Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts Begins Transformation at Friday’s “Empty House” Affair

It was a great party, but it actually gets better.

The Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA) hosted its “Empty House” bash Friday evening, with all of the designers involved displaying their plans for this year’s home in La Cañada-Flintridge. After it is completely redecorated inside and out, tours of the house are offered to the public from April 17 to May 15, 2016.

It is the 52nd year that the organization has held the popular makeover, with all of the proceeds and ticket sales revenues going towards the group’s mission of supporting arts and music throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Since its inception, the PSHA has contributed more than $20 million to programs within the local community.

This year’s home is an 1918 16,000 square-foot early California style Mission Revival mansion with six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a 2,032 square-foot guest house, along with mature trees, a pool and spa, and outdoor barbecue and horse corral. It was originally built by Manson O. Sanford, of Pasadena, for restaurateur Leon C. Biggs.

Twenty designer interior design firms with two interior designer advisers, and eight exterior design firms with one exterior designer adviser, have been selected this year to refurbish and redecorate a selection of rooms in the home for display beginning April 17. The show, along with a marketplace, will run through May 15.

More than 30,000 people are expected to visit the completed showcase home during its run.

The PSHA has used the funds from this event to donate to the The Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as create the Pasadena Showcase House Music Mobile, which since 1971, has visited over 100,000 third-graders, to introduce them to symphony orchestras and a music career.

In addition, since 1953, more than 25,000 fourth grade students have attended the Pasadena Showcase House Youth Concert, and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

More than $50,000 in prize money has also been awarded to young musicians in the categories of woodwinds, brass and strings, in the Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition.

This is the ninth time a La Crescenta-Flintridge home has been selected as the Showcase House.

For more (and to buy tickets), click here .