You’ve been staring at the inside of your home for months now. By now you are probably fully aware of all of its shortcomings and outdated features that are due for a change. Where should you start? We suggest you think of what annoys you the most and
Many homes today feature an “open concept” layout, also called an open floor plan. You’ll see it all over when you look for home remodeling ideas on Houzz or social media, and it’s one of the features homeowners ask about most when they start thinking about updates to
We know it’s been really tough spending so much time at home, trying to maintain some kind of routine and get work done, doing your best to isolate your family to make sure they stay healthy. You, no doubt, have noticed things about your home that you would
Staying Home, Staying Safe, Staying Connected. It’s a very stressful time here in Northern Virginia, throughout the US, and all over the world. The rapid spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has focused our attention on keeping our loved ones safe and healthy. So, we scrapped our planned newsletter
For a number of years, the most popular color for home design has been some shade of gray. Any discussion on Houzz and interior design blogs about choosing colors for your home has centered around, not which color, but “which gray” is best for your walls and
Yes, it’s cold and dark outside and you’re dreaming of a winter getaway. But we have a suggestion for some “island time” that doesn’t involve plane tickets or resort reservations. We’re guessing that a good deal of your time is spent in the kitchen. And in today’s kitchens,
The holiday season and the ritual of list-making are two things that go hand in hand every year. Gift lists, grocery lists, and guest lists help make life easier during this very busy time. But a list that can make life easier for years to come is the
If you are a homeowner in Northern Virginia, you probably would like to stay in your current home for as long as possible, because you love your location or maybe because of the skyrocketing cost of real estate in the DC Metro area. So, thinking ahead to future
As we head into autumn, just thinking about relaxing in front of a fireplace evokes warm feelings of comfort and family togetherness. Maybe that's why we love them so much. A fireplace serves as a focal point in a room, creating ambiance and providing a gathering point
Nobody has ever said to us, “I want my master bathroom designed so it feels just like the locker room at my gym.” Nope, not a single person! We think you’d agree that the master bath should be a place that’s warm and relaxing, not cold and
When you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, you know that great design, quality construction and attentive customer service don’t come at bargain basement prices. At Merrill Contracting & Remodeling we know you don’t want to write a blank check either, so we believe it’s important for you to
When the “hazy, hot and humid” days of summer hit the DC Metro area, we know the best way to keep cool: stay indoors in an air-conditioned space. Historic heat waves like we’ve been experiencing mean we also tend to want meals that are lighter and having
A Comparison of Kitchen Counter Material Choices Remodeling your kitchen can be fun when you’re making plans and imagining how it will look when it’s done. Along the way, however, there will be lots of choices to make: selecting appliance options, picking colors, and deciding on fixture
The days are finally getting longer, warmer, and brighter! And since May is National Home Improvement Month, why not take that “spring cleaning” urge a step further and do some remodeling that will really make your home shine? 1. Expand your interiors Maybe your house is tiny,
Swimming pool and lawn chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. Store the chemicals in their original labeled containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, preferably in a covered area to avoid exposure to stormwater or runoff. Keep different chemicals separated and in undamaged containers to prevent
Updated 2019 For most pet owners, animals are a very important part of the family. So when remodeling your home, why not remodel some areas that both help make life better for your pets and make it easier for you to care for them? According to a
Remodeling your kitchen means you’re going to lose the use of the room for a period of time while the work is in progress. Because it’s a room you depend on so much every day, you’ll need a good plan for how you’re going to deal with
How do you refresh and redesign your living space so that it truly reflects your sense of style and your lifestyle? Do you want to update your home, but don’t want to follow the crowd? Trends are fine to get you started on ideas, but there are
There are a lot of decisions to make when you’re doing a home remodeling project. You’ll likely start with personal preferences for the layout and the ways you’ll use the newly remodeled space. And we can help you with you comparing appliance brands and types of fixtures,
Finishing your basement is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the usable living and storage space in your home to meet your family’s needs. And though any remodeling project begins with a little bit of dreaming and a lot of planning, your basement requires consideration
