Falls Church, known by locals as “The Little City” is filled with charm and history. It offers abundant Civil War stories for history buffs, is home to some of the area’s best boutique shopping and restaurants, and is a place many people love and are proud to call home. A dynamic and thriving urban village community, it offers residents top-notch professional services, some of the best schools in the country, and a number of ways to get civically involved in their Falls Church neighborhood.

A Closer Look at Falls Church, VA

Just a little more than a 20-minute commute from Washington, D.C., Falls Church is a 2.2 square mile independently incorporated city with a population of approximately 15,000. The greater Falls Church area includes parts of Arlington and Fairfax Counties. Residents are highly educated and have the highest median income in the country. Community involvement – particularly environmental activism – and a healthy lifestyle are important to the people who live here. Each year the city holds a popular Memorial Day parade and its Farmers Market is held every Saturday year-round.

History and Location

Falls Church dates to the late 1600s. An early Colonial settlement that was shared with Native Americans, the community was established around the Episcopalian Falls Church. It became a township in 1875 and an independent city in 1948, when parents banded together to establish its still highly-acclaimed school system. Today, the public schools spend over $17,000 per student per year (the U.S. average is slightly over $12,000).

The Mary Riley Styles Public Library has a local history room with much more information about the city’s storied past. Easily accessed by Routes 50 and 66, Falls Church also has 2 Metro stations and a number of bus routes.

A Homey Vibe

Next to some of its more bustling neighbors, the Falls Church downtown core can have a certain “frozen in time” feel to it. But residents like that their local establishments have a bit of flavor to them and would argue the city is constantly growing, but working to retain the charm that its reputation is built on. The people who live here love the city’s homey vibe, but enthusiastically welcome change as long as it respects and reflects how the community views itself. There are several mixed-use projects in the works that will complement the downtown pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

There’s a wide range of ethnic eateries, including Afghan, Bolivian, Indian, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese, as well as popular drinking establishments like the Mad Fox Brewing Company, which also offers live entertainment. The State Theater, is the D.C. metro area’s best live music club, and for a real retro evening out, there’s an old-school bowling alley right off Broad Street.

The People Who Live Here

Over 95% of the workforce in Falls Church is employed in white-collar jobs. Many people who live here work in management, business, and financial occupations, as well as computer, science and math. But it’s also a city filled with artists. In fact, Falls Church has more people working in arts and media than 90% of American’s communities. Without a doubt, its artist population has a profound effect on the city’s character.

Falls Church Housing

Every Falls Church neighborhood is a treasure in its own way, with shops and restaurants reflecting the ethnic and cultural diversity of the area. Housing here, too, is varied. The downtown core has few single-family homes, so the area is mostly populated by single or married without children young professionals.

The city’s 31 residential neighborhoods include Baileys Crossroads, Idylwood, Jefferson, Lake Barcroft, Pimmit Hills, Seven Corners, and Sleepy Hollow. Home prices are not only among the most expensive in Virginia, real estate here also consistently ranks among the most expensive in America.

Remodeling Your Falls Church Home

Falls Church is a well-located, family-friendly city with great schools and civic-minded residents. It’s a relaxing oasis in the middle of the D.C. metro area’s ever-growing and changing environment. If you’re ready to remodel your Falls Church home, why not schedule an in-home consultation with us today? We’d love to help you build the home you’ve always dreamed of.

Storage is always at a premium in any home, and nowhere is that more true than in the bathroom. All the little odds and ends you use every day, and seemingly nowhere to put it all. Makeup, hair brushes, toilet paper, towels and washcloths, razors, and first aid supplies. The list goes on and on. No matter what size your bathroom, you can probably use a little more storage. If a bathroom remodel is in your future, that’s always a great time to include some of the latest in innovative storage solutions. In the meantime, here are some great tips on how to add extra storage space to your Great Falls, VA bathroom.

Creative Ways to Add Space to Your Great Falls Bathroom

There are many stylish ways to add storage and organize your bathroom without spending a fortune – and without needing a lot of floor space. Many of these organization solutions take little time to accomplish, and they’ll help you solve a multitude of storage issues, as well as keep the bathroom clean and neat.

1. Basket Cases. Instead of shelves or drawers for towel storage, why not use a set of wire, fabric, or natural baskets instead? You can hang or store them on some ladder shelving. They’re also great for magazines, bath oils and salts, and all the products you use for an in-home spa day.

