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ART FOCUS - Pasadena Showcase House and the Enchanted Nook

Every year, the fundraiser produced by Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts renovates an estate from top to bottom by leading designers. This year’s house was set on nearly two acres of oak-filled, historic landscape; Baldwin Oaks Estate remains one of Arcadia’s most storied and irresistibly enchanting homes.

The magnificent 1907 shingle-style residence was once the crown jewel of Clara Baldwin Stocker, the glamorous and unforgettable eldest daughter of California pioneer Elias “Lucky” Baldwin. Lucky's bold vision shaped the development of Arcadia and its surrounding regions, leaving his daughter immense wealth and a grand lifestyle. Her gatherings were so lavish and memorable that they became part of Arcadia’s folklore. Today, Baldwin Oaks Estate offers the most intimate and enchanting glimpse into her world.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s Showcase house!

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Enchanted Nook

Hattas Studios

For this year’s Pasadena Showcase House of Design, twin sisters Jeanine Hattas Wilson (CEO & Creative Director) and Julie (Hattas) Kennedy (Art Director) of Hattas Studios set out to reimagine a simple storage closet as something unforgettable: “The Enchanted Nook” — a fully immersive, hand-painted enchanted forest reading room inspired by the wonder of classic fairytales.

This immersive installation can be reimagined in someone's home - as a magical nook, a closet transformation, or displayed as individual panels or a triptych statement wall. Let us know if you might have a client who may be looking for a whimsical mural such as this.


Completed with glowing cottage windows, custom furnishings, and fairy lights, every detail of this interactive mural was designed to transport guests back to childhood wonder. And when you touch the lanterns? Professional actors bring beloved fairytales to life through narrated storytelling.

The Enchanted Nook was a huge success at Pasadena Showcase, highlighted in the article by the LA Times, amongst many other publications. Tens of thousands of visitors were captivated by this magical room, and we are honored to share the work that one of our favorite artist studios created; an experience that sparks awe, nostalgia, and imagination.

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Additional highlights of the 2026 Showcase House

The Fireplace Ensuite

Jill Romine Interiors

The Fireplace Ensuite by Jill Romine Interiors is a considered retreat where pattern meets curation and craft, fusing historical reverence with modern livability. Rooted in the character and history of the 1907 home and grounded in Arts & Crafts traditions, the design unfolds as a narrative-driven composition, balancing a thoughtfully selected mix of antique and custom furnishings with a palette of mossy greens, burgundy, citrine, chocolate, and earthy reds.


The handmade tile in the bath and custom fireplace, bespoke millwork, Godiva marble, and a built-in window bench underscore a devotion to craft, while moments of lift and lightness are introduced through color and floral textiles.

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Entertainment Room

Studio Joshua

The entertainment room distills the legacy of the Baldwin Oaks Estate into contemporary expression.

In a room designed for human connection, interior designer Joshua Praught took inspiration from the Mediterranean salons of the early 20th century, where artists and musicians came together to create, collaborate, and play billiards or charades. He kept the original wood panelling and chose antique brass toggle switches to mirror the warmth of the gilded mural on the walls and ceiling.

The bar area was topped with a Brazilian cosmopolitan quartzite, an integrated champagne sink, and shelves illuminated by our antique brass spotlights, which sit naturally with the building’s original character. The result is a fashion-inflected, richly textural salon for levity and cultivated exchange.

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The Primary Suite/The Arcadian Sanctuary

Amorphous Studio - Design and Build

Within the Primary Suite, the “Arcadian Sanctuary” bedroom is enveloped in Gracie’s hand-painted silk wallcovering in rich emerald tones, creating depth, softness, and quiet movement. As described by Abigail Stone, “the primary ‘Arcadian Sanctuary’ bedroom’s Gracie hand-painted silk emerald wallcovering and the intricate pattern depicted on its coordinating Gracie Tan Arbor draperies.”

An original work by Ray Roberts, placed atop a sculpted wood console, brings a sense of light and landscape into the room, while a sculpture by Bela Bacsi adds quiet presence. Designed as a place of retreat, the space balances intimacy with a refined, collected aesthetic.

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The Minkwood Library

James Hernandez Interior Design

James Hernandez Interior Design transformed classic wood paneled warmth into refined nostalgia, defined by deep tones and an oak wood paneled ceiling enveloping the room in rich chocolate hues. Contemporary works are interwoven with original pieces, books, and art collected from the designer’s personal travels. By day, the room is a quiet retreat, by evening a moody speakeasy.






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