By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

Love it or hate it, the nights are getting darker and winter is on it’s way which means you are either looking forward to cozy nights in or are already thinking about the best places to go to catch some sun.

Either way, it’s the time of year when our attention turns to getting ready for the holidays and entertaining once again — and there’s nothing that creates ambience and a feeling of ‘home’ during the long winter months more than your fireplace.

It’s often one of the things that’s last on the priority list, but updating your fireplace can make or break how a room ‘feels’. So, if yours is a bit tired and you’re ready for an update, let’s take a look at some easy updates that will help your fireplace shine!

Wood Accents

It’s amazing the difference the use of natural elements can make in the design of a room. Wood brings the outside in, helps ground the space and, when used in the right way, is the perfect way to blend finishes together. Wood feels right at home with both transitional and contemporary design.

In this recent home remodel in Reston, the fireplace in the family room was nice but, with nothing to break up the floor to ceiling height and bulky look, the stone overpowered the room. By making a few simple changes such as adding a new wooden mantel and adding a custom niche with wooden shelves (seen on the left on the ‘After’ photo below), the fireplace now takes on a whole new feel and provides visual interest. The original wood-burning fireplace was also converted to gas.

Stone

For their recent home remodel, Synergy’s owners, Mina and Mark Fies, were ready to upgrade the old fireplace in their primary bedroom suite. They opted for PrecisionFit™ Onyx stone by ProVia to cover the former plain brick exterior for a linear, contemporary look.

Although ProVia stone may be better known for exterior applications, it is a great option for indoor projects like wall accents and fireplaces because it installs easily and quickly.

Watch this video as Mina explains how easy using ProVia stone is and read more about ProVia stone here.

Electric Fireplaces

Don’t write off electric fireplaces. Personally, we LOVE the look and flexibility an electric fireplace can provide. In this basement remodel in McLean, the basement rec room previously felt cold and the off-set fireplace was awkwardly placed. Enter the “Sideline Elite” recessed electric fireplace by Touchstone! The fireplace now provides a cosy central focal point with the T.V. placed above it — complete with theater chairs for family movie nights!

Tile 

The use of tile on a fireplace facade is a simple and effective way to easily update your room without having to replace everything else.

As part of this home remodel in Vienna, we updated the fireplace in the family room for a more transitional look. The old stone which, in this case, dated the room was replaced with marble tile in a herringbone pattern. The wood burning fire was replaced with a Heat & Glo gas fire from Fireside Hearth & Home. The bookshelves and cabinets were not replaced, but the new fireplace gives them a whole new lease on life.

Get Creative!

Fireplaces don’t always have to be in the Family Room or Basement. As a unique design feature, Mina and Mark Fies decided to remove an old gas fireplace in their family room and install a Touchstone “Sideline Elite” electric fireplace in their kitchen island instead. This allowed them to reclaim space in their family room and change the overall flow of the entire space.

In addition to providing visual appeal, electric fireplaces are practical, too. They are a great way to effectively and safely heat a room. Read more about Mina and Mark’s design choice here.

A word of caution: if you are going beyond updating your fireplace facade, ALWAYS hire a professional to install or remove both gas and electric fireplaces.

If your next home remodel needs more than just a fireplace update, we’re ready to help you rethink your space! As a local full service design build firm, we’ve been helping homeowners in the area create dream spaces for well over a decade. Find out who we are and what we’re all about here.

By Mina Fies, Founder & CEO, Synergy Design & Construction

It’s almost here! The transformation of our mid-century Lake Anne home is in the final stages, and we’re getting ready to showcase its complete transformation as part of The Reston Home Tour on Oct. 16!

With deep gratitude, we’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to the Reston community (and beyond!) for all of the support and encouragement you’ve sent our way in recent months.

Now it’s our turn to give something back in return. This is your chance to win TWO RESTON HOME TOUR TICKETS on us!

Missed our previous posts about the top to bottom transformation of our home? Read more about our journey here.

All you have to do is click on the image below to go to Synergy’s Facebook page and like/comment on our Reston Home Tour giveaway post to enter the draw for your chance to WIN!

The closing date is Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. Make our home the first stop on the tour and pick your tickets up there. Details will be sent to the winner on Friday, Oct. 15.

Didn’t win but still want to go on the tour? No problem! Reston Home Tour Tickets are on sale through the Reston Historic Trust & Museum (RHT) now. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RHT is a non-profit organization, and all proceeds from the tour go toward their mission of preserving the past, informing the present and influencing the future of Reston.

Learn more about the other homes featured on this year’s tour and buy tickets here.

By Mina Fies, Founder & CEO, Synergy Design & Construction

“New Beginnings” is the theme of this year’s Reston Home Tour, and it couldn’t be more true for me and my husband! After decades of moving around (including in our childhood years), we were drawn to Reston because of the sense of community, diversity, and, of course, the lakes and sense of nature (all the while being right on the doorstep of Washington, D.C.). Now, we’ve finally carved out our own little piece of Reston to call home and are delighted to be part of this year’s home tour and share it with you.

