April 16--There are many ideas to steal at the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design, one of the longest-running showcases in Los Angeles.
Staged in a 1918 Mission Revival estate in La Ca Flintridge believed to be designed by Myron Hunt, this year's estate is composed of six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a 2,032-square-foot guest house.
Certainly, at 16,000-square feet, the house qualifies as grand, yet there are small-space ideas for humbler quarters.
Here are six that caught our eye:
Go for a clean look: To maximize the small, light-filled bathroom in the guest house, designer Maria Videla-Juniel installed colorful blue and white hand-painted stone tile in the shower and an infinity drain for a clean look.
Distract the eye: In a hallway leading off from the main house's entry, a cloak room and lavatory feature green walls, dramatic custom wallpaper, brass Zia Priven light fixtures and whimsical wall hooks from Anthropologie that will make you forget it's a narrow space. "We wanted to do something bold without straying too far from the home's original design," said designer Erica Islas. The materials may be modern, but the room has a classic look without feeling too traditional.
Don't be afraid of the dark: A writer's retreat located at the end of the second-floor hallway is another small-space success story. Here, designers Savannah Bleue and Ally Marks create a masculine office with deep blue and burgundy tones, velvet and lacquered furniture, Pierre Frey wallpaper and a classic oak desk. "We wanted it to feel moody so it would evoke creativity," added Bleue.
Play with scale: The blending of old and new is on display in the first-floor guest suite where designer Julia Wong integrates period charm with modern technology. The bedroom features state-of-the-art lighting, and in the suite's bathroom, a marble charging station that allows you to charge your phone while you brush your teeth. The room's low bed features an overscaled upholstered headboard that accentuates the room's high ceilings. It also adds a relaxed vibe. "Beds that are low to the ground offer a low-key mood," Wong said.
Mix-and-match: In the opulent formal dining room, designer Kelly Ferm mixes gold damask wallpaper with pink walls, bright blue pottery and a vintage rug from the 1950s. In the master suite, designers Samantha Williams and Cynthia Lambakis combine two master bedrooms into one and fill it with antiques, luxurious fabrics from Scalamandr鬠dark blue wallpaper and contemporary artworks.
Let color be your guide: In the guest house, Videla-Juniel blends blue grass cloth wallcoverings and batik-like wallpaper with contemporary art and lamps from Niermann Weeks and Arteriors. "It's a collection of some of my favorite things," Videla-Juniel said. "I selected a palette that evokes calm and comfort, then dressed it up with multiple layers of luxury that invites guests to relax and enjoy our Southern California lifestyle."
lisa.boone@latimes.com
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Pasadena Showcase House of Design
When: The Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be open April 17 through May 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays.
Price: $35 to $45.
Where to park: Participants park at the Rose Bowl, Lot I, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd., and ride a shuttle to the house. On April 17 and May 8, visitors must park at Parsons Corp., 100 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. On May 14, parking is at 299 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena.
Contact: www.pasadenashowcase.org; (714) 442-3872. No children younger than 12 or pets. This event is not handicapped accessible.
