sophisticated and beautiful look.  

Kitchen – View # 1  

The home’s kitchen was originally very traditional with a small center island that wasn’t of much use to the homeowner. In addition, there was little functionality with the layout and a lack of using the space effectively and to its utmost possibilities. Our design team created a layout that allowed for more cabinetry throughout for better storage options, a long, quartz-topped center island for cooking and entertaining, and a shifted, larger opening to the dining room to allow for easier flow around the space. 

Kitchen – View # 2 

Adding full length cabinetry to the previously un-used adjacent kitchen wall gave the homeowner plenty of newfound storage and made better use of the kitchen’s footprint. The addition of more contemporary light fixtures above the island, as well as updated design features, including two-toned gray cabinets and a chevron tile backsplash, give the entire kitchen an updated look and feel. These photos also allow a glimpse into how MOSS shifted the entrance to the dining room from a doorway to a larger opening with an arched ceiling, which is a more welcoming and attractive design (as well as less clunky!).  

Dining Room 

Originally, the home's dining room felt disjointed. MOSS suggested shifting the entrance from a doorway to an opening that was larger and with a distinct arched opening. Moving the doorway created a more open environment and to boot? The stunning handcrafted trim work by MOSS which completed the look. 

Kitchen Nook 

The home had a corner breakfast nook that was a separate room from the kitchen. MOSS suggested taking the walls away and opening the space to the rest of the main level. Shown here in its before, during, and after stages (angles shown here are different from one another) is the open and bright kitchen and eating area.  

The remodeling process is a journey that we here at MOSS are proud to go on with our customers. With collaboration between our team members and the homeowners, a vision can come to reality through creativity, expert tradesmanship, and customers who believe in our process. To see more photos of this beautiful interior transformation in Reston, please visit the portfolio here.  

What are the first feelings that come to mind once you decide to sell your house? Panic? Excitement? Anxiety? All of the above? We understand. The home sales process can be intimidating; from hiring an agent and dealing with inspections to the anticipation of your final closing, it’s often an overwhelming experience. But before you officially put your house on the market, it’s important for it to be fully prepared, so you can find your new home sooner rather than later, and, provide you some comfort throughout the process.

The current real estate market has proven to be faster paced and more competitive than ever before, especially in the Northern Virginia area. Considering what buyers are looking for can make all the difference in terms of what’s going to get you the best offer. Pay attention to the current trends and what your house needs in comparison to the competition to give you a better chance of standing out in the market.

1.   Save Money Before You Lose Money

During the busy time of selling your house and moving, the last thing you want to deal with are repairs you have to fix out of pocket. Since important home systems such as your HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or appliances can fail at any point, it’s best to be prepared for anything. Save money in your home and your wallet until the final papers are signed with a protection plan like a home warranty. A home warranty can be highly advantageous, especially if you have an older home, since it can even replace worn-down appliances, allowing newer, more efficient appliances to come with the sale of the house, for example.

Having this extra level of reassurance provides the buyer more incentive to choose your home over another that doesn’t include a home warranty. With a simple transfer in the contract, your buyer is ready to live in the house without the worry of replacement and repair costs.

2.   Make Thoughtful Upgrades to the Essentials

One of the easiest ways to view your house from another perspective is to put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Some of the first things they will be looking for in a house are the quality and convenience of daily necessities. Any space can easily be spruced up to feel more welcoming. Making thoughtful upgrades can stick out to buyers with features like eye-catching curb appeal, a deck outdoors, and even a dedicated room for pets as these are common must-haves.

Simply refreshing rooms with a new coat of paint, removing wallpaper, and/or installing new light fixtures can make or break how a space feels when someone pictures their future day-to-day life. Focus on areas that homeowners spend significant time in, such as the family room, master bathroom, and bedrooms. If you really want to accentuate new modifications, consider installing smart home technology such as smart door locks, thermostats, lights, and security systems.

An outdated home can push many buyers away, particularly when the potential renovation projects add up in their minds. Therefore, it’s important to find a happy medium for your home and your budget. Prioritize essential upgrades that will give your home an updated look without overextending your budget.

3. Highlight Your Maintenance Updates

Whether you’ve owned your home for a couple of years or for decades, be sure to mention any updates big or small to the potential buyer. Buyers love to see a property that has been well-maintained over the years.

