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At MOSS, we love to show off the beautiful work that our teams accomplish in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County – but even more impressive? The progression of the projects from before to after (including “during” photos and proposed renderings). This Herndon home received multiple updates to the main and second levels, including an incredible new kitchen and two gorgeous full baths and our team was able to completely transform how this family functions in and enjoys their space. Follow along on the journey from before to after... 

Kitchen Transformation 

MOSS completely opened the kitchen by eliminating a center wall that cut the space in half and changing the original dining room partially into the new pantry. Because the family didn’t use the dining room much, it made sense to create a larger, eat-in kitchen that was both elegant and with an open floor plan for the homeowners.  

Master Bathroom and Hallway Bathroom Transformations  

Both of the home’s upstairs bathrooms were completely transformed during the remodel process in order to make space for an upstairs laundry room and walk-in closet as well as to update the bathrooms’ design and look. The master bathroom originally was connected to the master bedroom by a hallway with mirrored, sliding doors fronting closets, which were decidedly out of date, and the hallway bathroom was located at the end of the upstairs hallway.  

Our designers took space from the original master bathroom to create a new hallway bathroom located on the back wall of the house and took space from the original closets to create the new master bathroom. The master bedroom space was reduced in size to accommodate the new walk-in closets located near the front of the home.  

Special features in the new master bathroom include the waterfall tile section behind the showerhead and faucet and the stone bench at one end.  

The hallway bathroom is a stunning change! Originally, it was small and cramped but without any privacy. Not helpful when you have multiple users! Our designers shifted the bathroom area to still have a bathtub (always nice to have one in a home!) but to have the vanity separate from the toilet/tub area so more than one person could use the space at once. The bathroom’s window, part of the original master bathroom,  has tile surround to match the tile on the tub walls, in addition to the beautiful green tile that is a design element both on the tub wall and the vanity backsplash.  

Mudroom Transformation 

A fun feature of this remodel was the update of the home’s mudroom and playroom. You can see from the during and after shots what a shift it was from crowded and disorganized to clean, contemporary, and functional  

You can see more photos of this beautiful Herndon home on our Facebook page or on our website!  

Spring is the perfect time of year to start tackling home improvement projects. Many people opt for a spring cleaning, but it’s also a great time for some building. Let the new season motivate you to give your home a bright, cheerful makeover inside and out. So where should you start and which project comes first? That depends on your priorities, and sometimes trying to juggle too many projects at once can get overwhelming. Focusing on some key features or improvements you want, and seeing those though can not only give you a great sense of accomplishment but allow you to revel in your new-and-improved home! Here are a few suggestions to get your creativity flowing.

Incorporate Fresh and Bright Colors

Leaving behind the often dark and gloomy color pallet of winter, incorporating some fresh and vibrant colors into your home is a great way to celebrate the arrival of spring. This can range from using some new and trendy cabinet colors to adding some warm bedroom colors to help you doze off on some cozy spring nights. While using darker colors such as blues and grays is a perfectly acceptable choice, opting for these warmer colors, especially in places with lower amounts of natural light, can be a great way to make a room more inviting.

Install an Enclosed Porch

 Building an enclosed porch is a great way to be able to enjoy the beauty of spring without any of the minor annoyances that may come with it. And yes, I’m referring to you mosquitos. There’s a lot to be said for soaking in the sun on your porch, but a project of this size might need a bit more of a financial lift. Many homeowners choose to use a home equity line of credit which allows them to leverage the value of their home. This is a great way to get a larger amount of cash, and in addition, you can reap some tax benefits if the money is used to improve your home. While this option might be more climate-dependent, it’s a great way to enjoy the weather while still feeling more safe and secure.

Have Your Air Conditioner Inspected

As the warmer months approach, it’s a great time to make sure your air conditioning system is alive and well. The last thing you want to deal with is a broken air conditioner while you're already actively sweating. While there are a few common air conditioner problems that you might encounter, having a company give it a once over can save you a lot of trouble and stress down the line. In addition, if you feel you’re mechanically inclined enough, reviewing those common issues can help you better address any potential issues yourself. Ensuring your system is up and running before the heat waves of summer will keep you from sweating, both literally and figuratively. 

Evaluate Your Landscaping Options

Moving into spring means that the ground is no longer frozen solid (fingers crossed), and you can start working on a planting area or garden again! Not everyone is born with a green thumb, but there are many easy-to-grow spring plants available that can help boost your curb appeal and give you something nice to look at. Flowers and plants often vary in the level of effort and attention required, so keep that in mind when choosing some new floral companions this spring. Creating a plan for your future landscaping endeavors can not only help keep you on track, but allow you to better visualize what the end result might look like!

Resurface Your Driveway

While the winter may have wreaked havoc on your driveway, springtime is a great opportunity to fix up any of those imperfections. There are many benefits to resurfacing your driveway, ranging from increased curb appeal to simply making it safer and less dangerous. Not only can a driveway that’s cracked and full of potholes decrease the value of your home, but it can also potentially damage vehicles. Making sure your driveway is smooth and clean is a relatively short process and can help your home welcome in spring.

