Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 18, 2010

14

HOMES AND PROPERTY

MountainViews-News Saturday, September 18, 2010

One Of A Kind: Featuring unique homes & gardens and the people who create them Story and Photos By Chris Bertrand

Stunning Contemporary Craftsman Estate in So. Pasadena


South Pasadena 
feels so much like 
“hometown America” 
that it’s often used in 
movie and television 
productions. For 
good reason... The 
wide, tree lined 
streets. The children 
walking to and 
from school. The 
charming stores 
and restaurants. Just 
listed is a stunning 
estate on just one of those lush, tree lined streets 
aptly named Oak Street in, you guessed it, South 
Pasadena.

 The inspired architecture of noted architect, Doug 
Ewing,( www.DSEwing.com) created this 1990 
contemporary iteration of the classic Craftsman 
with 5800 square feet. Ewing and the owner 
commiserated long and hard to incorporate the 
appropriate elements and material, giving homage 
to the Craftsman style, and with special reverence 
toward two mature, heritage trees on the homesite. 

 According to Ewing in his website, the home was 
“Designed in a progressive Craftsman style, the 
home articulates its way around the oaks, creating 
dining verandas, exercise pavilions, a breakfast 
nook, swimming and children’s play areas.” 

 The six bedroom, four and one half bath floorplan 
proudly exhibits the simple yet commanding use 
of slatted woodwork for long strong lines and rich 
glowing color in ceiling and wall applications, 
brick and columns and aggregate for fireplace 
materials and a multitude of custom five-pane 
French doors successfully blurring the interior 
and exterior lifestyle. 

 This Craftsman brims with the most exacting 
replications of spectacular period lighting fixtures, 
such as the one over the double door 
entry to even the fireplace utensils 
in the drawing room. The kitchen 
provides ample sleek workspace for 
multiple cooks on the finest appliances. 
In deference to 21st century living, a 
large “picture window” connects the 
family room to the kitchen, allowing 
the cook to be part of activities there 
while keeping food preparation 
separate. 

 Off the kitchen, on one side is a 
stunning casual dining room, while 
on the other, a very generous hobby, 
utility and laundry area allows projects 
to continue while remaining out of 
sight. I have ALWAYS wanted to have 
a fabulous, private work area like this 
in my own home… one where I can 
start a craft project, the ironing, gift 
wrapping or a canning project and 
close the door when I don’t want to see 
the project’s mess!

 The home is bathed in wonderful 
natural light, framed by interesting 
seating alcoves and window shapes 
while creating a fascinating light play 
against the many vaulted ceilings. The 
home’s u-shaped design maintains a 
unique intimacy despite the extensive 
square footage of the home. 
The casual living spaces 
are further defined by a 
beautifully contrasting, 
pickled finish cabinetry. 
Downstairs, a wine tasting 
area and cellar offer the 
oenophile display and 
racking for hundreds of 
bottles of the finest vintages, 
and a cozy nook to open that 
special bottle reserved for an 
appreciative audience.

 Out front, the brick walkway 
was purposefully designed 
a bit wavy to give a sense of 
established, old house, South 
Pasadena feel to this home. 
As far as the hometown 
atmosphere, this home 
is walking distance to all three levels of South 
Pasadena’s highly rated schools (www.spusd.net).

 Showings for 1705 Oak Street in South Pasadena begin 
with a Twilight Open House on Wednesday, September 
22 from 5-7 p.m., followed by an appointment only Open 
House on Sunday, September 26th from 2-4 p.m. For more 
information contact Carol Majors at 626-399-9665 or 
visit her website, www.MajorsMarketplace.com 

 Have an interesting home, garden or person who 
helps create them? Contact information C.Bertrand@
MtnViewsNews.com


Chris Bertrand