The Kid Stays in the House

Chances are great that if you don't know the name Robert Evans, you certainly know his work. While head of Paramount Studios and later as a producer he was responsible for such films as Barefoot in the Park, The Great Gatsby, Love Story, The Godfather, Chinatown, and many more. Actually, you really should know the name Robert Evans because he is a legend.  He was also married to Ali MacGraw but even more famous than all of these things is his house, Woodland, in Beverly Hills.  The New York Times has just published a story about the home in T magazine.  I knew it looked familiar and I finally remembered that Matt Trynauer had written a very interesting article, Glamour Begins at Home,  for Vanity Fair about the architect, John Woolf.  It was built in 1941 for interior designer James Pendleton and is considered a masterpiece.  The style became known as Hollywood Regency and John Woolf's life story is almost as interesting as that of Robert Evans. 

In his autobiography, The Kid Stays in the Picture, as well as the wonderful video on The New York Times website, Robert Evans tells the story of how he came to fall in love with the house.  Actress Norma Shearer took him on a walk about 10 minutes from the Beverly Hills Hotel.  "We entered a hidden oasis, protected by hundred-foot-tall eucalyptus trees.   It was Greta Garbo's hideaway whenever she snuck into town.  The house, a formal pavilion with a mansard roof, was beautifully proportioned.  But what really got me were the grounds-nearly two acres of towering eucalyptus, sycamores, and cypresses, thousands of roses, all behind walls." 

It was not for sale but Mr. Pendleton was a widower and living there all alone sold it to Robert Evans.  "For $290,000 the place of my dreams was mine.  Paramount took over...an army of studio engineers, carpenters, painters, electricians, and plumbers expanded the pool house into a luxurious screening room with state-of-the-art projection facilities, including the largest seamless screen ever made-sixteen feet wide.  A new, winding driveway was installed off Woodland Drive to create a second, more private entrance.  A greenhouse was constructed.  A north-south, day-and-night tennis court was designed by Gene Mako, the premier designer of hard surface courts." 

"Nature couldn't be improved on when it came to the garden's prize.  Standing among the over two thousand rosebushes was an enormous spreading sycamore, several centuries old, with branches covering half an acre.  Anything that's been breathing that long needs lots of help.  For the circumference of the half acre, every three feet the roots are intravenously fed.  Many a time I've given it an anxious look: 'You're one hell of an expensive lady.' But it's more than a tree - it's a piece of art.  I'd take a night job to keep its leaves aglow.  Twenty-one weddings have been blessed under its far reaching branches.  I'm sure its batting an average higher than any alter in the world.  Nineteen for twenty-one.  Not bad huh? Only two have failed - mine."

Artwork and objects collected by Robert Evans over the years.

Robert Evans had help decorating his home from Paramount since it would also be used for "clandestine meetings for historic deals - both legal and illegal."  Evans himself bought the art including a wonderful Monet from the Wildenstein Gallery in New York.  You really do have to read The Kid Stays in the Picture for the full account of Robert Evans life and the life of the house. 

The dining room has a view of the garden. 

A hallways is lined with photographs that chronicle Robert Evans' life in pictures.

His signature glasses.

The pool and house today which is barely visible behind the ivy. 

Robert Evans by the pool in 1968.

A view of the pool house with the Pendletons and friends around the pool by Slim Aarons.

All of the following photos are from 1968 and show Robert Evans and his friends enjoying the house.  It's no wonder that he's remained in it to this day.  It really does look like a dream house. 

