This quintessential bungalow, built in 1913, was among the first homes in the Lexington Heights Tract. The architect isn’t listed on the permit for the
house, but was in all likelihood Louis DuPuget Millar. Millar came to Southern California from Ireland in 1907. He started the firm of Jeffrey van Frees &
Millar in Los Angeles. He left the partnership and moved to Pasadena in 1909, where he worked with many Pasadena developers. Millar was cited as
the architect of other houses in the Lexington Tract shown in a Ladies Home Journal bungalow book published in 1916. This house sold for $3,700 to
William and Addie Kerans. The Kerans had moved from Dublin, Ireland and purchased the homes at 1246 and 1314 Lexington. This home has had an
interesting history with 14 owners since it was built 91 years ago with the last owner restoring it to its original beauty.
California-style bungalows have street-facing gables and this house has three! As you walk up the pathway, notice the low-pitched eaves spread over
the house like wings. This gives the house a sense of openness. The entry exemplifies the Arts and Crafts principle of moving gracefully between the
outdoor living of the front porch and the indoor living of the house. As you enter, this room had originally been a screened porch. It has now been
rebuilt and the new entry into the living room enhances the Craftsman ideal of the rooms flowing one into the other. The tapered columns are new, but
are so period appropriate, you wouldn’t know that they hadn’t been there in 1913.
The living room is highlighted by the beautiful fireplace with the original tiles. A few of the tiles have been replaced, and it is impossible to tell which
ones are new. The same is true of the Douglas fir molding. If you look carefully through the house, you can start to detect the original woodwork and
the recreated woodwork that the previous owner so carefully restored. The current owners have furnished the home in keeping with the Arts and Crafts
period. The side tables in the living room are turn of the century antiques, and the coffee table and dining room table are handmade Amish pieces. In
the dining room, the plate rail and the wainscoting are new as well as the upper portion of the built in china cabinet. The china cabinet had an upper
section when the house was built, but some time in the past, it was removed and replaced by a window. The last owner closed up the window and
restored the room to its original state. Looking into the kitchen, it is hard to imagine that it has been completely gutted and recreated with custom
cabinets and vintage appliances.
Down the hallway are the original two bedrooms and one bathroom. The bathroom has been remodeled keeping the period style tiles and fixtures.
Through the doorway is the new portion of the house that added 300 square feet in 1989. The breakfast room is currently serving as an office. The
bedroom and bath have been redone and the nursery has a built in dresser and changing station. As you leave this cozy bungalow, exit into the
backyard past the converted garage that houses a garden shed and office. The homeowners are ready to break ground on a new patio the day after
the tour!
house, but was in all likelihood Louis DuPuget Millar. Millar came to Southern California from Ireland in 1907. He started the firm of Jeffrey van Frees &
Millar in Los Angeles. He left the partnership and moved to Pasadena in 1909, where he worked with many Pasadena developers. Millar was cited as
the architect of other houses in the Lexington Tract shown in a Ladies Home Journal bungalow book published in 1916. This house sold for $3,700 to
William and Addie Kerans. The Kerans had moved from Dublin, Ireland and purchased the homes at 1246 and 1314 Lexington. This home has had an
interesting history with 14 owners since it was built 91 years ago with the last owner restoring it to its original beauty.
California-style bungalows have street-facing gables and this house has three! As you walk up the pathway, notice the low-pitched eaves spread over
the house like wings. This gives the house a sense of openness. The entry exemplifies the Arts and Crafts principle of moving gracefully between the
outdoor living of the front porch and the indoor living of the house. As you enter, this room had originally been a screened porch. It has now been
rebuilt and the new entry into the living room enhances the Craftsman ideal of the rooms flowing one into the other. The tapered columns are new, but
are so period appropriate, you wouldn’t know that they hadn’t been there in 1913.
