Nestled in the park-like grounds of the Santa Anita Oaks neighborhood of Arcadia, California is an historic 1937 Federal-style home—Locke House— designed by architect, Gerard Rae Colcord, known as “Hollywood society’s architect.” The home is modeled after an East Coast country estate.
In 2020, Locke House was chosen to be the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Now in its 56th year, the venerable showcase is one of the longest-running house and garden tours in the country. The 6,700 square-foot home was reinterpreted by 17 interior designers and four exterior designers and was an opportunity to completely reimagine what the home could be, more than 80 years after it was built.
In our recently released aspire design and home Showhouse Issue, we sat down with Greg Parker to learn more about his creative process in designing the Gallery for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Greg Parker: We started this room in February. We would have been finished in April but had some delays due to COVID. The room was complete in July.
aspire design and home: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
Greg: We were fortunate in that there were not big challenges for this room. The ceiling had to be opened up in order to give this room adequate lighting. The Eureka moment for us was the maxim “Less is more.” Our space did not need a lot of furniture to make it dynamic and effective.
aspire design and home: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Greg: Vendor support for a Showcase is always critical. Due to COVID there was an issue actually getting the piano we wanted from Steinway. Fortunately, we were able to have it for the time we needed.
aspire design and home: What was your inspiration for this room?
Greg: The Pasadena Showcase has raised millions of dollars for our premier music groups in the metro Los Angeles area as well as fund music programs in the local schools for the last 50 plus years. We wanted to show that a traditional room could be utilized differently.
aspire design and home: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Greg: We always seek to step out of our comfort zone. In this case, finding just the right balance of traditional and modern elements was essential. Typically, we put more furnishings in our spaces. This room requires a different process and encouraged us to exercise restraint in both furnishings and accessories.
aspire design and home: Despite the fact that there were so many designers involved, there is an inherent cohesiveness to the home. Did you all converse/collaborate? Or was this a completely individual process?
Greg: We are always acutely aware of what is going around our spaces. I believe the designers were sensitive to that aspect as well.
aspire design and home: Is your preference for a showhouse a small space or a large space? Does one or the other provide a better opportunity to stretch your creativity?
Greg: Both small and large spaces have their innate challenges. A smaller space forces you to consider and maintain the function of that space. You cannot over furnish. In a larger space, it becomes more of a balance question as to what goes into that space and how areas are defined within that space.
aspire: Describe the town of Pasadena in one sentence.
Greg: Pasadena is a city that offers a tremendous array of culture and architectural style.
This or that:
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Greg: Paint is great but wallpaper can really add beautiful texture.
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Greg: Rugs are the jewelry for a hardwood floor.
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Greg: Give me the clear mountain air and evergreen forests!
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
Greg: Color, please!
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Greg: Brunch, as breakfast food is great anytime.
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
Greg: Can’t we have both in the same space?
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Greg: Shades are by far the most versatile. I like my privacy!
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Greg: The English Patient. Need that human connection…….
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
Greg: I love Broadway but don’t take enough time for self-care. Let’s do the spa!
Click Here to view more interviews for the designers of Pasadena Showcase House of Design.
Photography by Peter Valli.
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