House of Design 1997 - FIDM Alumni


Living Room
Leo Rochette III,
Designer
Ro-che-et Designs
Pasadena, California

Marked with the heritage of true European influences, the Living Room represents the styles and personalities of today. Subtle colors resound from the 16th, 17th, & 18th century tapestries that drape the walls, and accentuate the restraint Gothic Architecture of the room. Soft hues of deep teal and camel combine with textures of mohair, silk, and leather used for drapery and all upholstered furniture. The beautiful beamed and coffered ceiling had been lightened from the heavy dark tones of the original construction.

The field areas inside the coffers have been newly hand-painted with the heraldic motifs found throughout the house. The room evokes a feeling of grandeur on a formal scale with fine antiques and European furniture. The result is luxurious and comfortable with the intention to entice and to make one want to come in and utilize the room, not to intimidate. Four large custom designed chairs flank the fireplace, creating an intimate grouping and interesting layout.

Additional seating areas in the bay and on either side of the main entrance set the room up for formal entertaining. Accessories such as original Grecian fragments, Ming Dynasty temple figures, and original 18th to 20th century artwork are of the highest quality, and denote a residence of a serious art collector.


Upper Hallway
Caroline Baker, Designer
Caroline Baker Interior Design
Pasadena, California

The Upper Hallway is an elegant, serene transitional area into the Master Suite. It is filled with California Plein-Air art which captures the tranquility of the varied California landscape. The art is illuminated by state-of-the-art lighting. Exquisite silk fabric adorns the walls with its textural interest found in the English strapwork and quatrefoil patterns.

The jeweltone colors of a gorgeous turn-of-the-century Turkish Oushak rug complement the neutral walls and Plein-Air art in this gallery-style hallway. The tudor archways on either end, which define the hallway, are echoed in the crown molding. The quatrefoils in the silk wall fabric are reflected on the archway walls through faux paint finishes.


Master Bedroom and
Dressing Room Suite
Stacy Vaughan,
Assistant Designer
Karina Oldemans
Interior Design
Los Angeles, California

The Master Bedroom Suite has experienced a complete transformation. The space once divided into a medium-sized bedroom and two small dressing areas. Now the large bedroom has a sitting area, and the dressing room receives natural light from two directions. The focal point of the Master Bedroom is a dramatic Chinoiserie bed with a pagoda canopy, dressed in sumptuous Italian linens. Its design was inspired by an 18th Century bed from an English Manor House.

The exotic effect is completed by the black lacquer finish embellished with gold accents. The rustling silks in soothing tones of beige and muted celadon cover the windows in both areas, even the lambrequins reflect the exotic mood. A pair of sofas covered in lustrous silk in front of the bay window provide a relaxing place for reading or conversation. Blue and white porcelains further enhance this timeless and elegant room.


Les Muse
Michaela Scherrer, Designer
Michaela Scherrer & Associates
Pasadena, California

The Dressing Room closets, mirrored and arranged in an octagon, reflect the shape of the illuminated dome above. A center island provides additional storage and counter space. A carved and gilded chandelier with Greek key motifs floats above the island. Consistent with the exotic mood of the Suite, two custom designed, hand-painted Chinoiserie panels grace the entrance hallway. The entire Suite embraces you with a warm and luxurious ambience, providing a gracious retreat for the Lord and Lady of this manor.

...There is a blending of many different teachings and art forms creating an atmosphere of ethereal beauty and tranquility.


The Retreat
Carol Cobabe
Cobabe-Kawakami
South Pasadena, California

The wood furniture is executed in deep luxurious finishes. The water garden made of natural materials makes use of the agelessness of stone and adds to the serenity, harmony and simplicity of this space. Rich nickel accents compliment the wood on the chaise and screen--a feeling that evokes and honors the past, but lives in the present, a space magically transcending time. The refined charm and warmth of this room, provides a comfortable place to serve tea and relax. Here, friends can reminisce about your travels abroad and discuss favorite novels.

The original mouldings, paned iron windows and oak floors create a wonderful backdrop for the oriental screen brought back from Japan. The decorative mantle and built-in etageres gives a place to display the treasures found scavenging flea markets around the world. The walls, fearlessly colored in red, are accented by fabrics from Sanderson of England, in golds, reds and greens. Custom furnishings and woodwork, along with antique lighting and accessories, complete the space.


The English Manor Library
& Art Gallery
John Cole
John Cole Interior Design
Los Angeles, California

Casual and yet elegant, the Library appears to flow from the pages of the antique leather books and off the canvasses of the Classical art. The bold diagonal floral print of the Cavendish sofa is accented by the plaid upholstered chair and delicately striped silk drapes. The green-leafed pattern of the walls and ceiling and the floral and leaf-lattice pattern of the carpet capture the feeling of a European garden where one can relax with a book and escape into a time and place where life was simpler and there was time to give attention to detail, craftsmanship and emotions of the heart.

Custom finished, faux limestone is used on archways and crown moulding. A unique staining process for the bookcases provides a beautiful shade of green to blend with custom wallpaper. An ingenious concept of creating wall surfaces from open bookcases provides temporary wall space for an art collection.

The placing of state-of-the-art Halogen and Grafik Eye (a switching control system) ensures desired dramatic lighting results on the art and other focal areas. The use of Brunschwig & Fils' beautiful "Forest Foliage" wallpaper on the wall surface panels, in the bookcases, and inset on the ceiling, contrasts with the faux limestone crown moulding.



Young Man's Bedroom & Bath
Cynthia Bennett,
General Building Contractor
Cynthia Bennett & Associates, Inc.
South Pasadena, California

The nautical theme of the young man's bedroom and bath is emphasized by the beautiful salt-water aquarium which can be seen through the wall of the bedroom into the adjacent bath. The domed fiber-optic ceiling with constellations allows a young sailor to study the stars and plot his course.

The suite is entered through the whimsical bathroom where a sandy beach floor of tumbled travertine marble meets a curve of ocean blue Raku tile. The multi-colored blue and green tiles on the shower walls create a feeling of being underwater.

The color scheme and fabrics take their direction from the rich and dramatic colors which appear in early nautical paintings. The room includes a custom desk with a computer station that can be recessed when not in use as well as a modern entertainment system.



Caren Colburn,
Assistant Designer
Kathryne Designs
North Hollywood, California

The Family Retreat is a space which captures the essence and beauty of Africa. This room features the pictures, momentos and collectibles acquired while on safari. The scenic mural illustrated depicts what an adventurous British couple from the 30's might have encountered on their journeys throughout Africa.

The space houses a variety of seating areas for entertainment and leisure, and is complete with a new limestone floor with etched textured border. A place to listen to music or watch television the space is complete with a pool table, game table and state-of-the-art entertainment unit. The adjacent hallway was converted to a cigar room complete with humidor and decorative accessories.