The living room is highlighted by the beautiful fireplace with the original tiles. A few of the tiles have been replaced, and it is impossible to tell which
ones are new. The same is true of the Douglas fir molding. If you look carefully through the house, you can start to detect the original woodwork and
the recreated woodwork that the previous owner so carefully restored. The current owners have furnished the home in keeping with the Arts and Crafts
period. The side tables in the living room are turn of the century antiques, and the coffee table and dining room table are handmade Amish pieces. In
the dining room, the plate rail and the wainscoting are new as well as the upper portion of the built in china cabinet. The china cabinet had an upper
section when the house was built, but some time in the past, it was removed and replaced by a window. The last owner closed up the window and
restored the room to its original state. Looking into the kitchen, it is hard to imagine that it has been completely gutted and recreated with custom
cabinets and vintage appliances.
Down the hallway are the original two bedrooms and one bathroom. The bathroom has been remodeled keeping the period style tiles and fixtures.
Through the doorway is the new portion of the house that added 300 square feet in 1989. The breakfast room is currently serving as an office. The
bedroom and bath have been redone and the nursery has a built in dresser and changing station. As you leave this cozy bungalow, exit into the
backyard past the converted garage that houses a garden shed and office. The homeowners are ready to break ground on a new patio the day after
the tour!
Thirteenth Historic Highlands Home Tour 2007
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1246 Lexington
1273 Lexington
Built in 1922, this house was in the second phase of the Lexington Heights Development. The original development was begun in 1913 by Associated Home
Builders-Pasadena, however that firm only lasted for three years, just long enough to complete 11 houses in the tract. It is unclear what happened to the
firm or their holdings, only that building finally began again in the early 1920’s.
This California cottage was built at the height of the bungalow movement and features Craftsman style architecture. Bungalows gained great popularity
because they were ideally suited for the California climate. Designed for warm weather, the home has a large attic for storage and for capturing heat in the
summer. The overhanging roof also holds off heat and the porch provides a cool place to sit in summer months.
Hayward C. Parish, who owned Coleman and Parish radio and surplus store located at 306 E. Colorado, and his wife Gertrude built the house but only lived
there for one year. A number of owners followed, including a teacher at Pasadena Junior College in the 1940s and a mechanical engineer at Cal Tech in the
1960s. The current owners have been in the home since 2004.
As you enter the home, you will see the original arts and crafts style door. Front doors were very important in the arts and crafts movement. It is the
ceremonial entry between the outside “living room” of the front porch and the indoor sanctuary of family life. The screen door, added by the current owners,
matches the front wooden door. Throughout the home you will see the original oak floors, as well as original doors and glass doorknobs.
The front door opens directly into the living room, as with most bungalow floor plans. Important to architects of the time was that the fireplace was in direct
line of sight to the front door. The fireplace was the idealized symbol of hearth and home. The fireplace is original, as are the wooden casement windows on
both sides. The craftsman pottery displayed on the fireplace mantle and on the round table near the bookshelves is from Rivendale in South Carolina. The
living room is furnished with Mission Oak furniture and stained glass lamps. As you walk around the house and the garden you will notice many angels in
various forms. Be sure to look closely as there are tiny ones that peek out at you from little nooks. The lady of the house has been collecting angels for
many years. To the left of the center room is a hallway leading to the bathroom, master bedroom, and a second bedroom currently used both as an office
and a piano studio. As you pass by the bathroom, notice its large medicine cabinet -- it marks the location of a window that used to look out to the back yard.
In the master bedroom, the ceiling beam marks the location of the structure’s original wall. Just across the hall from the master bedroom, look down and you
will see a small cutout at the bottom of the wall. What used to be the location of a heater now is enjoyed as a tunnel by the owners’ dogs. The center room
was most likely a sleeping porch which is now enclosed and serves as the dining room. Remodeled by previous owners, the kitchen has been opened up to
enhance the flow between the rooms. In the kitchen you will see a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt stove and the owners’ collection of Fenton glass. Take a peek
at the kitchen door with its original glass window pane. Because glass window panes produced in the early twentieth century were not typically uniform in
thickness, you will see waves in the glass upon close observation.