2. Unused Wall Space. Most bathrooms have a blank wall at the foot of the tub. Install shelves there that hold towels and other bath supplies, as well as decorative items. It makes a beautiful focal point for the room. Or try putting a shelf above the doorframe.

3. Steal an Office Idea. Use stick up pen, business card, and office supplies holders on the inside of your cabinet’s door. They’re perfect for holding makeup, grooming supplies, and more.

4. Seeing Double. There is never enough room on the towel rack, and wall or door hooks don’t get the towels dry fast enough. Mount two towel racks on the back of the bathroom door. It’s an easy way to keep everyone’s towels separate.

5. Fill in the Gap. Have a narrow gap between the sink or toilet and wall? A storage tower adds visual interest. Use vibrant towels in an otherwise neutral room to add a punch of texture and color.

6. Hang it Up. If the room as limited floor, cabinet and/or counter space hang your storage from the wall or ceiling. It looks great and adds coziness to a room that is often mega utilitarian.

7. Repurposing. Don’t limit your search to bathroom departments. Use a glass and chrome bar cart to store tall items that don’t fit on standard shelves. Or use it as a “salon cart” to store your nail polishes, pedicure, and other spa items. Get one with wheels and you can move it easily between the tub, sink, and seating.

8. Double-Duty Furniture. Upholstered and wooden benches are common in today’s bath. To increase its usefulness, choose one that has a hinged lid or shelving beneath it. Tidy and chic all at once!

9. Never Enough Shelving. Introduce shelving throughout the room. Above and below the sinks, in between vanities, recessed into an unused corner space, you can never have enough!

Learn More

If your Great Falls, VA bathroom is short on space and you need some extra storage ideas to make it work, we hope these tips spark your imagination. Bathroom storage doesn’t have to be plain or ordinary! All these storage solutions will add character to your bathroom and make it a more enjoyable space to be in. And you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how just a few changes will help keep the bathroom clutter-free.

If you’re thinking of remodeling your Great Falls bathroom – or any other room in the house – why not schedule an in-home consultation with us today? We look forward to meeting you! Take a few moments now to learn more about our 30 years of learning and experience in home remodeling, and our home remodeling process. We also invite you to download one of our case studies that includes a remodeled master suite.

Have you ever thought about adding an entertainment room to your Great Falls home? Besides the fun of watching movies, listening to music, and playing video games, a separate entertainment room, with its plush seating, big screen, and deluxe sound systems, gives you the sense of escaping reality – just like at the theater! Whether you want to remodel an existing room or basement, or build an addition, a state-of-the-art home theater can provide the ultimate entertainment experience for family and friends.

Create the Perfect Great Falls Entertainment Room

Screening rooms do not have to look or feel like dark caves – you can design and outfit them as tastefully as any other room in your home. Oversized sectionals or double recliners with cup holders, a fireplace, cozy blankets and pillows, vintage movie poster art, and even lots of windows can all add up to a stylish place for settling in and watching the latest blockbuster. Here are some tips for creating the perfect entertainment room for your Great Falls home.

• Know What You Want. All good design has a focus to draw from. Ask yourself why you want to create a separate entertainment space and then design the room to reflect how it will be used most of the time. Is your family more into music than movies? You might want to invest more heavily in the sound system. Are they evenly split between film and sports fans? A second TV in the bar area would be a smart choice.
• Choose the Right Components. The screen is the centerpiece of any entertainment room. Keep in mind, though, that bigger isn’t always better. The best choice is a screen that fits your room. Today’s ultimate picture quality comes with 4K Ultra HD TVs that make viewing sporting events and even older DVS look as good as cable streams. The tech components you choose should have a good balance of function and form. Many of today’s omnidirectional sound systems are also beautiful to look at. Consider devices you can connect wirelessly or through Bluetooth so you can reposition them as needed.

• Soundproof the Room. Use sound-absorbing materials like acoustic paneling, deep-pile rugs, and heavy curtains. This way if the kids are up late playing video games at full volume, everyone else can get a good night’s sleep.
• Pick Comfortable Seating. One of the nicest benefits of a home theater is you get to choose ultra-comfortable seating. You can choose different styles such as recliners and sectionals, but just make sure the positioning works for everyone’s viewing pleasure. The best furniture positioning is not always up against the walls or smack dab in the middle of the room. You need to take into consideration the size of the screen and the type of sound system you plan to use.

