A little over a week ago, I had the privilege of previewing the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House before it opened to the public.
Over the years, I’ve participated as a designer for five previous Pasadena Showcase Houses. However, before designing, I first covered the Showcase House right here on the blog. Now, I’m going back to my roots and sharing the trends I’m seeing in this year’s home.
As a result, visitors can leave with real takeaways they can incorporate into their own spaces.
THE GARDENS: 2025 Pasadena Showcase House
No other Pasadena Showcase House garden has touched me quite like this year’s. Perhaps it’s the deep history embedded in the landscape—originally envisioned by Katherine Bashford, one of California’s pioneering female landscape designers. In researching her background, I discovered that she attended both Poly and the Otis Art Institute—schools I also attended before I got my start in interior design.
Bauer partere potager
It’s only fitting that my friend Chia-Ming Ro of Coastal Homestead—also a talented female landscape designer—created the Bauer Parterre Potager, a stunning showcase of form and function. This thoughtfully designed space features two mirror-image formal gardens, each offering a unique purpose. On one side of the central fountain lies a seasonal edible garden, brimming with herbs, leafy greens, and other kitchen-friendly plants. On the opposite side, a matching garden is dedicated to vibrant cut flowers, filled with native and drought-tolerant blooms that celebrate California’s natural beauty. Together, the gardens form a harmonious blend of beauty and utility.
the fountain garden court
TimothyJohnLA's Fountain Garden Court consists of a variety of plantings and ornamental grasses to mimic the gentle spray of the water in the fountains that they complement. The thoughtfully designed fountain garden also incorporates the work of Rob Homsy Studio and a series of sculptires called No mud, no lotus
Ancient Egyptian depictions of lotus blossoms inspired the design of No Mud, No Lotus. The vertical stacks allow designers to rearrange them to best suit each unique site.
Zen Garden
Just beyond the family room lies the Zen Garden—a serene retreat designed to offer a moment of calm amidst the everyday bustle. GardZen Studio embraced a minimalist approach, using the existing water feature and a thoughtful placement of grass, gravel, and greenery to evoke a sense of balance and harmony. Though restrained in palette and form, the garden makes a powerful impact, encouraging reflection. It’s a space that gently reminds us to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Last but not least, I found a garden view—though not officially assigned to a designer—especially compelling. Tucked between the motor court and the Carriage House is a quiet cluster of orange trees. I’m not certain whether they’re original to the estate—perhaps remnants of the historic orange groves that once blanketed Pasadena—or more recent plantings. Either way, they carry a nostalgic charm, evoking a simpler, more timeless moment in Pasadena’s past.
Now let's get to the INSIDE of the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House!
PATTERN AND COLOR: 2025 PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE
Collected and curated: vintage ACCESSORIES
Sourcing and incorporating vintage pieces has long been part of our design approach, adding timelessness and character to each space. Recently, I've seen a surge in its popularity for several reasons: a growing emphasis on sustainability through reuse and recycling, a renewed appreciation for heirloom pieces that tell a story, and, more practically, the impact of current tariffs affecting both imported and domestic product using imported components.
Plaid and Stripes...and Checkerboard floors
Plaid and stripes have been making a comeback for the past year. Perhaps it is the shift back to traditional design, which I have seen dominating the design scene lately? Checkerboard floors have also seen a resurgence. The checkerboard floor at the entry was existing and other designers followed suit by including the classic design element oftentimes seen in traditional English homes. And guess what - much of the design in this year's Pasadena Showcase House reflects a classic English aesthetic.
I especially loved how Ashley Marie Design incorporated a plaid mosaic in her laundry room design. It truly reflects a modern take on a traditional design.
Wall Murals - Flowers and Trees
Throughout the home, floral and tree motifed murals appear in abundance, adding a sense of organic beauty to many of the rooms. One of the most striking interpretations was by Sukeena Design Studio, whose stylized Art Nouveau floral blooms seemed to cascade gracefully from above. To bring this vision to life in the Young Lady’s Suite, she collaborated with the talented team at Hattas Studios, capturing the essence of Art Nouveau with elegance and imagination.
The difference between a wall mural and wallpaper (handpainted or even digitally printed) is that it doesn't repeat. It flows throughout a room, is engineered so that limbs and important features are not cut off by windows or door openings. It is tailored to fit the space. It is usually purchased in panels rather than rolls.