Before you go out the French doors to the garden, notice how they were designed to match the home’s front door. In the backyard, enjoy the shade of the
enormous oak tree and the micro-climate it provides below. The back patio has a lemon tree believed to be from the orchard that grew here before the land
was developed. The guest house was created out of the back
half of the original 1922 tandem garage. The guest house is used as a den, a second kitchen for backyard parties, and a studio apartment for visiting family
and friends. Behind the guest house is “barbecue land” where you will see a Santa Maria barbecue along with several smokers. As you leave the back
yard, you will pass by the garage. Take a look at the Heritage Softail Classic Harley Davidson and vintage gas pump as you exit down the driveway.
Builders-Pasadena, however that firm only lasted for three years, just long enough to complete 11 houses in the tract. It is unclear what happened to the
firm or their holdings, only that building finally began again in the early 1920’s.
This California cottage was built at the height of the bungalow movement and features Craftsman style architecture. Bungalows gained great popularity
because they were ideally suited for the California climate. Designed for warm weather, the home has a large attic for storage and for capturing heat in the
summer. The overhanging roof also holds off heat and the porch provides a cool place to sit in summer months.
Hayward C. Parish, who owned Coleman and Parish radio and surplus store located at 306 E. Colorado, and his wife Gertrude built the house but only lived
there for one year. A number of owners followed, including a teacher at Pasadena Junior College in the 1940s and a mechanical engineer at Cal Tech in the
1960s. The current owners have been in the home since 2004.
As you enter the home, you will see the original arts and crafts style door. Front doors were very important in the arts and crafts movement. It is the
ceremonial entry between the outside “living room” of the front porch and the indoor sanctuary of family life. The screen door, added by the current owners,
matches the front wooden door. Throughout the home you will see the original oak floors, as well as original doors and glass doorknobs.
The front door opens directly into the living room, as with most bungalow floor plans. Important to architects of the time was that the fireplace was in direct
line of sight to the front door. The fireplace was the idealized symbol of hearth and home. The fireplace is original, as are the wooden casement windows on
both sides. The craftsman pottery displayed on the fireplace mantle and on the round table near the bookshelves is from Rivendale in South Carolina. The
living room is furnished with Mission Oak furniture and stained glass lamps. As you walk around the house and the garden you will notice many angels in
various forms. Be sure to look closely as there are tiny ones that peek out at you from little nooks. The lady of the house has been collecting angels for
many years. To the left of the center room is a hallway leading to the bathroom, master bedroom, and a second bedroom currently used both as an office
and a piano studio. As you pass by the bathroom, notice its large medicine cabinet -- it marks the location of a window that used to look out to the back yard.
In the master bedroom, the ceiling beam marks the location of the structure’s original wall. Just across the hall from the master bedroom, look down and you
will see a small cutout at the bottom of the wall. What used to be the location of a heater now is enjoyed as a tunnel by the owners’ dogs. The center room
was most likely a sleeping porch which is now enclosed and serves as the dining room. Remodeled by previous owners, the kitchen has been opened up to
enhance the flow between the rooms. In the kitchen you will see a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt stove and the owners’ collection of Fenton glass. Take a peek
at the kitchen door with its original glass window pane. Because glass window panes produced in the early twentieth century were not typically uniform in
thickness, you will see waves in the glass upon close observation.
Before you go out the French doors to the garden, notice how they were designed to match the home’s front door. In the backyard, enjoy the shade of the
enormous oak tree and the micro-climate it provides below. The back patio has a lemon tree believed to be from the orchard that grew here before the land
was developed. The guest house was created out of the back
half of the original 1922 tandem garage. The guest house is used as a den, a second kitchen for backyard parties, and a studio apartment for visiting family
and friends. Behind the guest house is “barbecue land” where you will see a Santa Maria barbecue along with several smokers. As you leave the back
yard, you will pass by the garage. Take a look at the Heritage Softail Classic Harley Davidson and vintage gas pump as you exit down the driveway.
1717 Holliston
As you approach this unique home, notice how it nestles so comfortably in its site. Historic Highlands neighbor, landscape architect Juliet Kurth developed the conceptual
design for the exterior hardscape with an eye toward complimenting and enhancing the structure’s architectural design and maximizing the outdoor living space. A wrap-
around enclosure fence, trellised porches and patios all work together to achieve this goal. The hardscape was built by L Design and Hector Lozano worked with Kurth’s
planter layout to landscape the property.