• Use Your Imagination. What other elements do you want to include in the room? Do you want a pool table, a wet bar, a dance floor, a big board game table? And don’t forget about storage. If you still have DVD, CD, and even old vinyl collections, you’ll want to store them, as well as games, magazines, and other entertainment paraphernalia. If the room will have windows, think about blackout curtains or shades. Many homeowners first think about decorating their entertainment rooms in the same style as the rest of the house, but a home theater can be the one room where you can really get creative! Many people choose themes based on films, movie stars, or film eras. Have some fun thinking about all the possibilities available.

Learn More

At Foley Development Group, our experience designing and outfitting home entertainment rooms has given us great insight into the most efficient process of building beautiful home theaters that the entire family can enjoy. If you’re ready to get started on your Great Falls entertainment room, let us show you how easy it is to bring your home theater vision to life. We’ll walk you through making the best decisions on space, budget, equipment, and more. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate your entertainment room with the rest of your home. To learn more about our custom entertainment room design build process, contact us today to schedule a conversation.

If life in your Great Falls VA home is anything like that of your neighbors, it’s incredibly busy – and nowhere is it likely busier than in the kitchen. The modern-day version of “helpful tips,” kitchen hacks can save you time, keep you organized and help you stay sane in the most hectic room of the house. If you love preparing fabulous meals for your family but stress over the time it takes, we’ve put together 11 genius tricks to make prepping, cooking, and baking as simple as pie.

1. Picture Perfect Food

Keep your shredded, chopped, or diced potatoes looking fresh by covering them with cold water before cooking. This time-honored tip keeps them from turning that not-so-attractive grayish-brown color that occurs when the exposed starch oxidizes.

2. Easy Does It Eggs

You never have to wrestle with eggshell pieces again. If your first instinct is to use your finger or a spoon to scoop eggshell bits out of bowl of batter, don’t. Use a piece of the cracked egg shell instead. It acts a natural magnet, drawing up the pieces without wasting any of the egg. Want to know if those eggs are still edible before cracking them? Place raw eggs in a bowl of cold water. If they float, it’s time to toss them. Here’s why: over time, the liquid inside the egg evaporates, leaving a gas bubble behind, which makes an egg more buoyant.

3. Pop Those Fruit Pits

But do it with a twist. To pit stone fruits, cut the fruit into two equal halves. Then gently twist the halves in opposite directions. Use your thumb or a butter knife to pry out the pit. For even easier separating, cut the fruit into quarters.

4. Easy-Peasy Cheese Prep

What dish doesn’t cheese make better? To make grating less messy, freeze softer cheeses like mozzarella, fresh cheddar, and fontina for about 30 minutes before shredding. A great hack for slicing soft cheeses like brie and creamy goat varieties is unflavored dental floss!

5. Spread the Love

Everything tastes better with a little butter spread on it, but no one likes ripping their bread with the hard stuff that comes straight out of the fridge. You can soften it in a flash by grating it or putting in a plastic bag and then flattening it with a rolling pin. You can also cut a stick into eight or more smaller pieces, which allows it to soften more quickly. You can also use the microwave, though you need to go slow or you’ll end up with melted butter. Try a couple seconds on the lowest setting to start. If it does melt, give the bowl of butter an ice bath to bring it back to solid form. Just place it a larger one filled with some ice and cold water.

6. No Need to Flip Out

You don’t always have to flip your food. If you pre-heat your cookie sheet, you can skip tossing French fries and veggies half-way through the baking process. But unless your recipe calls for it, don’t pre-heat cookie sheets for baked goods.

7. Revive Leftovers

We throw out billions of dollars’ worth of food per year. Save those leftovers instead and give them new life in inventive dishes. Use grilled chicken, pizza topping, rice, and leftover veggies to make delicious casseroles, tacos, or frittatas.

8. Fresh Herb Storage

More fresh herbs than you know what to do with? Freeze them in an ice cube tray or muffin tin that you’ve added a little water, olive oil, or stock to. Once frozen, pop them into freezer bags and use as needed. Or try drying them. Place chopped basil and parsley or whole thyme and rosemary on a plate and set aside in a cool, dry place for a few days. Then store in the refrigerator in a re-sealable container.

9. Pot and Pan Cleanup

Never use soapy water on a cast-iron pan. It strips away the seasoning that’s built up over time. Instead, use a salt scrub to remove stuck-on food bits.

