Schwalm Painting & Carpentry

Hot one today. At least there's some shade!

Part 5 of 5: The crowning jewel of Vanderkamp's Grace manor is the exquisite kitchen. We completely gutted the space and removed a couple walls to create a spacious and inviting area that flows seamlessly into the huge island bar. The ceramic wood plank flooring adds warmth and character to the space, while the stunning marble countertops provide ample seating and a touch of modern elegance. High end appliances and custom cabinetry make it the perfect place to cook, entertain, and make memories.

Hope you all enjoyed this series as much as I loved presenting it. Thank you all for the likes, shares and comments. It all helps my company grow and I appreciate that so very much.

Part 4 of 5: Transforming the dining room at Grace Manor involved removing the old ceiling and installing beadboard, as well as refinishing the hardwoods and adding new trim. The abundance of natural light really makes the space feel expansive and airy.

Part 3 of 5: The bathrooms at Grace manor offer lots of options. From a stand up shower to a full bathtub and even ADA compliant curbless shower which allow full mobility of a wheelchair. We fully gutted each bathroom to update the plumbing and accommodate floor plan changes. We ran the tile in the showers from floor to ceiling, and installed all new vanities, hardware and fixtures for a more modern update while keeping a rustic vibe.

Part 2 of 5: There are nine spacious bedrooms in total at Grace Manor, with five located upstairs and four downstairs. Each bedroom comes with its own private bathroom. Some of the bedrooms even offer a view of Lake Vanderkamp. We installed new flooring in some of the bedrooms while others had the flooring refinished. All of the bedrooms feature new trim and of course fresh paint. We also restored all of the doors keeping that rustic, cozy atmosphere.

So many photos from this amazing project that we had the pleasure of being a part of last year. Too many for just one post so this will be part 1 of a 5 part series showcasing all the hard work we put into restoring this beautiful and historic lodge. Hope you follow along and remember to like and share! But first, a little history of the property.

Vanderkamp NY. Nestled within 850 acres of mixed hardwoods and towering eastern pines, lies a picturesque retreat to escape the hustle and bustle and get back to nature. Located on the North shore of Oneida lake in Cleveland NY, the property was first purchased by Dutch minister, François Adriaan van der Kemp back in 1794 after emigrating to America seven years prior. Although there wasn't much to the property then. A few structures on a small farm. The rest, untouched pristine wilderness. Until 1898 when a Syracuse business pioneer, Frank Soule and his wife Grace bought the property and started development of their dream summer retreat, naming it "Vanderkamp" in honor of its founder. They built an Adirondack style "great lodge" and a boathouse on the shore of the 50 acre lake right in the heart of the property. Their sons Robert and Oscar also built lodges here along with over 20 other cabins, lean-tos, sheds and houses. The Soule families and friends enjoyed the property for years until 1965 when Robert and Oscar sold their father's estate to the Syracuse-Cayuga and Utica Presbyterian churches. It was then run as a Christian summer camp until 2020 when they closed due to covid. In 2021 the property was purchased by a Syracuse real-estate development company, Commonspace. Who have now dedicated themselves to restoring the beautiful property and all of it's structures. Vanderkamp now provides a unique venue for exploring, gathering with friends and family, or just a little R&R among nature just as it was intended to be all those years ago.

For me, what was once just a memory of a place my father would take my brother and I to cross country ski, has now become the honor I hold of turning the "Robert house" into what is now known as "Grace manor". I hope you all get to experience and enjoy this historical hideaway right in our backyard.

Part 1 of 5 is the main living room of Grace manor showcasing the original stone fireplace in the center of the lodge. Attention to every detail was taken during the restoration process. Right down to the scroll work of the beams transitioning to the stone.

I didn't get any before pics of this Syracuse apartment, once a classroom of a catholic school, but it required a complete overhaul due to water damage from an outdated gutter system. The space was stripped down to the studs and renovated with some minor electrical, plumbing, and minimal framing. New kitchen cabinets, doors, trim, and hardwood floors throughout were installed, and the original tin ceilings were repaired. A couple of fresh coats of paint later, and the apartment was transformed into a beautiful living space.

When you build yourself a huge greenhouse but you're a carpenter with limited shop space and it won't stop raining.....

Apartment renovation project

Home office in the books.

Exterior residential paint and stain. This one took a little elbow grease.

The Installation of a Murphy door and a sliding barn door for an office and laundry room really enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of both spaces.

Cabin stain