Design&Build Magazine July/Aug 2015

emaking necessary pieces of the intricate moldings used
outside for decorative trim was overseen by Whitney. The
moldings and railings as best as possible are all original
throughout the house with necessary replacements created
by the old method of using a single blade to cut and shape
each piece, and the finishing done by blades as well.
“The dining room table and chairs are historically accurate,”
says Whitney. “We designed the chairs to be true to
the era and a local craftsman built each one individually.
We replaced the hardware on all the doors and cabinets
and used a special technique to give a patina of age. The
original steel hinges on the doors were still here but they
all had to be removed. We stripped off multiple layers of
paint and then repainted them black.”
The fireplaces were one of the more challenging parts
of the restoration. There are four fireplaces in the house
and they all share the same main flue. The fireplaces
were a concern of the family and for safety, it was necessary
to completely refurbish the inside of the flue. The
brickwork around each fireplace inside the home was also
redone, using antique brown brick from Savannah. A total
of 3000 bricks were ordered to ensure enough for the
project. Whitney explained that it is important when using
reclaimed materials to have enough on hand for completion
of the job. “Some bricks get broken and matching the
bricks for color is necessary for the aesthetic appearance.
In addition to the restoration of the fireplaces, an outside
fire pit was built with the remaining bricks.”
It was difficult not to linger once the tour was complete.
The cars were cranked and running long before I was
ready to depart. Seminole Plantation possesses a sense of
comfort, charm and warmth, and is extremely livable with
sporting art and quail figurines of various materials scattered
throughout; it is a family home enjoyed by all who
are blessed to visit. For Charlie Whitney, it was a year well
spent. For the Smith’s, the restoration was a completion of
their dream to preserve Seminole for the next generation.
DB
Written by Kim Jackson
Where to get the Look
HISTORICAL RENOVATION: At C.H. Whitney, we realize
that every client has a different combination
of assets, limitations and dreams. Our goal is to
understand your unique needs so we can plan
the perfect solution. Whether the project involves
new construction, historical restoration or interior
decorating, we are dedicated to addressing the
specific and individual needs of our clients.
www.chwhitney.com
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JUL/AUG 2015 • DESIGN&BUILD MAGAZINE