This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.

This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.

For this kitchen remodeling project, our client had a small single wall kitchen that they were looking to update. They also had a corner that wasn’t being utilized that they wanted to add a cabinet to for more storage. The first step was tearing out the old cabinets to make way for the new birch wood cabinets. They decided to go with our Tranquility door style in a white color. Next, we installed a new Fairbourne quartz countertop and then we finished by adding new LED lighting. Another satisfied customer with their new dream kitchen.

This cheery farmhouse style kitchen design packs a lot of features into a relatively small space. The intelligent utilization of available space in this compact kitchen includes a space-saving large single bowl sink and built-in microwave. The design also includes ample countertop space and cabinets with plenty of storage. The classic saffron painted finish on the kitchen cabinets beautifully complements the Amtico red oak flooring, creating a bright, welcoming space.

Built in the 1960’s, this 1,566 sq. ft. single story home needed updating and visual interests. The clients love to entertain and wanted to create a welcoming, fun atmosphere. Their wish lists were to have an enclosed courtyard to utilize the outdoor space, an open floor plan providing a bigger kitchen and better flow, and to incorporate a mid-century modern style. The goal of this project was to create an open floor plan that would allow for better flow and function, thereby providing a more usable workspace and room for entertaining. We also incorporate the mid-century modern feel throughout the entire home from the inside to the out, bringing elements of design to all the spaces resulting in a completely uniform home. Opening-up the space and removing any visual barriers resulted in the interior and exterior spaces appearing much larger. This allowed a much better flow into the space, and a flood of natural sunlight from the windows into the living area. We were able to enclose the outside front space with a rock wall and a gate providing additional square footage and a private outdoor living space. We also introduced materials such as IPE wood, stacked stone, and metal to incorporate into the exterior which created a warm, aesthetically pleasing, and mid-century modern courtyard.

This cheery farmhouse style kitchen design packs a lot of features into a relatively small space. The intelligent utilization of available space in this compact kitchen includes a space-saving large single bowl sink and built-in microwave. The design also includes ample countertop space and cabinets with plenty of storage. The classic saffron painted finish on the kitchen cabinets beautifully complements the Amtico red oak flooring, creating a bright, welcoming space.

Vienna Addition Skill Construction & Design, LLC, Design/Build a two-story addition to include remodeling the kitchen and connecting to the adjoining rooms, creating a great room for this family of four. After removing the side office and back patio, it was replaced with a great room connected to the newly renovated kitchen with an eating area that doubles as a homework area for the children. There was plenty of space left over for a walk-in pantry, powder room, and office/craft room. The second story design was for an Adult’s Only oasis; this was designed for the parents to have a permitted Staycation. This space includes a Grand Master bedroom with three walk-in closets, and a sitting area, with plenty of room for a king size bed. This room was not been completed until we brought the outdoors in; this was created with the three big picture windows allowing the parents to look out at their Zen Patio. The Master Bathroom includes a double size jet tub, his & her walk-in shower, and his & her double vanity with plenty of storage and two hideaway hampers. The exterior was created to bring a modern craftsman style feel, these rich architectural details are displayed around the windows with simple geometric lines and symmetry throughout. Craftsman style is an extension of its natural surroundings. This addition is a reflection of indigenous wood and stone sturdy, defined structure with clean yet prominent lines and exterior details, while utilizing low-maintenance, high-performance materials. We love the artisan style of intricate details and the use of natural materials of this Vienna, VA addition. We especially loved working with the family to Design & Build a space that meets their family’s needs as they grow.

Built in the 1960’s, this 1,566 sq. ft. single story home needed updating and visual interests. The clients love to entertain and wanted to create a welcoming, fun atmosphere. Their wish lists were to have an enclosed courtyard to utilize the outdoor space, an open floor plan providing a bigger kitchen and better flow, and to incorporate a mid-century modern style. The goal of this project was to create an open floor plan that would allow for better flow and function, thereby providing a more usable workspace and room for entertaining. We also incorporate the mid-century modern feel throughout the entire home from the inside to the out, bringing elements of design to all the spaces resulting in a completely uniform home. Opening-up the space and removing any visual barriers resulted in the interior and exterior spaces appearing much larger. This allowed a much better flow into the space, and a flood of natural sunlight from the windows into the living area. We were able to enclose the outside front space with a rock wall and a gate providing additional square footage and a private outdoor living space. We also introduced materials such as IPE wood, stacked stone, and metal to incorporate into the exterior which created a warm, aesthetically pleasing, and mid-century modern courtyard.

This cheery farmhouse style kitchen design packs a lot of features into a relatively small space. The intelligent utilization of available space in this compact kitchen includes a space-saving large single bowl sink and built-in microwave. The design also includes ample countertop space and cabinets with plenty of storage. The classic saffron painted finish on the kitchen cabinets beautifully complements the Amtico red oak flooring, creating a bright, welcoming space.

This cheery farmhouse style kitchen design packs a lot of features into a relatively small space. The intelligent utilization of available space in this compact kitchen includes a space-saving large single bowl sink and built-in microwave. The design also includes ample countertop space and cabinets with plenty of storage. The classic saffron painted finish on the kitchen cabinets beautifully complements the Amtico red oak flooring, creating a bright, welcoming space.

This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.

