Design Transformation Begins On The 59th Pasadena Showcase House Of Design

More than 500 design enthusiasts, patrons and members of Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts celebrated the official start of its 59^th Pasadena Showcase House of Design at the Empty House Party held on Friday, January 26^th.  The annual tradition begins the transformation phase of a mansion that will debut as the Showcase House in the spring.

This year’s participating designers include: Rachel Scheff Design Studio, B. David Levine, Billman Designs, Cordrey Collection, Rachel Duarte Design Studio, Cozy Stylish Chic, Blue Brick Design, Peltier Interiors, The Art or Room Design, JTID Inc, AYM Interiors, CSDomains/Carmine Sabatella Designs, Cynthia and Sons, Hermogeno Designs, Slesinski Design Group, Serena Brosio Design, Samantha Williams Interior Design, SH Interiors, Rebecca J Hansen, Margaret Lalik Design and Décor, Shari Tipich Decorative Design & Artistry, TimothyJohnLA, Coastal Homestead, Studio Pappaterra, G & A Artistic Landscaping, California Waterscapes, Outdoor Elegance

The evening affair, chaired by Pasadena Showcase board members Vikki Sung and Matt McIntyre, offered a sneak peek of Potter Daniels Manor, a striking English Tudor Revival Style estate designed by the Postle Company of Los Angeles, builders of the Pasadena Playhouse. The manor, set behind a pair of ornate iron gates and set on a verdant acre of land, boasts a storied background coupled with a prestigious designation as a Pasadena City Landmark. With its elegant façade, rich details and old-world charm, the estate provided the idyllic backdrop for an evening of enchantment. This marks the third time this storybook mansion will be reimagined as the Showcase House, having been presented in 1975 and 1996. The Benefit Chairs from those years, Ginny Cushman and Fran Biles respectively were on hand joining the 2024 Benefit Chair, Dotty Ewing, in the night’s festivities.

During the event, guests viewed the design spaces and mingled with the 27 selected interior and exterior designers, glimpsing their various concepts and cutting-edge trends in design. Ronen Levy Events provided a curated menu for guests’ enjoyment which included shrimp cocktail, crab claws, tri-tip of beef, hand carved turkey, a potato bar, a soup station and an assortment of freshly baked pastries. Specialty cocktails and mocktails were consumed along with a variety of fine wines donated by San Antonio Winery, a long-time supporter of the organization.

Ewing expressed how delighted she was with the party’s turnout and to the event chairs, volunteers and supporters that came together to make the event a success.

“We couldn’t make this all happen without them,” she said.  Ewing also touted a new Community Partner, the Doheny Eye Institute. “They have graciously allowed us to use their parking facilities for tonight’s event as well as other upcoming key events, which significantly offsets our expenses and allows us to give even more back to our community.”

Following just a couple of months of renovation, more than 25,000 guests are expected to tour the estate and its 30 interior and exterior design spaces during the four-week event, which begins on April 21.

“This is our only fundraiser,” said Suzanne Hart, president of Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. “Every ticket we sell contributes to our mission of supporting music and arts programs throughout the community. To date, our organization has donated more than $25 million to bring music to those who might not have the opportunity to experience it.  The work we do is extremely rewarding and couldn’t be done without the support of those who attend the Showcase House.”

The 59^th Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be open from April 21 through May 19, 2024. Visitors can also enjoy the famous Shops at Showcase, popular for the unique selection of boutiques and craft merchants as well as several on-site restaurants and pubs offering food and beverages. A line-up of entertainment and special-menu nights are also in the works. For tickets and information please call 626.606.1600 or visit pasadenashowcase.org.