Finding Addison Mizner: His Scrapbook Testimony

149 Pages·2017·6.15 MB·English

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Theses from the Architecture Program Architecture Program
12-2014
Finding Addison Mizner: His Scrapbook
Testimony
Suzanne B. Kane ASID
Univerisity of Nebraska Lincoln, [email protected]
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FINDING ADDISON MIZNER:
HIS SCRAPBOOK TESTIMONY
by

Suzanne B. Kane

A THESIS

Presented to the Faculty of
The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For the Degree of Master of Science

Major: Architecture
Under the Supervision of Professor Mark Hinchman
Lincoln, Nebraska
December 2014
FINDING ADDISON MIZNER:
HIS SCRAPBOOK TESTIMONY
Suzanne Kane, M.S.
University of Nebraska, 2014
Adviser: Mark Hinchman

Through historic archival research, this study focuses on the works of Florida
architect Addison Mizner (1872-1933), credited with bringing Spanish/Mediterranean
Revival architecture to Palm Beach, Florida in the early 20th century. This thesis is the
first to study the works of Addison Mizner through the perspective of his personal
scrapbooks. In a state of advanced deterioration, Mizner’s scrapbooks are currently
housed in Society of the Four Arts, King Library in Palm Beach, Florida. While a rare
and treasured source of their own accord, the importance of the scrapbooks is elevated by
the fact that many of Mizner’s buildings have been demolished, severely altered, or are
inaccessible to the public. As a result, it is difficult to experience Mizner’s works first
hand through his remaining buildings.
The absence of an in-depth study on Mizner’s personal scrapbooks leaves a gap in
Mizner scholarship. This research reveals how the Mizner scrapbooks present his mode
of thought and design intent, and how they serve as a pictorial narration of the workings
of an architect in a very primitive Florida with few resources beyond his own
innovations. In addition, this study will show how the scrapbooks refute long-standing
views of Mizner’s lack of architectural acumen, a product of Modernism’s mid-century
coup. Through the lens of selected scrapbooks, specific focus is also given to his
practices in the procurement and reproduction of furniture and architectural details.
Considering the fragile nature of the scrapbooks, it is hopeful that this thesis will not only
spark a renewed interest in all things Mizner, but will advance an awareness and urgency
for continued preservation of this treasured primary source and his remaining buildings.
i

DEDICATION

To Britt and Quinn
ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the University of Nebraska’s College of Architecture and Interior Design, I
thank you for your dedication, support, and willingness towards my success in the
graduate program. I thank Mark Hinchman for his support and encouragement from the
first time I mentioned Addison Mizner’s name over three years ago. When I doubted, he
gently convinced me that this was more than a worthy topic and of great interest to those
outside of Florida. To Rumiko Handa, I am grateful for her setting me on a successful
research path from the start and for asking those rhetorical questions that I needed to hear
early on in my graduate career.
I thank Betse Gori of the Society of the Four Arts, King Library for sharing the
Mizner scrapbooks, and so freely giving her time and even her own desk to accommodate
this research. Many thanks to Debi Murray and Nick Golubov of the Historical Society
of Palm Beach County for their kind help with the Mizner archives in their care.
Enduring thanks goes to my parents for always supporting my endeavors in every
imaginable way. To my mother, whose wisdom, intelligence, and tenacity keeps me
simultaneously grounded and inspired. To Britt, who always believes in me more than I
do, thank you for your patience and endless kindness, unconditionally supporting me no
matter what passionate idea I present. And to my 11 year old Minecrafter-extraordinaire,
Quinnlan, who energizes me to simply do my best. I give thanks to God for all of these
blessings.
iii

CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... iv

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER 1: Addison Mizner, Outside of the Architectural Box:
An Uncommon Journey of Beginnings And Influences ......................... 9
CHAPTER 2: Spanish/Mediterranean Revival Architecture
Introduction .......................................................................................... 14
House Plan ............................................................................................ 16
Architecture........................................................................................... 18
Interiors Design and Furnishings .......................................................... 23
The Rise and Fall in America ............................................................... 27
CHAPTER 3: Mizner’s Palm Beach
Introduction ........................................................................................... 34
The Everglades Club ............................................................................. 35
El Mirasol.............................................................................................. 38
Playa Riente .......................................................................................... 42
Conclusion ............................................................................................ 46
CHAPTER 4: Beyond Architecture: Addison Mizner, the Innovator
Las Manos Pottery and Mizner Industries ............................................ 48
Woodite ................................................................................................. 52
Conclusion ………………………………………………………….....53
CHAPTER 5: The Mizner Archives: Repositories
Introduction ........................................................................................... 54
Historic Society of Palm Beach County ............................................... 55
Society of the Four Arts, King Library ................................................. 57
CHAPTER 6: The Mizner Scrapbooks
Introduction ........................................................................................... 58
The Digital ............................................................................................ 62
Spain ..................................................................................................... 70
Gothic: Spain and Beyond .................................................................... 86
Architectural Details ............................................................................. 94
Furnishings .......................................................................................... 107
CHAPTER 7: Conclusion ........................................................................................... 132

BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................... 136

APPENDIX ................................................................................................................. 139
.
iv

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page
1. El Mirasol, Palm Beach, Florida 5
2. Addison Mizner, ca. 1920’s 9
3. Watercolor by Addison Mizner 10
4. First Floor Plan, “The Towers”, Palm Beach 17
5. Casa Nana 19
6. Villa Flora 20
7. E.F. Hutton Building, Palm Beach; Mizner Shops, Palm Beach 22
8. Quarry Key Stone Factory, Mizner Industries 22
9. Reproduction Spanish Furniture, Hastings Table Co. 24
10. Casa Florencia 25
11. Mizner’s outdoor furniture line 26
12. Everglades Ballroom 35
13. Everglades Club 36
14. Edward Stotesbury’s “El Mirasol” Estate 38
15. El Mirasol Moorish Cloister 39
16. El Mirasol Living Room 41
17. Playa Riente, Palm Beach, Florida 42
18. Playa Riente, Main entrance hall, north; Main entrance hall, south 44
19. Catedral Escalera del Monumento, Burgos, Spain; Architectural Detail,
Mizner scrapbook 44
v

20. Mizner Industries Advertising Brochure 49
21. Mizner Industries Iron Workshop, Palm Beach, Florida 50
22. Villa Mizner Tower Room 51
23. Historical Society of Palm Beach County; King Library 54
24. Palm Beach Court House, 1969; 2004; 2014 56
25. Digitized scrapbook, Grecian-Roman-Italian; Scrapbook Fireplaces
and Chimneys, Mizner sketch 59

26. Second floor, King Library, Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach 61
27. Tribute to Stanford White; Stanford White’s Picture Gallery 64
28. Eclectic Collage, Mizner scrapbook Grecian-Roman-Italian 67
29. Mizner sketch, scrapbook Grecian-Roman-Italian 69
30. The Alhambra photos; Tile Stairway, scrapbook Spain and its Colonies,
Vol. 1 71

31. Via Mizner alley of shops; Via Mizner courtyard stairway 73
32. Mizner quick sketches, scrapbook Spain and its Colonies, Vol. 1 77
33. Colored World map, scrapbook Spain and its Provinces 79
34. Façade, William Gray Warden house 80
35. Mizner sketch, scrapbook Spain and its Provinces 81
36. Spanish alleyways and countryside, scrapbook Spain and its Provinces 83
37. Index to scrapbook, Spain Vol. III; Perforated photos from souvenir
Booklet 85

38. Lagomar Courtyard, Palm Beach, Florida 89
39. Photocard from Galleria Simonetti, scrapbook Gothic 90
vi

40. Belgian Gothic interiors, scrapbook, Gothic; Villa Mizner dining room 93
41. Playa Riente dining room; Davanzati Palace, Florence, Italy 96
42. Assortment of clippings, scrapbook Ceilings, Murals, Paneling, and Doors 97
43. Gothic and Renaissance beamed ceilings, scrapbook Ceilings, Murals,
Paneling, and Doors; Woodite catalog, Joseph B. Widener’s estate 99

44. Mizner drawings, scrapbook Ceilings, Murals, Paneling, and Doors 100
45. Mizner sketches of Villa Mizner fireplace 103
46. Villa Mizner fireplace 104
47. Fireplace surround labeled “Satterwhite”, scrapbook Fireplaces and
Chimneys; Casa Florencia living room 105

48. Newspaper clipping of wall, Arquillos, Spain, scrapbook Ironwork and
Fixtures 108

49. Mizner sketch of iron candle stand, scrapbook Ironworks and Fixtures;
Lagomar dining room 111

50. Antique well, Ironwork and Fixtures scrapbook; Mizner Industries
reproduction of well 113

51. Collection of Elia Volpi auction catalog 115
52. Musee de Cluny postcard, Furniture scrapbook; Mizner Industries
Woodite catalog Gothic coffer 118

53. Mizner clippings of chairs, scrapbook Furniture scrapbook 119

54. Mizner Textile scrapbook 121

55. Mizner Industries Sofa; Fortuny Fabric, Textiles scrapbook 124

56. Tapestries, scrapbook Textiles scrapbook 126