A Behind-the-Scenes Film Series

Real Wood Presents Crafted Stories with Host Eddie San Juan

By McKenna Mears

A peek inside some of the country’s most luxurious custom homes, behind the scenes of a custom moulding, millwork, and cabinetry facility, and inside some thriving businesses and community centers—this is just the beginning for Real Wood: Crafted Stories with Eddie San Juan. Hosted by Eddie San Juan, the operations manager at E. F. San Juan, a state-of-the-art woodworking operation and third-generation family business, the series showcases some of the remarkable projects undertaken by his family since 1976.

The series, produced by The Idea Boutique, kicked off in Season One with an inside look at the E. F. San Juan facility in Youngstown, Florida. Eddie highlighted its world-class machinery, unique projects requiring extreme detail, and intricate custom wood designs. Season Two focused more on working with wood in coastal environments, offering tips on maintaining wood health in moist conditions. Eddie guides viewers through creating solid wood doors and more, emphasizing E. F. San Juan’s commitment to producing sturdy, lasting, and quality products. Additionally, Season 2 features some finished products E. F. San Juan helped create, showcasing local business The Salty Butcher and a stunning VIE magazine show home in Seagrove Beach.

It’s incredible to see our work installed and enjoyed by so many people in the community

In its latest season, Real Wood Season Three Episode One explores ZUMA Fitness and Wellness Center at Alys Beach, a community wellness center featuring extensive custom architectural millwork by E. F. San Juan. As ZUMA is usually closed to the public, the show offers a unique look inside this exclusive property reserved for Alys Beach homeowners and guests.

Viewers can also witness the creation of custom box enclosures for the Seaside Prize Key awards, handcrafted by Eddie’s grandfather and E. F. San Juan’s founder and CEO, Ed F. San Juan, in Season Three Episode Two. Eddie provides a detailed tour of the Chapel at Seaside in Episode Three, showing an iconic structure on which E. F. San Juan collaborated with architect Scott Merrill of Merrill, Pastor & Colgan in the early 2000s. Their legacy will continue with the Seaside Prize Key being presented annually in E. F. San Juan’s custom mahogany boxes.

The show also takes us through a private residence in Seaside in Episode Four. Here, E. F. San Juan worked with Curtis & Windham Architects and O.B. Laurent Construction to create a nautical-themed home that has become a cherished family legacy property known as “In Surf We Trust.” The episode highlights the intricate technicalities of the custom curved millwork throughout the home and other unique pieces cherished by the homeowners.

Episode Five of Season Three features a magnificent Gulf-front home in Alys Beach, Florida, crafted by Khoury Vogt Architects and Hufham Farris Construction, with refreshed furnishings and fixtures by Lovelace Interiors. Eddie showcases the exquisite custom millwork and Loewen windows and doors provided by E. F. San Juan, seamlessly integrating the beauty of the outdoors with the interior, making it a crown jewel of Gulf-front living.

“It’s incredible to see our work installed and enjoyed by so many people in the community,” shares Eddie. “Season Three of Real Wood brings a unique perspective to the show. Much of the work we do is in private residences, so it’s an amazing experience to see the finished products installed and in use.”

E. F. San Juan looks forward to showcasing more of its work along the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast and beyond in future episodes and expanding its reach with custom architectural millwork and wood products in other markets throughout Florida.

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Follow along at EFSanJuan.com or on E. F. San Juan’s YouTube channel and Instagram (@e.f.sanjuan) for more insights into the craftsmanship that brings life to homes, spaces, and places.