These clients enjoy cooking and entertaining, so their vision was to open and connect three separate rooms—the kitchen, sitting, and formal dining rooms—to create a single open and modern space where everyone could engage and participate in the activities. Opening these spaces required complex structural engineering. The wall removals required supporting the loads from the second floor and meeting the engineering requirements for shear wall and lateral support. These beams and their connections to the posts they sit on were a challenge to install because of the complex nature of the home's original framed. All these loads had to be carried through the finished basement below and rest on new footings below the basement floor. The center kitchen island was expansive, with a single slab countertop that would provide both workspace and counter seating. This slab, at 64x120 and 789 lbs., required careful planning for on-site labor, transfer routing, and precision installation. Natural daylight now floods the space from all directions. Recessed can lighting runs throughout the space, all on dimmers for maximum control of ambiance. The Better Builders design team guided the selection of hardwoods, staircase details, cabinetry, countertops, tile, and color. The muted palette and clean lines work well with our couple’s eclectic furnishings and artworks. Now, traffic and activities flow better, and every inch of the previously divided space is utilized and enjoyed. The outcome is exactly as our homeowners envisioned…and as we intended.

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.

Vienna Addition Skill Construction & Design, LLC, Design/Build a two-story addition to include remodeling the kitchen and connecting to the adjoining rooms, creating a great room for this family of four. After removing the side office and back patio, it was replaced with a great room connected to the newly renovated kitchen with an eating area that doubles as a homework area for the children. There was plenty of space left over for a walk-in pantry, powder room, and office/craft room. The second story design was for an Adult’s Only oasis; this was designed for the parents to have a permitted Staycation. This space includes a Grand Master bedroom with three walk-in closets, and a sitting area, with plenty of room for a king size bed. This room was not been completed until we brought the outdoors in; this was created with the three big picture windows allowing the parents to look out at their Zen Patio. The Master Bathroom includes a double size jet tub, his & her walk-in shower, and his & her double vanity with plenty of storage and two hideaway hampers. The exterior was created to bring a modern craftsman style feel, these rich architectural details are displayed around the windows with simple geometric lines and symmetry throughout. Craftsman style is an extension of its natural surroundings. This addition is a reflection of indigenous wood and stone sturdy, defined structure with clean yet prominent lines and exterior details, while utilizing low-maintenance, high-performance materials. We love the artisan style of intricate details and the use of natural materials of this Vienna, VA addition. We especially loved working with the family to Design & Build a space that meets their family’s needs as they grow.

Built in the 1960’s, this 1,566 sq. ft. single story home needed updating and visual interests. The clients love to entertain and wanted to create a welcoming, fun atmosphere. Their wish lists were to have an enclosed courtyard to utilize the outdoor space, an open floor plan providing a bigger kitchen and better flow, and to incorporate a mid-century modern style. The goal of this project was to create an open floor plan that would allow for better flow and function, thereby providing a more usable workspace and room for entertaining. We also incorporate the mid-century modern feel throughout the entire home from the inside to the out, bringing elements of design to all the spaces resulting in a completely uniform home. Opening-up the space and removing any visual barriers resulted in the interior and exterior spaces appearing much larger. This allowed a much better flow into the space, and a flood of natural sunlight from the windows into the living area. We were able to enclose the outside front space with a rock wall and a gate providing additional square footage and a private outdoor living space. We also introduced materials such as IPE wood, stacked stone, and metal to incorporate into the exterior which created a warm, aesthetically pleasing, and mid-century modern courtyard.

This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.

Built in the 1960’s, this 1,566 sq. ft. single story home needed updating and visual interests. The clients love to entertain and wanted to create a welcoming, fun atmosphere. Their wish lists were to have an enclosed courtyard to utilize the outdoor space, an open floor plan providing a bigger kitchen and better flow, and to incorporate a mid-century modern style. The goal of this project was to create an open floor plan that would allow for better flow and function, thereby providing a more usable workspace and room for entertaining. We also incorporate the mid-century modern feel throughout the entire home from the inside to the out, bringing elements of design to all the spaces resulting in a completely uniform home. Opening-up the space and removing any visual barriers resulted in the interior and exterior spaces appearing much larger. This allowed a much better flow into the space, and a flood of natural sunlight from the windows into the living area. We were able to enclose the outside front space with a rock wall and a gate providing additional square footage and a private outdoor living space. We also introduced materials such as IPE wood, stacked stone, and metal to incorporate into the exterior which created a warm, aesthetically pleasing, and mid-century modern courtyard.

This master bath was updated with a soaking tub and larger shower. Every inch of space was utilized to maximize storage in the bath. Cabinetry installed is Medallion Cherry Mission Door, Pecan/Flat Panel in Cherry with Amaretto Stain and Ebony Glaze/Highlight. On the countertop is Eternia Quartz in Oakdale color with Moen Voss Chrome Single Handle Faucet. The tile is Natural Stone Crackle Finish Tile 12” x 24 5/8” Deco tile and 3” x 12” Herringbone. On the tub and seat is Statuario Honed 12” x 24” tile. The shower door is a Custom 3/8” Thick Clear Shower Door and Panel, Brushed Nickel and Moen Voss Single Handle Shower Only and Moen Chrome Eco-Performance Handshower Handheld. On the floor is Eco Dream Sandalo Porcelain Wood tile. Neptune Drop in Tub in White.