Last month, we shared the story of how our new-to-us Lake Anne neighborhood home was chosen as the 2021 Pro Remodeler Model ReModel. The remodel of our Reston home is in the final stages, and we couldn’t be more excited to include the big reveal as part of the home tour.

Every year, the Reston Home Tour provides us the opportunity to see what’s possible in our community’s homes and to get inspired by the design choices others have made. Fortunate to work with a number of well-known national product sponsors as part of the Model ReModel experience, it was important to us that we used the same products in our own home as we would recommend to homeowners who are working with our remodeling company, Synergy Design & Construction.

We invite you to come and tour our home and see for yourself how we used these products to transform a dated mid-century house into a contemporary home as part of the Reston Home Tour on Oct. 16!

Highlights include:

• A total remodel from top to bottom! Every single room in our home has been remodeled.
• Creation of an open concept kitchen on the main level featuring Cabico Walnut Cabinets, Adelphi Painted Cabinets, mixed metal JennAir appliances and a unique design feature — a Touchstone electric fire in the kitchen island.
• Removal of the old staircases and railings, replaced with a “must-have” Viewrail floating staircase.
• A complete reconfiguration of the primary suite to create a large primary bathroom, walk-in-closet and even a sitting area complete with a mini bar and updated fireplace using ProVia stone. Get a sneak peek here!
• Plumbing fixtures and fittings throughout from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.
• Every detail counts: We even updated the fans with Panasonic WhisperFit fans to ensure peace and quiet.
• Go behind the scenes. Learn how we kept our sanity remodeling during a pandemic with the help of Zipwall dust barrier systems and used quality products like TiteBond for trusted results.
• Exterior improvements (approved by Reston Association) using top-of-the-line ProVia windows and doors for curb appeal, functionality and energy efficiency. We even updated the exterior trim using Versatex trimboard.

Reston Home Tour tickets are on sale through the Reston Historic Trust & Museum (RHT) now! The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. RHT is a nonprofit organization and all proceeds from the tour go towards their mission of preserving the past, informing the present and influencing the future of Reston.

Learn more about the homes featured on this year’s tour and buy tickets here.

By Mina Fies, Founder & CEO, Synergy Design & Construction

After nearly 13 years of helping Reston homeowners renovate happy, it’s finally our turn! My husband, Mark, and I have always loved Reston and bought our new-to-us home in a Lake Anne neighborhood in 2020. The midcentury house felt like home the minute we saw it. However, although it was much loved and cared for by the previous owner, it was ready for complete transformation from top to bottom.

As the owners of Synergy Design & Construction, we’ve always dreamed of undertaking a whole home remodel for ourselves. Mark and I moved consistently throughout our childhood and our professional careers, and we were finally ready to settle down in Reston for the long-term. The prospect of turning an older house with great bones into a contemporary home while showcasing the work of our talented Synergy team made it an easy decision for us. We knew it was going to be a big undertaking, but we were ready to create our little piece of home to share with family and friends.

Our enthusiasm must’ve been catching because upon hearing our story, Pro Remodeler Magazine contacted us and selected us to be their 2021 “Model ReModel”! Each year, Pro Remodeler selects a house that is undergoing a complete remodel and follows the progress from demolition all the way through to the big reveal of the totally remodeled home. We were thrilled to be chosen as this year’s featured home! The Pro Remodeler team has been working closely with the Synergy Design & Construction team, documenting every step of the process. Our Reston home was the perfect choice as many of the original 1960s features were still in place from the time the house was built.

See what’s planned for the primary suite as I take you behind the scenes!

Work on the remodel began back in April. As we are remodeling the entire home, we knew we needed to allow time for a detailed design process before construction started. Although Mark and I have been in the remodeling business for many years, we’re finding ourselves experiencing the same things our clients do from debating design preferences and picking out appliances to budgeting and living in a construction zone! We’ve also learned a lot about ourselves (and each other) with the conflicting demands of managing a whole home remodel and a business at the same time!

There will be a special feature of our newly remodeled home at the end of the year in Pro Remodeler Magazine. However, we’re delighted to announce it will also be featured on the Reston Home Tour this year. We invite you to purchase tickets and come take a tour! We’ll be there with a warm welcome and look forward to showing you around.

Follow our journey on Synergy’s YouTube channel and at RenovateHappy.com.

Reston Home Tour tickets go on sale soon! Check the Reston Historic Trust and Museum website for updates.

By Nicola Caul Shelley and Alison Rice

Ahh, the mid-century home! There are lots of them in Reston, and many homeowners are drawn to them because of their cool architecture, solid construction and unique charm. However, when it comes to remodeling a mid-century home, that charm may also be hiding some underlying issues when it comes time to remodel.

This month, we’re taking a look at some of the more unpleasant surprises that might bust your remodeling project’s budget and/or timeline. But, fear not! We’re also sharing insights into how to plan for and remediate the most common ones.

