The Valley Line: Guests preview 2018 Showcase property before its makeover
More than 400 guests braved the cold, rainy weather to take an early peek at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design for 2018 to enjoy the organization’s annual Empty House Party.
The 22 interior and exterior designers who will be creating beautiful new rooms in the house and garden spaces were on hand to present their design boards and visions for this historic Altadena home.
Greeting arriving guests were Marilyn Anderson, president of Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts and Vikki Sung, this year’s benefit chairman.
This house, which sits high atop a hill in Altadena known as “Overlook,” was built for two widowed sisters, Ruth E. (Scarritt) Hargrove and Mary Emma Baker. The sisters purchased the land in 1914.
The architect of this Mediterranean-styled estate the following year was Reginald Davis Johnson, a native New Yorker who moved to California when his father was called to head the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese in 1894.
Johnson studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and also in France before he opened his architectural firm in Pasadena.
He designed many palatial homes in Santa Barbara and Montecito, and also designed the Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel, the Santa Barbara Post Office and La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. He also designed the impressive All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Pasadena.
Truly bringing the work of the famed architect closer to home here in La Cañada, Johnson designed the clubhouse at Flintridge Riding Club, which is celebrating its 95th year.
I was delighted to uncover this information during some research. The story of how the Flintridge Riding Club came to be was even more fascinating. The story goes something like this: The idea of a private family riding club began in 1922 when four prominent local families decided to create a club where they could enjoy fellowship and equestrian pursuits.
Those four founders were the architect Johnson, Robert Fullerton, Jr., S.C. Fertig and John E. Marble. They found the spot they thought were be a perfect place for the club. They then invited to dinner landowner Sen. Frank Flint, for whom Flintridge is named. That very night, after fine dining and most probably even more fine wine, that founding group purchased 10 oak-covered acres from Sen. Flint, thus the Flintridge Riding Club was born.
The club was formally incorporated on Oct. 9, 1923. Its first president was Johnson, who designed and built the Spanish-colonial style clubhouse two years later. That property, including its beautiful clubhouse, is truly a La Cañada Flintridge landmark.
Back to the Pasadena Showcase House, which will be dressed up and ready for the public to view from April 22 through May 20.
Chairing the festive Empty House Party were Dana Marevich and Lynn Mehl.
The party was quite a movable feast prepared by Cynthia Brooks Distinctive Catering. As guests wandered from room to room they encountered different food stations. The first stop was a carving board with turkey breast and seasoned tri-tip with petite brioche buns, fresh horseradish, jalapeño mustard, cranberry relish, garlic aioli and au jus.
The next food station was a virtual mountain of jumbo shrimp, crab claws, California rolls, spicy tuna avocado rolls and cucumber maki on a bed of crushed ice with a spicy cocktail sauce and accompaniments.
Station No. 3 took the chill of the evening away with homemade tomato bisque and Charlie’s famous chili. All served with garnishments including chives and garlic croutons.
Station No. 4 presented fresh salads — shaved Brussels sprouts mixed with crisp bacon caramelized onions, almonds, Asiago cheese, tossed Dijon cider vinaigrette and Orecchiette pasta tossed in balsamic vinaigrette with fresh arugula, basil, roasted pine nuts, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
The feast went on with a cheese and charcuterie station, a crostini display, seasonal vegetable crudité and the charcuterie tray, which included salami, prosciutto, Italian truffle cheese, herbed goat cheese, cave-ages blue cheese, marinated olives, grapes and dried fruit — all served with assorted crackers, soft French bread and toasted crostini pieces.
The finale was the dessert and coffee station, where assorted cookie bars and brownie bites were served. Most popular were small sticks of cinnamon covered churro dipped in warm chocolate, and double-chocolate brownie. Yes, coffee and after-dinner drinks were also served.
It was quite an evening, and guests can hardly wait to see the house in all its glory in April.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.