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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Our customers in Vienna wanted to transform their outdated basement, so they came to MOSS trusting we could create a design that they would love!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.  

Favorite Kitchen Island Pendant Lighting  

Lighting is, clearly, important for basic functionality in your home. And while very practical and a key part of any kitchen remodel that MOSS Building & Design undertakes, it has become more and more obvious that deciding on the ambient kitchen lighting, particularly that which is over the home’s kitchen island, is a specific and crucial design choice for our customers. These days, we’re finding that pendant lighting is almost the “finishing touch” on a kitchen design – helping to complete the full package or to add a little extra something special to the space, and our customers are fans of a wide range of pendant lighting options. It’s hard to choose but below are several of our favorites:  

Modern & Contemporary 

These two kitchen remodels were part of larger interior remodels, bringing both homes from a more traditional look and feel to an updated modern and contemporary design. The pendant lighting over the kitchen islands reflects the designs that are overall minimalist in feel with respect to color choices and clean lines.  

Traditional & Soothing  

These kitchen pendant lights nod to candelabras, in a way, with the more traditional look. With that, they bring a soothing sense of calm to the kitchens that they light up! 

Simply Fun!  

Looking to liven up the space with a fun set of pendant lights? These are two of our favorites – they look relatively simple yet have interest worked into the glass and the shape.  

Kitchen island pendant lighting is a highly personal decision that is, luckily, an affordable way to amp up the practicality of your room’s lighting yet bring some character and life to the space as well. There are so many choices on the marketplace that you can browse through to narrow down your decision. Remember, it’s your home so whatever you choose is a great decision! Have you been considering a kitchen remodel? Contact MOSS for a free estimate at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or at 703.961.7707.  

Started in 1992 by a small group of volunteers who decorated and laid wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery, Wreaths Across America is today a national organization with over 1100 participating locations who focus on the mission to Remember-Honor-Teach. By laying wreaths every year on as many graves as possible across the United States, Wreaths Across America aims to remember our fallen service members’ sacrifices and to celebrate their lives and the lives of their families.

MOSS Building & Design has supported Wreaths Across America for several years, both donating funds to help purchase wreaths and laying wreaths in person. This year, the event was initially canceled due to concerns about COVID-19. However, it was quickly reinstated with specific health and safety guidelines and will occur this Saturday, December 19th with limited volunteers onsite (family members were invited last weekend to lay wreaths at their loved ones’ graves to spread out the number of people at each location).

This year, MOSS has once again donated funds to provide wreaths to honor its employees’ family members who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery and other locations. We will #saytheirnames because Wreaths Across America and our service members ultimate sacrifice for our country is #Worthfightingfor2020. Listed below are the names of those we honor this year, and every year, and we thank them for providing us with the freedom and liberty we enjoy today.

Master Chief James Lloyd Gates, Navy

Major Gerald A. Keene, Marine CorpsZ

PFC Carlton C. Cunningham, Army

Captain Raymond James Hayes, Marine Corps and spouse, Billie Sparks Hayes

LTC William D. McLarty, Army and spouse, Ann Murphy McLarty

LTD Michael J. Murphy, Marine Corp

1st Lt. Hunley McCall Harper, Air Force

AMM3 Plater Tayloe Gedney, Navy

Reserves, Charlotte Gedney Pezzelle, Army

Lt Col. Billy Mohon, Air Force and spouse, Joan Mohon

In mid-November 2020, the new City of Fairfax Theatre Company (CFTC)’s Scene Shop at Hopewell House was unveiled to CFTC members and signaled an exciting end to a transformative project for the company. In early 2020, MOSS Building & Design, which has connections to CFTC through its Chairman, Jason Hampel, had been contacted by the company to assist with the scene shop’s updating from an un-used barn on the Hopewell House property (donated to CFTC) to a space that was safe, well-lit, insulated, and appropriate for both the storage and the construction of the theatre’s sets and building materials.  

MOSS has long been a proponent and an active collaborator with non-profit and other organizations in the Northern Virginia community, and the opportunity to provide what is essentially a long-term solution to CFTC was a no-brainer for our team. Run entirely by volunteers, CFTC relies on public use space for its rehearsal and productions, and in the past had all its equipment, materials, costumes, and other related items stored at CFTC members’ homes.  

