The Gamble House: Behind the Velvet Ropes

This is the front view of the iconic Gamble House in Pasadena, which was designed by architects Charles Greene and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble of Procter & Gamble Co. In 2008, the house celebrated its 100th anniversary. This and the following photos were taken during the Velvet Ropes Tour. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:52 AM PT

The iconic Gamble house in Pasadena was designed by architects Charles Greene and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble of Procter & Gamble Co. We take you on a behind the velvet ropes tour.

The entry door designed by Greene and Greene actually consists of three doors. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Gamble House living room and piano. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The hand-carved redwood frieze extends all around the living room. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

These photos of Mary and David Gamble are in the living room. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Docent John Hamm removes a drawer from the entryway table, which is made of Honduran mahogany. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A close-up look at the finger joints and ebony trim on a drawer from the entryway table, which is made of Honduran mahogany. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Arts and Crafts stairway in the front hall features storage under the seat and a hidden closet around the corner. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Bobbi Mapstone, the public relations manager for the Gamble House, shows the secret panel door in the front hallway used by servants to enter and leave the kitchen. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A look at the Gamble family silver, in the dining room. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Bobbi Mapstone, public relations manager for the Gamble House, pulls out a giant flour drawer in the kitchen. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Aunt Julia’s bedroom. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Greene and Greene tall dresser in the master bedroom. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Gamble House master bedroom. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

This second-floor hall lantern features the Gambles’ rose-and-crane family crest. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Bobbi Mapstone, public relations manager for the Gamble House, shows the linen closet. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

To avoid holes in the walls, paintings were hung using leather straps from a painting rail, as is demonstrated here in the master bedroom. To the right of the painting is a Rockwood vase. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Aunt Julia’s vanity, made of ash, has a jewelry insert. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The second-floor bathroom has some stained glass. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The attic in the iconic Gamble House. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The backyard has a pond. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A look at the Gamble House from its backyard. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)