MADE TO FIT, BUILT TO LAST.
Finish Carpentry and Custom Woodwork by Lauren Eden Donnelly in St. Louis, Missouri
Functional, beautiful
& crafted for life
Your home should work FOR YOU, and look good doing it. I build pieces that fit just right, solve real problems, and hold up for years. Maybe it’s a bench to tame the shoe pile at your back door, crown molding to make your living room feel complete, or an everyday table you’ll never have to want to replace… I’ll build it with care and make it to last.
RECENT PROJECTS
Coffered Ceilings
Wainscotting
Crown Molding
Built-ins
Stairs, Doors & Windows
Decorative Wall Additions
Baseboards
Cabinetry
Trim Carpentry
Custom Woodwork
SERVICES
I build pieces that make you wonder how you ever lived without them. Built-ins that actually fit your weird little nook. Storage that blends so well it feels original. I also restore the details that give old homes their character and design custom pieces you won’t find anywhere else—always with the goal to make your space look AND WORK better.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Lauren’s work is perfect. We hired her to do some finishing carpentry after she had worked on a house I was remodeling. She installed new stair railings, banisters, and baseboards throughout my house. It all looks so nice!”
Julie—St. Louis
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Lauren is the most talented carpenter. She’s done several projects for my home and office (deck, shelving, cabinets, etc.) Every project is smooth from start to finish, and the results are always better than I imagined or expected.”
Genevieve Friedmann—St. Louis
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Working with Lauren on our home library was the best experience! She’s so easy to work with. Scheduling, designing, getting updates throughout the process—everything went so smoothly. This room is now our favorite.”
Katie Kirby—St. Louis
Lauren Eden Donnelly
OWNER & LEAD CARPENTER
Some people ease into carpentry... I sorta crash-landed and never looked back.
Before I ever picked up a hammer, I was farming organically in Maine and Minnesota. Long days spent outside, dirt under my nails, solving problems you can’t just Google. Then one summer, I helped build a stilted cabin in the woods and thought, yep… this is it.
After years of working on everything from new construction to restoring intricate woodwork in old St. Louis homes, I found my sweet spot: projects that change how a space feels. A built-in that uses an odd nook, a mantel that frames the whole room, a staircase you can’t help running your hand along, custom furniture, and the occasional quirky request (yes, I can make you a sword stand).
At the end of the day, I desire to craft one or many pieces you can live with for years, grow attached to, and maybe even hand down to future generations— functional, beautiful, and made just FOR YOU.
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
01
Tell Me About Your Project
We’ll chat about what you’re looking for, swap ideas, and figure out the best way to bring your vision to life.
02
Get a Clear Plan and Quote
I’ll measure, sketch, and map out the details so you’ll know exactly what to expect regarding timeline, cost, and all.
03
Enjoy Your Finished Project
I’ll build your piece with care, install it, and make sure it’s ready for you to start using and enjoying right away.
Let’s build something sturdy.
FAQ
-
I specialize in finish carpentry, (aka trim carpentry, fine carpentry, and cabinetry)—basically, the detailed woodwork that makes a room feel complete. Think built-ins, mantels, crown molding, wainscoting, coffered ceilings, staircases, trim, doors, windows, cabinets, and the occasional custom furniture piece. It’s the work you see every day, and I build it to look like it’s always been part of your home.
-
Rough carpentry is the big stuff—framing, roofing, decks—the bones of a building. Finish carpentry is the detail work that shows. It’s the trim around your windows, the built-in in your living room, the shelves in your office, the crown molding that finishes a room. It’s precise, visible, and meant to last.
-
Yep! I work on projects of all sizes. For smaller jobs, my minimum is $350 plus materials, after that, we can go as big or as detailed as you want.
-
Fill out the Start Project form here on my website. It gives me the info I need to understand your project. Once I’ve reviewed it, I’ll reach out (usually within a week) to set up a free 30-minute estimate appointment. I’ll look at the space, take measurements, and talk through what you’re envisioning. From there, I’ll put together your quote.
-
Definitely. When you fill out my Start Project form, you can upload any photos or links you have, but you don’t need to have it all figured out. Even a general idea or a problem you’re trying to solve is enough for us to start the conversation. I’ll ask questions, make suggestions, and help shape your vision into a design that works for your home and your life.
-
Most of my finish carpentry work is here in St. Louis and the surrounding neighborhoods, that way I can see the space in person and make sure everything fits just right.
If it’s a commissioned piece, you’re welcome to pick it up from my shop, even if you’re coming from out of town. I’m also open to shipping anywhere within the U.S.