Architectural Styles

The architectural form of the McDonald Mansion can be described as a adaptation of a raised Southern Cottage, designed with a single main living level over an above ground basement intended as a flood precaution. The second story is an attic level with sloping ceilings and dormer windows in the bedrooms. The McDonalds called their home Mableton in homage to the childhood Mississippi River plantation of Ralphine North McDonald. A signature design feature is its use of flat sawn and cut-out wood ornament characteristic of Stick and Eastlake styles in vogue during that time. The passion for ornament and individualism combined with the thriving lumber industry was to lead to the creation of a less common, but highly decorated style of wooden architecture. This style was not named until Vincent Scully called attention to it in the 1950s, the Stick Style flourished from about the 1860 to 1890, featured angular and rectilinear patterns of boards used as ornamentation on the exterior of the house.

(prior to restoration)

The Stick Style grew from the "Picturesque Gothic" style first popularized by A.J. Davis and A. J. Downing in such publications as Davis' "Rural Residences" of 1837 and Downing's 1850 publication "The Architecture of Country Houses", and was further developed in the pattern books of the 1860s and 1870s. The invention of the ballooned frame and the steam-powered scrool saw made wood the preferred material of construction, especially as lumber was in plentiful supply in many areas and was both cheaper and less difficult to work with than stone. As a style it is generally considered to be a linking development between the Gothic Revival and Queen Anne, while all three styles ultimately have their roots in the Medieval English domestic architecture.

The Eastlake Style was named after Charles Lock Eastlake (1836-1906). Charles Eastlake studied under the prominent painter Sir Charles Lock Eastlake, his name sake and uncle. He continued his studies at the Royal Academy in London. He (during restoration)
wrote "Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery and other Details", published 1868. Using aesthetic reasoning to decry the excesses on nineteenth century taste in favor of a more robust, straightforward style. The book was particularly welcomed in the United States where his aesthetic direction was popularly labeled the Eastlake Style. Eastlake followed with another book "A History of the Gothic Revival", published in 1872. He served as assistant secretary on the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1866 and as a keeper at the National Gallery (reference book "The Houses We Live In, Jeffery Howe, PRC Publishing LTD., 2002).


Enjoy your surrounding,
McDonald Mansion Martin

Ornamental Iron, Santa Rosa, California

The McDonald Mansion Historical Ball will be on July 24, 2010.
A wonderful benefit for the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery in which all participants must come in "period attire". Thanks to Hot Couture on Third Street and assistance from my wife, I will be decked out for this special occasion just like a Southern Gentleman from the 1870's. The Mansion itself is decked out year round with some very elaborate ornamental ironwork.

The use of ornamental iron occurs often in historical rehabilitations. Ornamental iron is a decorative element of this renovation that will add a nice touch to the overall beauty of the home.
The materials we use are cast iron, copper, steel, brass and wrought iron. The finish on the cast iron, steel and wrought iron was debated; rather to have a powder coated finish or a
(copper chimney tops) painted finish. The decision came down to interior and
exterior applications and
maintenance factors. A
painted finish was used on the exterior and powder coating on the interior finish, per the owner's request. The reason for not powder coating the exterior elements was, if you get a nick in the coating, it will lead to flaking and peeling.



(brass hinges)
Then after many years of use and exposure the powder coating will eventually gather moisture between the metal and the powder coating finish. Then you will have to remove the entire
(main entrance gate) powder coating and site paint it anyway. Painting
is an easier maintenance process.


Also, we wire filled the crevices, such as in this finials. This process fills in the tight areas where rain and moisture can sit and eventually create rust problems, such as staining and corrosion.

We have researched and found some great stock and custom sources: Steptoe & Wife in Toronto Canada, and custom artistic iron workers with shops in California cities such as North San Juan (in the sierra Gold Country), Cloverdale, and Richmond.

This is not wood, but rather a cast iron newel posts.



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Enjoy your surrounding,
McDonald Mansion Martin

McDonald Mansion,

Gardens

(The parterres garden with winter frost)


Sonoma County, California, has many beautiful gardens. There is the Luther Burbank Gardens and gardens at the many renown wineries. The gardens and landscaping at McDonald Mansion are a treasure also.
Some of the highlights of these gardens where planted when the mansion was first built in 1878.
The Carol Tree, Erythrina and Wisteria, Fabaceae.

(Coral Tree, Winter) (Coral Tree, Summer)


(Wisteria)











There is even a rare rose which was named the Mableton Rose. McDonald Mansion was originally name Mableton, after Mrs. McDonald's plantation home where she grew up in Mississippi.

The newest addition is four 100+ year old roses that have been recently transplanted from an old cemetery in Sacramento.







A fun feature is the 8' high maze comprised of Ligustrum, Privet and Buxus,Boxwood.

The individual who is in charge of preserving these treasures and meticulously keeping the ground in show condition is Chris Pedersen, the owner of Tending Garden in Santa Rosa.


(Chris Pedersen, Tending Garden)



Enjoy your surroundings,
McDonald Mansion Martin