10. Combat Cross-Contamination

The easiest way to do this is by using multiple cutting boards. Some people stick with two – one for raw meat and one for everything else. Others use one for meat, another for veggies, and another for cheeses and breads. Choose different colored or shaped boards to help you remember which is which.

11. Quicker Chopping

Cherry tomatoes are the perfect addition to many dishes, but it can take forever to chop or slice them. Use two plates or plastic lids to hold the tomatoes in place, lightly press down, and then gently glide a serrated knife through them to form perfect halves.

Are you ready to move forward with your Great Falls kitchen remodeling project? Contact us today to schedule a conversation – we look forward to meeting you!

They may be among the smallest rooms in the house, but that doesn’t mean bathrooms should be designed as afterthoughts. Remodeling one or more of your Great Falls home’s bathrooms is one of the smartest home investment you can make. Adding updates like walk-in showers, double sinks, and new bathtubs increases your home’s overall value – and adds to your family’s enjoyment.

Before starting a bathroom remodel, it’s important to understand which popular trends will meet your specific needs. Need a ton of storage? Interested in aging in place design? There are a lot of fun bathroom design ideas to choose from. Here are 7 currently trending bathroom designs that we think make the most creative use of materials while offering the best blend of style and function.

1.     Create the perfect powder room. Often the most neglected bath in the house design-wise, most powder rooms remain functional rather than stylish. But this doesn’t need to be the case. No matter what size the room, introducing just a few changes can make all the difference without breaking your budget. Simplicity and elegance are the keys to creating a stylish powder room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a bold statement. This powder room’s one-piece dual-flush toilet has a seamless design and a contemporary style, while the aqua tiles add a “wow” factor.

2.     Fall in love with a small bathroom. Compact bathrooms tend to receive a lot of complaints, but with some innovative creative design yours can become a room the whole family adores. Remodeling small bathrooms is all about maximizing the use of space. This bold and beautiful small bath features amazing design elements and makes the most of the limited floorplan.

3.     Nothing says timeless style like beautiful tile. The geometric trend continues in 2017 with interesting patterns taking shape on floors and walls. Two popular choices are hexagonal formats and textured tiles. Also popular is mixing tile with another surface like stone, wood, vinyl, or a different size tile, like the design pictured here.

4.     Fantastic fixture choices. Black matte has gone beyond trend to become a way of life for many homeowners. Brass offers style versatility, rose gold continues to win over interior designers and homeowners alike, and brushed copper offers a bold look that also brings a sense of warmth to any bathroom.

5.     Wall-hung vanities. Popular in Europe for years, these “floating” vanities make a room appear larger and lighter, offering a clean, modern look. Homeowners are also choosing vanity shelving as opposed to an abundance of closed-door cabinets.

6.     Statement basins and tubs. Bathroom basins or tubs can be great focal points that act as a sculptural element in all size bathrooms. Organic materials are big in 2017 – oak, bamboo, granite, and sandstone are all highly sought after. It’s like having a piece of functional art in your bathroom!

7.     Smart storage solutions. Everyone’s busy these days, even the kids! Keeping the essentials close at hand make life that much easier. Today’s trending cabinets include hidden power points, USB charging ports, or even sensor devices that ensure the cabinet mirror remains finger-print free!

Is it Time to Remodel Your Home’s Bathroom?

Whatever your reason for remodeling a bathroom, creating a new space that works as a beautiful and functional retreat is always a smart investment. From improved lighting to updated fixtures and tiles as well as more storage, make sure your remodeled bath makes the best use of trends that will stand the test of time. Neutral designs with touches of color or bold elemental features will add a lot of value to your home. Just remember: the best choice is a balance of features that will still be stylish for years to come.

If you’re ready to explore more bathroom design ideas for your Great Falls home, why not schedule an in-home consultation with us today? We look forward to meeting you! You can also learn more about our 30 years of learning and experience in home remodeling, our home remodeling process, and the most frequently asked questions we receive about the home remodeling process.

Aging in place is a concept homeowners are now embracing because the benefits are so clear: it offers the freedom and dignity to live in your home for a lifetime. From raising a young family, through busy midlife, and into your senior years, choosing a floor plan, products, and materials that help you stay in your home as you age is a smart decision. If you’re building a new home, think of aging in place as a design insurance policy. You can incorporate universal design elements both before you build and before you develop significant health or mobility issues.