Photos: 1-10 Jason Schmidt; 12 Slim Aarons; 11, 13-22 Alfred Eisenstaedt

New Book: Peter Pennoyer Architects

Come right in!....to the new book by Vendome Press, Peter Pennoyer Architects. Hidden door in the House on Penobscot Bay, photo by Jonathan Wallen

When asked recently if I would like a copy of the new book Peter Pennoyer Architects to review, I responded in less than a second, "YOU BET!". I am a huge proponent of traditional architecture that responds to local historical vernaculars. Perhaps that is why I find myself living in a home built in 1911. When I learned that Peter Pennoyer and his architectural team which includes co-author Ann Walker had put together a book, I was thrilled. Before the book came, I was anticipating holding this beautiful volume curled up on the sofa with a fire in the fireplace, a cup of chai tea close at hand. The cover of the book sets the scene with a view of Drumlin Hall which sits atop miniature rolling hills (known as "drumlins" formed by glacial deposits!)surrounded by beautiful Fall Color and located in Duchess County in the Hudson Valley.


Book Cover, Drumlin Hall, photo by Jonathan Wallen



When the book arrived, it was everything I had hoped. Before you even get to the title page, there are stunning two page full bleed photographs of graceful interiors, awe inspiring stairwells and shingle style country homes gracing the pages. Next, a forward by Robert Stern, one of my personal architectural heroes. Robert Stern talks about how Peter Pennoyer was a student of his at Columbia University, as well as an intern and designer in Stern's fledgling office later on. You can clearly see Stern's influence in Pennoyer's work.

House on Penobscot Bay, photo by Jonathan Wallen



Peter Pennoyer has been a leader in advocating for the relevance of classical architecture in today's world. He is the chairman of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, and has  developed his devotion to tradition over a lengthy and notable career.



Just one of the many staircases to be found in this book. The Penobscot Bay House. Photo by Jonathan Wallen

This book features twenty projects ranging from New York Apartments to Townhouses, to Country Homes across the country. You will see a grand Park Avenue apartment, San Francisco and Lenox Hill Townhouses, and homes on the beach, on Penobscot Bay, in the Adirondacks in the Saint Lucia Mountain Range and the Hudson Bay area. You will also find the beautiful architectural renderings of the homes done in a style reminiscent of historical American folk art, as well as architectural plans of the homes. 

Adirondack Camp, photo by Jonathan Wallen

Beaux Arts Town House Staircase, Photo by Jonathen Wallen

The wonderful thing about this book is not only the breadth of work, but the collaborative efforts between architects and designers such as Alexandra Stoddard, Katie Ridder, Victoria Hagan, Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper and Co., Eric Cohler, Paul Wiseman and Thomas Jayne (just to name a few!). There are as many, if not more, beautiful interiors as there are architectural masterpieces to be seen.

There is also a venerable cast of architects working on the projects: Gregory Gillmartin, the Director of Design at Peter Pennoyer Architects, is just one of many. There are renovations of homes originally designed by C.H.P Gilbert, York and Sawyer and more.

Fifth Avenue Triplex View, Photo by Scott Francis

I have only just started to delve into this book (I am still in the midst of the Townhouses section), and it is the companion on my nightstand, but I can tell you the introduction by Robert Stern and the writing style of Anne Walker makes for great reading. The book is in sections titled: Apartments, Townhouses and Country Houses. I must admit, I have been grazing through all of the sections...but am trying to stay focused. It is difficult what with all of the gorgeous photos blazing off every page! 

Park Avenue Apartment, Photo by Chrisopher Mason

Keep in mind, these are but a few of the images awaiting. There are over 200 pages to look forward to. There is also a very handy summary of projects and credits at the back of the book.

So without further ado, I leave you to this feast for the eyes.

San Francisco House, Photo by Scott Francis

East River Apartment, Photo by Scott Francis

Upper East Side Town House Kitchen, Photo by Eric Piasecki

Park Avenue Apartment Kitchen, Photo by Christopher Mason 

East Side Duplex Kitchen, photo by Scott Francis

You can  hop on over to see another review of Peter Pennoyer Architects by Stefan Hurray of Architectdesign Blog HERE. (BTW....Stefan was just named one of Fox News top ten design blogs....Congrats Stefan!!)