Look around your house and freshen up any areas that appear outdated or need repair. More than ever, homeowners are making use of their additional space as well as utilizing the basement to get the most out of what they already have and sprucing it up! Some of the more notable things on a home maintenance checklist include fixing leaks, replacing broken windows or screens, exterminating pests, removing old carpet or refinishing hardwood floors, and tending to overgrown landscaping outside.

Don’t forget to test the functionality of everything from the plumbing and HVAC to the electrical components. This can set you up for a successful home inspection as well. Additionally, don’t just write it on the listing, show maintenance until the very end! Keep the house clutter-free and organized to ensure it’s ready to be shown at any time.

Sometimes, it’s difficult for a buyer to imagine themselves in a house, or even see the potential in a house that needs work. It’s in your hands to give the buyer as little to worry about as possible by making your house feel like their new home. While considering preparatory steps such as remodeling, renovations, professional photos, and staging to attract more attention, know that you’re doing your best to set the future homeowner and yourself up for success.

Are you thinking about selling your house? Contact MOSS today for a remodeling project that best fits your budget and goals to get top dollar in today’s market. MOSS is now expanding into Montgomery County, MD! Our Northern Virginia focus is on Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, plus the City of Alexandria, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, and surrounding areas.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

 MOSS Building & Design 

Mara Bauserman, VP Marketing  

304.279.3951  

Mbauserman@mossbuildinganddesign.com   

MOSS Building & Design Wins 2021 Regional Remodeling Award for Whole House Remodel 

MOSS Building & Design is pleased to announce that it is the top winner in the 2021 Chrysalis Regional Award Category for Whole House Remodel for an incredible home interior transformation in Ashburn, Virginia, representing not only a beautiful design update to multiple levels of the residence, but also for the use of available space to create new rooms for the customers, creating better flow and functionality throughout the entire home.  

Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 70 companies from across the United States were named winners at the 2021 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure. This is MOSS’s second Chrysalis Award, following on the company’s 2020 win for Regional Kitchen Remodel Award.  

“This is the 2nd consecutive year in which [MOSS has] won an award, which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to excellence,” says Ken Kanline, Director of the Awards. 

Deciding to stay in their beloved home rather than move, the homeowners worked with MOSS to develop a vision of their home’s remodel that entailed changes throughout the existing structure without the need for a large addition. From taking space from the large central foyer to create a new upstairs bedroom and bathroom suite for a pair of the family’s children, a complete overhaul of the master suite that included a beautiful new spa-like bathroom and new, walk-in closet, and multiple updates and creative design additions to the kitchen, mudroom, family room, and two bathrooms, the result is now a more overall effective and efficient use of their square footage.  

“We spent 6 months working with our [MOSS] design team to plan the remodel. We are grateful for our designers’ innovative ideas, their creative and clever use of our existing spaces and their help in making many key design choices...[n]ow we have the home of our dreams and are so happy with the finished product,” said the MOSS Building & Design client and homeowner. 

To learn more about this project, please visit its MOSS Portfolio on the company’s website.  

The Chrysalis Awards program, begun in 1994, recognizes the nation’s best work in fourteen general categories of residential and commercial remodeling. The Chrysalis Awards are open to every professional remodeler and design professional in the United States. Photographs and information about MOSS Building & Design’s winning entry can be found here: http://www.chrysalisawards.com/remodeler/Moss/index.html.  

XXX 

Since 2001, MOSS Building & Design has established a reputation for excellence in remodeling additions, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements throughout Northern Virginia. Their customers see them as a trusted partner, and MOSS Building & Design is very proud that over 85% of their customers consider themselves ‘customers for life.’ MOSS Building & Design has won consumer awards from Angie’s List for seven consecutive years, has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and is also the recipient of many industry building and design awards. Recent notable merit awards include 2021 NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Metro DC Capital CotY Award, 2020 Angie’s List Super Service Award, 2020 Chrysalis Regional Award for Kitchen Remodeling, 2021 Chrysalis Regional Award for Whole Home Renovation, and, for four years running, the NARI Metro DC CotY award for outstanding commitment to community service.  

