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The kitchen is often considered the centerpiece of a home, acting as a gathering place for family and friends for meals, holidays or get togethers, yet also commonly serves as a functional space that allows for entertaining and everyday comfort.

Our kitchen remodeling services range from complete kitchen transformations, where walls and windows are moved to open your space, to simple kitchen upgrades, in which cabinets and counter tops are replaced with new versions. Updated kitchen backsplashes, tiles, and patterns can also be used to change the look and feel of your space and as part of any remodeling project.

Uncommon Placement - Unique Backsplash Kitchen Tile

This Arlington kitchen’s backsplash, in both the coffee bar area and behind the range, is made up of 2x8” and 2x16” glass subway tiles placed in a vertical, rather than horizontal, pattern. It is a unique design element that is a complement to the more commonly used horizontally placed subway tiles in the kitchen as seen on the opposing wall. Beautiful quality design and installation work can be seen here. These design choices add a standout feature in the kitchen but also tie it into a more modern look and feel.

Floral Pattern – Unique Kitchen Pattern

At first glance, this Herndon kitchen’s backsplash is clean and white. Upon closer examination, however, the backsplash design actually showcases a small floral pattern. This unique pattern keeps the kitchen clean and consistent, but also gives it a touch of whimsy. A backsplash design can be as simple or as extravagant as the homeowner wishes, with designs either blending into the background or standing on their own. Either way, choosing a unique tile is up to the customer and their personal likes and dislikes.

Unique Backsplash Color & Design

These Centreville customers’ renovated their kitchen to include an open concept design achieved through the removal of a wall between the kitchen and adjacent dining room. Included in the design was a massive, curved kitchen island that included ample seating options as well as storage and meal prep areas. Most unique of their selections was the choice of this green backsplash tile that showcases dramatic, non-linear white lines throughout. Placing the unique tile on the bar area and behind the range make it so that it’s not overwhelming but is a definite conversation starter.

While all of our kitchen remodels vary in color, design, and shape these kitchens were extremely unique with their tiles & patterns. How did you feel about them? If you’re in the market for a kitchen remodel call us at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

Remodeling a kitchen is an exciting undertaking, but daunting for some if you don’t know where to start. At Moss Building & Design, we want to make it an enjoyable process. When complete, you should be marveling at your final product and enjoying more time in the space that’s the center of so many family activities.

 The kitchen remodeling process is one that explores both design and function. You’ll want to spend time determining what overall design and look you’d like, along with thinking through how you’d actually want your new kitchen to function best for your needs.

 Our step-by-step remodeling guide has everything you need to know to be at the helm of your successful kitchen remodel project.

 Step 1: Planning

The first step in your kitchen remodel process should be brainstorming ideas for how you’d like your kitchen to look. Do you have more of a traditional style or would you like something more contemporary or farmhouse chic? Do you have specific colors in mind?

 Go through this checklist during your planning process to get a good start on your kitchen remodel:

• Create a Pinterest board to collect your favorite kitchen styles
• Hire a trusted remodeler to create design options for you ahead of demolition
• Think about what works in your existing kitchen versus what you absolutely need changed to enhance the space
• Determine what you’re missing that would improve how you function, such as outlets in convenient spaces, recessed spice racks, more storage, etc.
• Prioritize your needs (a large cooking stove and range hood are a must, but a big island is a nice-to-have, for example)
• Set your budget with some wiggle room for unexpected expenses

 Here are two kitchen remodels that display different design styles beautifully.

 Step 2: Choose Your Appliances & Other Selections

Once you have an overall look and feel for your kitchen picked out, you’ll want to get a little more specific on the types of appliances you’ll want your contractor to install. You will also need to make a number of other selections such as sink and faucet designs, lighting, and backsplashes.

 Consider the following when choosing these features:

• Choose the cabinets first, because these kitchen necessities have the longest lead time.
• Choose the types of appliances and brands (Viking, Samsung, GE, Miele, etc.) you’d like to have in your kitchen. Depending on your style you could have:
  • Stainless Steel
  • Glossy
  • Matte
  • Slate
  • Colored or Retro
• Match the look of your sink to the rest of your design choices. Here are some options you will consider when choosing your sink:
  • Stainless steel, granite composite, or fireclay materials
  • Top-mount or under-mount (refers to the placement of the sink lip on the countertops)
  • Single-bowl, double-bowl, or farmhouse
• Determine the type of countertop material you’d like and discuss costs with your designer or contractor
  • Quartz
  • Granite
  • Soapstone
  • Marble
  • Butcher Block
• Take a sample of your countertops to a tile distributor and find the best match for your color and style when choosing your backsplash

 You’re welcome to mix and match patterns and textures to really make your kitchen pop, such as this backsplash-countertop combination in a remodeled Herndon, VA kitchen. The interlocking, oblong tile contrasts with the marble look of the countertop, but the colors are complementary.