Universal Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

An AARP poll found that nearly 75% of people hope to stay in their homes as they age. Of course, not everyone ages in the same way, but universal design works by incorporating floor plans and products that can be used by the widest range of people no matter what challenges aging brings. That doesn’t mean settling for a cookie-cutter home. You’re still free to bring in design elements that reflect how you want to live your life. Aging in place design solutions, though, help you plan for needs you may need later, incorporating those elements into your floor plan so that they seamlessly blend with the rest of the home.

At Foley Development Group, we’re skilled at creating floor plans to accommodate aging in place needs. “Future-proofing” your home during the design process lets you plan for future needs, not struggle to meet them when you need them most. Here are some important things to keep in mind.

First-Floor Living

Even if you want to build a multi-story home, make sure there’s a bedroom, fully accessible bath, kitchen, and living area on the first floor. More than 40% of today’s homes include lower level master suites, which allows homeowners with mobility issues to avoid the stairs. To ensure easy access, include at least one step-less, ground level entrance. Wider hallways and doorways make for easy passage both inside and to the outside, whether you’re mobile or not.

Bathroom Floorplans

Aging in place bathrooms are about accessibility and safety, but without sacrificing great looks.

• Doorways should be a minimum of 32 inches instead of the standard 24 to accommodate walkers and/or wheelchairs.
• A curbless shower with a bench and grab bars presents trips, slips and falls. Envisioning the white plastic hospital look? Benches can be made of a beautiful wood or ceramic tile. Grab bars for the home come in brushed nickel, bronze, or chrome.
• Consider a taller-than-average toilet model and install at least one grab bar next to it. There are hundreds of attractive grab bars to choose from, and most can double as a towel rack.

Kitchen Floorplans

You also don’t have to sacrifice your dream of a gourmet kitchen. Incorporating universal design is about adding convenience and safety. From flooring to countertops, think in terms of what will make for a modern yet safe experience.

• Whereas tile can be difficult to stand on for long periods of time, vinyl, wood, linoleum, and cork flooring are all kinder to your hips and back.
• Seated work spaces also help you get off your feet.
• Look for appliances that are easier to use if you’re incapacitated or in a wheelchair. Double-door refrigerators, a countertop or lower built-in microwave, and a separate cooktop and built-in oven are all more accessible.
• Install lighting under cabinets and counters to accommodate vision problems, and put outlets along the backsplash and in other convenient wall locations to avoid having to reach down to plug something in.

Don’t Sacrifice Lifestyle or Luxury

Aging in place design does not mean giving up on the home of your dreams. No matter what your age, your home can be a beautiful space that your family will enjoy for generations. Function and beauty work together to make sure you sacrifice nothing in exchange for safety and accessibility. Properly executed universal design elements add value to your home now and eliminate future alterations to accommodate multigenerational households. If you’re ready to start designing your Northern VA custom home, or want to know more about the principles of aging in place design, schedule a conversation with us today.

Are you ready to remodel your Northern VA home? Before you get started, you may want to look at how certain modifications offer a better resale value than others. At Foley Development Group, we believe a remodel should ultimately reflect your family’s current lifestyle and dreams. But it can be helpful to know what your return on investment might be should you decide to sell in the future. Keep in mind that some of the projects homeowners love most – family room, bathroom, and master suite additions – are the ones with the lowest percentage of cost recouped. And most other remodeling projects depreciate as the years go by.

Home Remodeling Estimates

For nearly 20 years, Remodeling Magazine has published cost vs. value estimates of the most popular home remodeling projects in various regions of the country. It’s a valuable resource that pulls from an enormous amount of data to create a report with a wealth of information for homeowners. The report is broken down into two categories:

• High Value projects that don’t necessarily turn over a project or even break even at resale, but tend to look the most attractive to buyers.
• Moderate Value projects which are often referred to as take-it-or-leave it remodels and tend to retain their value, or at least break even.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect for different remodeling projects in your Northern VA neighborhood. The costs listed here are averages based on the data collected and your project may have elements that take it above or below the figures shown.

Mid-Range Projects

20×20 Backyard Patio that includes flagstone, installation of a lift-and-slide door, a gas-powered fire pit, pergola, stone veneer modular kitchen, and low-voltage lighting.

Job Cost: $52,677

Resale Value: $30,414

Cost Recouped: 57.7%

An upscale 16×20 custom composite deck addition with built in bench and planter will average $40,543 with a resale value of $22,495, and cost recoupment of 55.5%.