Flooring options with today’s remodels have come a long way from traditional standards. Hardwood and carpet are still popular choices for shared living spaces and bedrooms, respectively, and tile remains a solid favorite for bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens (where water is more present), but now there are even more engineered options for flooring that are both cost effective and durable. The evolution of luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which is most definitely NOT laminate, has rapidly become an exciting choice for heavily used mudrooms, basements, and family rooms because not only is it beneficial to your wallet and long-lasting, but it also comes in a range of designs and color choices. Here are a few of our favorite floors that cover the wide range of options available today:  

Hardwood: The Gold Standard  

Hardwood flooring has been a staple in homes for generations and for good reason. Not only is it gorgeous and durable but it gives a home a certain ambiance of warmth and sophistication. Some of our MOSS Building & Design customers choose to run hardwood throughout the entirety of their homes including stairways, hallways, and kitchens. This home in Ashburn, which had its interior completely transformed by MOSS, included the addition of new hardwood floors in a deep brown, which went with the muted neutral tones of the walls and furniture. By running the hardwood on the entire main floor, including through the kitchen, a certain continuity and flow was achieved.  

This beautiful historic home in Herndon was built over 100 years ago, with the original heart pine flooring still intact. Our customer desperately wanted to maintain the look and feel but was discouraged by a different contractor that matching modern day flooring would be too difficult. Not a company to back down from a challenge, MOSS was able to find flooring that was remarkably similar and stain it to match with the newly opened up kitchen and dining room space.  

Luxury Vinyl Tile: Is It Hardwood or Is It Not?  

Luxury Vinyl Tile, or LVT for short, is fast becoming a “go to” choice for busy families who want the look and feel of hardwood but appreciate the lower cost of the trendy flooring. In addition, LVT is incredibly durable, and can withstand wear and tear – which includes the threat of water damage, of which there is none. We love the look in this Alexandria home, where LVT was laid throughout the entire new addition except for the stairs.  

LVT is also an excellent and popular choice for remodeled basements. Gone are the days when carpeting ruled in basements! LVT makes for a perfect complement to those who want a basement that is both high end but also family friendly. The look of it in this Vienna basement is perfection.  

Tile: Perfect for Bathrooms & Laundry Rooms  

Tile flooring has long been a safe choice for areas in a home that are around a lot of water, as it won’t sustain damage like hardwood or carpeting might. Today’s tile choices are broad, ranging in style and design across the board. Here’s a beautiful tile showcased in this Ashburn master bathroom remodel:  

Tile is also useful in laundry rooms or mud rooms, where it can be easily cleaned of dirt and debris. Here are two of our more recent remodels that feature tile in those spaces: 

Carpet: So The Mornings Aren’t A Shock to Your Feet!  

Ah, carpet. The gold standard – who doesn’t love shag? Okay, we’re joking, carpeting has actually come a long way from the past. Nowadays, carpet comes in a variety of plush levels plus modern technology has made carpeting almost stain-proof, which is helpful when in a child’s room! The carpeting that was laid in these bedrooms in a recent Arlington second story addition is incredibly cozy and comfortable and would be the perfect landing for a pair of feet in the morning.  

Flooring is a big decision when it comes to a remodel and selecting what you’d like can feel overwhelming, especially in today’s marketplace with such a broad number of offerings. Working with our designers to choose the best flooring for your design and budget, though, will help you find the perfect choice for your remodeled space(s).  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chantilly, Virginia, July 24, 2021 - Celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer, MOSS Building & Design, which has operated exclusively in the Northern Virginia marketplace since its founding in July 2001, will be expanding its highly sought-after services to Montgomery County, Maryland over the coming months. In concert with the move into Maryland and 20th year in business, MOSS is also proud to announce the establishment of MOSS Mission, the company’s official non-profit organization dedicated to continuing the community outreach and relationship building that has long been a cornerstone of the company’s guiding principles.  

“2021 is an exciting year for us here at MOSS,” notes MOSS CEO Paul DesRoches. “Not only can we celebrate 20 years in the remodeling industry, which is incredible in and of itself, but with the creation of MOSS Mission, plus crossing the river with our expertise into Maryland, it’s truly a banner year.”  

MOSS, originally founded in the summer of 2001 by Pete and Jason Hampel as Moss Construction Company, has developed a strong reputation as Northern Virginia’s premier residential remodeling firm. As a trusted home improvement company, MOSS focuses on providing customer service that is unparalleled by any other contractors in the area, and through trust, transparency, and character, builds lifelong relationships with customers.  