 This combination really draws your eye into the kitchen, particularly when used as a statement wall behind the main range area.

 Step 3: Install Kitchen Flooring and Baseboards

Once your kitchen has been demoed and any needed plumbing and electrical repairs, moves, or replacements have been made to prepare for your new kitchen, your flooring will need to be installed. This literally sets the “foundation” for your kitchen.

 What should you think about when choosing and laying flooring for your new kitchen?

• Vinyl is the least expensive if budget is a concern
• Tile is beautiful, but can be costly because of the labor and skill involved in laying and grouting
• Solid hardwood could be a good choice to match and flow into any adjacent rooms
• Engineered wood resembles real hardwood, but is more moisture-resistant
• Laminate flooring is a popular choice because it is moisture and scratch resistant

This flooring effortlessly matches the cabinet colors

Step 4: Kitchen Cabinet Checklist

Kitchen cabinets literally pull together the entire look of your kitchen. There are lots of design choices you can make when deciding on what type of cabinets to use. Basically, you’ll have a combination of wall cabinets, that are attached to your walls, and base cabinets, that are attached to the wall cabinets and your floor.

 Here is a checklist of some items to decide on when choosing cabinets:

• Do you want your cabinets to be flush with the ceiling or end with a space above?
• Would you like under-cabinet, above the countertop or floorboard lighting installed?
• Is your style more sleek and modern or would you like to add beadboard, decorative molding, or raised panels to your cabinets?
• Do you prefer knobs or pulls on cabinets and drawers?
• Should there be any specially-sized cabinets for oversized items like cutting boards and trays or small-nook cabinets with built-in spice racks?
• How would you like to balance enclosing cabinets with doors versus the open cabinet trend?

MOSS’s expert designers re-configured the space for better usage, replacing the original cabinetry, appliances, countertops, and the highly un-useable original island as well as changing the layout of the room’s footprint. In a unique twist, Jenn and Raad hoped to make the far wall of kitchen cabinetry appear to be one seamless wall – when in fact it houses the kitchen’s pantry, refrigerator, and freezer, as well as a garage entry door. MOSS curated a black fenix material from Italy as the perfect canvas to create a wall that essentially “disappeared”. To complete the illusion, all cabinet and appliance doors on the back wall operate via a touch system to open and close without the use of pulls or handles.  

 No matter your style, from contemporary to traditional, our designers can help you build the kitchen of your dreams.

 If you’re in the market for a kitchen remodel call us at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com.

Also check out our "Beginners Guide to Remodeling" Video for more information below:

 Sources

 “Steps to Remodeling Your Kitchen”

https://www.thebalance.com/steps-to-remodeling-your-kitchen-1798738

 “How to Remodel a Kitchen”

https://www.thespruce.com/steps-to-a-kitchen-remodel-1822229

 “Homeowners Workbook: How to Remodel a Kitchen”

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1198907/list/homeowners-workbook-how-to-remodel-your-kitchen

 “5 Fab Alternatives to Stainless Steel in Appliances in the Kitchen”

https://www.curbed.com/2015/12/7/9893562/stainless-steel-appliances-alternative

 “Types of Kitchen Sinks”

https://www.typesofkitchensinks.com/

 “Kitchen Cabinet Styles”

https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/kitchen-cabinet-styles

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.  

A kitchen remodel is a very personal decision for many homeowners. With so much time spent in the kitchen, it truly serves as the touch point for family gatherings, meal prep and eating, heart to heart talks, and midnight snacks. But what if your original kitchen, while very functional and lovely, just doesn’t say “you”? For Eric and Mellany, the time came to update their Ashburn kitchen from its original look and feel as their family grew. They realized that a better flow and updated design was necessary to reflect their personal design aesthetic – and working with the MOSS design team, their kitchen remodel was completed with care and vision.  