Check On Your Rain Gutters

The saying “April showers bring May flowers” is often true, which means it’s crucial to make sure your gutters are in top condition. Over the winter months, it is common for gutters to get jammed up with leaves and other objects, in addition to potentially being damaged. Double-checking your gutters might be as simple as getting a ladder and cleaning them out, but if there are any extenuating problems, it’s better to address them quickly. Faulty gutters can allow rainwater to potentially leak into your home or even damage the foundation of your house.

Springtime is a great opportunity to make some improvements to your home. While the sun is shining and the birds are singing, you can be making plans to spruce up your home, and help welcome in some good times. 

Whichever room you’re remodeling in your home, if cabinets are a part of the project, then the color or wood tone chosen is highly important to the overall design. Until recently, color has often been just on the walls of rooms and not usually on cabinets.  At MOSS Building and Design, we know what a big impact cabinets have on a room and how they can make a remodel stand out.  So, while a white kitchen is classic and never goes out of style, for example, we know white cabinets are not necessarily the only option, and the same goes for a bathroom remodel.  

Recently, we asked our MOSS design team to share trends they’ve been seeing with cabinet design.  Navy is a color that has been used a great deal lately. Not only does it look crisp and beautiful in bathrooms and kitchens as it is such a classic and modern color, it can also quietly hide dirt and dust.  In kitchens, a pop of color such as bright yellow or deep espresso are sometimes used for the base cabinets or the island.  This is a great choice for those who may not want to do the entire kitchen in colored cabinets but still want to incorporate a unique and complementary color palette.  Other popular colors for cabinets are those found in nature such as pale greens, calming taupe, and soft cream.  These colors are also quite neutral and can coordinate well with other colors as well as wood tones.  

Natural soft wood tones are also currently in vogue.  When looking to design a more natural kitchen or mid-century modern kitchen, simple wood cabinets are perfect to set the scene.  They add a homey touch that pairs well with other natural design elements such as terra cotta or stone.   

Cabinet color is a highly personal decision that adds a good amount of design impact without much of an additional cost.  There are many choices on the marketplace that you can browse through to narrow down your decision.  Remember it is your home so whatever you choose is a great decision!  Have you been considering a bathroom or kitchen remodel?  Contact MOSS for a complimentary estimate at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or at 703.961.7707. 

MOSS was thrilled to host a Fall Home & Art Studio Tour at one of our recently remodeled homes in Great Falls, Virginia. Parinaz Bahadori, the homeowner, is an artist and architect with an art studio on her property - guests were invited to tour the remodeled rooms of the home and also to enjoy a tour of the art studio during their visits.  

Over 70 guests came through the home at designated times throughout the day on Saturday, November 13th to take in the various rooms of the home that MOSS helped remodel with tours given by members of the MOSS design team. You can read more about the overall remodel and see more photos here. After touring the home, visitors were invited to enjoy light charcuterie and fall-themed beverages on their way to the art studio, where they enjoyed one on one time with Parinaz as well as took in the space where she creates her work. Guests were also invited to purchase artwork for sale – not only paintings, but also coasters, paperweights, and more.  

With a shared commitment to charitable outreach and support for the community, MOSS Mission, MOSS’s non-profit 501(c)(3), partnered with Parinaz to purchase two of her paintings that were then raffled off to attendees. Raffle tickets cost $15 each (or $20 for two) with all the proceeds donated to Parinaz’s favorite charities: Project Turquoise and The Arts of Great Falls.   

It was a beautiful day to tour the spaces and help others in the process. To learn more about Parinaz's art, please visit her website at www.ParinazArt.com.  

Our customers loved the location of their Sterling home on a quiet cul-de-sac, close to nature yet also within easy proximity to shopping, entertainment, and more. Yet, they also knew that they wanted their house to be more than just their home, long intending to share their commitment to meditation with the local community within their space. Hence, they decided to explore adding on a room to their home that would serve as a non-profit community meditation center, open to the public for meditation sessions, group meetings, visits with leading lamas, etc. Partnering with MOSS and our designers, who understood the need to create an addition that would serve as the center but could also be enjoyed for other purposes, gave them the end result they desired. With bright light coming from skylights in the tall, angled ceiling (which matches the original structure and flows very naturally), a soothing wall color, warm LVT flooring, and easy access to the driveway and backyard through large, glass doors, the addition is now a respite from daily life, serving its purpose for both the homeowners and those in the community as well.  

Our customers documented the process from the start of construction and shared images with our team. It’s impressive to look at the progression of this particular addition from start to finish. Scroll on to see the before, during, and after photos:  

Before

During:  

After: 

The after photos show the full transformation of the project, starting from the outside view:  

Before and after photos are incredibly powerful and showcase the craftmanship that goes into all MOSS remodels. If you’re interested in receiving an estimate for an addition at your home, contact our team at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or at 703.961.7707.  

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.  

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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).