Expansion into Maryland, specifically Montgomery County, is a natural next step for MOSS. An established suburb of Washington, DC, Montgomery County is one of the most populous counties in Maryland as well as one of its most affluent; future MOSS customers can expect to benefit from the same design expertise and award-winning projects that Northern Virginia customers have long come to expect.  

MOSS’s community work throughout Northern Virginia, which has included donations of services and monetary support to hundreds of organizations over the years, is a hallmark of the company’s continued and consistent strive to stay heavily involved with local, community-based groups. The addition of high profile, quarterly outreach events in 2020, including Desks for Distance, the MOSS Holiday Market, and Pedal to the Metal, have helped MOSS develop significant relationships with multiple non-profits in the area as well as offer volunteer opportunities for individuals from both within MOSS and the community and will continue to be held in similar iterations going forward. MOSS Mission has been founded to continue this important, charitable work in a more structured way for the future.  

XXX 

Since 2001, MOSS Building & Design has established a reputation for excellence in remodeling additions, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and home services throughout Northern Virginia. Their customers see them as a trusted partner, and MOSS Building & Design is very proud that over 85% of their customers consider themselves ‘customers for life.’ MOSS Building & Design has won consumer awards from Angie’s List for seven consecutive years and also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau as well as many industry building and design awards. Recent notable merit awards include 2021 NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Metro DC Capital CotY Award, 2020 Angie’s List Super Service Award, 2020 Chrysalis Regional Award for Kitchen Remodeling, 2021 Chrysalis Regional Award for Whole Home Renovation, and, for four years running, the NARI Metro DC CotY award for outstanding commitment to community service.  

MOSS Mission is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as the charitable outreach partner of MOSS Building & Design, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland’s premier residential remodeling company. Founded in 2021, MOSS Mission was established to further strengthen the community relations work that MOSS Building & Design has developed with local organizations since its founding over 20 years ago. MOSS Mission regularly donates funds and services to area non-profit organizations, aligning with the original vision of our company’s founders to give back locally to those in need. MOSS Mission routinely seeks out non-profit organizations that benefit veterans, women and children, and first responders, among others. For more information, please email mossmission@mossbuildinganddesign.com or visit our website at www.mossmission.org. 

The Summer months are upon us which is an ideal time to move your living and workspaces to the great outdoors. We saw the pandemic create many remote jobs and the traditional office fell by the wayside with homeowners utilizing outdoor spaces for working. It has been proven that work productivity increases after 30 minutes of fresh air. Life is finally starting to return to normal and people are celebrating with summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings. The addition of a deck or patio is a refreshing reboot all around! 

Small House with Large Outdoor Living 

Our customers in Arlington reside in a small cape cod in a quiet quaint neighborhood, but their current deck was showing a lot of wear and was only accessible from the side of the house. They lacked the practical space to relax and entertain in. After careful planning our design team sketched a solution that would respect the aesthetics of the neighborhood and provide a great deal of outside living space. Due to the small sloped yard an elevated graded porch was the only option, and our customers happily approved.

Our homeowners both work remotely so they wanted the space to be an alternative office option and they also frequently dine alfresco and entertain so the porch needed to be spacious enough to accommodate mixed uses. The large screened in 3 season porch adjusts to the various temperatures with ceiling fans for the warm months and ceiling mounted heaters for the chilly Fall nights.

MOSS respected the beautiful brick exterior of this older home and once the large sliding door was installed, they matched the brick work perfectly. The couple even featured the brick as an accent wall for the mounting of a TV to complete the relaxing outdoor space. The result of this project is truly stunning!

Gorgeous Exterior in Great Falls 

Our Northern Virginia homeowners live on 5-acres of land that back to the woods and they desired both an open deck and covered screen patio. Their existing deck was made of wood and was starting to deteriorate so they wanted their outdoor addition to include man made materials. Our talented design team and project managers worked with the customers to refine the design, so the required materials were the most durable options.

The customers wanted a cozy screened in portion of the deck to escape the hot buggy nights of summer. The addition of a ceiling fan suspended from the vaulted ceiling and recessed lighting makes this a perfect intimate spot for conversation and entertainment. The result of this deck and screened in porch project is an inviting backyard escape for the homeowners to enjoy for many years to come.

Stunning Vaulted Ceiling 

Homeowners in Herndon loved their neighborhood and community, but their family required more living space, so they approached MOSS with several projects to give their home a major facelift. Projects included the addition of a master suite, updating the interior, and creating an outdoor oasis with the addition of a patio. They wanted the patio to be a seamless transition from their remodeled interior.

