Kent has some of the oldest homes in Connecticut with original wood trim, hand-planed profiles and built-in details that have been part of the houses for two centuries. Restoring or matching this work demands careful attention to the original craftsmanship rather than installing modern alternatives. Wide pine flooring with old square nail patterns. Hand-planed trim with profiles that no modern stock matches. Original built-in cabinets, fireplace mantels and stair newels that need careful repair rather than replacement. A&J Masonry approaches Kent carpentry with respect for the original work. Period-appropriate materials. Hand-fitting where machine work would look out of place.
Kent country homes often have plaster walls with original wood trim that has been painted dozens of times over the decades. Stripping back to bare wood is sometimes necessary on fine trim or built-in cabinet work. Salvaged trim from local Connecticut suppliers can match original profiles when replacement is needed. Custom milling of profiles that no longer come from stock is part of the work on historic Kent properties. A&J Masonry handles these challenges with the right approach for each project. Strip and refinish when the original wood is worth saving. Replace with matched profiles when the original is too damaged.
Built-in carpentry on Kent country homes can include traditional features that fit the historic character of the property. Built-in bookshelves around fireplaces. Window seats with hidden storage in old farmhouses. China cabinets in formal dining rooms. Mudroom benches in country home back entries. Each built-in gets designed to fit the specific space and the architectural style of the home. A&J Masonry handles built-in design and construction on Kent properties with attention to proportions, profiles and details that suit older homes. The result is built-in furniture that looks like it has always been part of the house rather than something added later.
