SHOWHOUSE TOUR
A Celebration of Decoration
The 2026 Pasadena Showcase House of Design reveals a brilliant new facet.
This year’s showcase spotlighted the Baldwin Oaks Estate, a 1907 Arts and Crafts-era home inspired by the legacy of its original owner, Clara Baldwin Stocker. Clara earned the nickname “The Diamond Princess” for her extensive fine jewelry collection, and she was just as well known for hosting legendary parties that lasted for days. Drawing inspiration from her glamorous spirit, some of the region’s top interior designers reimagined the estate with a dazzling, maximalist aesthetic that pays tribute to its larger-than-life history.
Read on to see how Visual Comfort lighting informed their concepts and enhanced their final designs, illuminating the beauty of decorative interiors that set minimalism aside in favor of collected, expressive spaces brimming with character.
Loire Grande Flush Mount by AERIN; Ziyi Sconce by Thomas O’Brien. Interior Design by Lara Hovanessian (Blue Brick Design); Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
Clementine 48" Tiered Entry Chandelier by Julie Neill; Jane 200 LED Tape 3000K by Visual Comfort in the crown molding. Interior design by Lara Hovanessian (Blue Brick Design); Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
A Grand Entrance
Standout lighting sets the tone from the start. In the two-story entryway, designed by Lara Hovanessian of Blue Brick Design, a towering, tiered chandelier from Julie Neill creates an atrium-like effect, surrounded by William Morris’ “Strawberry Thief” wallpaper and a coved ceiling painted by Hattias Studios.
“The ceiling is the home’s original plaster, and we installed dimmable cove lighting from Visual Comfort,” explains Hovanessian. “It’s incredible to see how a space transforms so drastically just by adding this small detail.” Paired with the Clementine chandelier, the cove lighting brings attention to the curves of the ceiling as well as the mural.
Talia 33" Semi-Flush Mount by Julie Neill; Vessel Large Table Lamp by Barbara Barry. Interior design by Ronnie Gor (Amorphous Studio); Photo by David G. Zimmerman.
Belmont XL Task Floor Lamp by Chapman & Myers. Interior design by Ronnie Gor (Amorphous Studio); Photo by David G. Zimmerman.
Color and Character
The estate’s primary suite is a study in gold and green. The jewel-box tones and luminous gold ceiling are inspired by early 20th-century Czech and Viennese Modernism, creating a dramatic backdrop for Julie Neill’s Talia Semi-Flush Mount. It’s “the perfect bridge” to connect the room’s artistic influences, explains Amorphous Studio principal Ronnie Gor. “I didn’t want a chandelier that dominated the room simply for its size or ornamentation. Instead, I wanted a fixture that would illuminate and celebrate the gold ceiling, allowing the richness of the wall covering and architectural surfaces to become a part of the experience.”
Arabelle Flush Mount by AERIN. Interior design by Ronnie Gor (Amorphous Studio); Photo by David G. Zimmerman.
Baxley Sconce by Alexa Hampton; Kit Rectangular Mirror by Generation Lighting. Interior design by Ronnie Gor (Amorphous Studio); Photo by David G. Zimmerman.
More glamour echoes throughout the dressing room and bathroom, punctuated by standout, gilded fixtures from AERIN, Thomas O’Brien, Barbara Barry and Alexa Hampton. “Rather than treating lighting as individual fixtures, I approached it as a thread that connects the entire suite while creating the atmosphere and narrative of each room,” she says, likening it to “three chapters of the same story.”
Dani Medium Table Lamps by Thomas O’Brien. Interior design by Maria Videla-Juniel (The Art of Room Design); Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
A Room in Bloom
Dubbed “The Bloom Lounge” thanks to its large-scale floral Thibaut wallpaper, the living room, designed by Maria Videla-Juniel of The Art of Room Design, is an ode to Gilded Age glamour and the many glittering parties the estate once hosted. Although it’s large enough to accommodate several seating areas plus a game table, the space achieves an intimate feel through carefully chosen ambient and task lighting. The Dani Medium Table Lamps by Thomas O’Brien softly illuminate the console, featuring upholstered stools tucked underneath — comfortable seating in a pinch.