Before: Dark Cabinetry and Small Center Island Create Lack of Flow & Function 

Eric and Mellany knew that the layout of their original kitchen was not to their liking. With a small center island plus a peninsula coming from an adjacent wall, the room felt blocky and tight, even though it had plenty of square footage. In addition, the natural wood cabinets, combined with the hardwood flooring, gave the kitchen a darker monotone color scheme, and with the cabinets also not reaching the ceiling, the lack of storage was a concern. Finally, the lighting fixture above the island was considerably basic, and didn’t reflect the style they envisioned.  

Before: Basic Butler’s Pantry 

While beautiful and functional, the kitchen’s butler’s pantry also embodied the same design style as the rest of the kitchen. It needed an update that made it unique but also a natural flow from the rest of the space.  

Before: Common Desk Area  

Again, the desk area was a fully functional area for checking email, making phone calls, and doing other household tasks, yet it needed to be updated to make it part of the kitchen design yet with its own unique look.  

After: Massive Center Island as Main Design Inspiration for Lighter & Brighter Space  

Inspired by the beautiful quartz stone that they found for the center island and the countertops, MOSS gave Eric and Mellany the kitchen of their dreams. The family always wanted a massive center island to serve as a gathering place for entertaining or a place to prepare and enjoy meals together. The larger island gave them the ability to do this as well as store more kitchen items.  

The removal of the peninsula island gave them the space to move around more easily. It was replaced by a taller piece of cabinetry to create the look of a piece of furniture. It was also given a different quartz countertop from the rest of the kitchen to help reinforce the idea of it being a piece of “furniture”. This smaller corner unit serves as a “catch all” for the family as they enter the house through the mudroom.  

The entire kitchen was fitted with semi-custom cabinetry. The perimeter cabinets were painted a soft gray and heightened to reach the ceiling. The center island’s cabinetry was painted a darker gray/blue to create a unique but classic look that gives the space a more distinctive multi-colored hue. Along with this, new professional grade appliances were installed – the favorite part for the homeowners is the built-in range griddle!  

New beveled subway tile was installed throughout the kitchen and butler’s pantry. A bit of beveling can do a great deal to create beautiful movement on the walls. The butler’s pantry was updated to match the main kitchen space as well and continues to serve as a wonderful space to store beverages, make coffee, and display décor. 

The kitchen’s desk area was updated as well but given a unique treatment to make it look like a home office space. The desktop was outfitted with hardwood so that it feels like a working area. And on the walls behind the home computer, shiplap tile was placed in a vertical pattern, drawing the eye to an incredibly unique portion of the space.  

Eric and Mellany knew that updating their Ashburn kitchen was in their future, and the time came to give it a facelift. Without removing walls, our MOSS designers were able to reconfigure the flow of the kitchen, created new elements that give the family functional spaces, and brightened up the entire space with the cabinetry colors, lighting fixtures and more.  

Built in 1910, the historic home purchased by our clients last year fit all the criteria for what they were looking for in a forever home: ideal location, vintage charm, and space to entertain family and friends. However, the home’s original layout, with its large dining room and small kitchen, and lack of a master bathroom, while appropriate for the era in which it was built, did not suit the modern sensibilities and needs of the homeowners. With this in mind, Jacey and Brad reached out to MOSS and our team of expert designers to transform their main level to give them the gourmet kitchen that would provide them the opportunity to better receive family and friends, as well as create a brand new master bathroom entirely from scratch from a little used second floor “bonus” room. To paraphrase the homeowners, MOSS was able to assess the situation and visualize the solutions to make the homeowners’ vision of their dream home a reality.  

Creating a Beautiful Gourmet Kitchen from the Original Formal Dining Room 

When they first purchased their new home, Jacey and Brad immediately knew that the small corner kitchen and incredibly large dining room, used in the past for formal entertaining, was not to their taste. Rather, they knew that they wanted a large, beautiful kitchen that could be used to gather with family for the holidays and with friends throughout the year. Here’s what the dining room looked like originally:  

The solution? Switch out the dining room and make it into the new, grand kitchen the homeowners desired. Once the decision was made, and with a focus on having a white kitchen with entirely white cabinets (Jacey’s dream come true!), the MOSS designers created a seamless look to the cabinetry, including utilizing cabinet panels as the front for the refrigerator and freezer (a very trendy look these days) and using a section of corner cabinetry to house a baking center with appliances and supplies, as well as adding a half wall of cabinetry with glass fronts to showcase the homeowners’ beautiful china.  