Our customers not only wanted the patio to be covered and protected from the elements, but they wanted the ceiling to be the architectural focal point of the outdoor living space. Our team created a modern vaulted planked ceiling making it hard to believe you’re actually outside.

The overall patio space is now large enough for entertaining friends and family and allows easy access to the house for retrieving hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. The finished project is a true collaboration between MOSS and our customers; giving them the space to grow as a family.

Basements tend to be underutilized as an option to expand your home’s entertaining and living space, while also increasing your square footage and home’s value. The global pandemic has inspired homeowners to creatively increase functional work and learning spaces in their homes, making basements a logical option. Here at MOSS, we work with our customers to design a basement that suits their needs, whether that be an area to escape the noisy hubbub of main level family activity or provide virtual students with the productive distraction-free learning environment they require. Here are some recent examples of our basement transformations:

Sunny Finished Basement in Vienna 

Our customers in Vienna wanted to transform their outdated basement, so they came to MOSS trusting we could create a design that they would love! Their needs included an open sitting area, office, guestroom, full laundry room, and a trendy bathroom with features that popped! They also desired wood floors throughout the basement, making cleaning easier. MOSS collaborated with the customer and the result was a fresh sunny space with clean lines. The sitting area now features a sliding glass door walkout with light wood floors and grey walls with white molding. This space provides a beautiful conversation area for our customers to relax and entertain in!.

Our homeowners envisioned a private bedroom and bathroom that guests would enjoy and want to come back to. Our talented design team worked with the customer on a retro/modern full bath. The octagonal tile has a geometric art deco influence, and along with the accent wall it elongates the space. The leafy green walls are a perfect complement to the white lines, contemporary wood vanity, and unique black penny shower tile.

The sunny bedroom and office were finished with the clean lines found throughout our customer’s remodeled basement. Both rooms are lovely, simple, and functional, guaranteeing a quiet retreat from busy Northern Virginia life. The question is, can we book a stay?!

Exquisite Basement Living in Clifton 

Homeowners in Clifton came to MOSS with dreams of a showcase basement where they could entertain. Their vision included a fully functional bar, state of the art home theatre, stunning wine cellar, spa-like full bath, and showcasing photos taken by the homeowner, an avid photographer. Materials included walnut, stone, and a mahogany color palette. The result is a true collaboration between the customer and MOSS’s Design Team and is nothing short of stunning!

The full bar, complete with dishwasher and kegerator, is a first-class gathering place for friends and family. Our customer wanted to view the entire basement space from the bar, including an entrance into the amazing wine cellar. Upon a trip to Texas the customer fell in love with some wrought iron gates and decided they wanted MOSS to build similar gates for the breathtaking entrance into the cellar. Selecting a bottle of wine to share with guests is a true experience in itself!

A spa aesthetic in neutral tones was used in the spacious full bath to ensure guests feel welcome. Multiple shower heads and large format marble wall tiles add luxe without fuss.

The cozy home theatre was at the top of our customers’ list- a perfect complement to the large entertaining space. Bluetooth-connected lighting allows a change of ambiance with a simple tap of a smart phone. A pocket door on the side wall allows movie watchers to exit discreetly without opening the large barn doors and disturbing other viewers. The live edge walnut continues here and provides an area where guests can watch the big game on TV and also pivot to chat with people at the bar.

State of the Art Basement in Leesburg 

When our customers purchased their Northern Virginia home, they knew that they wanted to enjoy their large basement for entertaining family and friends. However, not only had it been finished poorly by a previous owner, but it also did not have the wow factors that our customers wanted. With the help of our designers and MOSS 360, our proprietary virtual reality architectural design tool, the remodeled basement design came together. The beautiful remodel includes a wine cellar, full bar with seating, a separate dining and conversation area, full guest bedroom, and a state-of-the-art home theatre with mood lighting.

The focal point of the remodel is most definitely the stunning glass-enclosed and temperature-controlled wine cellar, complete with a beautiful painted compass on the floor. In addition, electrical panels were placed behind the wine cellar and accessible through a “secret door” to the side, which doubles as a set of built-in shelves. There’s little hunting for the perfect bottle when you are easily viewing the cellar from behind glass. We are sure guests will be clambering for a tour and who would blame them?!

