Homes & additions
Full timber frames, hybrid homes, great rooms, and additions with structure that becomes the signature of the space.
Amelia, Virginia
Designed with intention · Raised with precision
Built for the way
life gathers.
Distinctive timber structures, thoughtfully designed and expertly brought to life—from first sketch through final raising.
Designed by Shadow Creek Timber Works
Exclusively crafted by Virginia Timber Frame Designs
Custom timber homesComplete frames and signature spaces
Inspired designShaped around your site and vision
Precision manufacturingTraditional joinery, modern execution
Outdoor livingWaterfront pavilions and gathering places
More than a structural element
A timber frame changes how a place feels.
It creates warmth, rhythm, and a sense of permanence you notice the moment you walk in. Shadow Creek Timber Works helps homeowners, builders, architects, and designers turn that feeling into a structure made to serve for generations.
Every project begins with a conversation—about the property, the architecture, and the life that will happen beneath the timbers. From there, design and craft come together at our Workshop & Mill in Amelia, Virginia.
What we build
One craft. Many possibilities.
From a single dramatic element to a complete frame, each commission is tailored to the architecture around it.
Pavilions & outdoor living
Open-air pavilions, pool houses, porches, and waterfront gathering spaces built for long afternoons and late nights.
Entries & architectural timbers
Entryways, exposed trusses, brackets, pergolas, and custom accents that give a building depth and distinction.
Barns & destination spaces
Event barns, studios, workshops, and special-use structures where utility and timeless character belong together.
A frame with a story
Designed with intention. Raised with precision.
Beautiful timber work is the result of hundreds of thoughtful decisions—from proportion and wood species to joinery, finish, logistics, and the exact sequence of the raising.
We bring those pieces together so the experience feels as considered as the finished structure.
See how the process worksOur process
A clear path from idea to raising.
Whether you arrive with finished plans or an early idea, we meet the project where it is and define the next right step.
- 01
Listen & explore
We learn what you want to build, how the space should live, and what makes the site unique.
- 02
Design & engineer
We develop the timber concept, coordinate technical requirements, and refine the details before fabrication.
- 03
Craft & prepare
At our Workshop & Mill in Amelia, every Shadow Creek timber package is manufactured by our exclusive partner, Virginia Timber Frame Designs, LLC, with close attention to joinery, finish, and raising sequence.
- 04
Deliver & raise
We coordinate delivery and professional installation, bringing the frame together safely and efficiently on site.
Selected work
Timber made for remarkable places.
From one defining architectural element to a complete frame, the work is tailored to the place, the people, and the way they plan to gather.
About Shadow Creek
A personal approach to lasting work.
Founded by Michael and Rachel Derrer, Shadow Creek Timber Works was built around a straightforward idea: remarkable craftsmanship deserves equally thoughtful service.
Through our exclusive manufacturing partnership with John Garber and Virginia Timber Frame Designs, LLC, we combine personal design collaboration and project management with industry-leading fabrication at the Workshop & Mill in Amelia. The result is more than a frame—it is a place with presence, made for the people who will use it.
Workshop & Mill · Amelia, VirginiaWhere the design and timber work are performed
Built collaborativelyHomeowners · builders · architects · designers
Company announcement
One team from concept through installation.
Shadow Creek Timber Works Announces Exclusive Manufacturing Partnership with Virginia Timber Frame Designs
“Our vision has always been to connect clients with extraordinary craftsmanship and an exceptional customer experience. This exclusive partnership allows us to combine personalized service with one of Virginia’s premier timber frame manufacturers.”
Clients benefit from expanded capacity, greater design flexibility, faster coordination, and experienced leadership from the first conversation through the raising.
Craftsmanship. Integrity. Relationships. Built to Last.
From the Workshop & Mill
The work—and the story behind it.
Project updates, company news, and glimpses of the craft in progress, inspired by what we share with the Shadow Creek community.
Workshop & Mill
Where the work comes together in Amelia.
Our Amelia Workshop & Mill is the working center of the partnership—the place where ideas become drawings, drawings become joinery, and individual timbers become a frame ready to raise.
Follow the story on FacebookOutdoor living
A fresh season. A new place to gather.
Custom timber features can transform a porch, pavilion, or poolside space into an inviting destination for relaxation and entertainment.
Community
Designing the next adventure together.
We are grateful for every homeowner and building professional who has trusted us along the way. Each collaboration brings a new challenge—and a new story to tell.
In person
From the Richmond Home Show to your home.
Meeting people at the Richmond Convention Center reinforced what we enjoy most: helping turn an early idea into a timber project with clarity and character.
Good to know
Questions before we begin.
When should we bring you into a project?
Earlier is usually better. We can contribute during concept design, coordinate with your architect or builder, or review established plans when the timber package is already defined.
Do you work directly with homeowners?
Yes. We work with homeowners as well as builders, architects, and designers. We will help clarify who needs to be involved based on your project stage and scope.
Do you take projects outside Virginia?
Yes. Shadow Creek Timber Works serves Virginia and considers projects nationwide. Location, scale, schedule, and installation needs are reviewed during the first conversation.
What do you need to discuss an idea?
A short description, approximate location, and any plans, sketches, inspiration photos, or site images you already have are enough to begin.
Your project can start with a conversation
Let’s build something
worth gathering under.
Tell us what you are imagining, where you plan to build, and how far along you are. We’ll help you identify the next step.