The 60th Pasadena Showcase House of Design (PSH 2025) arrived and finished with ample design inspiration for everyone!
This year’s empty canvas turned warm enclave was Bauer Estate & Gardens, a 1928 Monterey Colonial, encompassing over 15,000 square feet of residence on a lush five acre lot of well-manicured, historic gardens, with mature trees and endless, serene privacy.
Front garden and fountain facing the entrance to Bauer Estate & Gardens
We present five rooms that especially impressed us this year for their expert ability to mesh comfort, elegance, personality and utility. We also include a few intriguing themes we encountered throughout the spacious home and grounds, while meeting other talented designers.
Details on spaces not covered here can be found in the 2025 PSH digital program.
5 Exquisite Rooms of the 2025 Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Also see:
Bauer Lounge
Why We Love This Room:
Luxurious Private VIP Lounge without Having to Rack Up Frequent Flyer Miles
Denise Bosley, of Denise Bosley Interiors, shared with us that she’s not a hospitality designer by trade, but a tour of her ultra-sophisticated Bauer Lounge tells us otherwise.
Entrance to the inviting Bauer Lounge designed by Denise Bosley Interiors
Bosley reimagined the area adjacent to the home’s Grand Living Room, to replicate a 5-star hotel’s exclusive, mood lounge.
Main seating area of the Bauer Lounge
Replete with a bespoke marble topped bar, comfortable niche seating areas, and corner fireplace, all in a warm, unisex, inviting color palette — this is spectacular!
Elegant flat screen imagery for showcasing fine art, live sporting events, or simply remaining “off”, with the appearance of pristine black chalkboard
Perfectly suited for entertaining guests — having friends over for a post prandial game of backgammon, Scrabble, or bridge; hosting book clubs; or enjoying rambunctious live sporting events — the lounge is multidimensional in its utility.
An intimate game table and comfortable console chairs ready for a game of backgammon
Bosley’s attention to detail is astounding, from the Forbes & Lomax brass faceplates and rotary dimmers to the petrified wood occasional tables, she sources pieces that you would never encounter in any ordinary lounge.
A close-up view of the ornate cabinetry mesh in the lounge’s butler’s pantry adjacent to the bar
It’s clear to us, the hospitality industry would be wise to leverage Bosley’s talent!
Also see:
Formal Dining Room
Why We Love This Room:
Intimate, Comfortable Elegance that Stops the Passage of Time
This year’s Formal Dining Room will prove to be a winner with most homeowners, especially those who still believe that dining rooms are the center of socialization and entertainment in the home. For Team Purgula, Sunday dinner will always be the most important gathering of the week, that everyone schedules around to ensure their attendance.
Bright, elegant place settings in the Formal Dining Room designed by Maria Videla-Juniel
From the moment you enter this year’s dining room, you are greeted with serene, custom designed wallpaper of Japanese inspired “Sakura”, or cherry blossoms, which sets the room’s overall ambience. A custom version of Phillip Jeffries Haiku: April Showers on Marshmallow Manila Hemp, contributes to a comforting color palette that is tasteful and elegant.
View of the Formal Dining Room from the entrance
Image courtesy of Maria Videla-Juniel and the Pasadena Showcase House of Design
A key aspect of the biophilic wallpaper pattern that makes the space feel “just right” is that the scale of the blooms is appropriate for the grandeur of the room – not too small or detailed, and not too distractingly large or abstract.
Close-up view of the place settings in the Formal Dining Room
Maria Videla-Juniel of The Art of Room Design, was inspired by her own dining experiences, as the table is artfully set with exquisite china and crystal glassware, passed down in her family, an homage to her Saturday evening dinners in Argentina. It is her belief that “formal dining” should include elegant pieces, coupled with a familial atmosphere, as this adds to a convivial experience.
Two ultra-comfortable Fairfield Swivel Lounge Chairs situated in the Formal Dining Room
The spacious dining room measures 26′ by 17′, but retains its intimacy due in part to Videla-Juniel’s expert touches. Along with the scale of the floral pattern, a respite area, consisting of two Fairfield Swivel Lounge Chairs and a Universal Sideboard — with distinctive buffet lamps for romantic mood lighting — assist in maintaining the regal aesthetic.