1. Asbestos. One of the biggest concerns for any homeowner is finding asbestos once demo begins. Be prepared: You or your chosen home remodeling contractor will need to send samples for testing if you find any material that might contain asbestos. If testing shows it does contain asbestos, a specialized abatement company will be needed to remove the material before your remodel can continue. Our advice? Better safe than sorry. Always take action if you uncover any unknown material or substance.

2. Subfloors. When it comes to the subfloor required for today’s tile and hardwood, three-quarters of an inch thick is ideal. Five-eighths of an inch is acceptable. However, most older homes have subfloors that are a half-inch thick, which can be problematic. You may have to install a new subfloor such as tongue-and-groove plywood. This is a thicker product that doesn’t move between joints, which also eliminates those annoying squeaks. Money well spent.

3. Unknown ducts, electrical or plumbing behind walls. The reality TV home make-over shows would have you believe that finding unexpected ducts, electrical or plumbing behind walls in the middle of a remodel is a given. Not so! If you are using a reputable home remodeling company, there should be no surprises once construction starts. At Synergy, we often cut exploratory holes before construction starts and use small, flexible cameras to get a better view of what’s hiding beneath before we get started. If you are doing a DIY home remodel, do your research upfront. If you do find anything unexpected once you demo your kitchen, it will take time and money to resolve. Not fun for anyone.

Matt, Synergy’s Assistant Project Manager, takes a peek at what’s going on behind the walls with a small camera.

4. Questionable wiring. We see it a lot. The older the home, the more likely it is the wiring is not well done or has aged to a point it needs to be repaired or replaced. Older homes typically have fewer outlets, too. The demands of today’s appliances (and the number of them) mean you may need to add a new subpanel and/or install ground-fault circuit interrupter outlets (referred to as GFIs or GFCIs).

5. Inefficient ductwork. Back in the late ’60s and ’70s, it wasn’t required by code that the joints between ducts were sealed. To save you money on your utility bills and maximize your home’s energy efficiency, we highly recommend you seal any ductwork exposed during your remodel with tape or mastic whether it’s running through the floors, ceiling or walls.

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By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

By now, it’s not new news that the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly resulted in an increased demand for home remodeling services.

Summer may be here, but even as we start to enjoy a little more “normalcy,” demand remains high. The pandemic sharply refocused minds on the importance of “home” and the desire to get what we want in our houses for our own enjoyment — and to put every square foot to good use. And there is one place in the home that is especially true: the basement!

It’s not always easy to know where to start, so here are five tips to help you plan for your basement remodel.

1. Make a list

What is it you want out of your basement remodel? Throwing up drywall and a coat of paint is much easier and less expensive than a design-thoughtful basement transformation. Make a list of your “must-haves,” “like-to-haves” and “pinch me” items. Here’s what this might look like.

• Must-haves:
  • Refinish/finish rec room
  • Create guest bedroom
  • Add guest bathroom
• Like-to-haves:
  • Custom bar and beverage center
  • Add walk-out
  • Add space for separate home gym
• Pinch Me List:
  • Sauna
  • Temperature-controlled wine cellar

This will help you get your priorities right and give you a starting point for discussion with any contractors. As you begin to define the scope of your project and understand costs, it will also help you to focus on the things you can live without and can compromise on — or to make an informed decision to splurge on the things on your “pinch me” list!

2. Think about the best way to create “zones” in your space

One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is not thinking through how they’ll actually use the space once it’s finished. If you entertain a lot, you need lots of places for guests to sit and convenient places to rest drinks and food. Separate zones mean guests can relax at the bar, watch the latest movie in a comfy chair or just find a quiet corner.

If your teens are going to be hanging out down in the basement the most, plan for the additional space you need for a pool or billiards table (and make sure there is room to take a shot without the cue banging into a wall!), that much coveted foosball table or anything else on their wishlist. A full-service design-build home remodeling company like Synergy can help with all of the above, but if you use a general contractor, help with furniture placement and layout may be outside of their scope of services.

3. It’s all about lighting!

Occasionally, folks comment on professional home remodeling photos: “It only looks much better because of the lighting in the ‘afters’ the professional photographers take.” While there is some truth to this, the camera, in this case, doesn’t lie! We put a lot of focus and attention on how to maximize lighting in the home remodels we work on. Nowhere is this more important than in a basement, which tends to be darker than the rest of the home.

Make a lighting plan and add recessed as well as pendant lighting if you can afford to. We also love under-cabinet lights if you have upper cabinets in the bar or integrated lighting under floating shelves. This helps provide functionality and/or ambiance while the rest of the room is in darkness for movie watching. Even better? Put dimmers on all your lights so you can easily create the mood you’re looking for.

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By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

Split-level and bi-level homes became popular in the 1950s and 1960s when the suburbs began to expand. They were the perfect solution for the sloping plots of land often found in new developments. They were also (at the time) reasonably priced and a great family-friendly option. Although architectural styles have changed for new builds these days, split-level homes still make the perfect home with the right design choices and a fresh, updated look.

