Larger-than-life personality comes to life at Showcase House
Every year that I attend the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, I think to myself, “This is the best house yet. They’ll never be able to top this.” And every year, they do. When you walk onto the property of this year’s 61st annual showcase house in Arcadia, called the Baldwin Oaks Estate, you are immediately pulled back in time.
DESIGNER Joshua Praught of Studio-Joshua shows off his vision for the home’s entertainment room.
The home belonged to Clara Baldwin Stocker, the eldest daughter of California pioneer Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, who at one time was the wealthiest landowner in Southern California. He helped shape the development of the city of Arcadia, and at one point owned the land that later became Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Temple City, El Monte, West Covina, La Puente, and more.
MIDNIGHT GARDEN dining room, inspired by Clara Baldwin’s love of luxury and entertaining, was designed by the House of Pontovi.
Have you heard of Baldwin Park, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Lake, or Baldwin Avenue? Yep, that’s him.
Baldwin’s eldest daughter was a real party girl and loved to entertain. Her house, the Baldwin Oaks Estate, was the place to be. Parties would last for days, Clara was dripping with diamonds and fine jewelry (she was known as “the Diamond Princess”), and good vibes were in abundance.
The designers of this year’s showcase house wanted the rooms to reflect her larger-than-life personality, and I have to say, they nailed it.
Built in 1907, the shingle-style residence is set on nearly two acres of giant oak trees and lush green California native plants. A circular shaded driveway leads to the blue and white Arts and Crafts style home, with its wrap-around porch and multiple balconies. Stepping inside, you instantly feel the grandeur of the home, greeted by an enormous oak staircase.
EVERY HOME needs an enchanted nook! This creative space was designed by identical twin sisters Jeanine Hattas Wilson and Julie Hattas Kennedy of Hattas Studios.
To the left is a game room/bar/sitting room that practically drips with conversations of parties past. To the right is an elegant and ginormous living room that screams luxury, beauty, and elegance. In total, there are 26 spaces that have been transformed by various designers. Each room reflects the California surroundings and Clara herself. Throughout the home, designers chose colors, materials, and textures that harken back to a woman who loved sparkle, shine, energy, and fun.
ONE OF THE home’s several redesigned bedrooms, called the Magnolia Room, oozes luxury and comfort. Designed by Steven Cordrey of Cordrey Collection.
I was impressed with the dark colors of many of the rooms, reflecting the home’s Craftsman style, which were then balanced with soft, feminine colors and textures that reminded me of the jewelry I imagined Clara once wore. There are the Enchantment Nook by Hattas Studios designers that you really need to see to believe; the Minkwood library by James Hernandez Interior Design, featuring a rich color and pattern palette combination that will blow your mind; and a laundry room by Arterberry Cooke Architecture that honestly makes me want to do nothing but wash clothes all day long.
The showcase house isn’t just rooms in a home, though. Outside, visitors will find a restaurant nestled among the landscaping to sit and enjoy food and drink, as well as boutique shops to find something fun and fabulous that you never knew you needed but now can’t live without.
The showcase house is a real annual treat for southern California and is something not to be missed. The event runs through Sat., May 17, and tickets can be purchased at pasadenashowcase.org/tickets.
Category: Real Estate