The massive center island, which houses two dishwashers, a sink, plenty of prep area, lots of seating options, and a great amount of storage, is home to a beautiful countertop of honed marble, matching the rest of the kitchen’s countertops. The piece de résistance in the kitchen, the island truly serves as the gathering spot for Jacey, Brad, and their close-knit family.  

A final unique touch, in contrast to the all-white kitchen and countertops, is the stunning navy blue stove, which matches the china on display as well as the curtains on the tall windows. Add in all new new light fixtures, recessed lighting, and, along with plenty of natural light, the stunning new kitchen is a “wow”!  

Creating a Master Bathroom from the “Bonus” Room 

While at first glance having a “bonus” room would seem to be just that, a bonus, that was not the case for our MOSS clients. The bonus room was simply another room that served little purpose. On the other hand, the lack of a master bathroom was a bigger issue that needed to be solved. MOSS brought its creative energy to help solve the issue, and the team, along with Jacey and Brad, all agreed that the bonus room, with its location next to the master bedroom, would be the perfect space for a new master bathroom.  

With its odd layout, however, as well as three staircases in and out of the room and the top of the former kitchen’s chimney running through it, the bonus room had to be completely transformed to become the master bathroom Jacey and Brad were seeking. To solve these issues, one staircase was completely closed off and the chimney covered up so as to essentially disappear, while all the plumbing for the room had to be run through the lower level ceiling and walls up to the bathroom.  

The final result? A calming oasis for the homeowners to relax in at the end of the day. The large walk-in shower is beautifully hand-tiled and located next to a standalone soaking tub, which sits next to a large window that allows in plenty of natural light. The water closet area has a unique wallpaper that draws the eye, as does the curved archway above the toilet, which matches the design in the kitchen leading from the hallway. MOSS was also able to transform a beloved piece of family furniture, which had traveled the globe with Jacey and Brad, into the master bathroom’s vanity, adding in a gorgeous countertop. While the room was transformed almost entirely from its original purpose, the homeowners kept the original hardwood floor, which provides continuity to the rest of the home and the original look and feel of a bygone era.  

Can’t get enough of this gorgeous renovation? See more and hear from the homeowner in this video. 

Stunning Home Renovation in Herndon, Virginia 

Helping to transform this Herndon home was a labor of love not only for Jacey and Brad, but also for the MOSS team that worked with them. A forever home is a dream home, and every day in it, post remodel, should feel special. MOSS strives to give every client the incredible result that they desire for their home remodel – and this beautiful transformation is a testament to that commitment. If you’re feeling inspired and/or been considering a home remodel, contact MOSS today for a free consultation at 703.961.7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com.  

Transitional interior design combines the best of both worlds – traditional and contemporary design elements.  With more than half of all kitchen remodels designed in transitional style recently – more than double the kitchens designed in traditional, contemporary, or farmhouse styles, transitional design is a hot design trend for 2020 and beyond. 

A well-designed transitional kitchen includes clean, sophisticated lines of modern design features as well as beautifully decorative accent pieces typically seen in traditional kitchen design.  It’s important to maintain a good balance of modern and traditional design elements, so one does not overpower the other.  

To ensure a cohesive and fluid transitional-style kitchen remodel, as opposed to a mismatched clash of styles, keep the following in mind during the design and selection process:

• Streamlined cabinets with sleek hardware
• A nice mix of man-made and natural materials
• Marble, granite, soapstone, or limestone countertops – polished, honed, or a combination of both
• Hardwood flooring
• Neutral colors, such as white, beige, gray, or “greige”
• Stainless-steel appliances and mixed metal fixture finishes
• Stacked grid backsplashes, geometric-patterned tile, or herringbone pattern
• Ease of movement between kitchen and dining or living areas

Combining Man-Made and Natural Textures Creates Depth

In this Northern Virginia kitchen remodel, a moveable island work-station on smooth caster-wheels features a thick, gorgeous butcher block top that complements the dark, wide-plank hardwood floors and contrasts beautifully with the smooth white cabinetry.  The pretty colored base of the island work-station was custom ordered to complement a similar shade on the walls, creating a warm, inviting place to work and play.  