There are lots of split-level homes in this area, so maybe you’re living in one right now and are thinking of a home remodel. Or maybe you’ve seen one on the market and need a little design inspiration to see how you can make it yours. Let’s take a look at a case study to show you how it’s done!

1. The Home

Our client’s home was built in 1963. They loved their home, the big backyard and great neighborhood but were ready to completely rethink and redesign the main living level. The original footprint comprised a small U-shaped kitchen, closed in with hanging glass cabinets and sandwiched between a dining room at one end and a large family room at the other.

This layout created a lot of separate rooms and a chopped-up floor plan. As a family of four, they had outgrown the small kitchen and were ready to open up the floor plan to better suit the needs of their family. In addition, the patio doors to the backyard were not directly accessible from the kitchen. Although there was a pass-through ‘hatch’ (seen below), it didn’t allow for convenient al fresco dining or entertaining outside.

2. The Design Challenge

Split-level houses are great as they allow a natural separation of space, but if there are too many walls on each level, it can make the space feel cramped. By removing walls, you can create great lines of sight and make better use of the available square footage on each level. The key is to create spaces that still maintain a connection and flow from one to the next.

The added challenge when remodeling a split or bi-level home is what to do with the space as you come up the stairs from the main entrance. The ‘foyer’ of our client’s home at the top of the stairs had become a drop-zone for kids’ toys and other items. Creating a more welcoming and open concept was a “must-have” on our client’s wishlist.

Family time and entertaining were also a top priority, but in the existing layout there wasn’t enough room for everyone to be in the kitchen at the same time and it was difficult to keep an eye on the children when they were in another room.

The overall design goal, therefore, was to create a more open concept and larger, more functional kitchen. We started by removing the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room. This gave us the space needed to create a much larger kitchen with a beautiful large island — but still have enough room for a family-sized dining room table and chairs.

3. The Flow of the Space

In addition to creating a more open concept kitchen and dining room, we also added a second entrance off the kitchen to the family room at the opposite end. This created better flow between these two rooms and improved access to the patio doors leading to the yard.

However, we didn’t go with a completely open concept. Part of the wall separating the kitchen from the family room was retained to create a separation of space, but the new prep sink/bar area and additional cabinetry provide both functionality and a real design ‘wow.’

4. The Staircase

Stairs and railings are one of the easiest things to change to update your split-level home. Many homes built in the 1960s have painted metal railings, which instantly date the space. The staircase leading up to the main level from the entrance foyer of our client’s home was no exception. Removing and replacing the dated metal stair railing was another “must-have” to ensure continuity of the new modern design.

5. The Result

It now feels like a completely new home! With the walls and glass-fronted hanging cabinets removed from the kitchen, we had ample room for a large island which not only provides plenty of prep space, it also creates the perfect place for family and friends to gather.

Ready to remodel but not sure where to start? Synergy Design & Construction is a full service design-build firm which means we partner with you from the design of your new space all the way through construction. No hand-offs between designers and contractors and all professionally project managed along the way. Get in touch. Our consultations are free and there is no obligation!

By Makaila Oaks

Mina Fies, founder and CEO of Synergy Design & Construction, recently collaborated with Redfin and a number of remodeling experts from across the country to compile the most important questions to ask before you hire a home remodeling contractor.

The following is an excerpt of the top five questions we think you should ask before you sign on the dotted line.

1. Ask yourself if the project calls for a full-service remodeling contractor or if a handyman can do the job.

Using a glorified handyman to take on a complex project can be disastrous. The difference is professionalism. If your project involves more than just minor repairs or you’re doing more than just updating finishes (such as tile or paint), you want a bona-fide remodeling contractor.

Ask the company you’re considering, “What type(s) of work do you specialize in? Are you registered/licensed, and do you belong to a professional industry group like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) or BBB? Show me your work, give me some references, and tell me about your processes.”

Adding these items to the list of questions to ask a contractor will help you decide if they’re a good fit for your project.

— Michael Hill, owner, CCH Design | Remodel of Meridian Idaho

2. Do you handle all phases of the project — from design to construction?

You’ll want to hire someone who can walk you through the entire process, from helping with the design and renderings, to acquiring necessary permits, to executing the work professionally. Working with the same company throughout the entire project keeps the process smooth and seamless, as opposed to hiring different people throughout every phase.

— Yourson Contracting

3. How many projects do you have going on, and what is the timeline for our project?

This is an important question to ask a contractor to make sure they aren’t too busy to take on the homeowner’s project. The homeowner will also want to know when the contractor will start and complete the project, and what the project schedule will be. This way the homeowner can be prepared and plan around the construction. This will also help the homeowner be ready for any materials they are providing to be on site for when the contractor needs them, avoiding delays.

— AGA Construction Inc.

4. Can you tell me about an issue you’ve dealt with recently where something went wrong on a project and how you handled it?

Interview your contractor as you would interview a prospective employee by asking open-ended questions. Hearing stories about how they’ve overcome obstacles in the past will provide valuable insight on how they would handle issues on your project. It will also open up a discussion around expectations for communication going forward.

