Sophistication is a growing trend in custom homes for 2024. Homeowners in the Siouxland area increasingly desire homes that blend energy-efficiency, luxury and chic, modern style.
That combination is what homeowners will find at NRG Homes, which specializes in building distinctive and sought-after luxury executive homes. Shannon and Tonya Grismer, owners of NRG Homes, combine their expertise in construction and design to build homes specifically tailored to their customers’ needs and lifestyles.
Melding contemporary, traditional and hints of industrial style is the design combination Tonya said she strives for when creating custom homes for NRG’s clients. The result is modern, yet the design has longevity.
A recent NRG Homes build in south-central Sioux Falls beautifully showcases the current contemporary-traditional-industrial design inside and out. The home’s dark exterior is complemented by lighter-colored stone and wood siding. Inside the five-bedroom home, the rooms are bright and open, with contemporary clean lines and dramatic dark and light neutral tones.
“We’ve got black metal and glass barn doors and black metal shelving units in the kitchen, so we’re mixing industrial with more modern, luxurious finishes,” Tonya said.
Those all mix and match seamlessly with accent features and finishes including wood beams, painted shiplap, tile and wallpaper.
The spacious atmosphere is further enhanced by a 24-foot vaulted ceiling in the great room, with 10-foot ceilings and 8-foot interior doors throughout the house.
“That’s a standard for us. We do that in every one of our houses. It makes the house a lot grander,” Shannon said.
This 4000-square-foot home was built for a large family,so two large islands combine kitchen prep space and seating for seven. The dining room, too, can easily seat seven or more, allowing ample room for dinners and celebrations. The home’s mudroom has abundant, well-organized storage to meet this busy family’s needs.
Because their home is where the owners both live and work, Shannon and Tonya designed an office where both can work comfortably with all the amenities they need.
Large windows fill the home with natural light, framing the view of the backyard and pool that family and friends will enjoy in warmer weather.
“You can see the pool from the dining room, kitchen and great room. One cool feature we included on the exterior is we did AstroTurf next to the pool to keep it cleaner with kids playing there or pets. It’s just a neat feature,” Shannon said.
Meanwhile, even on the coldest winter days and nights, the house and garage remain comfortably warm because they are equipped with radiant heat flooring, Shannon said.
“Radiant heat is more energy efficient. That’s standard for us in every home we do,” he said.
Every home NRG builds is environmentally friendly and energy efficient. The award-winning company prefers using highly energy-efficient Structurally Insulated Panel, or SIP, construction. The panels are made from wood or plywood with core foam insulation in the middle. SIP panels combine building science and high performance to reduce noise, air movement, drafts, dust and allergens in houses.
“It’s what our company specializes in,” Shannon said. “We show our customers the importance and benefits of using of SIP panels. SIP panels used to be more expensive than stick building, so we have to show our customers their return on investment. Now with lumber costs the way they are, SIP panels are far more cost effective, which is awesome.”
As the company’s website states: “NRG = Energy. Energy efficiency is the key to building a great home.” The average savings for a new home built with SIPs typically ranges between $600 and $1,500 every year.
“SIP construction homes are more energy efficient, stronger and quieter,” Shannon said.
NRG Homes only builds one to two homes per year so Shannon and Tonya can personally oversee every step of the construction.
“Our company is us. I’m on site multiple times a day. Our customers aren’t dealing with an employee; they’re dealing with the owners. We do everything we can for our customers,” Shannon said.
“We feel the customer gets the best product at the end with a hands-on approach with each and every home,” he said. “Each one of these homes takes a lot of time and commitment. I want to be the one out there on site. It’s our company and our name and when people have a question, I want them to ask myself or my wife.”
Shannon has more than two decades of experience and a genuine passion for the construction industry. His background is in building single family homes, twin homes and villas.
Tonya offers clients her impeccable design prowess, selecting flooring, cabinetry, lighting and more. Both pride themselves on giving their customers personalized service and excellent communication throughout the entire home-building process.
“I’ve always loved the building process,” Shannon said. “Tonya has a keen eye for design. … Our customers rave about her.”
The husband-and-wife team works closely with customers from initial concept to completed home so the entire home-building process is as smooth and enjoyable as possible for the homeowner. Each house begins with the customer’s vision and choices of layout, square footage, color scheme, amenities, flooring, cabinetry, appliances and more. NRG Homes transforms those into a 3D design so customers can clearly envision their future house.
“People can go online and read testimonials from customers. They speak for themselves,” Shannon said.
For anyone who’s contemplating a custom home, it’s never too early to meet with a builder and start planning, Shannon said, even if building is two or three years away.
Shannon said NRG Homes still has a few lots available in sought-after Sioux Falls neighborhoods — walk-out lakeside lots in Cherry Lake West Reserve, walk-out lots in The Grand Prairie, and a walk-out lot at the end of a cul-de-sac in Mystic Creek.
