Serving Southwestern Nova Scotia
Doug Brannen is the proprietor of Sherlock Homes Carpentry located in Clyde River, Nova Scotia. Sherlock Homes Carpentry provides general carpentry and consultative services for heritage buildings such as maintenance, repair, restoration, and sympathetic renovation. Sherlock Homes specializes in repair, restoration, and replication of wooden windows and doors using quality materials and salvages and re-uses first growth wood and aged glass whenever possible.
Sherlock Homes Carpentry operates throughout Southwestern Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Municipality, and the Annapolis Valley but is open to hearing from people throughout Atlantic Canada. Living in Atlantic Canada means being entrusted with some of the oldest buildings in Canada. Doug’s goal is to help any and all people and organizations interested in the preservation of historic or heritage buildings meet their objectives and considers meeting like-minded individuals one of the best perks of the job.
The philosophy of Sherlock Homes Carpentry is simple: Heritage buildings need a sympathetic approach, both in terms of the materials used and the manner in which those materials are utilized. While it is important to both appreciate and understand new technologies and techniques, the envelope of restoration and renovation in regard of heritage structures is finite and must be respected if the heritage is to be honoured.
As an owner of an old house, Doug understands the concerns owners have with regard to using energy efficiently, keeping operating costs low, and making old houses comfortable places to live modern lives. Doug enjoys exploring to find the best solution for each individual issue using the broadest views possible while remaining true to the history of the building.
Bio:
Doug Brannen was born and raised in Nova Scotia. He received his education from Acadia University and found employment in the Government of Canada. Doug began woodworking as a hobby and, over the course of twenty years, saw it develop into a career. Doug’s love of old houses began when he was very young and stemmed from his grandmother’s house in Woods Harbour, NS.
Upon moving to Newfoundland in 2002, Doug and his wife, Samantha, bought their first century home in the small community of Lethbridge where Doug began recreating wooden storm windows. When they returned to Nova Scotia in 2007, Doug and Sam bought their current home, the house Samantha had been raised in. Sam is the fifth generation of her family to own the house and property.
Retired from the Public Service, Doug now works full-time on old houses and heritage properties. His business, Sherlock Homes Carpentry, provides heritage consultation services as well as carpentry and Doug also maintains a sash shop where he restores and manufactures wooden windows and doors. He also reproduces and makes architectural details such as stair balusters, newel posts, and gingerbread details.
Contact Doug today to discuss your next project:
Old Home Living 