Let's start with the GORGEOUS house as it looks today with limited grounds...
as opposed to the way it looked originally... I would love to see it when it had fabulous grounds...
"Designed in 1930 for Mr. & Mrs. Cravens by the San Francisco architect, Lewis P. Hobart who was inspired by the baroque Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte. The same chateau which was also an inspiration for the Versailles.
This luxury home features 50 rooms and originally cost $310,000 to build. At the time, it was the most expensive home in Pasadena. The estimated square footage was 19,970 sq. ft.Mr. & Mrs. Cravens shared their home with 32 servants!" (via PasadenaViews.com)
The San Gabriel Pomona Valley American Red Cross acquired the Estate in the early-1960s and it is available for rent for events and it has been used in several films and television. This year is it was selected by Pasadena Showcase Organization... 30 design firms come together to transform the Estate for the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, the 46th edition of the fundraiser for music performing groups and education.
Let's take a peek inside... amazing ironwork on the front door...
This was one of my FAVORITE rooms on the tour... the colour and this photo do NOT do it justice... such a happy room... I could spend hours in it... it was called the Morning Room designed by Linda Allen Designs, Inc
This is the Linen Room... in person it was FAB... I would loved to have snapped a few photos to show you... but photography is NOT allow... this room was designed by Ammie Kim Interior Design...
LOVED the copper in the kitchen... this ECO-friendly kitchen designed by Cynthia Bennett & Associates, Inc...
this was a LOVELY space for more than "breakfast"... this Breakfast Room as it was called was designed by David Reaume Construction & Design...
this next room is for YOU Sally... LOTS of BLUE in this Library designed by Lawrence J. Rizkowsky Design...
and the last room in the house that I will be showing you is a room that was design quickly since the original designer had to back out and I might add it is also one of my FAVORITE rooms... the photos are not good of this Powder Room designed by Michael Berman Limited... it was GLAMOROUS in person...
after exiting the Powder Room (the last room on the tour)... it is on to the small formal French garden... Strolling Garden designed by FormLA Landscaping, Inc... LOVED it... would LOVED to have seen it MUCH larger... I say more more more si'l vous plaît!!!
once you are done strolling this delightful garden... it's on to either the Marketplace to shop... I purchased my annual scones mixes, clotted cream and gourmet items!!! As you all know, I ENJOYED a FAB lunch at the Parkway Grill after touring the Pasadena Showcase House... BUT... I could've had a lovely lunch under a GORGEOUS GORGEOUS tent designed by Billy Butchkavitz Designs with food prepared by Wolfgang Puck... I wish I had a photo of the whole tent to show you... it was AMAZING!!! AMAZING!!!
All of the photos in this post are via the Showcase House program... they are only glimpses... the rooms are always thoroughly decorated! I only showed you a few of the rooms... it is really an event that MUST be seen in person... soooo looked out for notices next year for Pasadena Showcase House 2011... and book a reservation!
Some years are better than others, but I am never disappoint... I ALWAYS enjoy the tour! This year's house had FAB designs, but it was not homey and did not seem to flow together... I prefer houses that people will actually live in rather than a house that is a business/organization building. I also LOVE to see GORGEOUS grounds that will be lived in... pools, gardens, outdoor living rooms, etc. Unfortunately, the house original grounds no longer exist. I can see that it would be a LOVELY place to have an event!
Hope you all ENJOYED a mini tour... now be sure to visit other Metamorphosis posts via Between Naps on the Porch and Blue Monday posts via SmilingSally!
