Furniture Maker Finds His Passion at 43 Church St. [IMAGE GALLERY]

Michael Fitzpatrick told Westborough Patch that his wife, Dr. Jean Keamy, is strategic in every decision she makes. She sited because there was none, and she chose to live in Waltham because it fell within a circle that included her additional commute to Boston. 

Fitzpatrick and Keamy's restoration of the historic 1848 home at 43 Church St. was another strategic move. Fitzpatrick said, "We were searching for an old house with a barn in the Metrowest area where prices were more affordable." He continued, “We found three or four properties that fit the bill. [43 Church St.] was in the worst repair, and that was good for me but not Jean."

The Journey

Both Fitzpatrick and Keamy share a passion for design. According to Fitzpatrick, Keamy worked on Madison Avenue in advertising before going to medical school. He said that she had a longstanding interest in photography which led her to ophthalmology.

According to Fitzpatrick, "Our architect, Josh Fenollosa, is brilliant and is part marriage counselor." If there's a decision to be brokered, Fitzpatrick said that it's Fenollosa's job.

Fitzpatrick followed a circuitous route to his role as general contractor at 43 Church St. A long-time carpenter, he made a lucrative stop in the semiconductor business in the mid 1990s to 2003. Now he's master furniture maker, focusing on art deco designs.

The house on Church Street is Fitzpatrick's fourth whole house renovation project. He's lived in each of the properties and then moved on. When Fitzpatrick was 24, he renovated a three family building in South Boston. He followed that with a beachfront house in Nahant. Then Fitzpatrick moved onto Marblehead, where an elderly relative was dying.

During his Marblehead stay, Fitzpatrick ran the "Marblehead Airplane Company," named after an airplane that he was building in his shop. The business restored houses, many from the 1600s and 1700s.

Fitzpatrick moved around, and ended up on a beach house in Swampscott, which he described as a "small place on the sand." Having suffered from back issues, his focus shifted over time from framing and major renovations to furniture and cabinet making.

In 2004, with not much hope of getting in, Fitzpatrick applied to the prestigious North Bennet Street School in Boston. Fitzpatrick, who recalled that 375 applied for 12 spots in the furniture-making program, said, "I was shocked when a thick envelope arrived in the mail from the school."

According to Fitzpatrick, "North Bennet Street School is one of the most incredible places on the planet. It transcends time and you think it's in the 1800s. Someone is playing Liszt in the piano technology school... you smell the fresh wood, and soldering from the jewelry making department."

After school, Fitzpatrick and a group of other graduates formed the Boston Furniture Collaborative and set up shop in the Boston Design Center. In a typical year, Fitzpatrick would make up to 10 pieces of furniture, selling from $1,700 to $22,000.

It's All About Design

Fitzpatrick said that the cost of buying 43 Church St. was $180,000. In spite of its mass, Fitzpatrick said that the house is about 3,000 square feet with three bedrooms. A huge staircase that runs through the three levels of the house diminishes the living space.

There's also an apartment, wine cellar, photography studio and a cupola that was recently lit green to celebrate the Celtic's win. Before renovation, the house was cut into 28 rooms.

In addition to the financial investment, Fitzpatrick and Keamy put their heart and soul into the project. Keamy's imprint on the kitchen is clear; the bright orange backsplash celebrates her undergraduate degree from Princeton. She also chose the beautiful lacquered black palm kitchen cabinets built by Fitzpatrick.

Many features of this "smart house" are green. Fitzpatrick mentioned that his demolition contractor recycled everything possible, including wood, nails, and even blown-in wall insulation.

Fitzpatrick's craftsmanship is seen throughout the house, on exterior molding, vanities, register covers, anything wood inside the house, and of course, his furniture.

The couple plans to move into 43 Church St. on July 1. Fitzpatrick said, "Every house I do is my last house. We have an elevator shaft in place in case we ever need it." When asked when the renovation would be done, Fitzpatrick said, "...never."

Open House June 9 and 10

Fitzpatrick and Keamy welcome the community to tour their home on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.