The Wattles Mansion Showcase , now in its second year, brought in 16 interior and exterior designers to transform the 1908 Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey Mission Revival Hollywood estate. This year’s theme is Hollywood History: The New Classics, and reinterprets the home for today’s lifestyle.
Living in Pasadena, I am no stranger to Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey, as together they designed a number noted landmarks and homes in the area – the Huntington Library, the Rose Bowl and the Pasadena Playhouse. As a matter of fact my grade school, complete with outdoor covered walkways, was also a Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey designed building. As an interior designer, reimaging historical homes and updating them for how we live today is something that I am quite familiar with, so visiting the Wattles Mansion Showcase was right up my alley!
Designer: David Dalton
Walking through into the Entry Vestibule I am greeted with a bold palette of black and white punctuated with the green foliage and pops of color from the adjacent rooms.
Designers: Jaime Rummerfield and Ron Woodson
The living room, designed by Jaime Rummerfield and Ron Woodson, features a gallery wall of paintings spanning different styles and periods – truly eclectic and a visual focus to hone in on when entering the room. The striking paint detail on the ceiling calls attention to the rich wood architectural beams above.
Designer: Fernando Diaz, Photo credit: Mary E. Nichols
Fernando Diaz lightens the mood of the rich, wood panelled library with a glass desk, contemporary cream rug, and a Tibetan lamb accent chair. Contemporary art and an updated light fixture also add in making the space conducive to today’s living.
Designers: Melinda Ritz and Mae Brunken, Set Decorators Society of America
Melinda Ritz and Mae Brucken of the Set Decorators Society of America, designed The Conservatory Room and use greenery and a play on light to add drama and texture to their space.
Designer: Patrick Dragonette
Designer and showroom owner Patrick Dragonette opted to go with what he knows best – everything vintage. Vintage furnishings, accessories, and modern art work together to complement the space and make a statement.
Designer: Jessica Brende
Jessica Brende creates a warm, inviting space using a modern color palette in the Upstairs Landing.
Designer: Kym Rodger, Photo: Mary E. Nichols
The inspiration for Kym Rodgers’ bedroom comes from the painting she herself painted, which hangs opposite the bed. Folds from the painting were repeated and configured into a pattern for the wallpaper on the walls, in two colorways with a chair rail separating the two.
Designer: Nicole Gordon
Nicole Gordon tackled the Sitting Room and adjoining Wet Bar. A true study in high/low design, the stunning, high-end bronze and glass coffee table is contrasted with a $35.00 light fixture from Ikea!
The thoughtful details including the notch-edge profile on the countertop and the beautiful panelled oak door styles stood out, as did the metallic gold tiger motif wallpaper from Krane. Each element she selected worked harmoniously with one another.
Designer: Nicole Gordon
The Wattles Mansion Showcase is open through April 16 and there is much more to see than what I’ve touched upon.
Tickets: Tickets may be purchased via: wattlesshowcase.com and are also available at the door.
When: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Open Thursday-Sunday, now through April 16
Where: 1824 North Curson Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90046
This year’s showcase house will benefit three charities: No-Kill Los Angeles (NKLA), Save Iconic Architecture Projects (SIA) and Los Angeles Parks Foundation. Wattles Mansion is owned by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and is available to rent for events.
For the past couple of months, I have been transforming a room at the 2017 Pasadena Showcase House, a 1916 English Tudor designed by another prominent Pasadena architecture firm, Marston & Van Pelt. Similar to the Wattles Mansion Showcase, but to a much larger degree, 25 interior and exterior designers have completely gutted, restored, renovated, and decorated the home and grounds. Media Week runs April 10-14 so be on the lookout for sneak peeks in the press. The home opens to the public on April 23 and tickets are available at pasadenashowcase.org.
Robbie Maynard
April 10, 2017
Thank you for the sneak peek Jeanne, the house looks incredible! The designers have done some fantastic work, I look forward to see the house in person!