— Mina Fies, Synergy Design & Construction

5. Will there be a dedicated team working on my project?

As we navigate home renovations during COVID-19, this might be one of the most important questions to cover with your contractor. When it comes to who will be on the job, consistency is key. It’s normal for contracting companies to be working on multiple projects at once, so make sure to verify that there will be a dedicated team on your project. If this is not an option, make sure the company goes over the safety precautions that have been put in place due to COVID-19.

— Penn Construction & Design

Ready for a full service design-build home remodeling experience with a company right here in Reston who can help you answer these questions? Get in touch!

You’ve been thinking about a home remodel for a while. You know the type of design aesthetic you like, have figured out your “must-have” list and have started to research the different types of contractors and companies you could work with. But one question still remains: How do I pay for a home remodel?

We understand undertaking a home remodel is a big step that requires significant financial investment. It can be a daunting task knowing where to even start the process, so we’re here to help make life a little easier and walk you through the options of how you can pay for a home remodel.

Before you get started, do your homework and have open conversations with your chosen home remodeler or general contractor about how much your home remodel is going to cost. Any reputable contractor should be able to give you guidance on what you should expect to invest in your home if you use their services early on in the process.

Note: Synergy Design & Construction is not affiliated with any companies or services that provide home loan products or services. We do believe, however, that helping inform and educate homeowners is all part of the job. If this information helps relieve some of the stress homeowners feel when it comes to thinking about a home remodel, then that makes us happy!

1. Cash

If you are one of the fortunate few, maybe paying for your remodel isn’t an issue. One of the questions we often receive, however, is how payment can be made. Many homeowners would like to pay by credit card so they can accrue points or other benefits. This sounds like a great idea but, unfortunately, credit card fees are applied (usually 3%) that are, in most cases, passed on to homeowners. No fun. The same applies to debit cards and electronic check payments via PayPal Invoice. Our preferred method is the good old-fashioned check.

Word of caution: Never pay the entire cost of your home remodel upfront. We do not even ask for 50% as a deposit. Your chosen home renovation company or general contractor should be able to provide you with what is called a “draw schedule” that aligns payments with the completion of significant milestones on your project.

2. Home Improvement Loans

Unless you’ve been planning for your remodel for a long time and have been saving up to pay for it, you may need to take out a loan to pay for all or part of it.

Home renovation loans are often the smartest way for homeowners to finance their entire renovation project, but many people don’t know they even exist or how they work.

If you are looking for a bridge loan between your savings and the total cost of your home or you would like to borrow the entire amount, then a home improvement loan may be right for you.

Home improvement loans are personal loans, not equity loans, so the loan options are based on your income and creditworthiness. Companies that provide these types of loans give the money directly to the homeowner upfront, not the contractor. This makes life easier for both you and the contractor when it comes time to get paid.

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By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

One of the things we love about being a remodeling company in Reston is the diversity of the homes we get to work on! From the original townhomes of Waterview Cluster to the newest condos in Reston, every home tells a story, and we love working with clients who are ready to write theirs.

With many of the houses built in Reston’s early years now well into their fifth decade, you may be living in one and are starting to think it’s time for an update. If this sounds like you, here’s some inspiration for turning your 1970s home into a modern oasis that will stand the test of time.

1. Create a More Open Concept

There was a time when clearly defined rooms were the only way houses were designed and built. It’s very common in older homes in this area. The kitchen. The dining room. The family room. The bonus room that no one really knows what to do with. This often meant the size of the kitchen was compromised leading to odd “U” shaped or cramped galley kitchen.

Over the years, the way we use space has changed with less demand for formal dining rooms and more demand for multi-functional spaces that serve as family gathering areas with informal dining, and let’s face it — once we can safely gather again — the kitchen is THE room where guests congregate.

The kitchen has taken center stage as the place where most homeowners are willing to spend more to get more. The most obvious example of a way to give your kitchen a modern feeling is to create a more open plan concept and increase the usable square footage in your kitchen. This is usually achieved by completely removing walls between rooms. Not in your budget? You can also make a huge difference by creating larger openings between rooms to improve the flow and allow more natural light into your space.

Read our previous blog How to Tell if a Wall is Load-bearing, and ALWAYS get a professional opinion before you take down any walls!

The home below was built at the very end of the ’70s. This is a great example of how removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room enabled us to expand the size of the kitchen and add a large island with lots of room for the family. The dining room was relocated to another room at the front of the home.

In this second example, this Reston townhome had undergone a previous renovation some years ago, but this time around we opened up the kitchen to the dining room, which not only provided better flow and light, it opened up the fabulous view to Lake Thoreau.

2. Flooring, Stairs and Front Doors!

Parquet floors. Small square tiles. Carpet. Painted stair railings. If you love them, don’t change them. However, these are some of the things that really age a home. Some of them are an easy(ish!) fix.

If your hardwood floors have lost their luster, you don’t necessarily need to replace them. Spend the money to get them sanded and refinished. The popularity of hardwood is going nowhere, so if you’ve got some original 1970s wood floors, they are probably a quality product, and the quirks and imperfections acquired over the years make them even more endearing. Take care of them, and give them a chance to shine in their own right!

