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There are so many benefits to having an energy-efficient home. Not only will it help reduce your monthly utility bills, but reducing your personal carbon footprint is one of the most admirable things you can do to help our environment and society. At Moss Building and Design, we fully appreciate and understand the benefits of designing and building energy-efficient home renovations. Below are a handful of ideas we have implemented to ensure that we are as efficient as possible with home renovations. 

Prioritize Natural Light 

No matter what kind of renovation you are interested in, prioritizing natural light is a wonderful way to be energy-efficient. Electric bills can skyrocket when high-powered lights are constantly on. By prioritizing natural light, the need for lights to constantly be on diminishes. Imagine how much you could save on your energy bill if your overhead lights only needed to be on during dusk and nighttime. Moss is more than happy to be strategic and figure out the best ways to let as much natural light as possible into your home. 

The most obvious way to get lots of natural light flowing into the house is to strategically place large windows in the areas that are being renovated. Kitchens lend themselves nicely to large windows. However, traditional windows aren’t the only outlet to prioritize natural light. Sliding glass doors are an additional way to add natural lighting to your home. Exterior doors can also have windows cut out at the top. And lastly, skylights add yet another dimension to the house as they allow light to enter at a more direct angle. 

Energy Efficient Appliances 

While natural light can help alleviate the need for lighting and can even help with temperature control, homes nowadays have so many appliances that run on electric or gas. A decent chunk of the utility bills come from appliances constantly running, especially HVAC systems, washers and dryers, and dishwashers. While it is unrealistic to cut out the use of these appliances, energy-efficient options can help reduce the utility bills and your carbon footprint. The initial cost may be a little bit higher, but investing in these energy-efficient appliances will save you money in the long run. Moss is always happy to research and suggest the best energy efficient appliances for your home remodel in Northern Virginia. Our mission will always go beyond construction. We are committed to our community and leaving a positive and lasting impact to those who we serve. 

Make Your Home an Entertainment Center 

In the grand scheme of things, your home has a very small carbon footprint compared to massive skyscrapers and factories around the world. However, if everyone made minor changes to their lifestyle, the impact could be massive. One of the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly changes you can make is to drive less. What better way to accomplish this goal than by having entertainment you would drive to accessible in your own home? Turning your home into an entertainment center is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. 

Any area of the home can be part of an energy-efficient remodel. For entertainment purposes, the kitchen can be remodeled to allow for room to host parties. The living area can be remodeled to include a playroom for children that will make them forget about the community playground. The basement can be completely remodeled as an entertainment oasis, including an area to watch movies, watch big games, and play some tabletop games with a cold drink in hand. With the help of Moss, turning your home into an energy-efficient entertainment center will move from dream to reality. 

Interested in an energy-efficient home remodel in Northern Virginia?  Reach out to Moss Building and Design today to inquire! 

Since your house is where you spend a large majority of your time, it is important that you always feel like your home is up to date.  Unfortunately, time can steal the newness of your home.  At Moss, we want our clients to feel like the home they love is brand new.  We specialize in contemporary renovations to modernize the living experience of our clients in Maryland.  Below are some of the contemporary home renovations we offer to our Maryland clients. 

Bathroom Remodels 

Where is the best place in your home to get quality alone time?  The bathroom of course!  Imagine slipping into a warm bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book.  Moss can design and build the whirlpool tub of your dreams.  Maybe you prefer taking a shower, where warm water cascades down from an overhead rain showerhead.  Moss can handle any of your bathroom remodel needs, from sprucing up your current bathroom to demolishing your existing bathroom and designing and building a brand new one.  Be the talk of your Maryland neighborhood with a Moss bathroom renovation. 

Kitchen Remodels 

One of the best ways to save money is to eat at home instead of constantly eating out.  This becomes infinitely more enjoyable when you have the kitchen of your dreams.  Moss has designed and built dozens of kitchen remodels for our clients, and some of the key features include: 

• Massive center islands for plenty of food prep surface area 
• Chilled wine coolers 
• Stainless steel appliances 
• Modern cabinetry 
• An open floor plan  

We love kitchen remodels at Moss.  Our hope is we can work with you to create the kitchen of your dreams. 

Outdoor Living Remodels 

Nestled in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley and the Appalachian Mountains, Maryland has some of the best outdoor scenery in the country.  What better way to enjoy that scenery than from the comfort of your own home.  Moss has extensive history with outdoor living remodels. 

A few examples of outdoor living remodels include decks, patios, and sunrooms.   

We can provide much more than just a standard deck.  We have worked on roof decks, covered decks, and everything in between.  The only limit is your imagination. 

Moss can also design and build the perfect patio for your house.  Want something simple?  No problem.  Want a firepit installed or live on elevation and need a retaining wall built in?  We can do that as well! 

