Architecture’s Come-Hither Detailing

According to a popular aphorism in the design world, the soul of architecture is in the detailing; specifically in the selection, handling, shaping, joining and decorating of the materials that form whatever is being constructed.

Whether the style is ornate Baroque, fussy Victorian, sleek Moderne, severe Modern, pastiche Postmodern or fragmented Deconstructivism, it is the detailing that lends the design interest and makes you want to come closer to examine and experience it.

Various aspects of detailing, in particular in the restoration of historically significant structures, will be demonstrated Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at an architectural crafts fair on the shaded, manicured grounds of the Homestead Museum.

The museum, which includes the Workman Adobe, built in 1842 and remodeled in 1872, and the Spanish Colonial Revival-styled Temple residence, is at 15415 E. Don Julian Road in the City of Industry, about 20 minutes east of downtown. (Take the Pomona Freeway to Hacienda Boulevard, then north to Don Julian Road and west to the Homestead.)

The fair, sponsored by the museum and the Los Angeles Conservancy, will feature about two dozen artisans discussing and demonstrating skills they have applied to a wide range of construction, reconstruction and restoration projects. Also offering advice will be a number of restoration architects.

Demonstrating wood graining and marbleizing will be Bob Levey. Among his projects have been the painting of the metal elevator doors at the old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, to resemble oak, and the marbleizing of the plaster columns and fireplace in L’Ermitage restaurant, 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood.

Michael Barlow and Paul Dreibelbis of Moonlight Molds will demonstrate ornamental plaster casting. Their work can be seen in the restoration of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood and the reconstruction of the Simonson Mercedes-Benz showroom, 1626 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica.

Architectural wood carving will be demonstrated by Harvey Morris, who, among other things, restored the carved wooden doors and corbels of the Homestead. Ed Pinson will demonstrate multicolored and shaded stenciling. His specialty has been Victorian-styled homes, including the Mt. Pleasant House in Heritage Square.

How to use copper for roofing will be demonstrated by Dick Fresquez of Cornice Sheet Metal Co., who most recently restored the domed roof of Pasadena City Hall. There also will be a demonstration using mission tile by Ron Malekow of Howard Roofing Co. and restoring tile and designing with it by David Greenberg. A fountain Greenberg recently designed of tile can be seen in Mason’s, a restaurant at 11500 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood.

Other scheduled demonstrations include plastering, gold leafing and trompe l’oeil painting, as well as making stained glass, adobe bricks, wood moldings, wood-framed sash windows and wrought-iron and plaster ornaments.

There will be exhibits of antique and reproduction decorative hardware, ornamental tiles, vintage plumbing, tin ceilings, embossed wall coverings and other materials and furnishings for which preservationists and restorers always seem to be in search. Admission is $1; 50 cents for senior citizens and teen-agers; children younger than 12 free. Information: (818) 968-8492.

One of the city’s more richly detailed yet underappreciated buildings is the stately domed Museum of Natural History in Exposition Park, which is celebrating its 75th birthday this year. It was fashioned by architects Frank Hudson and William Munsell in a classical Beaux Arts design with Spanish Renaissance styling, as evidenced by the exterior brickwork, arched windows, terra-cotta decorations and roof of red clay and mosaic tiles.

The detailing gets better on the interior, the focal point of which is the rotunda lined with Corinthian capped columns of imitation Sienna marble supporting a circular balcony. The walls are clad with veined Vermont marble, the doors and woodwork mahogany and the flooring mosaic tile.

At 7 p.m. Sunday the rotunda will be the scene of another in the Chamber Music in Historic Site series, sponsored by Da Camera Society of St. Mary’s College. Featured is the Takacs String Quartet playing a program of Haydn, Debussy and Schubert. Tickets at $20 and $25 will be available at the door. Information: (213) 747 9085.

If you go to the concert, or simply to view the museum, be sure to visit the adjoining sunken rose garden, covering seven acres.