Who needs a crowded movie theatre when you have one right in the comfort of your home! Plenty of space for seating, a gorgeous tray and coffered ceiling, double pocket privacy doors, inset for the big screen, and even color changing mood lighting. We predict lots of movie screenings will be enjoyed by our homeowners.

Modern Family Fun Basement in Ashburn

Our customers in Ashburn engaged MOSS to take their completely unfinished basement and create a space that the entire family could enjoy. Knowing they wanted a large comfortable TV area for viewing sporting events, a convenient bathroom, a bar, and another seating area with a fireplace, our MOSS designers took those ideas and designed a basement that is a home run.

The finished entertainment area exceeded the family’s expectations by including plenty of space for seating, clean lines, wall space for displaying memorabilia, a fake chimney breast to hide all the TV cords, and framed color-changing lights. Our homeowners will be enjoying many cozy family movie nights in this finished space!

The full bar and fireplace nook create the ideal kid-free adult space. Whether entertaining company or enjoying a good book by the fire, our homeowners are sure to utilize their added living space daily. Again, a fake chimney breast, was created for the stone bricked gas fireplace. The massive stone front wet bar features a doubled door beverage cooler, and stunning geometric wallpaper on the accent wall.

To top off the basement our customers envisioned a full bathroom. The result is a beautiful combination of neutral colors and spa like aesthetics. The shower is truly breathtaking with its glass door and floor to ceiling subway tile. Guests will surely have a lot to say about the serene bathroom.

Trends come and go – and with respect to kitchen design, there are a lot of trends you can choose to follow or to ignore. Some kitchen trends, such as a massive island or all white cabinets, have been popular for a while and will likely continue to be so. If you want to be trendy, though, on a smaller scale, and allow room for change if you keep the larger choices in place long-term, your kitchen backsplash might just be the way to stay on or ahead of the trendy curve.  

Our MOSS customers’ style aesthetics range from traditional to contemporary to modern – essentially, the whole gamut! Picking out a backsplash is an especially personal decision as it can provide your kitchen a quiet and soothing backdrop or give it a pop of color pizazz to create a unique look. Whichever design trend you choose to hitch your wagon to for your backsplash, here are some beautiful options that our MOSS customers have chosen for their kitchens for your inspiration:  

Traditional & Simple 

The origin of the popular subway tile design is derived from the use of white tiles in underground passages in dimly lit subway stations – the placement and color of the tiles were helpful in reflecting the most available light. The same can be said for usage in kitchen design. While relatively simplistic in its traditional horizontal layout, subway tile can also be placed in a herringbone pattern or with different sized rectangular sizes to draw and reflect natural and other lighting. These days, there is much more to subway tile than the typical white look and feel – colors range from cool grays to soothing blues and extremely popular today are tiles that are cut to have a slightly beveled appearance, creating interest and movement on walls in addition to providing a bright background. Shown here are a few examples of MOSS customers who chose a subway tile to add simple yet beautiful interest to their kitchens:  

Fun Shapes & Colors  

If a kitchen design is straightforward in its layout and choice of selections, a backsplash can give the space a chance to shine! Choosing a unique and fresh design and color in various spots throughout your kitchen is very trendy, as seen here in these two different MOSS customers’ homes. Why not throw some cool green shades to make your cooking area stand out? Or, if your kitchen is on the smaller side, make the walls stand out like this customer did and have the tile laid in a diamond-shaped pattern? There really is no limit on how you choose to create your backsplash design – and these days, the trend to be unique is very much on point.  

Unique Call Outs 

Similar to above, the trend to add unique and interesting backsplashes that are “call outs” is definitely a popular one. A little bit of interest can go a long way, as shown here in these MOSS customers’ kitchens. It gives the space a bit of a feeling of ‘je ne sais quoi’ while also doing what it is meant to do. What do you think about these unique call outs, especially the placement of each? Adding these special designs is also another way to bring in your design style and tie back to your kitchen décor as well.  

So which way do you go? Do you pick something more classic or something more forward-looking? In the end, it doesn’t really matter – if you love the look for your kitchen, that’s what matters and is most important, because trends can come and go on a whim, but you’ve got to enjoy your home for as long as you’re living in it!  

If you’ve been thinking about a kitchen remodel and have some design ideas already in mind, contact MOSS at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or 703.961.7707 to schedule your free consultation and get started today!  

