Fine Artist MadeRejuvenation Customer

Joyce Jackson and Patrick Mealey are both working artists - Joyce as a photographer and Patrick as a painter.

They also form the husband and wife design/build team Fine Artist Made based in Perry, Maine. Their creative sensibilities and attention to detail inform their renovation business, which has involved the restoration of many older homes.

According to Joyce, when the couple embarks on a project, "we often make discoveries that survive in the result".

The George Eaton House

Recently, Joyce and Patrick renovated an 1875 Italianate house, originally built by lumber baron George Eaton. They experienced several serendipitous moments during the project.

First, they happened upon the original polished nickel towel bars in the attic. This influenced their decision to use our Carlton Polished Nickel fixture in the bathroom, which still retains its turn-of-the-century toilet and pedestal sink.

Next, after finding the painted mantle in the master bedroom cold to the touch, they realized it was stone and not wood. Stripping revealed factory-applied marbleizing, intended to look like expensive stone, which unfortunately could not be saved. However, further cleaning uncovered a beautiful, mismatched, blue/green marble with a simple, quirky pattern.

Finally, Joyce and Patrick ripped out shag carpet in the same bedroom, and uncovered a beautiful parquet floor, defined by a lovely chain pattern border. Needless to say, they were thrilled (as were their clients) and the floor's finish was carefully restored.

August, 2008