Truly a wonderful addition to any library, design or otherwise, I highly recommend Peter Pennoyer Architects. I am off to the fire lit couch to keep reading now....

(Many thanks to Vendome Press for the copy of this book!)

Lovely Los Feliz

One of my favorite homes that was published in the old House & Garden magazine was this one in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles that is owned by designer John Janik. The home was built in 1924 by the architect was A.F. Leicht who was prolific designer in the 1920's in Los Angeles. I personally love the amazing arched windows and that great staircase I'll try to add more details about it when I return but for now, I think the photos speak for themselves! Enjoy!

Photos by Simon Watson

Pasadena: a Glimpse

Chandler Banner

I was gone last weekend. Gone to Southern California. I made a somewhat last minute decision to drive down to Pasadena for a reunion at the school I called home from kindergarten through my Sophomore year in High School. Chandler was a relatively small school, private...and a new High School was added to the campus when I was in 7th grade. There was one class in the High School ahead of mine and one class after when it was decided the High School part of the campus didn't pencil out. It was closed after three years.

Sometimes, what starts as a bright and exciting new venture must change into another thing that is more viable. We students all moved on to other schools, graduated and went on to college and to our lives. But there was an attachment to this place where I had spent a majority of my childhood life. It played a large part in who I am.

Chandler has changed over the years, but still maintains it's dedication to excellence in education. In so doing, it will be replacing the High School buildings with a bigger Middle School campus. So it was a last hurrah for the students of Chandler High School to come together and say a last goodbye. How could I miss it?

So....there we were in '75. You will just have to figure out which one was me on your own. And here we are now....many if not all.....with almost all of the original faculty.

The Reunion

Reunions are funny things. People change so much over the years. Some people looked exactly the same. Others didn't and it took a few minutes to figure out who they were. They were attorneys, and entrepreneurs, teachers, Realtors, movie directors and artists. Some moved far away...some stayed put in Pasadena. It took all evening to sort it out....and then not really. It was just a glimpse.

But I am glad to have gone. Connections were renewed. Friendships rekindled.

I brought my Mom and my oldest daughter with me to Pasadena so we could explore and see old family friends. I wanted to show my daughter where I came from. She had not been here since she was about 5 .

The Langham Huntington Hotel

We stayed at the Langham Huntington Hotel, which was a treat. We just hit the end of the Winter rates, and this was sort of a special three generational girls trip after all.

The Langham Huntington Hotel

The Huntington Hotel, named for Henry Huntington, was originally built in 1910. It was called the Huntington Sheraton when I was little. My best friend and I would walk there from home and swim in the pool in the summer. During an exceptionally raucous game of Marco Polo, I ran into the side of that pool and chipped my front tooth.

Sketch of the original Huntington Hotel

It was bought out in the 1980's and redone, due to it's unreinforced concrete construction. It happened to be sitting on a earthquake fault line. It was then a Ritz Cartlon....now a Langham Hotel. It looks just the same and has much of the same features it had originally, like the Picture Bridge, which showed murals by artist Frank M. Moore of notable California points of interest.

We had a garden room with a patio out to the grounds. A little bit of heaven.

View from our Room

We explored a bit on Sunday. My daughter and I snuck into the Viennese Ballroom to take a peak. Can't you just imagine the ladies in their turn of the century ballgowns swirling through this room?

Viennese Ballroom

Much of the hotel is redecorated in a much more current style. This is just one of the many seating areas in the lounge. It was Sunday evening, and we were all alone. It was a little eerie, and the ballroom felt like we had traveled back in time.

Earlier on Sunday, we had lunch with my godparents who still live next door to the house where I grew up. I still love this street with it's Camphor tree tunnel.

My Childhood Street

It was a stunningly gorgeous day. Quite a change from the torrents of rain we had on the drive down from Northern Cal. The Magnolias were in their prime, and my godparents home was as lovely as I remembered. It is a shingled bungalow style home...there are many in Pasadena.