May is National Home Improvement Month, but at MOSS, we celebrate home improvement and remodeling all year round! The past year has seen many of our customers spending more time than usual at home, and with that, re-evaluating the space within the four walls they call home. Not only have kitchens, basements and additions been high on everyone’s lists to renovate (for example, expanding the kitchen for more space to eat at home, adding on a home office, and taking the basement from unfinished to cozy family room are all examples of home improvement we’ve tackled this year), but also high on the list? Master bathrooms! A private oasis or retreat from the busy chaos of your home updated to fit your life now? Sign us up! MOSS is highly experienced in renovating all sizes of master bathrooms, from relatively simple remodels to more complicated reconfigurations, and we love to share the results with our audience. Here are several of our recent and most favorite master bathroom remodels:  

Soothing & Traditional Master Bathroom in Ashburn  

Our MOSS customer’s original master bathroom design, while highly functional, didn’t reflect the taste of the homeowners, who were looking for something lighter, brighter, and much more contemporary in look and feel. While the space itself would stay the same square footage and the bath and shower would remain in their original spots, the entire room, otherwise, was gutted and remodeled. MOSS installed new white cabinetry on the dual vanities which have beautiful stone tops, new mirrors, all new lighting, a newly tiled shower stall (created to be larger than the original with space taken from an adjoining linen closet), and, for the homeowner’s biggest “want” - the standalone soaking tub, perfectly placed by the large windows (on which new shutters and matching curtains were installed). 

Bright & Contemporary Master Bathroom in Herndon 

While incredibly beautiful, our MOSS customer’s historic Herndon home lacked a master bathroom.  MOSS worked closely with our customers to create the master bathroom of their dreams out of their home’s second level “bonus” room, which was attached to their master bedroom. Transforming this room into a bathroom required a great deal of design, layout and behind the scenes effort as it was not originally ever intended to be a bathroom. All associated plumbing for the bathroom had to be run upstairs, through the floors and walls, for example.   

The new master 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 master bathroom’s floor is the original hardwood, treated to be able to withstand water. The overall feel of the bathroom is one of peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation. 

Stunning & Spa-Like Master Bathroom in Vienna 

It’s not an official spa, but this Vienna master bathroom remodel certainly feels as if it is! The instant you step foot into the space, with the large corner shower with rainfall showerhead and deep, standalone, soaking tub on one side, the long, bright white countertops and dark vanity cabinets along the other, and the uniquely designed overhead lighting fixture above, you truly feel transported.  

Our MOSS customer chose large tile rectangles for the master bathroom flooring. To match, and carry on the luxurious feeling of the flooring, the same tile was used on the walls behind the tub and in the shower to create a wainscot look and feel. Bright white bathrooms with touches of muted neutrals are very trendy these days, and our client chose to do this as well, but add in a contrasting dark color with the vanity cabinets. Our MOSS customer supplied the unique chandelier that dominates the room as well as the soaking tub and other plumbing fixtures. Overall, this master bathroom is truly a retreat from the everyday, much like a spa is an escape from reality. 

Private & Stunning Master Bathroom Retreat in Centreville  

When their master bathroom needed an update, our Centreville customers returned to MOSS to do the work. MOSS had previously remodeled their home’s kitchen, family room, and four-season room. The master bathroom was the original in layout and selections, and our customers knew they wanted a remodeled spa-like and functional space for themselves that included other particulars including a private water closet, storage, a soaking tub by the window, and more.  

By closing the upstairs hallway linen closet and moving the shower from an opposing wall to the newly found interior space and adding a tall cabinet inside the master bathroom to house linens and towels, the issue of storage was solved. Moving the location of the shower and removing the original corner, Jacuzzi tub (which was not used very often) and replacing it with a standalone tub that is better placed gave our homeowners much more functionality to their master bathroom and created space for the water closet. To boot? The selections and colors are bright and beautiful, and the original skylight was able to be retained to give the bathroom an incredible amount of natural light. The overall result? Crisp and enjoyable, beautiful and relaxing.  

Is your master bathroom showing signs of needing a little TLC? Now might be the perfect time to begin a remodel – celebrate National Home Improvement Month with MOSS and not only improve your master bathroom, but also the quality of your life. Contact MOSS today for a free master bathroom consultation at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com or at 703.961.7707.