Gloss-finished, beveled white subway tile adds a polished touch between the wall cabinets and the white and gray natural stone countertop, which coordinates with the stainless-steel double oven and appliances.  Additionally, in the same kitchen design, similar lush wood tops the bay-window seat in white carpentry featuring hidden storage.  The designer ensured the lines were clean and crisp throughout the transitional style kitchen remodel.   

Pairing Contrasting Countertop Materials Generates Interest

In this Fairfax Station kitchen remodel, a transitional style brings together traditional and modern features into an updated classic style, with a variety of contrasting elements that when combined make a strong design statement.  The two large islands custom-built for entertaining feature sleek, smooth, polished white marble with elongated darker veins countertops atop white base cabinets; whereas, the perimeter countertops are honed, leather-textured indigo soapstone.  The homeowners were fascinated with how soapstone responds to the leathered treatment, resulting in elongated raised crevices creating depth and texture that complement the movement in the smoother-finished marble.  Together, the striking contrast is intriguing and beautifully composed.  

Choosing Neutral Colors Provides Backdrop for Personal Style Kitchen Decor

Transitional style cabinets are light or medium color in lighter-grained wood, painted wood, or mixed materials. Walls are white, light gray, beige, greige, or blues.  In this Northern Virginia kitchen remodel, the hood is hidden behind white cabinet-like panels above a six-burner gas range.  Subway tile, that changes color from gray to beige depending on the light source, bridges the light countertop and white upper-wall cabinets and also connects to the greige wall color above.  The lines in this kitchen are designed to establish a fluid flow both vertically and horizontally and draw guests into the space to pull up a seat at the inviting island.     

Mixing Metal Finishes Sets New Kitchen Trend

Gone are the days where everything in a room needed to match.  No more matchy-matchy in interior design for the home.  Thankfully, 2020 kitchen trends give permission to feature handles with any finish, adorning cabinets like stylish but subtle jewelry in the same kitchen, with elegant light pendants showcasing black or gold metal, glass shades or pendants, and stainless-steel appliances and faucets. 

Ensuring Well-lit and Ease-of-Movement Transitions

Since transitional style kitchens typically open to the dining or living rooms, a smooth design transition and ease of movement are key elements.  In this Northern Virginia kitchen remodel, a large, functional, and stylish island serves this purpose very well, as does a separate beverage station or butler’s pantry.  While white kitchen cabinets with stainless steel appliances are timeless in almost any design style, the more traditional-style dark base-cabinet in the island is trimmed with more decorative shoe molding to create a transitional kitchen design.  The two rectangular windows, white perimeter cabinets, and lighter backsplash tile with lighter grout provide the light and airy effect necessary to achieve a transitional kitchen design. 

Because the kitchen serves multiple purposes, ranging from preparing meals to gathering around the island to relaxing nearby, so do well-thought out lighting options.  Designers are strategically placing a variety of light sources in transitional kitchens, including pendants, recessed lights on dimmers, under-cabinet mounted strips, interior lighting in glass-door cabinets, chandeliers, and ambient lighting fixtures.  

Transitional Kitchen Design

Transitional interior design is a collaboration of the best of both worlds – blending intriguing textures of traditional design with the sleekness of contemporary style elements.  When remodeling a kitchen to be a transitional style, a cohesive balance is required of clean straight lines and an overall lighter color palette from modern design and of decorative details and darker minimal finishes from traditional design. 

If you are considering and addition or remodeling your home, MOSS designers are seasoned design experts and can help you transform your space.  For a free, in-home estimate, call us at 703-961-7707 or email us at Hello@MossBuildingandDesign.com to get started.

Gourmet kitchen design trends are exciting to watch as they come into the marketplace, aren’t they?! Moss Building & Design has recently been keeping tabs on several kitchen appliance trends, specifically, that are unique and popular with our customers. Perhaps you’re in the pre-planning or design stages of a gourmet kitchen remodel (or have some long-term plans to begin a kitchen remodel in 2020!) – if you haven’t yet considered specific kitchen appliances, we’d like to share some of those that our kitchen designers are finding particularly trendy:

Hidden Kitchen Appliances

At a glance, do you know where the refrigerator and freezer are in each of these images? If it’s not immediately apparent, then our designers (and clients) did a great job hiding them! In fact, the kitchen appliances are “hidden” behind front kitchen cabinetry panels specifically designed to appear as if they are simply that, cabinetry. This stunning look is very popular and trendy right now and transforms your kitchen. 