A stylish mood-setting Universal Sideboard in the Formal Dining Room
Early arrivals are treated to a welcoming setting, as they can relaxingly await their gastronomic adventure.
Designer Maria Videla-Juniel proudly posing in her team’s Formal Dining Room
Videla-Juniel is no stranger to designing showcase houses, as we first met her at her inspired well-appointed Primary Suite Bathroom during PSH ’24. Amazingly, this year’s estate represents Maria’s 12th PSH home, a remarkable feat that is a testament to how highly regarded she is as a designer, as well as mentor to fellow designers.
Her panache for showcasing bespoke elements, such as the custom, fabric upholstered dining chairs, also from Fairfield Chair, illustrates that she understands elegance and comfort without pomposity.
The result is a formal dining room where family, friends and guests will linger into the night blissfully losing all track of time.
Guest Suite
Why We Love This Room:
5-Star Luxurious Comfort and Details Worthy of Guests You Truly Love
Known for her implementation of rich color and lush texture, Karen Billman of Billman Designs, turned an ordinary “cookbook room” into a stylish, ultra-comfortable Guest Suite with bold, yet soothing interior choices.
The Sitting Room of the Guest Suite designed by Karen Billman
Billman’s space was even more impressive, as we learned that part of the “suite” had also previously been a separate bedroom with a bathroom — perhaps a maid’s quarters off the kitchen — and the “cookbook” room.
Built-in shelving in the Sitting Room of the Guest Suite that was once part of a “cookbook” room
The reimagination of the layout was accomplished with the following inspiration, Billman tells Purgula:
“If I were a guest in someone’s home, how comfortable would I want to be?”
The suite comprises a wet bar on one side, with a dual entry bathroom, connecting the sitting room, that allows ample flow for guests to make themselves uber-comfortable.
An ultra-luxurious Hästens bed featured in the Guest Suite
High-end luxury abounds with a Hästens natural horsehair bed, the ultimate in luxury and quality.
Close up view of the Pierre Frey’s Bougainvillier wallpaper
Also prominently displayed is French, embroidered wallpaper from Pierre Frey’s Bougainvillier collection that gives the room an exquisite, rich tone that is unforgettable. Do not visit this room without getting an up-close view of this incredibly ornate wall treatment!
Close up view of the painted molding gap in the Guest Suite
Billman also gives special attention to the suite design by creating a painted gap at the crown moulding, to give the illusion of more depth and interest as your eyes travel upward.
This thoughtfully, indulgent guest suite has one serious problem, however: your guests may not ever want to leave!
Kitchen Great Room
Why We Love This Room:
The Heart of the Home Bursting with Light, Function, Personality and Elevated Comfort
Rachel Duarte’s Kitchen Great Room is adroitly designed to be a “super comfortable, casual, hangout” area, with elevated personality and sophistication.
View of the Great Room designed by Rachel Duarte
The designer, with her eponymous design studio, is known for creating comfortable, inviting spaces — that feel like a soft, leather glove — with extraordinary style, to capture the grandeur of distinctive period residences.
View of the cooking area from the adjacent casual dining room
The elegant, yet highly functional kitchen boasts quality appliances such as the custom BlueStar range and hood in Sunset Forest — “a rich, atmospheric green” — with metallic accents, and the stealthily hidden, yet massive Liebherr custom paneled refrigerator and freezer units flanking the satin brass fixtured sink area.
Kitchen featuring Anderson Awning Windows facing beautiful backyard grounds
The wall of Andersen awning windows offers a one-of-a-kind-view of the well-maintained, lush gardens as far as the eyes can see.
A kitchen sink with a beautiful view, and lots of sunlight, makes kitchen cleanup duties enjoyable!
Two Master crafted walnut wood islands with exquisite marble tops and subtle green veins, illustrate Duarte’s penchant for cohesive design.
View of the double-island Kitchen connected to the Great Room
Image courtesy of Rachel Duarte and the Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Directly adjacent to the 22′ by 20′ kitchen area is the family room, which invites you to read, converse, listen to music or just relax by the fireplace.
Close-up view of the LP collection and warm shelving of the Great Room, which was painted in Dunn-Edwards Color of the Century: Viridian Odyssey (DE1925)
With original, custom millwork enveloping three-quarters of the room, you are surrounded by prized collections of vinyl records, books and locally sourced art from local California artists Matthew Frederick and Woo Jason Situ.
