DETROIT ARTIST AND HISTORIC RENOVATION SPECIALIST
Painting Detroit’s changing eastside and restoring its historic homes by hand.
Terry Swafford is a Detroit-based visual artist and historic renovation contractor whose work blends painting, urban observation, and architectural restoration. His large-scale oil paintings often begin on location, responding to fleeting light, shadow, atmosphere, and the built landscape around Detroit’s east side. Through Swafford Building Workshop, that same attention to original material, proportion, and use carries into restorative repairs and customized renovations for historic homes.
Art
Rooted in the responsive nature of wet-on-wet oil painting, Terry’s realist practice investigates the surfaces, patterns, and spatial arrangements of daily life. For two decades, he has turned his lens on Detroit, executing paintings on location to capture the city's evolving environment.
Design
As a comprehensive design-build outfit, we bring architectural visions to life from initial concept drawings to the final finished space, with a steadfast focus on historical preservation. Whether reimagining kitchens and bathrooms or designing new structures, our work seamlessly elevates your living space while honoring the original design and heritage of the home.
Build
Operating as comprehensive restoration specialists and general contractors, our inter-disciplinary team solves every construction problem under one roof, including fine specialty mill and carpentry work. Honored with award-winning recognition from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, we deliver uncompromising build quality that protects architectural heritage.
Testimonials
“…but mostly I wanted to thank you for all the work you’ve done here. Whether big job or small you made our place better, always working according to your own high standards. I look around am grateful. You are the definition of a tough act to follow.””
— Ann McNulty, Chicago