There is more to life at home than eating, sleeping and watching TV. If you don’t have the space to do things you enjoy, it might be time for a home addition to increase your square footage. Create a special place where you can relax, have fun and actively improve your health. Relaxation and exercise can reduce tension and improve sleeping habits. These are elements that can be incorporated into the plans for your home addition for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Games Improve your lifestyle with a recreation room. Put in your own activity center with games and gadgets you love. From dart boards and cornhole to classic videos games, billiards and large screen TVs, this room can be a … Continue reading →

One of the most obscure changes in remodeling projects the ceiling. Most people don’t look up right away when they walk into a room. But as they spend more time in each part of the home, the ceiling’s dynamics become more noticeable and can enhance or ruin the look of your living space. When you’re planning a whole-home remodeling project, the ceiling covering should factor into the design. Keep in mind that there is just as much ceiling space as floor space, so it’s equally important. It can open up a room, provide the right acoustics and augment the room’s decor. There are several options available for ceiling coverings in Northern Virginia residential remodeling projects. Consider the design, texture, color … Continue reading →

Flooring is sometimes an afterthought when you’re thinking about a home remodeling project. Space, fixtures, function and colors are usually the first things most homeowners want to change right off the bat, but floors play a prominent part in the look and feel of your home. Hardwood Floors Many of the homes in Northern Virginia were built with hardwood floors. Some of them are in wonderful shape and can be refinished as part of your home remodeling project. If they no longer fit your footprint, they can be repurposed if they are still in good condition. Hardwood floors are a strong and suitable option for nearly any room in the house. From wide planks to thin strips, they add sophistication … Continue reading →

One of the things that makes a home feel old and worn is the sound of creaks and groans as people walk through it. One of the noisiest places is usually on the stairs. This is noticeable in many homes throughout Northern Virginia, including those in Arlington. Stairs are more than just a means to travel from one floor to the next. They are a focal point for the household. Most older homes have a single main staircase located in the center of the home, although some that were built specifically with servants quarters may have a second, smaller staircase in the rear of the house as well. Stair Replacement If your home is more than 10 years old, the … Continue reading →

Building an addition onto the front of your house can balance out other changes in a multi-faceted Northern Virginia home remodeling project. When changing the number of stories or extending the higher floors already in place, adding another dimension to the front is one way to increase square footage and have more space to call your own. An overhang or structure above the front door provides visual sophistication and protection from the weather. Add outdoor lighting along the walkway and the entrance to make your guests feel safe with a warm welcome. Porches and Porticos One way to make your house grander is to add an entrance to your front door. Rather than a simple doorstep and a flat front, … Continue reading →

When planning a residential remodeling project for a Northern Virginia house, some homeowners are interested in adding as much natural light to their homes as possible. There are several ways to do this. From large sliding glass doors to bay window seating to skylights and sunrooms, the addition of natural light can brighten up a room and lessen the need for light fixtures. Also, many modern LED lighting fixtures don’t emit the warmth that incandescent light bulbs have to offer. Natural lighting can add some warmth to a room, and the type of windows and window treatments used will affect just how much. Skylights For rooms that have no exterior walls, skylights offer a natural lighting alternative. They also provide … Continue reading →

One of the modern trends in home remodeling in Burke is the use of natural stone surfaces in flooring, countertops and baths. A great complement to these stone surfaces is the listello. It’s Italian for “thin strip” and describes those unique borders that add a splash of elegance and sophistication to simple stone surfaces. They can be used as a repeating element from room to room throughout your home. The idea is to pull some colors from the stone surface and use them to create accents and borders in a varying designs and patterns. This also works with glass surfaces and ceramic tiles. Here are some of the ways that listellos can be used in Burke remodeling projects and in … Continue reading →

For many Alexandria homeowners, making changes in the house is necessary to meet the needs of the changing family dynamic. For those whose older parents are joining the household, a home remodeling project means more than just converting a nursery into a comfortable bedroom. Instead, the trend is to make several changes to the existing structure and create an in-law addition as well. This allows the family to use the existing space more efficiently while building a safe, close and comfortable place for parents. At the same time, families with young children need room for them to grow. Oftentimes, they will buy a home with the intention of building out the attic or the basement into individual bedrooms when the … Continue reading →

Over the years, lighting has not only become a functional piece, but the focal point and statement of a space.   It is usually a rule of thumb to splurge on your lighting fixtures because they are the jewelry pieces of your home.  They make a huge difference and bring a touch of glamour whether it’s in your kitchen, dining room, bedroom, or bathroom. Drum Lighting Fixtures Drum pendant lighting has been popular for some time now, and continues to rise in popularity.  In the first picture, is one that is made of natural linen and emits a subtle sophistication to a room, whereas in the second image, the pendant hangs like an elegant center piece above the dining table.   … Continue reading →

Let’s face it, girls, we work hard to make everyone happy, at work and at home, and we work hard to keep our houses looking their best.  Don’t we deserve a place in our homes that is just for us, reflects our personality, and a place where we can go to get away from it all?   Why do men get a special room in the house called the “man cave” and the “woman cave” has not become mainstream yet? All man caves typically have similar purposes: a comfortable place for watching sports without interruption.  Some may be decorated with their favorite sports teams, or their favorite collections, but I can safely say that they all have a big screen TV, … Continue reading →