We love the look of the all black wall in this Oak Hill kitchen remodel, which also hides a pantry and other storage — all the kitchen cabinets open with a touch mechanism, which completely minimizes the need for handles. The other featured kitchen, also located in Oak Hill, hides the refrigerator and freezer beautifully in line with other accent cabinetry and lighting, and looks more like a featured work of art than an appliance.

Mini-Beverage “Drawer” Fridge

How clever is this? Instead of installing a mini-fridge in your cabinetry, why not install a mini-fridge drawer? This drawer looks just like another way to store pots and pans. But, in fact, it’s a mini-beverage station! Perfect for quickly icing down plenty of drinks or having cool beverages on hand for the kids and for parties. We adore this beverage fridge in this Fairfax gourmet kitchen!

Full-Sized Temperature-Controlled Drink Refrigerator

Why install a mini-fridge when you could install a full-sized one? If your family entertains a lot, or has a large wine collection (and doesn’t have a wine cellar), a full-sized drink refrigerator, complete with perfect temperature control, would work best for your gourmet kitchen remodel. In fact, this full-sized refrigerator is located in the family room with an attached mini dishwasher and bar set up. Perfect additional appliances for all the parties you’ll be able to throw in this renovated kitchen in Reston!

Oven Air Fryer 

Image courtsey of Frigidaire and Home Depot

While the multi-cooker was the “it” countertop appliance for the past few years, countertop air fryers have followed closely on its heels. With the ability to cook food in a manner that is reminisent of frying but with many fewer calories and fat, the air fryer is the answer to many food lovers’ prayers. Now, many appliance makers have been creating conventional ovens that also have the ability to air fry peoples’ favorite foods in addition to regular baking, roasting, or stovetop sauteing. This evolution gets rid of the need for the countertop appliance completely! We think this will be a trend that will be embraced quickly!

“Smart” Kitchen Appliances

This isn’t news, but, technology is everywhere – and if you haven’t seen it in your kitchen appliances yet, you soon will. Imagine being able to control your slow cooker or oven with an app on your phone or via text message? How about all touch controls that connect you to recipes from the internet directly onto your refrigerator? These and more advancements are being seen in more and more kitchen appliances. Probably the best way to help busy families will be the ability to control appliances after you’ve left your home – what if you’re in a hurry getting the kids to school and yourself to work but you can’t remember if the oven or stove are still on? Smart kitchen appliances can notify you when you’re out and about and allow you the remote control (so to speak!) over them – putting your mind at ease and not creating havoc on the homefront. 

What are your favorite of these trendy gourmet kitchen appliances? We think they’ve all got a place in the kitchen remodels of today and the future, and Moss Building & Design would love to chat with you about your dream gourmet kitchen. Contact us at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or call us at 703.961.7707 for a free consultation – and start thinking about which (or all) of these appliances will have a place in your new kitchen remodel.

Pictured here are two kitchen countertops installed in homes remodeled by Moss Building & Design: 

Can you tell which is granite and which is quartz? Maybe not from a set of kitchen remodel pictures (unless you’re a professional kitchen designer!), but, in person, there are distinct differences. While both are beautiful and add incredible style and look to your kitchen or bathroom remodels, it’s important to know what options exist so you can pick the one that’s perfect for you. 

Granite Kitchen Countertops

A natural stone mined throughout the world, granite is made up purely of various minerals, giving each slab a unique and attractive look. Considered one of the most durable of the natural stones due to its heat-resistant qualities, granite doesn’t blister or chip or scratch easily. Plus, granite is one of the hardest materials found on Earth!

When choosing to use granite in your remodel, slabs are either cut and polished to fit the specific dimensions of a kitchen countertop or bathroom countertop or you can choose pre-cut slabs, depending on your design.

Granite is an excellent choice for kitchen countertop remodels – imagine not having to worry about putting a hot dish on your counter or dropping a heavy platter without a bit of worry! Installing granite in your bathroom remodel is also a great idea for enjoying it long term. The durability of granite cannot be downplayed. 

Are there negatives to granite? Granite is a porous material. It’s important that your countertops be sealed upon installation, and then at various points in the future (using sealers you can purchase and apply yourself), so that liquids are not absorbed too quickly, potentially. Bacteria can also live longer on granite surfaces. Another potential negative to choosing granite is that you are limited to what is available from sources, and, as granite comes from natural sources, the colors and speckling are not going to be bright and bold as something man-made could be. 