Note the detail of the redwood fencing built over a river rock retaining wall, to accommodate the change in grade across the front of the property. This detail carries over
to the entry gate and even the matching post supporting the copper mailbox. Beyond the front gate, you enter the first of the living spaces, as steps lead up to the
trellised porch. The concept is a reverse-hacienda style, with the exterior “rooms” created at the front and sides of the structure, rather than in an interior courtyard.
Notice the cement-capped river rock pillars supporting porch columns anchoring the front of the home. The smooth stucco exterior is finished in an earth tone and
framed by copper gutters, combining a craftsman look with enhanced fire and weather resistance over traditional wood siding. Craftsman style wall lanterns light the
exterior living areas, and the Douglas Fir porch trellis is topped with glass for rain or shine comfort.
All windows are new, crank style panes opening outward to free up interior space. The windows are stained to match the other exterior and interior woods, and are
framed by green trim. Fast growing wisteria is rapidly entwining the posts and will eventually cover the trellis. You might be surprised to learn that the house as you see it
today was largely built in 2005, on the foundation and frame of a smaller ranch style home built in 1950. When the current owners purchased it in October of 2004, they
set about gutting the structure and re-building it to suit their needs. The owners moved in on Memorial Day, 2005, and continue to realize their ultimate vision for the
home, one project at a time.
As you enter through the craftsman style front door, note the inlaid stained glass panels, and brass hardware. All doors, floors, woodwork and walls are new, even in the
“original” wing of the home, to the right of the entry. Mission style reproduction furniture built by Amish craftsmen graces many rooms in the home, starting with the foyer
bench. To the right, a pocket door opens to the central hallway, featuring a master suite, plus three bedrooms, a central bath and a laundry room. The bath features
marble counters, hex floor tiles and subway tiling with decorative trim covering the walls. At the end of the hall are built-in linen storage, a laundry featuring built-in
cabinetry, and two spacious rear bedrooms, which overlook the north lawn and patio. These two rooms represent the primary vestiges of the original structure, though
they have been completely upgraded from floor to ceiling, including new windows, doors and wood trim. The spacious master bedroom is located on the site of the
original home’s kitchen and bath and features an Asian treatment. An Arts and Crafts style ceiling fan with amber light, and a built-in mahogany vanity add to the room’s
charm. An adjacent master bath is on the list of future projects.
Head back to the foyer and you’ll step into the new construction, built on the general footprint of the original garage and connecting breezeway. The foyer hosts a half
bath featuring a pedestal sink, hex tile floor, built-in corner shelving, and recessed lighting. The expansive new space has 10 foot ceilings and features a chef’s kitchen,
a dining room, and a family room and reading area separated by a double-sided fireplace. Note the custom linen drapes throughout the space. All of the fabrics were
selected and sewn specifically for the room. The large sunny dining room features mission style furniture and built-in storage hutches under the windows flanking the
exterior door. Note the five-foot custom light fixture featuring eight lights with floral globes.
The kitchen was meticulously designed by the owner to create the ultimate food preparation and serving space. It features a large center workstation with its own apron
style farm sink and granite countertops, under a remote control skylight. This island is quarter-sawn oak, to match the adjoining breakfast table, and is illuminated by a
series of vintage suspended kitchen lamps from Historic Lighting. The appliances, including a Jenn-Air 6-burner cook top with swing out faucet for filling large pots,
double ovens and an industrial stainless steel refrigerator are all built to handle large gatherings. Note the mahogany cabinetry throughout, built by J&M Cabinets, with
glass front uppers wrapping the room. The kitchen also features a subway tile backsplash and built in roll top desk, a roll top appliance barn and a double apron style
farm sink by Villeroy and Boch.
