Synergy D&C: Archive

How to Hide That Awful Ductwork!

Scenario: You want to finish your existing basement into the perfect lower-level living space, without it feeling like a “basement.” Creating a homey and inviting space that matches the rest of your home is the goal, but if your lower level is typical, you face an issue here that was never a problem in the rest of the house: ductwork. When ceilings are low and ductwork is even...

Aug 15th

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5 Tips for the Design Challenged

Some of us have a natural creative side and a flair for styles; others are not so lucky. For those who may be struggling, here are some simple design tips that will help you create a beautiful space with confidence. Tip #1: Selecting your furniture Shopping for furniture does not have to be an overwhelming experience. Start off by doing your homework before heading to the stores. Look though...

Jul 8th

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Cost vs. Value Remodeling Report

How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck The resale value of various remodeling projects is of critical importance to most homeowners, especially in today’s economy. Many have decided to venture forth with a whole home remodel, which will definitely pay off when it’s time to sell. On the other hand, for those not ready to make a big initial investment, there are several smaller projects that can...

Jun 8th

Synergy D&C on DisneyFamily.com

We’re excited to be recognized as “green experts” on DisneyFamily.com! This invaluable website provides resources for parenting, entertainment and home life, and we were happy to lend advice on ways to create an environmentally-friendly play area. Check out the article below – these tips can benefit your whole family! . . . . “Ready to go green in your home? Find out how to improve...

Apr 15th

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The In-Home Addition

Enhance Your Space without Expanding Your Footprint Many homeowners we talk to these days seem interested in expanding their living space. Perhaps our recession-weary neighbors are anxious to look towards the future and plan ways to invest money in their home. However, as far as additional living space goes, others may be more cautious. A home addition, while appearing to be an obvious solution...

Apr 14th

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Designing a Better Basement

Tips for Creating a Lovely and Livable Lower Level While a finished basement is often a project that occurs after a house has been built, it doesn’t have to feel that way. Most home owners want their basements to feel cozy, comfortable and inviting and less like a basement. Here are six great ways to make your basement lovely and livable. 1. Use Multiple Design Scheme Choices Avoid finishing the...

Mar 15th

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Countertop Myths Exposed

Aside from cabinetry, countertops are perhaps the most eye-catching feature of a kitchen, and thus should receive ample consideration during design. When it comes down to it though, your countertop selections – which should make up about 7 percent of your kitchen’s budget – may suffer from a lack of inspiration. Many homeowners fall back on a popular standby material, granite, for a clean and...

Feb 8th

Synergy Design & Construction Receives Remodeling... →

During a ceremony at the Westin Alexandria, Synergy Design & Construction, Inc. (dba Synergy Design & Consulting) was awarded the “2010 Capital COTY Grand Team Award for Residential Interior $250,000 and Under” from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Metro DC Chapter. The 2010 Capital COTY awards represent the best of the best in remodeling &...

Feb 3rd

Furniture – No longer an afterthought

When approaching a renovation or remodeling project most people think of the furniture last; in reality that’s the first place you should start! Furnishings play a big part in how your space comes together so it’s important to think about furniture from the very beginning. What are you going to use the space for? How would you like it to feel, look, and function? All questions you should ask...

Dec 20th

Water Conserving Tips →

Kohler’s Top Ten Water Conserving Tips 1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. 2. Cut a minute off your shower time every day (saves more than 750 gallons of water annually). 3. Landscape with native or drought-tolerant plants. 4. Replace old toilets with High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) - saves up to 17,000 gallons of water annually. 5. Use leftover water for...

Dec 13th

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Think “Outside the Box” – Opening Up Your Kitchen

Look around at new kitchens being built in homes today and you’ll see they’re not built like they used to be – in a good way. Today’s kitchen is a main – if not the main – room of the house, and as such, it should be designed as an invigorating area around which activity flourishes. Gone are the days when kitchens were sequestered at the back of the house, designed as simply a space off the...

Nov 29th

Charity Event Results

We’re proud to report that the 6th Annual Golf Tournament co-hosted by the Special Olympics of Northern Virginia and Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia was a huge success. The event was held on Monday, June 14th at Springfield Golf & Country Club. More than 130 participants braved searing heat and a late afternoon thunderstorm to support our area’s programs. In the end,...

Jun 28th

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Apr 29th

Charity Event

On behalf of the Special Olympics in Northern Virginia and the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV), we would like to invite you to participate or be a sponsor of the Sixth Annual Golf Tournament. The Tournament will take place on June 14, 2010 at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Virginia starting at 12:00 pm. This annual event attracts several hundred...