The Primary Suite
Why We Love This Room:
Peaceful, Quiet Warmth and Serenity Far Away from the Rest of the Home — and World!
A quite hush envelopes you when you enter the Primary Suite — perhaps the most serene area in the entire residence — architecturally constructed and designed by Alexandra Azat of Plaster and Patina.
Large king-size bed rests on an ultra-thick wool rug that dampens surrounding noise to create a peaceful retreat
When we first met Azat at the PSH Empty House Party in late January, we sadly learned that she had lost her Altadena home and design studio in the Eaton Fire, just three weeks prior. Despite the tragedy, which, understandably, would have crushed the outlook of most ordinary humans, Azat displayed a level of calm resolve and kind optimism that astonished us.
A partial view of the mood board presented by Plaster & Patina at the PSH 2025 Empty House Party
When we met with her again this week, she was in great spirits, having just completed the design of her first PSH. Truly a testament to overcoming loss, her energy and attitude were upbeat and optimistic, as she awaited opening day.
Designer Alexandra Azat enjoying a portion of her team’s Primary Suite (AKA Sloane)
Having to revive what is perhaps the largest interior space for any one PSH designer, Azat was tested with recreating the primary bedroom area, the alcove entryway, the bathroom area with separate tub, toilet and shower areas, plus a spacious dressing area.
The challenges included, maintaining the home’s original architectural historical significance, while providing modern amenities that appeal to buyers at a multi-million dollar price point.
When Purgula asked Azat how she determines what to keep and what to reject during initial demolition, her response brimmed with intuitive confidence:
“I work on feelings and flow, and this is pretty open and shut for me. We can tell that this is the way the house wants to be.”
Her experience and assuredness are evident throughout the remodel, as palette, materials, furniture and accent pieces are all carefully interwoven to complement the home’s original character, without feeling inauthentic, trendy or “stagey”.
The visually stunning alcove of the Primary Suite makes a statement that this is a special part of the house
The entrance to the Primary Suite is an enchanting visual that can be seen from the opposite end of the expansive upstairs hallway.
The alcove entryway consists of immaculate, regal black and gold vertical-striped wallpaper that announces the entrance as a place of high importance. Azat complements the formal pattern with a rustic table, adorned with design books, set atop a vintage Turkish rug. The space connects to the adjacent bathroom by bordering the alcove flooring in the same tile as the shower.
Close of view of the custom sofa, also featured in the main image
The sitting area within the main bedroom is especially tranquil and rejuvenating, with its ten foot, custom divan-like sofa — upholstered in a “cashmere-esque” Holland and Sherry wool fabric — is perfect for soothing, immersive relaxation.
A House of Rohl luxurious bathtub tucked away in the primary bathroom
In the suite’s bathroom, Azat continues the theme of elegance, touched with rustic accents, by incorporating luxe items such as a white House of Rohl bathtub surrounded by warm elements, such as a wooden bath tray, natural fiber jute bath mat, and a discrete table and lamp.
Large Egyptian-styled cane chaise centrally placed in the primary bathroom
What really caught our eye in the primary bath, was the one-of-a-kind Egyptian-styled vintage cane chaise, sourced from Hollis. Situated in the central area of the bathroom, it perfectly serves as an intriguing art piece, as well as an ideal spot for respite.
The Golden Onyx atop a double console sink makes the bathroom feel bright and spacious
The unusual choice of a golden onyx countertop, combined with a double console sink with unlacquered brass faucets and fixtures, elevate the entire space with soothing openness to admire the surrounding colors, textures and materials.
Themes for this Year’s Pasadena Showcase House
Each year Purgula meticulously inspects the Pasadena Showcase House for hidden treasures that tour takers might often miss. We peruse virtually every square inch of real estate, ask questions of the designers and attempt to understand what motivates and directs the outcome of a particular finished space.
As a testament to our penchant for details, here’s Purgula’s sneak peek promo reel of the 60th Pasadena Showcase House of Design:
Some might find our efforts to be quirky, maybe even intrusive, but we enjoy the art and science of being “design detectives”, as our primary goal is to share what we learn with our audience of design lovers. Understanding why a particular object was chosen, or the thought process behind a particular layout, or how to know what to keep or reject are all terrific learning opportunities.