After lunch I took Mom and daughter to the Huntington Library Gardens. We were lucky to have such a great day and I took so many pictures, I will be showing them to you in another post.

We hiked around for quite awhile, and were ready for a rest. Back to the hotel, room service and a movie ( An Education....it is wonderful by the way! Carey Mulligan certainly deserved her nomination!)

The next day we drove around town to look at houses (aka... mansions) and other well known architectural treasures. It was funny. I thought I would be able to take more photos, but many of the streets in Pasadena were built long before traffic became an issue. As a result, there are many, many "No Stopping Anytime" signs in spots where I would have loved to take pictures. I was wondering if the signs were also posted to keep tourists (like me) from interrupting the bucolic settings with obnoxious photo taking. But I was able to get a few.

The Wrigley Mansion

The Wrigley Mansion is just one of the beautiful mansions built in the early 1900's by the wealthy who came to Pasadena for the sun and moderate climes. Built in 1906-1914 by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., the mansion was willed to the city of Pasadena in 1958 to become the permanent home of the Tournament of Roses Association. My family never missed the parade each year on New Years Day. We would get up before dawn and take our ladders to the parade route to get a good spot. Often it was right in front of the mansion.

The Wrigley Mansion

We also visited the Gamble House built by Greene and Greene for a quick once over. One of the most notable examples of Arts and Crafts architecture in the world, it was built in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company. It is a "must see" if you ever visit Pasadena. More info HERE.

The Gamble House by Greene and Greene

We passed by what was once the Vista del Arroyo Hotel which overlooks the Arroyo in Pasadena. My mother said this is where she learned ballroom dancing. It now houses the Ninth District Court of Appeals.

Vista del Arroyo Hotel

I wanted to show my daughter the Millard House by Frank Lloyd Wright, and we were able to catch a small glimpse of the entryway. It is Mr. Wright's first use of his textile block building system. If you want to see more photos click HERE. For more info click HERE. Architectural Digest had a great article on this house in their October 2007 issue HERE.

Frank Lloyd Wright Millard House

After the bigger iconic homes, we drove around looking at some of the other houses in Pasadena. Typical vernaculars range from the Arts and Crafts Bungalow, like this one:

An artist friend of my mother lived here, and I remember going to very artsy parties here.

Then there are the storybook-like "cottages" along the lines of the bungalow, but a little more English in feeling:

There are many Italianate style homes in Pasadena and versions of the same:

Many homes took parts of Federal, Italianate, Georgian and just mixed things up a bit.

We went by another Greene and Greene house on our little tour. This one was a few blocks from where I lived. Many a carpool drove down this street.

Greene and Greene House

One more I thought you might like is the "Father of the Bride" house. For a great article on movie, click on over to Hooked on Houses blog. There is a photo of the movie version of the house. It is exactly the same except for the much enhanced ivy on the house.

"Father of the Bride" House

Our trip was coming to and end, but first I wanted to take my daughter through downtown to show her City Hall.

Pasadena City Hall

Designed by John Blackwell Jr. and Arther Brown Jr., City Hall was built in 1927 after the Italian style of Palladio. It is considered one of the most distinctive public buildings in the United States. More info HERE.

Pasadena City Hall from the Courtyard

Directly across the street is the church where I family went. All Saints Episcopal Church has had it's share of controversy over the years. That is part of what makes it so intersting and perhaps has contributed to it's popularity. I will never forget the standing room only Christmas Midnight Masses we went to every year. Glorious.

I almost was married here, but my husband had no connection to Pasadena, so we got married HERE by the sea instead.

All Saints Episcopal Church

It is still lovely and serene.

And with that, we almost left town.

But I couldn't leave without checking out the Pasadena Antique Center after seeing Christian's post about it HERE. There was a lot to see there too!....so another post about that will be forthcoming. Thanks Christian!!

The drive back North in the middle of a Monday wasn't too bad. More on Pasadena soon!