If you have tile in your kitchen but hardwood floors elsewhere, you may also be able to tooth new hardwood floors into the existing floors. This will require the entire floor to be refinished to avoid a patchy look, but it is possible, and the same flooring throughout provides cohesiveness between spaces.

We’d like to tell you that small square brown/white/yellow/pink/blue 1970s bathroom tile is “in” again. Alas, it’s not. Although a tile called zellige has become popular in recent years, that’s about as close as it gets to the 1970s tile we all know. It’s time to let it go. Want to know more about tile trends and how you can get an updated look? Read our latest blog!

Lastly, unless you live in a cluster neighborhood with HOA rules about what you can and cannot do on the exterior of your home, start with the front door (as long as the Reston Association is OK with that!). Nothing provides better curb appeal and an instant home update than a new front door.

The Reston home below (built in 1970) shows how a beautiful new front door, refinished floors/stairs and modern cable railing bring this home right up to date — but still look perfectly at home!

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By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

It’s the New Year and despite the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, home remodeling services are in high demand. The low-key holidays at home and ongoing virtual nature of work and school have many of us thinking ahead to later this year when (hopefully) we’ll be able to entertain once more and/or have family come to stay.

Whether you’ve decided it’s time to remodel your kitchen, create a more open concept on your main level, finally finish that unfinished basement or just simply turn your master bathroom into a retreat, here’s our guide to helping you find the right remodeler for your project.

1. Match your project needs to the right type of remodeler

Knowing who you need is the first step in any remodel. With some many different companies out there, it’s not always easy to navigate who does what. Here’s a good place to start (and it’s one of the biggest questions we get): What’s the difference between a general contractor and a design-build home remodeling company?

A general contractor (sometimes simply referred to as a “GC”) typically focuses on small- to medium-sized interior projects. They are responsible for overseeing the construction phase of your remodel and for finding/hiring the appropriate tradespeople to complete the project if they do not have the expertise themselves or in-house. You, on the other hand, will likely have to come up with the design and, in most circumstances, pick out the materials for the project and project manage it.

GCs are perfectly suited to smaller pull-and-replace type remodels where you are not significantly changing the footprint and are replacing like-for-like in the existing footprint. The quality and price of using a GC varies greatly depending on the level of support they offer, the size of the project and the quality of the project management in keeping the remodel on-time and on-budget.

In terms of a design/build company, a full-service firm (like Synergy Design & Construction) manages all aspects of your home remodel and guides you through your project — from design all the way through construction. They do all the heavy lifting as well as project manage it along the way. Design/build firms tend to focus on medium- to large-scale residential projects: design-thoughtful whole home renovations as well as kitchens, basements and bathrooms. They may also offer services for home additions (though we do not).

Most design/build firms “design everything they build and build everything they design,” so most local firms will not bid on design-only services, and/or the design services they provide cannot be used to hand off to a general contractor. In-house design and professional project management delivers a better customer experience from an accountability and quality perspective, but on the flip side, good design and well-executed construction takes time and may cost more. At Synergy, our typical clients intend to stay in their home to enjoy their space, so we don’t offer kitchen “refreshes,” flips or simple updates like powder rooms (unless it’s part of a larger project).

Do your research and poke around various websites to see examples of the type of work and level of support a company provides. Read testimonials and Google reviews — they are a great way to get a sense of what a company is all about from real clients.

Still need more help? Read Best Remodelers in Reston and Where To Find Them.

2. Don’t play your cards too tight to your chest

It’s one of the biggest hurdles to overcome: being honest about budget. It’s important to have this conversation early in the process so the companies you talk to better understand your investment goals. Your remodeler of choice can be realistic with you in terms of how far your budget will go and how best to maximize it.

Keep in mind a pull-and-replace kitchen remodel is going to cost less than reconfiguring your kitchen to move your sink (for example) or any changes that require additional plumbing, mechanical and electrical work. The level of finish will also drive up cost. From cabinetry to countertops to tile to flooring, these costs add up. Appliance packages alone can be a huge chunk of your budget, so your home remodeler should be able to work with you to determine where to splurge and where to save without sacrificing quality and finish.

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By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

Transitional design continues to reign supreme when it comes to kitchen remodels in Reston and across the county, but with so many homes in our area leaning toward more contemporary architecture, a transitional kitchen is not the only way to go. We love it when clients are ready to remodel with a more modern aesthetic that’s in keeping with the rest of their home.