The adjacent family room will one day have built-in cabinetry running the length of the front wall, which will incorporate an entertainment center, wet bar, bookcases, and
additional storage. Note the fireplace tiles, from Mission Tile West. The custom insets are from Weaver Tile in Michigan, featuring tiles representing the two children in
the family. The tree frogs in the four corners are symbolic of frogs found in the owner’s native Puerto Rico. The cement hearth bench ties in the cement theme of the
patio and exterior living space. The interior wood stains are replicated outdoors as well. The family room features an expanse of 10-foot sliding doors and screens
opening onto the patio. The cozy space on the opposite side of the fireplace features a seating area and similar tile work, with four custom tiles depicting the Tree of
Life. This side of the fireplace is framed to represent a picture, mounted on the wall with no hearth below.
Sliding glass doors lead onto the patio, which extends across the south side of the home. Cement, river rock, and an overhead trellis repeat the themes of the front
porch and define the space for outdoor entertaining. The larger of two seating areas has an exterior ceiling fan and light. The rear yard also features a play area
complete with sand pit and mature avocado, lemon, orange, and apple trees which were preserved during the regrading required for the expansion of the home beyond
its original footprint on this side. Beyond the trees is the site of the future garage. To exit this retreat, stroll down the path along the front of the home, leading you back
to the front gate.
design for the exterior hardscape with an eye toward complimenting and enhancing the structure’s architectural design and maximizing the outdoor living space. A wrap-
around enclosure fence, trellised porches and patios all work together to achieve this goal. The hardscape was built by L Design and Hector Lozano worked with Kurth’s
planter layout to landscape the property.
Note the detail of the redwood fencing built over a river rock retaining wall, to accommodate the change in grade across the front of the property. This detail carries over
to the entry gate and even the matching post supporting the copper mailbox. Beyond the front gate, you enter the first of the living spaces, as steps lead up to the
trellised porch. The concept is a reverse-hacienda style, with the exterior “rooms” created at the front and sides of the structure, rather than in an interior courtyard.
Notice the cement-capped river rock pillars supporting porch columns anchoring the front of the home. The smooth stucco exterior is finished in an earth tone and
framed by copper gutters, combining a craftsman look with enhanced fire and weather resistance over traditional wood siding. Craftsman style wall lanterns light the
exterior living areas, and the Douglas Fir porch trellis is topped with glass for rain or shine comfort.
All windows are new, crank style panes opening outward to free up interior space. The windows are stained to match the other exterior and interior woods, and are
framed by green trim. Fast growing wisteria is rapidly entwining the posts and will eventually cover the trellis. You might be surprised to learn that the house as you see it
today was largely built in 2005, on the foundation and frame of a smaller ranch style home built in 1950. When the current owners purchased it in October of 2004, they
set about gutting the structure and re-building it to suit their needs. The owners moved in on Memorial Day, 2005, and continue to realize their ultimate vision for the
home, one project at a time.
As you enter through the craftsman style front door, note the inlaid stained glass panels, and brass hardware. All doors, floors, woodwork and walls are new, even in the
“original” wing of the home, to the right of the entry. Mission style reproduction furniture built by Amish craftsmen graces many rooms in the home, starting with the foyer
bench. To the right, a pocket door opens to the central hallway, featuring a master suite, plus three bedrooms, a central bath and a laundry room. The bath features
marble counters, hex floor tiles and subway tiling with decorative trim covering the walls. At the end of the hall are built-in linen storage, a laundry featuring built-in
cabinetry, and two spacious rear bedrooms, which overlook the north lawn and patio. These two rooms represent the primary vestiges of the original structure, though
they have been completely upgraded from floor to ceiling, including new windows, doors and wood trim. The spacious master bedroom is located on the site of the
original home’s kitchen and bath and features an Asian treatment. An Arts and Crafts style ceiling fan with amber light, and a built-in mahogany vanity add to the room’s
charm. An adjacent master bath is on the list of future projects.
Head back to the foyer and you’ll step into the new construction, built on the general footprint of the original garage and connecting breezeway. The foyer hosts a half
bath featuring a pedestal sink, hex tile floor, built-in corner shelving, and recessed lighting. The expansive new space has 10 foot ceilings and features a chef’s kitchen,
a dining room, and a family room and reading area separated by a double-sided fireplace. Note the custom linen drapes throughout the space. All of the fabrics were
selected and sewn specifically for the room. The large sunny dining room features mission style furniture and built-in storage hutches under the windows flanking the
exterior door. Note the five-foot custom light fixture featuring eight lights with floral globes.