Another standout was Shari Tipich’s ceiling mural, which beautifully complements the architectural moulding, which she added to the ceiling of her outdoor portico. Each element was meticulously hand-painted in her studio before being carefully installed on-site, showcasing both craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Designer Maria Videla of The Art of Room Design opted to use a digitally printed wallpaper mural where she played with scale and placement so that the motifs are perfectly positioned and proportioned to the walls. Notice how the mirror above the fireplace is perfectly situated between the branches. This did not happen by chance - it is the result of a detail oriented and skilled designer.
DETAILS: PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE 2025
Nothing makes a house more cohesive than details that recur throughout the home. Even though the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House had 24 interior designers and 8 exterior designers, details were repeated throughout the home. Each designer has a different style, but the recurring details provided continuity and made for a cohesive house, regardless of the style.
Architectural metal shelving and legs
We love how metal shelving and sink legs are used throughout the home to add a modern touch of metal while still using shapes that play well with the traditional lines in the home. Additionally, the metallic elements bring a subtle “bling” that elevates the overall design. Personally, I’m partial to metal shelving and legs since they are top sellers in our showroom. Moreover, they can be customized in a variety of finishes to suit any style or color palette. Even better, metal shelving can be configured to fit uniquely shaped or tight spaces with ease.
Layered Rugs
We've been big fans of layering a neutral sisal, jute or seagrass underneath an antique rug. Antique rugs can be expensive - especially larger size rugs. Putting a layer underneath the antique helps bring down the cost while still covering the floor underneath. Moreover, it helps define certain areas in the room and the texture makes the room feel cozy.
Passementerie - trimmed to perfection
I loved the variety of decorative trim that was used throughout this year's home. Tape trim, tassel fringe, fan edge trim - so many types of trim were shown. Some on the leading drapery edge, others as borders on table skirts and pillows. It's all about the details....and judging by what I just saw at High Point Market this past week (more on that on a soon to come blog post) we'll be seeing trim used in lots of different ways to spice up our spaces.
Double Bullnose Edge profiles
Pasadena is very traditional, so the typical homeowner in the area usually opts for an ogee edge when doing an edge profile for a countertop. In recent years, there has been a shift to a more modern eased or polished edge, but that is still a stretch for some.
This is why I was surprised to see an uber-modern doubled bullnose edge profile, which has been making the rounds on the trade show circuit. I saw quite a few double bullnose edge profiles both at Salone del Mobile in Milan and more recently at KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas.
However, even a traditional home such as the Bauer Estate, this double bullnose edge profile didn't look out of place. Instead it brought a breath of fresh air to the historical features in the home. I hope that homeowners take the cue and realize that you CAN mix modern elements into a traditional home.
Skirted Sinks and vanities
Skirted sinks have been having a moment in the world of interior design, so it is no surprise that they would make an appearance in several spaces in this year's Pasadena Showcase House. It brings a little whimsy and is the perfect solution when you are on a limited budget and also have limited space.
Wire Mesh Door Fronts
One standout detail we love is the use of wire mesh door fronts. Unlike glass, wire mesh eliminates glare and unwanted reflections. In addition, it introduces texture and depth, subtly filtering the view of cabinet contents while still allowing for visibility and airflow.
Moreover, wire mesh adds a layer of architectural interest that complements a range of styles—from traditional to modern cabinetry. That said, the one trade-off to keep in mind is the inevitable dust.
DESIGNERS IN THEIR SPACES
To begin with, there’s nothing I enjoy more than capturing a designer in their element—it’s where their creativity truly shines. On the flip side, the exception is when I’m the one in front of the lens, which I absolutely dread. Even so, it’s important to recognize that few people truly understand the amount of work involved in both designing and executing a space. As a result, these designers deserve a big round of applause for bringing their visions to life with such dedication. I especially love how each designer is beaming with pride, as they should be!
The 2025 Pasadena Showcase House is open now through May 18. It's a great way to spend the afternoon to see the latest designs for the home from the area's most celebrated and talented designers. There are restaurants and shops on site which also benefit the Pasadena Showcase House mission - music programs in and around the Pasadena community.
Shop the lighting at the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House
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