The 2011 Homes

The Holiday Look In home tour is a showcase of Pasadena’s magnificent architecture, both historical and new, melded with the magic and pageantry of Pasadena’s finest floral artists. Join us in touring four wonderful homes and gardens, decorated for the holidays by Pasadena’s finest floral designers. Enjoy music by Pasadena Symphony members, stroll the gardens and finally shop to your heart’s content at the Boutique.

Historic 1896 Pasadena

Florist: Jacob Maarse

In 1896, Mrs. Emily Macy left Bellefontaine, Iowa to make her home in Pasadena. She purchased numerous sites and built homes for herself and various family members. This Craftsman Colonial home, designed by architect H. L. Smith, belonged to her sister, Mrs. Caroline Walkley. In 1929, architects Marston and Maybury remodeled the home, incorporating traditional Craftsman details, notably in the entryway. Nancy and Bill McDonald purchased the home in 1979. Among the family treasures included in this home are an heirloom grandfather clock and the owner’s collection of Staffordshire English pottery. A unique feature in the kitchen is a vintage 1940’s Roper stove with its eight burners and three ovens. The distinctive impression of this home is that it has been the center of family life, appealing to children and grandchildren alike.

California Colonial

Florist: Mary Falkingham

This classic 1931 Colonial style home, built by architect Palmer Sabin, is an example of early California design. The current owners, Meg and John Symes, appreciated the property’s park like setting as well as the floor plan, which offers a wonderful flow to outdoor spaces. Featured in this home is an heirloom Steinway piano from Mr. Symes’ grandmother. Above the fireplace mantel is a painting by Pasadena artist, Sally Storch. Found throughout the Symes’ home the paintings represent narratives of contemporary scenes. The outside loggia serves as a place to gather and visit with friends and family before enjoying the salt water swimming pool and jacuzzi.

A Modern Mediterranean Beauty

Florist: Silver Birches

At first glance, this stately Mediterranean home appears to be a well-maintained example of Pasadena’s long architectural history. In fact, the home was recently built in 2008 by owners Patrice and David Wyndham-Smith.

Noteworthy touches inside the home include chandeliers inspired by lighting innovator Hervé Van Der Straten, objects of art ranging from African masks to Venetian silver leaf chests, artwork by California artist Gabriel Rivera, and the usage of exotic materials such as Moroccan fossil stone and Brazilian agate. Outside the home, the loggia and gardens continue the Mediterranean theme. It was the couple’s goal Victorian Home to create the romance of an older home with all the conveniences of the 21st century.

Victorian Outbuilding

Florist: Drew Domenghini

An element of mystery surrounds the origins of this Shingle Style Victorian home. The original owner, Eli Goddard, a British house painter, emigrated to the United States in 1871. Since no architectural records exist for the property, it is assumed that Mr. Goddard built the home himself in 1889. The current owners purchased the property in 2010 and created an outdoor "urban farm". The front garden features a blueberry lined path, wisteria and citrus trees; the rear garden raised beds of Arroyo stone for vegetables and herbs. By incorporating elements of balance, color and contrast in their design, the Reads achieved turn-of-the-century authenticity.