When we think of “contemporary design,” it sometimes conjures up images of cold, urban, minimalist design. Not so! Contemporary design tends to get a reputation as being reserved for city dwellers with lots of exposed brick, concrete and ductwork, but today’s contemporary design bridges the gap between the extreme of the ultra-modern and the everyday “we actually live here and not in a magazine version of ourselves” look.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve a more contemporary look:

• To avoid a space feeling ‘cold,’ don’t use all one color of cabinetry. Natural wood colors have been re-introduced into cabinetry, and it’s a trend we LOVE. Think white oak base cabinets and white upper cabinets or the incorporation of walnut into your design. We’re calling this as one of the major design trends in coming years. What else is on our list? Read “The Synergy Team Calls the 2021 Home Remodeling & Interior Design Trends.”
• Paint trends are leaning toward more calming and natural colors. Use paint as another way to modernize your space without losing warmth. Not sure where to start? Check out these color trends of 2021.
• It’s all about tile! Geometric or textured tile is a trend that began a few years ago and is here to stay. A great way to update your look is a simple backsplash or floor update.
• Fixtures don’t need to be all chrome to be modern. One of our favorite trends in recent years is the use of mixed metals. (Think: honey bronze, black and rose gold.)

This month’s featured home remodel is a contemporary Reston gem. This Reston home had great bones and a lot of personality, but the finishes were dated, and a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room made the spaces feel small and closed-off. This remodel was all about breathing a breath of fresh, modern air throughout the main level and opening up the floor plan. You can see more of the ‘before and afters’ of this project here.

Whatever your aesthetic, our in-house team of interior designers are ready to help you design your dream kitchen, master bathroom or basement. We don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach and each project we work on is a custom remodel. Ready to work with a company who can turn your design vision into reality? Get in touch!

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

The basement. One of the most underutilized spaces in many homes, basements are often used as nothing more than storage areas.

You’re not sure what’s hiding under those big bags full of toys and clothes, but you’ll get around to donating it all… one day. And those plastic containers you need to move every year to get to the holiday decorations? They’re packed full of “must-keep” items like that comforter set you didn’t want to part with (but never use) and the extra cushions for your old patio set. The suitcases from your last pre-COVID vacation are also down there. Somewhere. 

If this sounds like you, it’s time to make a change. A basement remodel can easily give you extra usable square footage, improved storage solutions and add value to your home. Even better, unfinished basements are like a blank canvas with lots of potential, and with the right creativity and vision, they can be turned into beautiful but functional spaces. 

But how much does it cost to remodel a basement? Well, like most things in life, that depends! A few factors to think about that impact cost: 

• Is your basement currently finished or unfinished? 
• Are there any load-bearing columns or other structures that need to be taken in account? 
• Is there a lot of ductwork that needs to be added or concealed? 
• Are there existing plumbing lines or rough-ins for that “must-have” guest bathroom or bar sink you want? 
• What level of finish do you want? Flooring, drywall, bar/office cabinets, tile, bathroom fixtures, interior doors, stairs, new washer/dryer… you can see how the costs start to add up, especially if you want a spa-like guest bathroom or “wow” bar area with gorgeous high-end cabinets and a state-of-the-art wine fridge and pellet ice maker.
• Are you willing to do some of the work and manage the project yourself using a general contractor, or do you want a professionally managed full-service type of experience? 

There are many ways you can go about your basement remodel.

Step No. 1 of a basement remodel is figuring out WHO you need — not just WHAT you need. A more cost-effective way may be to use a general contractor (GC), but you will have to take on more responsibility for managing the project and making design choices and (sometimes) buying the materials yourself.

Synergy Design & Construction is a full service design-build firm, meaning we manage the project for you, design it and build it — all using our in-house team of experts. Although using a home remodeling company like Synergy might be more expensive than a general contractor, most of our clients want the peace of mind of working with a company that does all the heavy lifting for them and who manages the whole project from start to finish.

So, what is a reasonable cost for a basement remodel?

Independent surveys often show basement remodels start at the $50,000 to $75,000 range, depending on what it is you’re trying to do. Of course, throwing up walls and laying down carpet can cost less, but many of our clients are willing to invest more to make their dream space a reality. Let’s face it: With no end in sight for a return to the pre-COVID day-to-day “normal,” we’d rather you get exactly what you want. Our promise to you is that we’ll always be realistic with you in terms of what it costs for a quality basement remodel and deliver a project that’s on time and on budget. 

Let’s take a look at one of our recent basement remodels. Our client had been dreaming of a home remodel for a long time and knew it was time to do something about the unfinished basement. As in many homes, it was only being used for storage, and they were ready to finally put it to work. So, with a ‘can-do’ attitude, they set about the task of decluttering in preparation for the remodel, which would see their basement go from storage zone to a multi-purpose family-friendly recreation room, office/guest bedroom and guest bathroom — and even have enough room for discreetly hidden HVAC and storage space. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic began just before construction started, the timing for this remodel turned out to be perfect. Trusting us to complete their home remodel safely, they knew it was now a “must have” to proceed given the extended periods of time spent at home during lockdown with virtual schooling and working from home now a necessity. The family is now ready to kick back, relax and spend quality time together in their lovely new spaces.

Ready to find out what it might take to take your basement from storage unit to multi-purpose family-friendly space? Get in touch!

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

At Synergy Design & Construction, we’re big believers in giving homeowners insights into everything you need to know to make informed decisions about home remodeling.

