Based in the historic town of Essex, NY, on the shores of Lake Champlain in upstate NY. Sawteeth Carpentry is the premier builder and remodel team for your next project. We specialize in historic restoration, complete house renovations, and new builds. We also love smaller projects like kitchen and bathroom remodels, cabinetry, decks, and woodworking projects.
Your home is one of the largest and most important investments you’ll ever make. It demonstrates who you are, what you love, and where you place your values. It is important that when you decide to remodel your home, you select a carpentry team who takes the time to understand your unique personality, needs, and values. We take on a limited amount of projects at a time so please do not hestiate to reach out to start the conversation.
A beautiful vacation home inspired by the historic barns of the north country. This magical space features vaulted ceilings, a lofted bedroom, and ample entertaining space.
The Essex Barn Door Tavern restoration in Essex, NY, was a labor of love for our team. The building had been neglected for years, and when the new owner purchased the building, she truly brought it back to life. She envisioned a “living room” for everyone in Essex, and we were honored to help make that vision come to life. The best way to see our work at the Barn Door Tavern is with a drink in hand, sitting by the crackling fire, or enjoying the view from the amazing deck on a summer night. Along with major structural projects to make the building safe, we also brought our attention to detail and craftsmanship to every part of the building. Our vision was to bring the space back to its former glory; we wanted you to walk in and believe the building had always looked like it does now.
Before photos of the Tavern
A luxury master bedroom remodel on the shores of Lake Champlain in upstate NY. The details of this bedroom include wood shiplap walls, wood floors, elegant design details, a gas fireplace, and a custom driftwood-inspired mantel.
Shiplap walls and vaulted shiplap ceilings are the centerpieces of this luxury master bedroom at this lake Champlain vacation home. Soft neutrals and warm plush fabrics complete the look of this contemporary nautical-inspired master bedroom.
The second phase of the Essex Stone Building restoration was remodeling the second-floor apartment. One major design/architectural problem that had to be worked out was how to access the apartment from the inside. The only stairs were on the outside of the building, which were not functional. We also needed to design stairs to access the new third-floor living space that we created.
The design of the apartment was guided by wanting to bring back the original glory of the building while also creating a functional and beautiful space for the owner. We took out all the finishes from the old space to start with a blank template and then got to work. The heated floors and sleek kitchen and bathroom design complement the added support timbers. Many of the finishes, like the wainscotting, were created with reclaimed barn wood from a local barn that was being taken down. The new space feels twice as large and so inviting. Plus the view of Lake Champlain is truly stunning!
The featured gallery showcases one of my favorite bathroom renovations to date. The bathroom is the product of a strong relationship between myself and the homeowners. The family and I worked hand in hand from the moment I removed the first bit of plaster until the final brushstrokes on the custom millwork. We worked together to design the unique box-beams to maximize ceiling height while retaining the structure, we selected the beautiful Thassos marble tiles together and conceptualized beautiful custom cabinetry which I had the honor of building.
The vanity and built-in cabinetry were custom designed and made for the space of this bathroom. Each piece is unique and pulls the look of the whole bathroom together. Storage space was a priority, and a custom build medicine cabinet behind the mirror adds even more bonus storage!
Bathrooms offer so many opportunities to reflect your unique style and personality. I look forward to discussing your upcoming bathroom remodel or addition!
Our clients needed a major refresh of their lake house guest barn. The building had previously been converted to a guest house but needed a complete remodel.
The main challenge with smaller spaces is finding space. We had to be extremely creative, especially in the upstairs, to fit a full bathroom, laundry, two bedrooms, and closets into the upstairs. As you can see, we did it, and the high ceilings and beautiful details create a haven you want to spend time in.
The owners also added an outdoor living space that doubled the footprint of the building with a large screened-in porch. The outdoor porch is an amazing addition for those warm summer nights and for spending time with family.
We kept the rustic feel with beautiful pine ceilings, timber framing, and floors but added a lightness to the living room and kitchen with light-colored walls. The staircase was also moved and opened up to allow for breathing room downstairs.
We love the outcome of this barn remodel and know that our clients will use it for years to come.
I love these custom bookshelves. I worked directly with the homeowners to create a design that flowed seamlessly with the unique tray-ceiling and wainscotting in their historic family room. I crafted every detail to appear as though it could have been a part of the original construction, all while functioning to meet their modern needs.
I truly enjoy creating unique custom cabinetry in a way that integrates into your unique space. I look forward to discussing your upcoming cabinetry project!
I love working on historic homes. It is such a joy to open up a wall and see huge hand-cut beams or to see a 200-year-old floor come back to life. This is not to say that older homes do not have their challenges. One of the largest struggles in historic homes is their lack of storage for our modern comforts. With this bedroom addition, I was able to utilize every nook and cranny to create beautiful and functional storage that flows with the space.
I love a good challenge. I look forward to helping you realize your vision with your own unique space.
When you have a 360-degree view overlooking Lake Champlain, and beautiful screened porch is a must. Our clients needed a refresh of this space to enjoy in the summer, and Sawteeth Carpentry was happy to make this happen for them. Our favorite product for screened porches is Screeneze. We have used this amazing product on several builds and are always impressed with the finish. We always look for the newest products to bring to our builds because our clients want eco-friendly, durable, and safe materials for their homes.