Lastly, sunrooms are an amazing component of the house that allow you to enjoy the great outdoors even when the weather is not optimal.  Sunrooms are perfect for Maryland, where you can watch all four seasons through the comfort of your own covered area. 

Interested in remodeling services in Maryland? Reach out to Moss today! 

As part of our commitment to community service and outreach, MOSS recently partnered with Lowe’s Chantilly to provide the materials and labor needed to repair and update Fairfax County’s Chantilly High School’s concessions stand. Over the course of a week, MOSS professionals were able to build and replace the stand’s interior doors, countertops, and shelving as well as replace siding on all four sides, therefore allowing for future better security, more storage, and increased functionality for those who utilize the space.  

Concessions stands at area public high schools generate much needed funds for school athletic groups and other organizations, as they rotate hosting duties during events and sports functions. These funds help groups attend conventions and competitions, or purchase uniforms, for example.  

After years of use, the Chantilly High School concessions stand had received damage and wear and tear both inside and out that needed to be repaired. The high school Athletic Boosters Club reached out to MOSS to ask for assistance, and, as part of MOSS’s commitment to the community via its non-profit, MOSS Mission, the repairs were undertaken by our team as a donation in-kind and further supported with the donation of the necessary materials from Lowe’s.  

“We’re so grateful to both MOSS and Lowe’s for their donation of time, labor, and materials to make these repairs happen,” said Corey Bowerman, Activities Director at Chantilly High School, “The concessions stand will enjoy many more years of use and help so many students for years.” 

“Lowe’s Chantilly is a big believer in community outreach, and the opportunity to help at Chantilly High School, which is part of our literal neighborhood, just made sense on so many levels,” said Josh Wilner of Lowe’s Chantilly. 

In exchange for the repairs to the concessions stand, MOSS will receive recognition as a premier sponsor at Chantilly High School via its Booster Club through 2027. 

MOSS is committed to community outreach – and thrilled to be able to donate labor and materials in such a way. If your organization or school needs similar types of repairs or support, please reach out to us at commander@mossmission.org for more information or to discuss how we may partner with you.  

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.  

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.

During this time of COVID 19-related uncertainty, it would be easy to focus solely on ourselves and our needs. However, as it has been shown time and time again, we, as a people, are driven to reach out, give back, and help those around us who need it more than we do. However, just as we are still learning how to deal with the situation as it changes every day, figuring out how to help our neighbors, community, and local small businesses is constantly shifting and changing. MOSS has been giving back to the local community for years, and we pride ourselves on partnering with groups that need our assistance. Our team has been listening and leaning in, and hope that we can offer some ways that we can help those #inneed today, tomorrow, and in the weeks and months to come: 

Helping Your Neighbors

• Social media is trending with the hashtag #inneed. If you are in need of something (Clorox Wipes, etc.) or know of an older individual who is, post #inneed then the item that is needed. This is a great way to help on behalf those who are not active on social media. 
• Visit your senior citizen neighbor and ask how you can help them — shop for groceries for them, pick up their medication, and make their life easier and safer. 
• Check in on your neighbors, constantly! Make a text stream for your street neighbors if anyone needs help and be available if anyone needs childcare or dog walking, for example. 

Helping Your Community

• Buy reasonable amounts of items and adhere to guidelines (don’t over buy!). 
• Follow the CDC recommendations: constantly wash your hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds, don’t touch your face, practice social distancing, shop at off hours to lessen crowds, and be vigilant about staying home if you are sick. 
• Donate any extra canned food or needed items for school children who normally receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch at local elementary schools. 

Helping Local Small Businesses

• Order a meal delivery a few times a week from a local, family-owned restaurant — help them stay in business, especially if communities are asked to self-quarantine. 
• Promote online shopping for local businesses or consider personalized gifts for birthdays or anniversaries for the rest of the year by choosing a local vendor. 
• Local businesses might implement delivery options for dog food, pharmacy items, or more – stay on top of the news or details via NextDoor.com. 

And, when you find yourself potentially at home dealing with an illness, caring for others who are sick, or hunkering down at home with children who are home from school for long periods of time, it helps to think ahead to the future when life returns to normal. Perhaps you’ve been considering a home remodel for a while, or perhaps after staring at your four walls for a few weeks, you’re inspired to make a change! Spend some time browsing our MOSS boards on Pinterest and pin some ideas for a gourmet kitchen or an updated master bathroom, or begin your own vision board on Houzz (check out the MOSS Houzz page for ideas!) to get your thoughts in order. 

Working Together 

By working together as a community to flatten the curve, continuing to practice healthy habits, and focusing on our fellow man as well as ourselves, we can live through this current public health crisis and come out the other side ready to return to our usual day to day existence. MOSS wishes all our customers and friends good health.