As the pandemic wears on and we’re all spending so much more time at home, we know a lot of you are ready to make big changes. From kitchens to basements to bathrooms, interior remodeling services are in high demand — especially as temperatures start to plummet and our attention turns to winter and the prospect of spending even more time indoors.

Other than kitchens, one of the most frequent home remodeling requests we get is bathroom remodeling. So, to help you on your remodeling journey, here are three “don’t” tips you should know before you get started!

1. Don’t Hire the Wrong Type of Contractor for the Job

Every day you see your powder room, your heart sinks a little and you make a mental note (again) it’s time to do something about it. If your powder room needs a little pep, it’s not a big remodeling project. But, just as you don’t need a CPA to balance a checkbook, you don’t need a full service design and build firm like Synergy if you just want to update a vanity and change a light fixture. Knowing who you need is the starting point. Doing your homework and aligning your needs with the type of service a particular contractor provides is a HUGE time (and money) saver. Read more in Best Remodelers in Reston and Where to Find Them.

2. Don’t Assume You Need to Keep the Tub

We get this question a lot, “Do I need a bathtub in my Master Bathroom?”. The short answer is no. A soaking tub is aesthetically beautiful, but if you don’t use it now you won’t use it in the future. We’ve completed a number of remodels for homeowners who chose to eliminate the tub altogether and create a larger shower that packs a design “WOW!” punch instead. If you’re concerned about resale, most home buyers DO want a tub, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be in the Master Bathroom. As long as there’s one somewhere in the home for kids (and, yes, sometimes pets!) it isn’t a deal breaker. Of course, keeping the tub and making a design feature out of it is always an option if you have plenty of room for one.

3. Don’t Select Form Over Function

It’s really easy to select finishes based on your HGTV vision of your space, not the real life version of how you’ll actually use it. We’re all guilty of this one! For example, a pedestal sink can be a piece of artwork in itself, but it becomes a cluttered mess if you don’t have a place to put everything. Spend your budget on storage-friendly vanities. Adding one might just reduce the stress you feel every time you walk into your bathroom and see cluttered countertops. Even the most modern floating vanities now come in all sorts of styles that include storage drawers, so if you have more contemporary taste, you don’t have to sacrifice modern design.

Our featured remodel this month is a Reston townhome master bathroom remodel. This transitional bathroom is a great example of how removing the bathtub and creating room for a larger walk-in shower completely transforms the space. The result? A beautiful spa-like retreat.

Learn about the steps we take to ensure a safe home remodeling experience here. If you’re ready for a design thoughtful home remodel, our consultations are FREE and we even offer virtual meeting options. If you’re ready to chat, give us a call!

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

It’s been a busy summer here at Synergy! We’ve completed a number of beautiful home remodels in the area (while practicing COVID safety, of course) and have started a number of new projects.

Although Labor Day usually marks the end of summer, we’re hoping for a few more warm days to take advantage of outdoor activities that can be safely enjoyed in these COVID times. One of the things we love about this area is the many lakes, local parks and trails and the opportunity to be outside enjoying nature. It’s one of the reasons so many people are attracted to this area (and one of the reasons the housing market is so active right now)!

It may not surprise you to know home remodeling is also in high demand. Now well into our seventh month of the COVID pandemic, many of us are looking at ways to maximize the use and enjoyment of our existing space. Let’s face it, spending so much time at home is a surefire way to start you dreaming of that perfect kitchen or finally getting around to remodeling the basement!

In keeping with our love of the local area, this month’s featured remodel is a Reston lakefront townhome. This remodel is a great example of not only how you can create a more open concept and better flow, but also how changing the internal layout of a home makes it look and feel much bigger (without the expense of an addition). It can also help you maximize some of the best features of your home — in this case, a beautiful lake view.

The key to the remodel of this home was creating a better flow throughout the main level and better use of space. Visible as soon as you entered the home, the original footprint included a large closet pantry at the entry to the kitchen. This not only took up a lot of square footage, it blocked the view to the lake and closed off the kitchen. We removed it and changed the door location (and size) of a separate coat closet for more efficient storage.

We also removed a railing-height wall leading to the family room and replaced it with modern cable railing. This created a much more open concept that maximizes the gorgeous water views throughout the main level and brings the outside in. The space now feels bigger, brighter and more airy.

Our clients’ piano was an important feature for them, so we removed an existing butler’s pantry/bar, leaving the perfect nook for the piano. We added a “dry bar” to the other side of the room for additional storage and a buffet serving area. A large island with lots of seating now takes center stage in what used to be the dining area, and the large dining table was relocated to the step-down living area, which features an updated fireplace. The whole feel of this townhouse has been transformed.

If you’ve been thinking of a home remodel for a while, be prepared production schedules are rapidly filling up for many home remodeling companies. We’re now booking construction dates in late 2020 and early 2021, so if you’ve been thinking of a home remodel, don’t delay and start the conversation now!

Our no-obligation consultations are FREE and if you aren’t comfortable with having anyone in your home just yet, we also offer virtual consultations.