With donated materials from other sources, MOSS was able to provide the manpower necessary to do the following: demo interior partitions and frame a floor to provide storage, create a larger main double door entry for easier access, rework electrical to provide better lighting and outlets and to provide electrical for the HVAC system, insulate the main areas and finish the insides with plywood, insulate, drywall and paint the ceiling, and install a new HVAC system. 

“This year has been a challenge for so many people- and to have Jason Hampel and MOSS come together with Hopewell House to make this game-changing contribution to CFTC really shows the power of community, and specifically the commitment of the Hampel family in making a difference in the lives of Northern Virginians!  We couldn’t be more thrilled to move forward and upward with our work due to the generosity of Jason, MOSS, and Hopewell House,” said Michael O’Dell, President of CFTC.  

“CFTC has been a wonderful organization for my family to be involved with,” said Jason. “The volunteers and families behind CFTC give so much of themselves to provide our community with incredible access to the arts. They have given our son and many other kids and adults a fun and supportive outlet to explore a love of theatre and build confidence. Helping CFTC with the Scene Shop is the best way that MOSS could support such a positive group of individuals in the Northern Virginia area.” 

The City of Fairfax Theatre Company offers high quality theatre experiences to people of all ages through stage productions, summer camps, and workshops. CFTC builds a creative and collaborative environment to encourage artists of all ages and backgrounds to discover and develop their performing arts talents. Visit www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org for more information

Do you love Thanksgiving side dishes as much as or more than the main dish? You’re not alone! The sides are a special part of any Thanksgiving meal, appealing to our taste buds for their deliciousness as well as to our memories for their sentimentality. During their recent visit to the Miele Showroom in Tysons Corner, Jenn and Jeannine enjoyed learning about (and tasting!) a few Thanksgiving side dishes that are delightful complements to the classic turkey centerpiece. Plus: a recipe for pumpkin bread pudding with caramel sauce that is a twist on the traditional dessert. Thank you to Chef Christal and Miele for sharing these recipes in the beautiful Miele kitchen!

Roasted Root Vegetables 

Serves 6 to 8 
Total Cooking Time:  Approximately 50 minutes 

Ingredients 

3 pounds root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, butternut squash
3 heads of garlic
1 small red onion
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
6 sprigs of fresh thyme

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and put a rack in the middle of the oven.
2. Peel 3 pounds root vegetables, if desired, then cut them into rough 1-inch chunks. Cut 1 small red onion into 1-inch chunks. Place the root vegetables and red onion on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil, sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, and toss to evenly coat. Spread out in an even layer.
3. Roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, chop until you have 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped rosemary leaves.
4. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle the vegetables with the rosemary, and toss to combine. Spread back out in an even layer. Continue to roast until the vegetables are tender and caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes more. 

Garlic Leek and Mashed Potatoes 

Serves 6-8
Total Cooking Time: Approximately 1 hour 

Ingredients 

4pounds russet potatoes
Kosher salt
2 leeks, white parts only
6 tablespoons butter
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup milk
2 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 sprigs fresh thyme 

Directions 

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Put them into a large pot of cold water. Add a big pinch of salt and put the pot over high heat. When it comes to a boil, cook until the potatoes are just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
2. While the potatoes are cooking, slice the leeks into small pieces and make sure they are thoroughly washed.  Put a medium skillet over medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. When the butter is melted, add the leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook the leeks until they are very soft, being careful not to let them color or burn, about 20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes in a colander. Then put the potatoes back into the pot and let the potatoes dry out a bit while you finish the leeks.
4. In a small pot over low heat, add the milk, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, garlic and thyme and warm it up. Strain the garlic and thyme from the warm milk and stir the milk into the potatoes using a spoon. Mash with a potato masher, breaking up the big pieces. Stir in the melted leeks, taste and season with salt and pepper. Cover the rest and keep warm until ready to serve. 

