Architectural details make all the difference

BY KATHY HAGOOD
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

            Maria Seelman was born and raised in Spain.

            She grew up surrounded by architecture that was adorned by wonderful details including carved wood, stone and marble, wrought iron, hand-painted tiles and molded plaster and terra cotta.

            So when she and her husband Dr. Robert Seelman decided to build their dream home in Indialantic, Fla., Maria was determined it would be designed and built with Old World architectural details.

            Maria researched all aspects of the Mediterranean home she and her husband envisioned from materials to subcontractors before work on the home began.

            Now their home is filled with wood, stone, marble, iron, tile, plaster and terra cotta details produced by craftspeople from across the world.

            “Architectural details really bring a home together. People in Brevard County often build homes with Mediterranean exteriors, but then they don’t follow through for the interior,” she said.

            Maria believes that local homebuyers and owners may not be aware of the possibilities. Visitors to her home have often been inspired to add details to their own homes.

            “Fine craftsmanship still exists, even in Brevard, but you have to research it and ask for it,” Maria said.

            The Seelmans hired David Vann to produce the architectural woodwork in the home. Vann, who has an art degree from the Ringling School of Art and Design and has been producing woodwork since 1963, designed two wormy chestnut entertainment centers and a black walnut library for the Seelmans and hand carved and built the pieces.

            “They wanted something unique that would stand the test of time,” Vann said. “It adds a dimension to their home that most other homes in our area don’t have.”

            Vann based his designs on photographs Maria had taken on her trips and pulled from magazines and books.

            Each entertainment center Vann created features linen-fold carving and a crest from the area of Avila Spain Maria is from.

            “We’re really pleased with the work he did. We’ll be enjoying it for years to come,” Maria said. “It was well worth the investment.”

            While custom woodwork and other types of architectural detailing can be expensive, it adds value to a house, said builder Tom Brandon of Brandon Custom Homes in Melbourne.

Brandon employs Vann and other specialty subcontractors to provide detailing for the custom homes he builds.

            “Details can add so much to a home. I try to educate my customers to what materials and techniques are available and let them decide what they want,” he said. “Oftentimes people aren’t aware of the diversity of materials and the types of craftsmanship that are available locally.”

            There’s no reason why homebuyers with plenty of resources can’t have architectural details reminiscent of the Biltmore or the Breakers, Brandon said. Even homeowners with more modest budgets can afford some detailing, especially if they add elements over time.

            One of Vann’s custom-designed, hand-carved wooden mantelpieces for example costs about $3,500.

            “Hand-carved wood is definitely an investment, but can create a focal point and add major impact to a home,” said Vann, who has also worked on recreating woodwork in historic homes, including Lawndale in Rockledge.

            If such an investment is out of the question, homeowners do have more affordable options for adding some details to their homes.

Machine-made wood crown molding and other decorative pieces are available at home improvement centers. Catalogues and the Internet are other sources for ready made architectural details.

An even more affordable option is molded polystyrene and composite polystyrene and cement materials. Foam can be used to add columns, balusters, tray ceilings and many other architectural details.

Foam materials offer affordability and ease of installation. Newer composites that use concrete are even better, Brandon said. While Brandon won’t use foam for the custom homes he builds, favoring stone, marble, wood and the like, he will use foam and concrete composites.

“I build my homes to last and I don’t feel the pure foam is durable enough,” Brandon said. “Composites are so much more durable and are still light weight and inexpensive.”

Polystyrene foam, while affordable for budget homebuyers and remodelers, is used to build some of the finest homes in the area, said Jose Salazar, owner of Salgar Construction. Salazar recently built a $1.5 million spec home in Rockledge using foam architectural details both inside and out.

            “Foam is cost effective and is molded and coated to look like natural materials. It looks expensive but it isn’t,” he said. “Unlike many other building materials, foam is extremely inexpensive and easy to replace if it’s damaged.”