The Board of Directors of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
Exterior of Oaklawn Manor, a 1905 English Tudor mansion in South Pasadena, at the Empty House Party for the 2022 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, an event celebrating the night before the design transformation begins
Guests at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, an annual fundraiser supporting music and the arts, on January 21, 2022 in South Pasadena
Fran Biles (Patron) and Undine Schwarz (Fourth Vice President - Gifts and Grants, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts) at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
Paula Testa (Patron) and John Cole (Patron), both former designers from previous Pasadena Showcase House of Design events, at the 2022 Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts members Jan Wiles, Colleen Robertson, Dwight Robertson, and Dale Rubin at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Fran Biles (Patron) and guests at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
Rachel Duarte Design Studio (left) and guests at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
Guests enjoy the bar and Oaklawn Manor's ornate beamed ceilings at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Patrons Laura Dahl and Steve Dahl at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
Darra Baker and Russell Baker (Traditional Home Magazine, right) and guests examine Oaklawn Manor's stained glass windows and suit of armor at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
James Hernandez with his design plans for Oaklawn Manor's Sun Room, at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Ken Riley (Patron), Chad Morill (California Waterscapes), Jasmine Medina (California Waterscapes) and Dan Biles (Patron) at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Chad Morill (California Waterscapes) explains plans for a drought tolerant and waterwise garden at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Decorative artist Shari Tipichi presents her design inspired by the 2022 Year of the Tiger to guests at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
LeeAnn Jolentino (Porto's Bakery) presents three dessert offerings that she develeped with her team specifically for the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party: Mini Guava Berry Tart, Ode to Pasadena (shaped like a rose in honor of the city's official flower), and Showcase S'mores Bar
Fish King (Glendale) serving sushi rolls at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Nicholas Loeffler, Lisa Loeffler (Secretary, Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts) and Ani Kenderian (Member) at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Patrons Richard Sun, Christina Sun, Jacqueline Bai, and Amy Qian at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, January 21, 2022
Patrons Amy Qian, Jacqueline Bai, Christina Sun, and Richard Sun examine the interior of Oaklawn Manor, a 1905 English Tudor mansion in South Pasadena, at an event celebrating the night before the design transformation begins
The Trio, with Riner Scivally (guitar), Paul Morin (bass) and Hank Mehren (piano) perform at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design Empty House Party, Oaklawn Manor, January 21, 2022
More than 450 guests celebrated the return of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts’ “Open House” party Friday evening, marking the countdown to the house’s April 24 opening party.
The 2021 “Empty House” party was canceled last year, like so many other large gatherings, due to the pandemic. A number of fundraising events were held online instead.
This year’s party was held both outdoors and indoors at Oaklawn Manor, a 1905 English Tudor style home in South Pasadena, the first South Pasadena Showcase House since 1980.
Event Chair Marybeth Rehman-Dittu was enthusiastic about the animated and happy atmosphere among the gathered, masked and vaccinated guests, all of whom were required to show proof of vaccinations.
“People were just so excited to get out and enjoy this party all outdoors, because usually, as you know, the Empty House party is indoors” she said, “but we didn’t want to do that, so we thought we would just open everything up and create this ‘Tudor Lounge’ out on the lawn.”
The home itself was built for Harry Hawgood, an English civil engineer who designed railways and waterways around the world. The home, built of concrete, also contains rich wood interiors, stained glass windows, beamed ceilings, as well as travertine fireplaces.
While guests were able to tour the empty rooms of the house, which will be redecorated and furnished by nearly 30 local interior designers, a “flavors of the world” dining area was set up on the front lawn by a host of local restaurants—Porto’s Bakery, Mijares Mexican Restaurant, Fish King, and Kogi, along with JR Party Planning.
The local designers have chosen 20 different spaces throughout the house to decorate, from the grand entry and upstairs gallery, to powder rooms, a “gentleman’s retreat,” a solarium, various pantries, as well as outdoor lawn spaces. Their final work will be officially on display on April 24.
Rehman-Dittu emphasized the importance of the organization’s mission in supporting local music programs throughout Los Angeles County as well as its ability to continue to raise funds with online events throughout the pandemic.
The organization, which was founded in 1948, currently supports four philanthropic initiatives—Gifts & Grants, Music Mobile, an Instrumental Competition and Youth Concert.
Tickets to the Pasadena Showcase House, and more information are available at www.pasadenashowcase.org.
