Stephanie Hatten Dresses A Sophisticated Girls’ Room In Velvet And Silk

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 Stephanie Hatten to learn more about her creative process in designing a “Sophisticated Girl’s Room” for this project.

aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Stephanie Hatten: We typically have several months to finish a room. This year was different, of course! We were set to complete by mid-March. I had to wait to start my renovations because my room was being used as a staging site for the jack and jill bathroom work. We started the last week in February with painting, prepping, misc construction i.e. demolition, electrical work, floor repair, etc. We stopped work on March 10th due to possible COVID exposure. Shortly after all of Los Angeles shut down & all work stopped. We were able to start work again at the end of June. Ae started wallpaper on August 11th and were 100% complete in 2 weeks.

aspire: What was your biggest challenge? did you have a eureka moment during the process?
Stephanie: The challenge was not knowing when we would be able to complete it. It was a “wait and see” situation.

aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Stephanie: Everything! Not kidding. You always go in to these showhouses thinking time isn’t an issue, but it really creeps up on you.

aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Stephanie: Our inspiration for the room was our imaginary client, a 20 something student, & the era of the house. We wanted to create a traditional space with modern elements. a contemporary space for today’s family.

aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Stephanie: Yes. We wanted to do a soft maximalism aka grand millennial. That is not a safe place for me. One element, in particular, was the custom sheets. There was a lot of stress involved in ordering custom flame-stitch sheets in an ombre pattern. I was not sure how they would turn out, and if I am honest, they scared me when they first arrived. But in the end, I think they complimented the décor and vibe of the room perfectly. But they were definitely different. Feels good to know that we pulled it off.

aspire: 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?
Stephanie: It is mostly an individual process, but I always like to consider what’s in the next space so it’s a smooth transition. I always like the visitors to feel an easy flow to the space.

aspire: 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?
Stephanie: I have done 2 showhouses. One small space (powder room) and one large (bedroom & closet). Each proved its own challenges. But something I didn’t consider when taking this year’s bedroom & closet was the amount of furniture, accessories & fresh flowers that are required to make it a finished and inviting space. That was an eye-opening experience & proved time-consuming.

aspire: Describe the town of Pasadena in one sentence.
Stephanie: Pasadena is a large town with a small-town vibe.

This or That?

aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Stephanie: Wallpaper when I can talk my client into it! So often they are afraid!
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Stephanie: Both, my favorite is hardwood with an area rug.
aspire: Beach or mountains?
Stephanie: Both- depends on my mood.
aspire: Saturated color or black and white?
Stephanie: I love color, either full saturated rooms or pops of color here and there.
aspire: Brunch or dinner?
Stephanie: Brunch, complete with a mimosa
aspire: Midcentury or 18th century?
Stephanie: My personal preference is a mix, I adore eclectic spaces.
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Stephanie: Draperies…sometimes with shades, but always drapery or sheers.
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Stephanie: English Patient
aspire: Week at the spa or week of Broadway shows?
Stephanie: A week at the spa!! Total restoration. I will take my broadway too, but in small doses.

Click Here to view more interviews for the designers of Pasadena Showcase House of Design.

Photography by Erika Bierman.

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