20×30 Basement Remodel that creates an entertainment area with wet bar, full bathroom, drywall and insulation installation, recessed lighting, laminate and vinyl flooring, and raised-panel oak cabinets.

Job Cost: $74,216

Resale Value: $51,263

Cost Recouped: 69.1%

6×8 Bathroom Addition with cultured marble vanity, ceramic tile floor, fiberglass tub/shower with ceramic tile surround, general and spot lighting, and linen storage closet.

Job Cost: $45,587

Resale Value: $25,890

Cost Recouped: 56.6%

An upscale 100sf master bathroom addition with ceramic tile walls, recessed shower caddy, frameless glass enclosure, custom cabinetry, in-floor heating, and freestanding soaker tub averages $84,681 with a resale value of $48,336, and cost recoupment of 57.1%.

5×7 Bathroom Remodel that replaces all fixtures, installs porcelain-on-steel tub with ceramic tile surround, recessed medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor, and vinyl wallpaper.

Job Cost: $19,129

Resale Value: $11,486

Cost Recouped: 60.0%

The upscale version of a bathroom remodel averages $61,463 with a resale value of $36,940, and cost recoupment of 60.1%. It includes relocating all fixtures, installing a shower with ceramic tile walls, stone countertops, compartmentalized toilet area, heated ceramic tile flooring and custom cabinetry.

16×25 Family Room Addition that conforms to architectural integrity of the existing house and includes pre-finished hardwood flooring, new windows, atrium style exterior doors, recessed ceiling lights, and operable skylights.

Job Cost: $91,659

Resale Value: $62,732

Cost Recouped: 68.4%

200sf Major Kitchen Remodel with a 3×5 foot island, semi-custom cabinets, laminate countertops, energy efficient appliances, resilient flooring, and custom lighting.

Job Cost: $63,537

Resale Value: $37,194

Cost Recouped: 58.5%

The upscale version includes top-of-the-line custom cabinetry, stone countertops, imported tile backsplash, built-in refrigerator, commercial grade appliances, designer faucets and undercabinet lighting. Job cost is $124,385, resale value $70,783, and cost recoupment 56.9%.

24×16 Master Suite Addition including walk-in closet, carpeting, ceramic tile, freestanding soaker tub and separate ceramic tile shower, with general and spot lighting.

Job Cost: $125,221

Resale Value: $78,717

Cost Recouped: 62.9%

24×16 Two-Story Addition constructed in a style that complements the rest of the house and includes a family room, 2nd floor bedroom with full bath, additional HVAC system, gas fireplace, walk-in closet and dressing area, general and spot lighting.

Job Cost: $180,269

Resale Value: $145,160

Cost Recouped: 80.5%

Universal Design Bathroom that incorporates aging-in-place toilet, zero threshold tub/shower, storage area, tile floor, single vanity sink, wheel-chair accessible doorway, grab bars, towel hooks, and accessible switches and faucets.

Job Cost: $16,222

Resale Value: $9971

Cost Recouped: 61.5%

Remodeling for the Way You Live

The best remodel is one that perfectly reflects your family’s unique lifestyle. At Foley, we can help you design and build a living space that best accommodates your family’s needs. Schedule a conversation with us today to learn more.

Home design trends change from year to year, with a few from last year remaining “in” while many others find themselves firmly on the “out” list. The 2017 trend forecast gives Great Falls homeowners a lot to look forward to. Utility and sustainability are two of the biggest focuses. From voice-activated appliances to bringing the feeling of outdoors inside, here are the top trends you can expect to see this year.

Technical Assistance

For people building a new home or remodeling their existing one, many are favoring upgrades that make their daily lives more convenient, comfortable, and luxurious.  

• Docking Stations combined with Wi-Fi allow you to plug in, charge up, and work anywhere in the home. People are still choosing one location to store filing cabinets,  printers, modems, and other equipment, but love the idea of not being tied down to one place.
• Creatively Designed Furniture with built in charging and USB ports keep you powered up night and day.  
• Voice-activated Assistants are everywhere. Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home are two of the biggest. Companies like Lutron, Honeywell, Nest, NPR,  and Domino’s have teamed up with Amazon to make lives more convenient. Google expects to do the same this year. Place the devices throughout your home and ask them to do anything – give you the weather, play your favorite tune, turn the lights on and off, or even power up the hot tub.