Sawteeth Carpentry is the premier Adirondacks, Essex, Westport, and Lake Champlain area re-modeler. Have a project in mind? Please reach out to us using our contact page, and we can’t wait to hear from you.
It is always fun for me to work for friends, especially those whose style aligns well with my aesthetic. There were certainly challenges working in such a tight space, but in the end, persistence beat resistance and I was able to pack a lot into this small bathroom. From the custom wood wainscotting and hand-built vanity to the detailed tile work: this small bathroom really shines.
The vanity was created with a vintage marble top found at a local antique shop and the base was built around it to fit into the small space. The tile floor was a slate inspired look with the shower wall being a hand made white subway tile. The custom wood wainscotting brought the whole look together and created a truly custom feel with built-in shelves in the corner which added some much-needed storage as well.
Every bathroom remodel job offers an opportunity to showcase the fun and unique style of each client I work with. I look forward to discussing your upcoming bathroom project!
What do you do when you are faced with a brand new space right in the middle of a historic home in Essex? You make it look like it was always a part of the home. When we renovated adjoining rooms in the house, we were faced with a large, empty space that was once divided between a dysfunctional bathroom and a poorly utilized hallway. Turning the space into a stunning dining room was the perfect solution.
The room was completely remodeled. With new drywall, a door being removed and window added, wood floor patches installed, and a new ceiling. The custom wainscotting and elaborate trim details around the window were all custom made to match the existing trim within the historic home. A sliding pocket door was installed leading into the kitchen and the new chandelier was the final finishing touch for this beautiful remodel.
This historic porch renovation highlights one of the projects I enjoy working on the most, custom woodworking. Located within Essex, NY a town on the National Registry of Historic Places, the outside features on this home are extremely important to the integrity of the house and the town as a whole.
The porch was in dire need of repair and the had to be completely rebuilt, but also had to match the front porch on the house. Each post and handrail was painstakingly replicated and hand made in my workshop before installing. The charm in these homes is in the details and getting the details right is extremely important to me. The floorboards and stairs were also built to match the front porch and remain true to the historic nature of the home.
I love turning unused or underutilized spaces into functional parts of a home, especially when the homeowner’s brand new puppy visits me when I am working!
This space was a drafty, damp, and underutilized room in this artist's Westport home. With gorgeous Marvin windows installed, Roxul Rockwool insulation put in, new drywall, updated lighting, and custom wood trim finished off the space creating a functional and beautiful artist studio.
If you have a room in your home that needs some TLC, I would love to hear from you. Sawteeth Carpentry specializes in remodels and restoration projects throughout the Champlain Valley of upstate NY.
An ADA bathroom remodel in Essex NY with neutral colors and tiles to fit seamlessly with the existing design of the home. The scope of this project was a complete remodel to ensure compliance with ADA specifications for layout and design. The curbless shower floor with slip-resistant tile, ADA-compliant fixtures, and grab bars in the shower are just a few of the specific requirements of this remodel.
A custom built-in and hacker craft-inspired wood shelves are the perfect addition to this luxury lake house laundry room. Custom forged brackets complement the soft feel of the wood. The wood shelves add warmth and depth to a space that could easily feel cold. They add storage that is both practical and beautiful.
Custom wood floating shelves add warmth and character to this beautiful laundry room. The homeowner wanted practical yet beautiful shelves for their vacation home on the shores of Lake Champlain right outside of Essex, NY. Style and durability was the key to these shelves with a nod toward the historic hacker craft boats that can be found on the lake.
A custom built-in to cover the sink plumbing also creates the opportunity for additional storage and a floating shelf above the sink.
My wife (fiance at the time) Julia and I purchased our home in Essex in the fall of 2015 and dug right in both figuratively and literally. Although seasoned remodelers upon purchasing (both from my career and our previous two homes that we remodeled together), our Essex home has proven to be a beast unto itself. The process of revitalizing and transforming our early 1800s home has certainly been humbling at times, but moreover, it has been invigorating and has instilled in me that anything is possible and even in the most challenging times it is worth investing in this amazing town.
Essex is a special place. Every home here is uniquely charming and full of potential. The community has been welcoming and the opportunity for us both to establish our business here has been amazing. Our own personal home here plays a vital role in informing everything I have done professionally. From budgeting and scheduling to design and implementation, my five years of experience transforming our Essex home has given me a unique vantage point and approach to running a successful carpentry business here.
The success of Sawteeth Carpentry is a dinner with friends in a dining room that I crafted. It’s my wife and I walking our dogs through a town that we love and seeing our neighbors enjoying their porch that I was able to apply my skills and bring back to life. Success is the opportunity to invest ourselves and our unique talents in a community that celebrates craftsmanship.
A unique bathroom remodel in Essex, NY which incorporated old wood flooring from other parts of the house and rich wood accents throughout including the ceiling. The feel of the room is historic and a throwback to what it might have felt like with a pedestal sink, a built-in mirror with a wooden frame, and an offset toilet. The room was finished in a rich peacock blue paint from Sherwin Williams Paints. I rich color palette and wood accents bring the room together with modern fixtures to make sure it felt fresh as well.
Essex, the Adirondacks, and the Champlain Valley’s premier remodel and restoration company