Mollino Large Tiered Chandelier by AERIN. Interior design by Carla Lane Interiors. Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
Linden Table Lamp by Kelly Wearstler. Interior design by Carla Lane Interiors. Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
For Ladies Who Lounge
An ode to Clara Baldwin Stocker’s knack for hosting, the so-called “Ladies Lounge” offers a comfortable yet extravagant place to entertain, day or night. Designer Carla Lane of Carla Lane Interiors chose the Mollino Large Tiered Chandelier by AERIN to anchor the space, bringing in additional clean whites — like Kelly Wearstler’s Linden Table Lamp — to contrast the room’s opulent wall coverings and moody palette.
“I needed large statement pieces that would stand up to the wallpaper and upholstery,” explains Lane, noting that lighting was planned into the overall design. “Going to the Visual Comfort & Co. showroom is so helpful, especially when scale is what’s important.”
Austen Large Dual Function Floor Lamp by AERIN; Comtesse Medium Triple Table Lamp by Paloma Contreras. Shielded Medium Sconce by Peter Bristol. Interior design by Jamie Loren. Photo by Andrew Bui.
A Room for Conversation
For reading a book, writing a letter, or playing a game of mahjong, the estate’s family room is a multipurpose space with collected character. Designer Jamie Loren didn’t shy away from rich, surprising color and texture, opting for inky blue paint (Viridian Odyssey by Dunn-Edwards Paints) on the walls and ceiling. This cinematic space called for impactful lighting, including the AERIN Rhine crystal chandelier above the custom mahjong table, and Peter Bristol’s Shielded Medium Sconces flanking the hidden writing room, which Loren calls “the vault.” Plentiful accent lighting, such as lamps from AERIN and Paloma Contreras, illuminate the room’s many textures like velvet, bouclé, leather and even chainmail.
Rhine 36" Ring Chandelier by AERIN. Interior design by Jamie Loren. Photo by Andrew Bui.
Shielded Medium Sconce by Peter Bristol. Interior design by Jamie Loren. Photo by Andrew Bui.
Cora Small Sconce by Chapman & Myers; Rosehill Large Semi-Flush Mount by AERIN. Interior design by Rhonda Angell Interior Design; Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
A Jewelbox Bathroom
Rhonda Angell Interior Design enrobed the bathroom with period-appropriate selections, including William Morris Wallpaper and a milk glass fixture, the Rosehill Large Semi-Flush Mount by AERIN. The Cora Small Sconces by Chapman & Myers bring in texture and veining that quietly call back to the marble sink and shower.
Precision 9" Flush Mount by Kelly Wearstler. Interior design by Arterberry Cooke Architecture. Photo by Valen Alexis Photography.
Otto 5" Solitaire Flush Mount by Kelly Wearstler. Interior design by Arterberry Cooke Architecture. Photo by Valen Alexis Photography.
A Fresh Spin
A tedious chore becomes much more palatable in this whimsical laundry room, designed by Arterberry Cooke Architecture. Lighting from Kelly Wearstler brings an organic, grounded presence to this practical and beautiful space that overlooks the home’s expansive grounds, filled with fragrant rose gardens and fruit trees.
“We installed the Kelly Wearstler Otto light as a sconce rather than a flush-mount,” explains Arterberry Cooke co-founder Barrett Cooke. “The alabaster in these lights means that each fixture is unique, which was highlighted by installing them as sconces and in multiples.”
Halifax 28" Cordless Pierced Ceramic Table Lamp by Ralph Lauren. Interior design by Noelle Gex Djokovich (Gex Designs). Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
Re Flush Mount by Suzanne Kasler. Interior design by Noelle Gex Djokovich (Gex Designs). Photo by Peter Christiansen Valli.
Form and Function
Gex Designs principal Noelle Gex Djokovich sought the sun for her mudroom design. The Ré Flush Mount by Suzanne Kasler is both a sculptural focal point and an eclectic, winking nod to the outdoors. Elsewhere, Djokovich chose The Halifax Cordless Pierced Ceramic Table Lamp by Ralph Lauren to offer illumination without the clutter of cords. “We are big fans of thoughtful lighting touches,” Djokovich says. “The Ralph Lauren lamp gave not only a soft glow to the room, but also a decorative element with its ceramic base.”
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