Sustainable Colors

If there’s one word to describe 2017’s color palette, it’s “fresh.” White with off-white is being utilized to create peaceful master bedrooms, and back-to-nature green is being used to revitalize many rooms. It also creates a nice backdrop to warm wood tones. Gray, a prominent color choice in 2016, will stick around for 2017. You’ll see more shades of the serene color. It’s the perfect complement to a full spectrum of other shades, from bold reds to mellow yellows. Look for taupe to make a breakthrough this year. Many people love it’s warm, weathered, and woodsy tone for bringing a sense of harmony into the home.  

Metals

Bronze is a metal that warms up any space, so expect to see plenty of it. It complements a multitude of decorating styles and people love it in lighting, vases, accessories, and decorative bowls for the kitchen or dining area. Satin brass finishes have recently been making a comeback. Their muted gold tones work with a rainbow of colors and bring an elegant look to bathrooms and a classy style to kitchens. Matte appliances and accessories are taking the place of lustrous or glossy surfaces. They add a wonderful depth to your kitchen’s composition and are a great counterpoint to other finishes in the room.

Unexpected Materials

Cerused wood – a technique that brings out a wood’s grain – is showing up in more homes. Once considered high end, you’ll now see it on cabinets, tables, chairs, and storage furniture. Subway tiles aren’t a new idea, but they’re being used to greater effect this year. They come in a variety of materials, colors, and finishes. Some homeowners are choosing a dark grout to give a tiled backsplash a more graphic look.  

Lifestyle Homes

There are two elements driving a lot of design choices this year: healthfulness and a longing for a sense of community. Families want their homes to be a place they can both unwind and reconnect. Look for spaces that encourage play, like putting greens or bocce courts. The pervasiveness of home technology has resulted in homeowners looking for materials that convey warmth. Natural cork is filling the bill this year. The renewable material is being used for a variety of surfaces. Easy to stain and maintain, it’s also resistant to mold, mildew, water, termites, and fire. What’s not to love?

Learn More

As with all home design trends, the bottom line for you as a homeowner is to choose styles, colors, and materials that you love. Whether you’re starting from scratch or redecorating after a remodel, decorating your home should be fun! If you’re ready to build a new home or are looking to remodel the one you have, Foley Development Group has what it takes to get you from vision to reality.

When winter hits Fairfax County it can be tempting to forego the outdoors and stay home snuggled up by the fireplace. But while the weather may be colder, there’s still an abundance of natural beauty and easy access to fun outdoor activities and events. Explore our list for some great ideas on what to do this winter – we’ll even throw in some indoor activities for those times you want to forego the scarf, gloves, and parka!

January Events

Til the 15th: The Chinese Lantern Festival. You’ve never seen lanterns quite like these! Head to Roer’s Zoofari in Vienna to enjoy over 800 hand-crafted lanterns from Zigong, China’s center of lantern tradition. This year’s event, called “The Wild,” features lanterns in the shape of animals from around the world. Multicultural events include folk art demonstrations, live Kung Fu performances, and free Kung Fu coaching sessions. All this and free parking, gift shops and, of course, hot chocolate.

Throughout the Winter Months

• Head to the Beach. Yes, the beach! With far fewer people to compete with, winter is a perfect time for exploring Virginia Beach. Learn about the original Jamestown colonists at First Landing State Park, enjoy horseback riding along the coast, or take the kids to see the harbor seals and more winter wildlife at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
• Be a Pioneer. The original Virginia pioneer families faced many a winter challenge in 1775. You can learn about it all while exploring the historic beauty of Wilderness Road State Park. The living history site includes a frontier museum and an outdoor living history museum.
• Hit the Slopes. While they may not have the fresh powder of other states, Virginia’s outstanding ski resorts are worth the trip. There’s Bryce Resort, with its snowboarding and tubing park; Massanutten Resort, with its enormous indoor water park; and Wintergreen Resort, which also has a performing arts center. The Peaks of Otter in Bedford has three main summits and offers trails for every skill level. The views are stunning and downtown has plenty of shopping and dining. Don’t forget to check out the incredible D-Day Memorial. All are within easy driving distance of Fairfax County.
• Luxuriate in Hot Springs. With their high mineral content and crystal-clear, continuously warm water, the Jefferson Pools are one of our state’s greatest treasures. You can relax and enjoy the naturally occurring hot springs at the Homestead Resort. Legend tells us that the pools were first discovered by Native Americans sometime in the 1700s, but they became well-known after Thomas Jefferson visited in 1818.
• Watch the Whales. Check out the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center’s Sea Adventures: Whales & Wildlife, where you’ll go on a search for whales, seals, dolphins, and more. You’ll also get an up-close view of humpback whales, fin whales, bottlenose dolphins, and harbor porpoises and seals. The facility is one of the country’s finest, and the indoor aquarium offers fascinating wildlife exhibits.
• Take a Winter Hike. Virginia is home to many beautiful hiking trails, with many of them leading to incredible waterfalls. Winter offers the opportunity to find a frozen one. Bundle up and head out to find a magical waterfall of your own!
• Go Fishing. Winter can be one of the best seasons to hook a few, so grab your fishing rod and head out to the water. You’ll find fewer crowds and plenty of fish. Calming, contemplative, or competitive, you’ll find great fishing at a variety of Fairfax County parks. Riverbend’s the place to go on the Potomac for smallmouth bass, sunfish, and catfish. Burke Lake has a large, accessible fishing dock where you can cast a lure for the best muskie in Northern Virginia. The 55-acre Lake Accotink is a shallow lake and fishing centers on bluegill and catfish. Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is a great place to take the kids to teach them the ins and outs of angling. For those who aren’t keen on fishing, many of the lakes also having hiking paths.

