A Saratoga home with Seaside Flair
Witt Construction’s award-winning showhouse captures the essence of a Maine coast cottage.
Text by Craig Stevens
Photos by Randall Perry Photography
 There is no ocean outside, but the view from the street is exquisite. The small lot is elegantly adorned with stone hardscape (bluestone, Belgian blocks, granite) and perennials (hydrangea, boxwood, grasses, crap apple). There is also a copper-lined fountain. Altogether one gets the sense of a waterside cottage complete with an intricately designed English garden. Little maintenance will be required.
The 2,900 square foot Cottage in the Alley is “the new green type of home with a smaller footprint, yet loaded with details. It is the perfect down-size house,” explained John Witt, president of Witt Construction.
Homeowners Rob and Mark are thrilled with their new home. “We have always admired John Witt’s sense of style, craftsmanship and attention to detail. John and his team allowed us to play a pivotal role every step of the way from the initial design to the finished product. We worked closely with John’s entire staff. His interior designer, Beverly Tracy, kept our vision in mind with every decision that was made.”
Over the last 20 years or so, the inventive home designs of Witt Construction, Inc. have arguably become the standard of excellence to which others in the Capital Region are compared. With considerable frequency John Witt’s creations win regional and national competitions judged by both professionals and the public. Many times they have drawn the attention of prominent national home design publications. The house featured in these pages is no exception.
Adapted by John from a Maine Coastal Living plan, the home has a nautical feel. Visitors have commented that they expect to find the ocean right outside the door. The façade of the home is extremely detailed from the Porte Cochere at the left to the bay window in the middle to the corner entryway with double arches to the right.
Inside there are three bedrooms, three full baths and a powder room. Each has a unique set of components chosen for their innate beauty as well as practicality. Metals, diverse woods, and stone co-exist. The flowing, open first floor is ideal for entertaining and everyday living. The kitchen is itself an award-winner that will suit any gourmand.
Cottage in the Alley, so named for the Park Alley neighborhood where it resides, won several first place honors in the Capital Region Parade of Homes including “The People’s Choice Award” and “Best Kitchen.”
Maxwell KBC and its sister company Kitchen Dimensions of Saratoga Springs, have worked on Witt Construction‘s various competition entries for over 15 years. And this year’s entry was especially exciting because the homeowners were so enthusiastic about their project and they were very detail and quality focused.
Joel Jackoski of Maxwell KBC says: “Rob and Mark were great to work with and they really allowed everyone to collaborate and focus on their individual specialties. This ultimately resulted in a very warm and inviting home for their family. The feel and flow of the home is very comfortable with just a hint of understated elegance.
The homeowners selected classic white painted Brookhaven Cabinetry topped off with marble counters and a rich walnut island counter. With the addition of glass fronted cabinets that rest on the counter, we were able to recreate the charm and character so reminiscent of a Saratoga summer home.”
Signature John Witt built-ins abound throughout the house. Hand-built, furniture-quality dressers, benches, cabinets and shelving provide storage and functional utility while maximizing the use of space.
“We are very proud of this home. It may not be the largest, yet it has the most incredible detail. Visitors have said that it has inspired them to build,” notes Witt.
The enthusiastic homeowners conclude: “We absolutely love our new home. The finished product far exceeded our expectations. Every aspect of the home, the décor, the landscaping, the colors are exactly what we envisioned. John Witt’s team made it happen.”
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