Mar 3rd

Marstudio wins DESIGNFIRMS 2009-10 Web Award for...

marstudio: The judges at DesignFirms have found www.synergydandc.com as one of the best on the Internet and hereby awarded Marstudio with the DesignFirms 2009-10 Web Award. “A fresh, modern design for a Virginia-based design and construction firm” asserts DesignFirms website. Synergy Design & Consulting’s website nabbed an impressive 91 points out of 99 to solidify its position among the...

Feb 5th

Check us out on Facebook! →

Become a fan and be the first to see our projects! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reston-VA/Synergy-Design-Consulting/290182424896?ref=ts

Jan 30th

Free Giveaway from my friend @ Food Confidence.com

“Food Confidence is hosting a great giveaway! Check out Cookware.com for your favorite brands like Hamilton Beach, Emile Henry, Rachael Ray Cookware and more. Giveaway ends 11/4!”

Oct 22nd

Video Competition - Hiring a Contractor 101 →

We’ve entered the “WE Magazine for Women” video competition. Please visit and post a comment to help us win! http://wemagazineforwomen.com/hiring-a-contractor-101/

Oct 7th

About.com Women in Business - Women to Watch... →

See my tips on how Mark and I work together, corporate social responsibility, our “green” business practices, and more! http://womeninbusiness.about.com/od/interviews/a/iview-mina-fies.htm?nl=1

Sep 1st

About.com feature article →

Check out About.com’s first article on us! They will be following our company over the next year, so be sure to check back for updates… http://womeninbusiness.about.com/b/2009/08/04/profile-of-mina-fies-ceo-synergy-design-construction.htm

Aug 5th

Charity Event

For the last several years, I’ve been proud to volunteer my time to the Special Olympics of Northern Virginia coaching golf. This year, it was my honor to volunteer as Treasurer for the 5th Annual Special Olympics/DSANV Golf Tournament. The mission of DSANV is to ensure that all individuals with Down Syndrome and their families receive the support necessary to participate in, contribute to and...

Jul 29th

Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia →

Link to website.

Jul 29th

Special Olympics of Northern Virginia →

Link to website.

Jul 29th

Don't be confined!

How to reach your homes full potential (Part 1) by Mina Fies Let go of the notion that you are stuck with your current (and sometimes outdated) layout. I constantly remind our clients that walls are meant to be moved, spaces opened up and the overall flow of a home improved. For example, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, don’t just “rip and replace” your cabinetry and...

Jul 17th

Synergy D&C Signs Contracts for 20 Projects, Adds... →

Jul 11th

Watch

Jul 3rd

Sarah Farrell

We are proud to announce the recent addition of Sarah K. Farrell to our growing Synergy D&C team. Sarah’s entire career has been related to residential projects including remodeling, whole home renovations, and complete custom homes. After graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, Sarah gained valuable field experience working...

Jun 30th

Watch

We were featured in the May webcast for the Virginia Homeowners Alliance (VHA) to discuss tips on how to hire a contractor.

May 7th

Smart Money's Small Biz "Stand Out" Article →

Smart Money covers Synergy D&C! Check out this article on the importance of having a “Business Blueprint” and see the answers to these important questions: 1. What are we doing to stand out from the crowd? 2. What’s the best part of owning our own business? 3. What’s the biggest challenge of owning our own business? 4. What’s the biggest hurdle we’ve...

Mar 24th

Taking off

It’s hard to express how excited we are about all of the positive feedback we’ve been getting from homeowners, contractors, business associates and even the media. We knew we were on to something when we started this company, however to see the level of interest grow as fast as it has is priceless. There truly is nothing greater than knowing we’re making a difference for others...

Mar 1st

"Remodeling the Process" →

See the latest coverage of Synergy D&C in both the Reston and Herndon Connection! http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=325367&paper=71&cat=104

Feb 13th

Virginia Pair Defies Recession →

Mina and Mark Fies launched their unique home remodeling business on January 6, offering to manage home improvement projects for harried homeowners. The Northern Virginia couple sees a depressed housing market as a good time for people to make home improvements - to fix up rather than to move up and to make their homes more marketable when the economy improves… ...

Feb 2nd

Washington DC ranked #1 →

Check out this Forbes.com article stating Washington DC has ”first-place ranking in the world’s best cities for real estate investment.” http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/106474/World’s-Best-Places-for-Real-Estate-Buys

Jan 24th

Remodeling Pays

The fresh start of a New Year and a new President puts a sense of optimism in the air. However, many people are looking for ways to ride out the “storm” of the current economy; being cautious and making sure money is spent in a more prudent fashion is the new trend. Most people are liquidating their portfolio’s and staying away from the bearish stock market. So if that’s...

Jan 23rd

Remodeling: Old vs. New

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website www.synergydandc.com. Of course having a website is only the beginning of a dream come true for us, the real excitement comes from our mission to transform the remodeling industry! We have seen very clearly that the way people currently go about remodeling their homes does not work. From the very beginning of a remodeling project,...

Jan 6th