Custom Decks
Where the house meets the view.
A deck is more than an outdoor floor—it’s your summer living room. We specialize in the high-end stuff: the rich, deep tones of Mahogany or the precision and longevity of Trexand premium composites. We’re obsessed with the details—hidden fasteners, perfect miters, and framing that’s overbuilt to handle the elements.
Stone & Hardscape
The bones of the property.
We don't just "lay pavers." We work with stone to create structures that look like they’ve been there for a century. Whether it’s a technical retaining wall on a steep lake bank or a hand-cut stone patio that flows with the natural curve of your land, we build for permanence. If it’s a "puzzle" of a job that requires an artist's touch and a bit of grit, we’re in.
Lakeside Specialties
Working where others won't.
Lakeside properties are beautiful, but they’re a challenge. The slopes, the drainage, the regulations—we’ve seen it all over the last 40 years. We know how to move material, stabilize banks, and build structures that respect the water while giving you the best seat in the house.
The Gallery
The Team: Two Generations, One Standard
01
The Old Guard & The New Eye
Artscape started 22 years ago, but the hands behind it have been at this for over forty. I’ve spent my life learning the language of stone and wood—how a lakefront slope needs to be respected, and how a mahogany joint should feel under your hand.
02
Passing the Chisel
Today, Artscape is a partnership. My son has grown from a kid on the job site to a craftsman in his own right. He’s got the same obsession with detail that I do, but he brings a fresh perspective and a modern eye to the "challenging" jobs we love so much.
03
Why it Works
When you work with us, you’re getting two generations of problem-solving. We don’t have a middleman or a rotating crew of strangers. It’s just us, on-site, making sure the stonework is perfect and the deck is built to outlast us both.
04
Trusted and Insured
We’ve found that when you spend weeks—sometimes months—sculpting someone’s backyard, you don't just leave as their contractor. You leave as their friend. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
John and Shawn French and their fantastic crew have provided elite workmanship at our upstate cabin/ camp. From exterior stonework, including walkways and steps, to custom carpentry, Artscape Designs has always handled each project with reliability, passion, and expertise. Any minor issues of concern at the end of projects have always been addressed very promptly, along with leaving the property completely cleaned up when finished.
A 5 out of 5-star rating is deservedly extended.
- Bob & Eve S
Bees are to honeycomb, what Artscape is to earth and stone…they build it right.
- Christy V
I’ve been an Artscape customer for almost 20 years. They’ve done everything from creating beautiful landscapes to building patios, porches, and nature paths. They’re also available for spring and fall cleanup. John and his team are true professionals – Experienced, attentive, creative, and always on time and budget. I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking high quality services at a reasonable price.
- Peter W
I have utilized Artscape (feel free to substitute John, Sean, "The French family", whatever) for many landscaping endeavors over the years, I keep going back because of their fair pricing, honest work and beautiful results! They have installed retaining walls, garden islands, they even carved out a good sized beach where there used to be only overgrowth!
- Dave M
Contact Us
John French - Designer
518-538-5468
Shawn French - Craftsman
518-804-5191
shawn@artscape.art
P.O. Box 112
Athol, NY 12810