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Quartz is a natural stone that is actually harder than granite and is also extremely durable. It is a non-porous material, which means that neither bacteria nor liquids can be absorbed if present. That all being said, however, quartz is generally not the only material used in quartz countertops. Mostly, the countertops listed as “quartz” are a combination of quartz, a chemical binder, and a variety of other stones – therefore, quartz countertops are more commonly known as engineered stone. 

Quartz countertops used in kitchen remodels must always be protected from high heat pots and pans – the surfaces are not as heat-resistant as granite. While that is a downside, quartz countertops are a more “green” choice for your kitchen or bathroom remodel: by combining a variety of both natural and man-made products, there is less need for damage to the Earth in the process of producing it. Plus, engineered stone is able to showcase specific colors or a more streamlined look than granite (where every slab is different and unique). 

A final difference is price: more homeowners are turning to quartz countertops as they can truly find something that is specific to their aesthetic. This, of course, makes it a potentially higher price point. If you prefer a more natural look, choosing granite might be a good way to also save money. 

Should I Choose Granite or Quartz? Either One! 

You really can’t go wrong with either granite or quartz in your kitchen and bathroom remodel. Moss Building & Design works with each client to understand their personal style and vision to create a design that makes it a reality. Understanding the differences between the two choices can only make the decision making harder! If you’re ready to begin a kitchen or bathroom remodel, contact MOSS today at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or at 703.961.7707. 

Is your kitchen getting a little cozy with a growing family (in number and size)? Do you find you spend almost all your family time around the kitchen island or dinner table? This is a common occurrence as time goes on – your house stays the same as when you first bought it but your family is changing! Maybe it’s time to take a long, hard look at a home remodel – and more specifically, one that will help make the areas you hang out in the most a better fit for your family. At MOSS, we’ve helped many families create the kitchen bump out remodel of their dreams, making their space larger and more attractive and with a better flow and fit for what their family needs.

Is a Kitchen Bump Out an Addition?

A kitchen bump out is essentially an extension of your existing home – adding on space to your kitchen into available space in your backyard or side yard to create a larger space that provides you the room you need, but without a massive multi-story addition. Pushing out the space from your kitchen allows you the option of making an open concept level to your home, one in which your family can gather around a large island, create a formal eat-in space (that can be informal as well) and give your overall home more square footage.

One of the best reasons to add on a kitchen bump out is to help the overall flow of your home: no longer will you be bumping into one another as you make dinner, put dishes away, entertain, or just eat as a family. Adding a kitchen bump out gives you more comfortable space to gather for meals, holidays, or simply family time.

Beautiful Kitchen Bump Outs in Northern Virginia

At MOSS, we’ve had a hand in many beautiful kitchen transformations. A kitchen bump out can help not only add space but give you many options for space re-configurations. Hoping for a better pantry for your kitchen remodel? Check. Want a massive island for storage and entertaining purposes? Check. Want built in charging stations for all the electronics that your family uses? Check!

Here are a few of our favorite kitchen bump outs:

Gorgeous Oak Hill Kitchen Bump Out

Created for a family that loves to entertain, this kitchen bump out was designed to showcase the large center island, which serves as a place to prep meals, eat dinners, and, when entertaining, a buffet zone. The bump out is open to both the casual living room and the family room, creating a flow that didn’t exist prior to the remodel.

Roomy Centreville Kitchen Bump Out

This family chose to transition their formal dining room into a game room for their teens, so when considering their remodel, decided to bump out their kitchen to include a long dining table. It provides both the opportunity for the family to enjoy a formal meal or a casual one, and overlooks the beautiful deck and backyard.

Stunning Oak Hill, Virginia Kitchen and Great Room Bump Out

When deciding how to remodel their home, these homeowners realized that they wanted to bump out the entire back of their home. Included in that decision was to have a large, roomy kitchen that could accommodate their large family gatherings.

So…Why Not A Kitchen Bump Out?

Have you been on the fence about a kitchen remodel because you can’t visualize how it might all fit together? A kitchen bump is possibly the best solution for your home: adding on space can help you create the space that you’ve been dreaming of, and that your elbows (that have been running into people and walls for a while!) will be thankful for. Contact MOSS for a free estimate at Hello@MossBuildingAndDesign.com or 703.961.7707 – we’re ready to help you transform your kitchen today!