Stroll along the iconic courtyards, or “vias” that make up the lush Alice in Wonderland-esque maze that is Palm Beach island, and you’ll notice that there is no shortage of breathtaking beauty. Known for its towering palms that sway in the balmy breeze, the alluring boutiques of Cocoanut Row, and unbelievable envy-worthy architecture, it’s truly a sight to behold – and its star doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon; according to the Town of Palm Beach, more than 20,000 snowbirds flock to the island each and every season to enjoy the charms of this quaint island.
The past and current inhabitants of this exclusive island enclave are undeniably noteworthy, and include political bigwigs such as the Kennedy family, cosmetics mogul Estee Lauder, and railroad tycoon, Henry Flagler – to name a few. However, one of the most renowned island dwellers, was coincidently the man who is recognized for revolutionizing Palm Beach architecture.2 American resort architect, Addison Cairns Mizner is credited with the advent of Palm Beach’s Mediterranean Revival style, and is also known for “ad-libbing” his building designs rather than sticking to painstaking blueprints like his more cautious counterparts. During the roaring 20s – the first period where more people lived in urban jungles (rather than sleepy farms)3, he acted as an architectural pioneer, paving the way for the antiqued aesthetic that the island is known the world over for.
He has certainly left behind an impressive legacy. Those with a discerning eye have probably noticed some of his contributions, such as the Everglades Club, a Spanish-mission-style retreat-turned-club4 which sits at the end of the famed Worth Avenue. Antiquity (or the look of Old World design) is a theme present in most of Mizner’s projects. His off-the-cuff design style gave way for some beautiful “accidents” in the realm of architecture, one being that fungus-eaten cypress wood gives the desired effect of age.
Pecky Cypress, as this variety of wood is called is derived from the Bald Cypress tree, and is highly prized today due to its charm and scarcity. Native to the marshlands of southern North America,5 the wood is particularly coveted by those living in boggy or balmy areas because of its impressive water resistance capabilities, although it’s not as easy to get your hands on as one might hope. The pecky detailing is found in less than ten percent of all cypress trees, and only the older deciduous varieties.
While Adison Mizner architecture is recognized for its colonnades, French doors, Spanish-style barrel tile roofs and ornate ironwork, Pecky Cypress remains one of his most distinguishing architectural touches.6 Today, this type of lumber is considered a specialty wood, and still highly popular. While the timber experiences a fungal attack that occurs leaving behind deep divots and burrows, the process of decay ceases as soon as the wood is cut down. The end result is its one-of-a-kind pecky patterns. One of the major uses of pecky wood is paneling – but it can be utilized as an accent for trim, architectural woodwork, doors and flooring. “I love working with pecky cypress. It gives the nostalgic look of old Palm Beach, said Bill Mayfield of Mayfield Design Group. “For a very rustic wood, it always feels elegant and genuine”, he adds.
Mayfield who is known for his personalized projects – believes that a home should be an extension of its owner. Drawing inspiration from travels and timeless style, he oversees every part of the home design process from concept to installation. It’s no surprise that his group enjoys employing the use of rare pecky cypress. Not only do they specialize in one-of-a-kind projects that showcase custom cabinetry and scrupulous architectural millwork, Mayfield is a premier designer in Palm Beach County. One thing is clear: from the daring Jazz age to the “double ohs”, Pecky Cypress remains forever synonymous with Palm Beach chic.
For more information on about Mayfield Design Group, visit https://mayfielddesigngroup.com/
1Townofpalmbeach.com/343/History-of-Palm-Beach
2Curl, Donald W. (1992), Mizner’s Florida, The Architectural History Foundation and the MIT Press, p. 7, ISBN 978-0262530682, First published 1984
3 History.com/topics/roaring-twenties/roaring-twenties-history
4 Chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-09-29-9103140419-story.html
5 Britannica.com/plant/bald-cypress-species#ref1244882
6 Thisoldcoconutgrove.blogspot.com/2011/03/addison-mizner-pecky-cypress-wood-palm.html