The kitchen was meticulously designed by the owner to create the ultimate food preparation and serving space. It features a large center workstation with its own apron
style farm sink and granite countertops, under a remote control skylight. This island is quarter-sawn oak, to match the adjoining breakfast table, and is illuminated by a
series of vintage suspended kitchen lamps from Historic Lighting. The appliances, including a Jenn-Air 6-burner cook top with swing out faucet for filling large pots,
double ovens and an industrial stainless steel refrigerator are all built to handle large gatherings. Note the mahogany cabinetry throughout, built by J&M Cabinets, with
glass front uppers wrapping the room. The kitchen also features a subway tile backsplash and built in roll top desk, a roll top appliance barn and a double apron style
farm sink by Villeroy and Boch.
The adjacent family room will one day have built-in cabinetry running the length of the front wall, which will incorporate an entertainment center, wet bar, bookcases, and
additional storage. Note the fireplace tiles, from Mission Tile West. The custom insets are from Weaver Tile in Michigan, featuring tiles representing the two children in
the family. The tree frogs in the four corners are symbolic of frogs found in the owner’s native Puerto Rico. The cement hearth bench ties in the cement theme of the
patio and exterior living space. The interior wood stains are replicated outdoors as well. The family room features an expanse of 10-foot sliding doors and screens
opening onto the patio. The cozy space on the opposite side of the fireplace features a seating area and similar tile work, with four custom tiles depicting the Tree of
Life. This side of the fireplace is framed to represent a picture, mounted on the wall with no hearth below.
Sliding glass doors lead onto the patio, which extends across the south side of the home. Cement, river rock, and an overhead trellis repeat the themes of the front
porch and define the space for outdoor entertaining. The larger of two seating areas has an exterior ceiling fan and light. The rear yard also features a play area
complete with sand pit and mature avocado, lemon, orange, and apple trees which were preserved during the regrading required for the expansion of the home beyond
its original footprint on this side. Beyond the trees is the site of the future garage. To exit this retreat, stroll down the path along the front of the home, leading you back
to the front gate.
1738 Holliston
This spacious Spanish style home was built in 1926 by T.C. Wilson and was home to many families in the early years, turning over annually during the Great
Depression. Among the home’s residents through the decades were original owners Hadley J. and Edna Alley, of Alley Brothers Lumber; Cal Tech bio-physics
professor Robert Emerson and his wife Allie, meat cutter Harry A. Ewer and his wife Bonnie; and Leo and Josephine Heller, who lived in the home from 1949 to 1975.
Leo was a mechanic at Willard Karl Motors on Colorado Boulevard until 1960, when he opened Heller’s Garage. The current owners bought the home and began their
extensive renovations in 2005.
A garden of roses under towering palms greets you at the corner of Holliston and Atchison. As you enter the front gate from Atchison, notice the lush landscaping in
the enclosed front garden and the unique exposed brick windowsills and wall caps, which were stripped during the home’s renovation to reveal the natural brick. An
open porch leads to the restored round top front door, featuring a hinged privacy window with original beveled glass. The hammered iron sconce is a reproduction
piece chosen to reflect the architecture of the home.
The entry foyer features a cloak closet, a reproduction ceiling light fixture, and the re-finished hardwood floors found throughout the home. The foyer provides access
to the living room to the left and a study to the right. All windows, doors, ceiling beams and baseboards throughout the foyer, study, living and dining rooms have been
stripped and re-stained. Alberto Medina Painting meticulously performed interior wood refinishing, and painting throughout the interior and exterior of the home. The
study features 1920’s candelabra style light sconces carefully selected from inventory at Old Pasadena Vintage Lighting to reflect the home’s architecture and add to
the character of the room. You will notice a number of original and reproduction 1920’s era light sconces illuminating the home. The light switches throughout have
been retrofitted to the original style push buttons. This room leads to the generous central hallway and the main bath, where the toilet with wall-mounted tank, and
pedestal sink are both refinished period fixtures from Architectural Detail. The hex floor tiles and the subway tiling on the walls are new, as is the tiling in the shower.