If you’re planning to build a custom home in Fairfax County, contact us today to schedule a conversation about how Foley can help you design and build the home of your dreams. Happy Winter!

Choosing the perfect countertop surface for your Great Falls kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be a lot of fun learning about the different materials and why they may or may not be the ideal choice. Many homeowners fall in love with – and are tempted to choose – a countertop based on appearance alone. But don’t forget about durability, maintenance, and affordability. They’re all important factors to consider when making your selection.

Selecting the Right Stone Countertops

Countertops are one of the most important materials to “get right” during a kitchen remodel. They’re one of the first things people notice when they enter the room, so you want them to be beautiful. But they also must be able to stand up to daily use. Before choosing, ask yourself these questions:

• How Often Will You Use the Surface? Do you prepare three meals a day, or are you a weekend cook? How your family will use the countertops influences your choice.
• What’s Your Budget? Besides its good looks, granite is a great stone choice if you want something that’s generally more affordable. Other natural stones will cost a bit more.
• What’s Your Style? Your kitchen’s style is a key factor in deciding which countertops work best. Traditional kitchens lend themselves towards a solid colored granite, while sophisticated or modern ones may use marble or slate.

Countertop Choices for Your Great Falls Kitchen Remodel

Of all the countertop materials you can buy, stone is the gold standard for both durability and character. No matter what your budget or style, the good news is there’s a material that’s sure to be just right for the look you want.  Unaffected by water or hot pans, stone countertops will last as long as your house, and maybe even longer. Just a little routine preparation and care to ward off water marks, stains, and etching is all it takes. But even if damage like a chipped edge occurs, most stone counters can be restored by a professional.

Granite, Soapstone & Marble

Out of all your options, granite and soapstone are the most durable and will last the longest. Granite is a bit porous, so it needs to be periodically resealed; soapstone does not. Both can withstand heavy loads, but granite is more resistant to chipping. Keep in mind, though, that all stone is inflexible, so struck with enough force they will all crack, chip, or break. Both materials, however, can probably take whatever your family throws at them.

Granite is available in a variety of beautiful shades including blacks, greens, corals, beiges, and whites. No two pieces are exactly the same, and you can choose a polished, shiny finish or a soft, matte look. The cost of granite depends on a variety of factors, including color, finish, and origin of the stone. Marble is a very durable material, but not usually a great option for high-traffic kitchens. It, along with limestone and sandstone, is more porous than granite, so it stains more easily and is more prone to chips and scratches.

Other Options

You may have heard about partially synthetic stone countertops like quartz and cultured marble. They typically have shorter lifespans than natural stone countertops, but still last a very long time if properly maintained. The resins they contain make them non-porous, but they’re also more susceptible to sun, heat, and household cleaner damage. If your budget allows for it, natural stone will likely save you money over the long run. Engineered stone countertops come in a wider variety of colors than natural stone, are more durable, and simple to maintain. However, they don’t really save you any money over granite, as both materials cost about the same.

Mix and Match

If you’re torn between two surfaces, consider mixing and matching. Some homeowners choose to do their countertops and island in two different materials. Others insert a second material into a countertop for specific tasks, like butcher block for chopping or marble for preparing crusts and pastries.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right stone countertop for your Great Falls kitchen remodel.