The best designers trust their instincts and we want to help you trust yours, as well!
Although many PSH designers are friends, and familiar with each other’s style, they are typically too busy and focused to have time to collaborate on a unified monolithic theme — even if they wanted too! Nevertheless, we have witnessed unifying themes mysteriously emerge from unknown origins that connect one seemingly disparate room to another, all across the home — which help to forge an organic cohesive whole.
A colorful painting of a peacock featured in the PSH 2024 Formal Living Room designed by Rachel Duarte
Prominent common themes from last year’s home, for example, included murals and birds, especially peacocks. It seemed that every designer had some type of homage to the plumage of this magnificent bird. This could very well be due to the fact that Pasadena is home to wild peacocks, but when questioned, designers said they had no knowledge of what others had decided as their design motifs.
Aerial view of Bauer Estate & Gardens
Aerial photo by Susan Pickering
Sometimes it just happens that way, but we suspect, as do others, that a location (e.g. the home, furniture, history, land, vibe, etc.) will subconsciously influence design choices and preferences.
Horse statue in a front garden of the estate
This year for instance, we detected subtle hints of hippophilia — the love or fondness for horses — throughout numerous spaces. From our research, we learned that one designer had once been a seasoned equestrian, and another has been an advocate for the well-being of wild horses.
A polo-themed print featured in the Guest Suite, painted by the designer’s father, artist Dean Racke
Later, during our on-site “investigation”, we uncovered the following:
- The father of one designer is an accomplished artist who often chooses equestrian themes in his paintings (with one such print featured in the Guest Suite)
- Another designer featured a vintage wooden horse head on the writing desk of the previous owner — this designer shared with us a memorable experience he had with his late father at a dude ranch shortly before his passing
- Another spooky theme was finding a small stuffed horse during demolition that was interpreted as a loving message from the late father of the “equestrian designer” — he was a hippophile, as well
Small stuffed horse found during the remodeling of PSH 2025
In any case, we enjoy experiencing this type of organic “ethereal alchemy”— perhaps an unknown spirit guided that extra effort to include some equine objet d’art in their design motif. Curious to say the least.
In the Gentlemen’s Study, designer Carmine Sabatella featured a vintage wooden horse head on the writing desk of the estate’s previous owner: famed Hollywood writer and producer Stephen J. Cannell
Regardless, an important design lesson to take away from this year’s “mystery theme” is that seasoned designers enjoy incorporating meaningful items to make a space feel special. All types of curations can make any room emit “personalized warmth and comfort”, e.g.: materials, textiles, décor, music, photos, aromas, flowers, etc.
A small vintage horse statue featured in Julia Chasman’s Library
Other hippophilic connections we encountered include:
- A small vintage horse statue in the Library
- A luxurious Hästens natural horsehair bed in the Guest Suite (BTW, Hästens is derived from the Swedish word for “horse”)
- A large horse statue in the front garden area
- Fox hunting horses on the wall-paper used in the large closet and dressing area of the Primary Suite
Another theme that emerged as we inspected staircases, entryways, rooms — both large and small — and their respective furnishings and accessories, was the use of spectacular metals, specifically copper, brass and bronze. Just prior to our visit to PSH 2025, we had published two articles on copper:
Suffice it to say — we are believers in the power and beauty of this magical metal and its alloys, bronze and brass.
Other themes we encountered include:
- Sustainable design by reusing, upcycling, or repurposing vintage materials and décor items (e.g. Garden Studio and Washroom; Flower Room)
- Sourcing and partnering with exceptionally talented local craftspersons and artisans
- Giving rooms a name and personality (e.g. the Primary Suite is Sloane; the Young Lady’s Suite is Beatrice)
Recommended Reading
- The New American Home 2025: Artistic Craftsmanship that Wows
- The New American Home 2024: Indoor-Outdoor Transformable Warmth
- 5 Reasons Victorian Homes Are Still So Popular
- New Technologies to Restore Time-Ravaged Older & Historic Homes
- What to Consider When Purchasing an Older or Historic Home
- 5 Simple Tips to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
- Related Topics: Architecture | Design | Inspiration | Indoor-Outdoor Living | Restoration
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