The Best Pumpkin Bread Pudding 

Ingredients 

I 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (105g) granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
4 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 cup whole milk
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (16 oz) loaf hearty crusty French bread, such as cut into 1-inch cubes
Salted caramel sauce, for serving
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped, for serving
Sweetened whipped cream, for serving 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt.
2. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in half and half, milk, pumpkin and vanilla.
3. Place bread cubes in an extra large mixing bowl. Pour half and half mixture evenly over bread cubes then gently toss to coat. Let rest 10 minutes.
4. Spoon mixture into a buttered 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake in preheated oven until set, about 45 – 50 minutes.
5. Let cool for a few minutes then cut and serve with salt caramel sauce, pecans and sweetened whipped cream. 

Tasty Salted Carmel Sauce 

(For Pumpkin Bread Budding) 

Ingredients 

1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons or 1/2 stick of butter
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Instructions 

1. In a medium saucepan, mix together the sugar, heavy whipping cream, butter and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes, whisking occasionally.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the vanilla extract (be careful, the mixture is hot) and stir. Let mixture cool in the pan for 2 minutes, then pour into a jar. Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 5 days). Warm it up in the microwave before using. 

As Chef Christal Karnaze puts it, if all else fails, have the pizza delivery on speed dial and some good wine available. But, if you follow her amazing step by step instructions for timing of cooking a fuss-free yet incredibly satisfying and delicious Thanksgiving meal, those backups won’t be necessary. Below, courtesy of Chef Christal and Miele, are recipes for Thanksgiving turkey and gravy, as featured in our MOSS video and witnessed first-hand by our very own Jeannine and Jenn:

Herbed Holiday Turkey

Ingredients

1twenty-pound turkey, giblets removed and rinsed
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons salt
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 onion, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 bunch fresh thyme
8 sprigs rosemary
2 sprigs of fresh sage

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, salt, white and black pepper. Rub the inside and outside of the turkey with the salt-and-pepper mixture. Fill the cavity with diced onion, lemon, and herbs.
2. Tie the legs together loosely with kitchen twine. Fold the neck flap under, and secure with toothpicks. Place the turkey, breast side up in the Miele HUB 5000-XL Gourmet Casserole Dish or your own roasting pan with V insert.
3. Using the oven roast probe, insert the probe diagonally in the breast of the turkey along the bone. If you hit bone, gently pull back.
4. Place the turkey in the oven on shelf level
5. Program the oven. Operating Mode / Auto Roast / 350-375°F / Core Temperature 165°F / OK.
6. When fully cooked, remove the turkey from the oven, and let it rest, covered, for at least 20 minutes. Transfer to a carving board.

Best Gravy Recipe

Serves 12 (4 cups total)

This simple, yet flavorful recipe can be prepared two days ahead and finished Thanksgiving Day with drippings from your turkey.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bag of giblets reserved from inside turkey cavity (if using breast only you may substitute turkey wings or drumsticks as a giblet bag will not be offered)
1 onion, peeled and chopped fine
1 carrot, trimmed, peeled and chopped fine
1 celery stalk, trimmed and chopped fine
1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
1 quart turkey broth/stock (plus pan drippings from turkey)
¼ cup white wine
¼ cup corn starch
1 small bunch Italian parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the base - Heat oil in a heavy medium size saucepan over medium heat. Add neck and heart and other giblets (or wings/drumsticks if using), and brown on all sides, turning as necessary.
2. Add remaining ingredients - Add vegetables and cook until they are slightly browned, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic and sauté briefly before adding stock.
3. Add turkey stock - Scrape up browned bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to a slow simmer over low heat. Cover partially and cook 1 ½ hours.
4. Strain and cool - Pour gravy through a fine mesh strainer, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Remove meat and use in the gravy if desired (chop the giblets and strip the meat off of the neck).  Transfer to a container and allow to cool before storing in the refrigerator until roast turkey is done.
5. Complete the gravy - Once turkey is fully cooked and resting, skim off and discard solidified fat from cooled gravy.  Pour into a medium size saucepan and add accumulated, skimmed juices from the roasted turkey.  In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and wine until it is the smooth consistency of heavy cream.  Over medium heat, heat gravy/pan juice mixture and then slowly whisk in cornstarch mixture.  Continue whisking while the liquid reaches a boil.  Add chopped parsley. Simmer while whisking until thick, season with salt and pepper to taste.