feathermark timber frames

who we are

Feathermark Timber Frames is a collaboration between three dedicated craftsmen
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Skip Dewhirst, Seth Kelley, & Evan Sachs.
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our speciality

We specialize in traditional timber framing, historic restoration, and thoughtful modern adaptations of the craft. Our work ranges from barns and homes to pavilions, porches, additions, cabins, and one-of-a-kind structures shaped by the land and trees from which they come. we are based in montpelier, vermont but can deliver and install timber frames easily all throughout new england.Skip and Seth have been working together for over 20 years and Evan joined the fold 4 years ago. All of us are members of the Timber Framers Guild and current teaching staff at the heartwood school.

our approach

In the traditions of centuries old building styles from America, England and France, we build structures using traditional all-wooden mortise and tenon joinery. We utilize locally sourced wood and incorporate naturally curved timbers from the forest.Our work stands at the intersection of:

portfolio

here are a few projects from recent years showcasing barns, homes, additions and cabins. we take pride in working with clients to co-create structures to last generations.

Workshop Garage & ADU

We worked with the client to build a custom garage and workshop, fit with high ceilings and an open floor plan. with the addition of large dormers, we created ample room for a beautiful and flexible upstairs space for an adu.

• Portfolio

hand hewing

as part of our love for handwork, traditional craft and sustainable forestry - we enjoy converting trees to square timber with axes. its an ancient way of working and allows us to create an amazing surface finish all while using logs normally classified as "waste" or unusable. We also can hew timbers of any length, even those exceeding capacities of modern sawmills. ask us about incorporating hewn pieces into your future project!

• Portfolio

Berkshire Home Addition

we created a beautiful timber framed addition to an existing home in the berkshires. cutting the frame at home in vt and spending a few days on site installing. this frame created the framework for a high efficiency envelope finished by a local carpentry company.we included numerous naturally curved hardwood braces, as well as a central post, made from an entire forked tree, that supports the floor system - bringing the forest right into the heart of the home.

• Portfolio

JC's BARN

This traditional barn is of "queen post" design - a traditional layout that creates open aisles for ample space and breadth. We added a third story loft space nook for relaxing views of the meadows. Trees were harvested from the clients property and a mobile sawmill utilized on site to supply all timbers. Sustainable, utilitarian and completely customized for the client.

• Portfolio

RETREAT CABIN

This rustic off grid cabin incorporated numerous natural curved timbers from the forest to create sweeping braces, collar ties and upper struts supporting the roof. We always love utilizing natural curves in our work and this was a fun little project for that reason. Local eastern white pine and hardwoods created this simple and elegant retreat that blends into the surrounding woodlot

about

skip dewhirst

Skip was introduced to the joy of crafting beautiful things by hand at a young age by his grandmother. Since then, he has spent more than 35 years pursuing his passion for timber framing and fine furniture making. He finds fulfillment in designing, building, and crafting with wood while helping clients and students bring their own building dreams to life and experience the satisfaction that comes from creating something both beautiful and strong.Over the years, Skip has had the pleasure of teaching more than 100 classes in furniture making, woodworking, and timber framing across the country.

seth kelley

Seth Kelley lives and works in Cabot, Vermont. Seth co- founded Knobb Hill Joinery which specializes in historical restoration. Seth now has taken that knowledge of historic joinery and builds new timber frames. He has taught with the Timber Framers Guild and Yestermorrow Design School for 20 years. He loves making riven pegs and putting beaded chamfers on timbers.

evan sachs

Evan Sachs is a timber framer and furniture maker based in northern Vermont. He has a passion for hand tools, joinery, and utilizing natural curves in his work - whether for a house frame or a table.His life as a woodworker began working alongside a fine furniture maker, building custom solid hardwood pieces. After discovering his interest in timber framing, his work has brought him to preservation carpentry, custom high efficiency home construction, and building timber frame structures around New England. He also has had the great pleasure of timber framing internationally with Carpenters Without Borders, in France and returned to hand hew timbers for the restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral.When not in the workshop or on site, Evan can be found enjoying time out in nature and pursuing his passion of making hard cider from wild apples.

Contact

interested in building a traditional timber frame? please reach out and we can begin a conversation about how we may best make your idea a reality