Midcentury Modern Living

Celebrated architect, Harold Zook, designed this home for the parents of the current owners. Located on a hillside above Pasadena, the architect took advantage of views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the valley below with vaulted ceilings and expansive windows. The design also celebrated the 1950s California 'vibe,' with an open pool cabana, shuffleboard court, full-service bar, and stereo cabinets hidden behind cottonwood paneling.

The current owners loved their home but also wanted to cook and entertain for their friends. The dining area was not long enough for dinner parties and the original kitchen was cramped and separated from adjacent rooms. In that era, dinners magically appeared from a mysterious room that was off limits to guests and the charming bar that opened into the family room did not allow the host to mingle.

The new design maintains the historic character of the house and retains the design and patina of the paneling. A twenty-first century kitchen opens into the family room where a new cooking island encourages guests to join in the fun. The granite countertops remind the owners, avid backpackers, of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range, and the stainless steel counter is a nod to the 1950s. Corks from the owner's collection of favorite wines were used in the backsplash, reflecting the new California lifestyle.