Note the unique arched shower entrance. The built-in mirrored medicine chest and storage cabinet are both original to the room, as is the tub.
The central hall also features a built in chest of drawers with enclosed top shelves, and an alcove complete with a telephone shelf. The guest bedroom features a trio
of double hung windows to the south. All of the windows on the south side of the home were weather damaged beyond repair, so the owners have replaced them with
new windows to original specifications, even utilizing the original weights and hardware. Much of the window and door hardware throughout the home has been
stripped and restored, either in an oil rubbed bronze finish or polished nickel depending on the other accents in each room. Also note the schoolhouse style light
fixture, a theme repeated throughout the house. The master bedroom features a pair of double hung windows on the south side, and French doors leading onto a
patio deck. This retreat, complete with a bougainvillea draped trellis and original screen doors fitted with sunshade screens, overlooks a small private garden with
flowering plants and trees.
This bedroom has an adjoining bath that is still in its “before” condition, illustrating how far the house has come in two short years. The kitchen, breakfast and laundry
rooms have been extensively renovated, featuring beechwood cabinets custom designed by Elements of Style. Though vintage craftsman in look, these cabinets are
all high tech on the inside, engineered to maximize access to storage, even in the corner configuration. The counters are Silestone in Tebas Black, and the floors are
Marmoleum brand linoleum from Martin Industries, Inc. Notice the classic O’Keefe and Merritt stove, which was a lucky Craigslist find. Though the kitchen has been
totally transformed, one special original feature that remains is the built-in ironing board which is typical of the era, and the original iron with its own swing out storage
compartment. The window over the fire clay, apron style farm sink looks out over the courtyard.
The large sunny breakfast room features the same custom cabinetry with easy-close drawers and china cabinet doors with restoration glass to replicate a rippled
vintage look. A pair of casement windows overlooks the garden. A swinging door leads into the formal dining room, which features a coved ceiling and a vintage
candelabra style light fixture. Throughout the dining and living rooms, notice how the wall plaster curves to frame the doors rather than the more common wood
molding typically found in homes of the period. The room features two sets of French doors leading out to the covered patio and courtyard. As you pass through the
archway into the formal living room, note the beautifully restored woodwork and hardware in this spacious room, which features a coved ceiling supported by three
heavy cross-beams. These beams were painted bright yellow when the home was purchased, and have been stripped and stained to match the other woods in the
room. Note the Greek key design still faintly visible within the stain along the beams. The original Batchelder fireplace with masonry mantle under a recessed alcove is
showcased by a vintage fire screen. The original gravity heat registers here and throughout the home were meticulously restored by the owners.
The room is very bright, with pairs of casement windows flanking the fireplace and, on the far wall, a Chicago window configuration with a large central panel flanked by
two casement windows opening into the room. Exit through the French door, to enjoy a walk through the side courtyard, featuring a covered patio opening to a garden
featuring citrus trees, bougainvillea, hydrangeas, roses, society garlic and many other flowering plants. As you leave the property notice the sliding wooden doors on
the garage with original ironwork window grills.
Depression. Among the home’s residents through the decades were original owners Hadley J. and Edna Alley, of Alley Brothers Lumber; Cal Tech bio-physics
professor Robert Emerson and his wife Allie, meat cutter Harry A. Ewer and his wife Bonnie; and Leo and Josephine Heller, who lived in the home from 1949 to 1975.
Leo was a mechanic at Willard Karl Motors on Colorado Boulevard until 1960, when he opened Heller’s Garage. The current owners bought the home and began their
extensive renovations in 2005.
A garden of roses under towering palms greets you at the corner of Holliston and Atchison. As you enter the front gate from Atchison, notice the lush landscaping in
the enclosed front garden and the unique exposed brick windowsills and wall caps, which were stripped during the home’s renovation to reveal the natural brick. An
open porch leads to the restored round top front door, featuring a hinged privacy window with original beveled glass. The hammered iron sconce is a reproduction
piece chosen to reflect the architecture of the home.
