2013 Project Review
We have worked with Shelter on “ two different projects, with the most recent being the building of our current home. From design to finish, these guys are the best. I would not trust my project with anyone else.
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A Year for Reflection
Music is given to us with the sole purpose of establishing an order in things, including, and particularly, the coordination between man and time. � Igor Stravinsky
Hilltop Home in Town Custom Design – Build, Blacksburg, Virginia This home is the dream home of a young couple hoping to spend many years with their children, family and friends. The clients’ practical aesthetic is expressed with simple elegance.
The upslope lot made for a tall house from the curb view. We used stone to ground the home to the site.
Open design and clerestory windows lighten this focal room. Care was taken to frame views of this picturesque property.
The front porch looks over the neighborhood.
Commercial grade appliances will serve this active kitchen. Selections throughout complement the design of the home.
Brazilian walnut floors add warmth and color throughout.
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The kitchenette in the Mother-in-Law Suite holds interest inside and out as the left wing.
Plenty of built in storage everywhere.
Basement provides plenty of work and play space.
The back of the house takes advantage of the view.
Country Estate Custom Design â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Build, Floyd, Virginia Retiring from Texas, this couple sought a home to serve as a gathering place for family. An orchard is planted out back and the house is adaptable to potentially serve as a bed and breakfast.
In the rear of this home, the basement opens up for walks out in the orchard.
The clients requested this round window, which highlights the living room and overlooks the orchard.
Brick arches of screen porch support sunroom above. Kitchen pass through makes entertaining easy.
The stairway becomes a feature of the living area and an extension of upstairs hallway.
There is a professional chef in the family, so this home was designed with cooking in mind.
Custom built-ins show craftsmanship throughout the house.
Porch/sunroom Addition and Energy Retrofit Blacksburg, Virginia Comfortable with their location, this couple added features to make their home more appealing and better adapted to their lifestyle.
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A front porch dresses up the house and adds covered outdoor space. After
Power-operated shades in the sunroom allow better control of daylighting. We also remodeled the master bath with more durable, nicer finishes: tile, granite, glass, and in-floor heat.
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Sunroom with ample woodwork added on the back of the house increased living area and looks over garden.
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Energy Efficiency retrofit
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Prior to our remodeling work, the clients requested an energy audit to determine if there were opportunities to increase the comfort and efficiency of their home while they were undertaking this home improvement project. Before
As a result, they chose to upgrade the air sealing and insulation in their attic, seal their duct system and enclose their crawlspace. We trust they will enjoy the many lasting benefits of these improvements. 0.6
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Home Air Leakage
Duct Leakage
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The newly enclosed crawlspace will improve the home’s air quality and aid its efficiency.
Artistic Remodel Blacksburg, Virginia The artist in the family won out over the engineer in this creative kitchen and bath remodel.
Colorful tile work by client accents range.
The sleek lines of black and white cabinets are fused with swirly black and white granite countertops and a warm natural maple bar top.
Cabinets extend down the living area wall to provide much needed storage for the small kitchen with big windows.
Though it presented a challenge for the tile setter, the clients love the cascade of river rocks flowing down the center of the shower and out onto the bathroom floor.
His and her double clear glass vessel sinks and mirrors are separated by practical storage.
Bathroom Remodel Blacksburg, Virginia The baths in this 30 year old home have now been updated with European style influences.
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Frameless cabinets and custom mirrored medicine chest create the vanity space.
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Tub is separated from the vanity by handy custom wooden towel rack.
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Customized closet doors add storage solutions to an oddly shaped closet.
Creative use of space adds functionality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; see how this splayed window ledge in the shower sheds water.
Townhome Bathroom Remodel Blacksburg, Virginia Builder grade finishes in recently purchased townhome were upgraded to suit the needs of the owner.
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Blank wall is improved with floor to ceiling cabinets, providing storage for the whole house.
Tile floors feature texture that minimizes slip hazard. Before
Bathroom Remodel, Deck Resurfacing and Energy Retrofit Blacksburg, Virginia A partial bathroom remodel and resurfacing of the deck and rails show how small changes can make a big difference in a homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance and ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s satisfaction.
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A large whirlpool tub was replaced with the double vanity, which allowed the small vanity to be replaced with a large cabinet.
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Custom Home (Replacement home from fire damage) Blacksburg, Virginia A new home was not in the plans until fire struck. We re-graded the site slightly to provide for a walkout basement, and built energy efficient details into this simplified, cost-effective design for a family that raised their kids in the house that formerly sat on this site. They planned the current structure for retirement and hosting grandchildren.
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Attic Remodel Blacksburg, Virginia The architect client had worked on a concept for this addition to his home in the historic district and brought his plans to us for design detailing and construction. The low-ceilinged attic, formerly only available for storage, is transformed into a bright master suite.
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The clients chose this clever sink accessory: insert the magnet into your bar of soap and hang it after each use.
Every available wall space is filled with built in storage.
The dormer wall filled with windows and the skylights in the roof contribute to brightening this airy space.
To make the space feel bigger, the walls were left open; even the bathroom is enclosed by only a suggestion of wall in this private space.
Detached Carport Blacksburg, Virginia The clients wanted to add a carport but the steepness of the site and property line constraints made construction tricky.
Saving as many trees as possible, and the existing stairway, the new carport is carefully nestled into the hill.
Bathroom Renovation Blacksburg, Virginia Opening up the bathing room to the rest of the bath makes for a more spacious feel.
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Bath Remodel Blacksburg, Virginia Clients wanted to update their bathroom, improve the shower, and downsize the tub that blocked access to the window.
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The new cabinetry ties storage together and matches trim. New lighting is more even and efficient.
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The undersized fiberglass shower is replaced with a spacious tiled shower.
The niche in the wall provides space for art.
The standard size tub is just right for bathing grandchildren.
Colorful Bath Upgrade Blacksburg, Virginia Previous clients called us back, this time to remodel a master bath and modify a guest room.
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The new tile shower features a curbless entry.
The existing window was saved , hidden behind a hinged mirror.
Pocket doors are installed to connect two small guest rooms.
Storage areas are built to serve separate spaces.
Basement Finish Blacksburg, Virginia These return clients were ready to finish the basement of the home we built for them twelve years ago.
This additional finished space includes a guest bedroom and bath.
Quartz countertop is highlighted by a site-built walnut bar top.
Wood panel wainscot provides a warm durable basement wall surface.
Dining Room Update Blacksburg, Virginia The old plaster walls were resurfaced and re‐trimmed to give the dining room a fresh feel.
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www.shelteralternatives.com 540‐951‐0358 live responsibly…lighten your footprint
25 Years of Building Dreams from Visions We had a lot to celebrate this year and are proud of the heritage we are creating with each home we build or help to improve. We would like to recognize that it has been and will always be a team effort.
Sincere thanks are due to our trusted employees, customers, sub-contractors, and suppliers, without whom our success and longevity would not be possible.
1988 - 2013