The entry foyer features a cloak closet, a reproduction ceiling light fixture, and the re-finished hardwood floors found throughout the home. The foyer provides access
to the living room to the left and a study to the right. All windows, doors, ceiling beams and baseboards throughout the foyer, study, living and dining rooms have been
stripped and re-stained. Alberto Medina Painting meticulously performed interior wood refinishing, and painting throughout the interior and exterior of the home. The
study features 1920’s candelabra style light sconces carefully selected from inventory at Old Pasadena Vintage Lighting to reflect the home’s architecture and add to
the character of the room. You will notice a number of original and reproduction 1920’s era light sconces illuminating the home. The light switches throughout have
been retrofitted to the original style push buttons. This room leads to the generous central hallway and the main bath, where the toilet with wall-mounted tank, and
pedestal sink are both refinished period fixtures from Architectural Detail. The hex floor tiles and the subway tiling on the walls are new, as is the tiling in the shower.
Note the unique arched shower entrance. The built-in mirrored medicine chest and storage cabinet are both original to the room, as is the tub.
The central hall also features a built in chest of drawers with enclosed top shelves, and an alcove complete with a telephone shelf. The guest bedroom features a trio
of double hung windows to the south. All of the windows on the south side of the home were weather damaged beyond repair, so the owners have replaced them with
new windows to original specifications, even utilizing the original weights and hardware. Much of the window and door hardware throughout the home has been
stripped and restored, either in an oil rubbed bronze finish or polished nickel depending on the other accents in each room. Also note the schoolhouse style light
fixture, a theme repeated throughout the house. The master bedroom features a pair of double hung windows on the south side, and French doors leading onto a
patio deck. This retreat, complete with a bougainvillea draped trellis and original screen doors fitted with sunshade screens, overlooks a small private garden with
flowering plants and trees.
This bedroom has an adjoining bath that is still in its “before” condition, illustrating how far the house has come in two short years. The kitchen, breakfast and laundry
rooms have been extensively renovated, featuring beechwood cabinets custom designed by Elements of Style. Though vintage craftsman in look, these cabinets are
all high tech on the inside, engineered to maximize access to storage, even in the corner configuration. The counters are Silestone in Tebas Black, and the floors are
Marmoleum brand linoleum from Martin Industries, Inc. Notice the classic O’Keefe and Merritt stove, which was a lucky Craigslist find. Though the kitchen has been
totally transformed, one special original feature that remains is the built-in ironing board which is typical of the era, and the original iron with its own swing out storage
compartment. The window over the fire clay, apron style farm sink looks out over the courtyard.
The large sunny breakfast room features the same custom cabinetry with easy-close drawers and china cabinet doors with restoration glass to replicate a rippled
vintage look. A pair of casement windows overlooks the garden. A swinging door leads into the formal dining room, which features a coved ceiling and a vintage
candelabra style light fixture. Throughout the dining and living rooms, notice how the wall plaster curves to frame the doors rather than the more common wood
molding typically found in homes of the period. The room features two sets of French doors leading out to the covered patio and courtyard. As you pass through the
archway into the formal living room, note the beautifully restored woodwork and hardware in this spacious room, which features a coved ceiling supported by three
heavy cross-beams. These beams were painted bright yellow when the home was purchased, and have been stripped and stained to match the other woods in the
room. Note the Greek key design still faintly visible within the stain along the beams. The original Batchelder fireplace with masonry mantle under a recessed alcove is
showcased by a vintage fire screen. The original gravity heat registers here and throughout the home were meticulously restored by the owners.
The room is very bright, with pairs of casement windows flanking the fireplace and, on the far wall, a Chicago window configuration with a large central panel flanked by
two casement windows opening into the room. Exit through the French door, to enjoy a walk through the side courtyard, featuring a covered patio opening to a garden
featuring citrus trees, bougainvillea, hydrangeas, roses, society garlic and many other flowering plants. As you leave the property notice the sliding wooden doors on
the garage with original ironwork window grills.