South Pasadena is famous for its historic homes, many built before 1930. They stand side by side under heritage trees, lining the uncomplicated and perfectly orderly street grid.
But don't think for a minute that you have the whole picture.
Forget the river rock and pitched roof lines below -- the hills of South Pasadena are filled with classic examples of mid-century modern through postmodern 1970s architecture. Post and beam? Check. Rambling ranch? Check. Chalet-style? Check. Wooden tree-house style homes with huge picture windows and terrifyingly spindly poles holding up wrap around decks? Check! Near the water tower, you'll find eclectic little houses clinging to steep slopes and nestled along hairpin curves. This one certainly grabbed my attention. A pea-green mod with a pink plastic Christmas tree? Yeah, baby!
You can still feel the free-spirited optimism of the era in which these homes were built -- and with spectacular views around every curve, it's hard not to be in a good mood.
24 comments:
Laurie - You are just too much! South Pasadena is not really a town. It's a visual scavenger hunt. The citizens bring in old cars and preserve old buildings and paint things flaming orange and mix crazy green houses with pink Christmas trees just so Laurie will find them. And day after day, she does.
Hee hee, I agree with Mister Earl! This house is making me grin from ear to ear!
That is so cute!
Fabulous! Let's hear it for the individualist!
I was out and about this morning and ran across the South Pasadena Rose Parade float out for a mechanical check. You can see some photos in two posts on my blog at
http://misterearlmusing.blogspot.com/
I see that Laurie has discovered South Pasadena's bohemian neighborhood in another part of the southwest hills. There are some great, funky houses in this neighborhood, although I can't say I like the color choices of this one, though. For some reason this made me think of the neighborhood in Edward Scissorhands. All the brightly colored houses, except those were cookie-cutter tract houses and mostly pastels.
Thanks to Mr. Earl for discovering the Rose Float on a test drive. South Pasadena is one of three entries that's still self built and it's the oldest continous self built float. All the rest pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have commercial firms build them. Planning for the next float starts right after the parade ends. South Pasadena rarely wins any awards but no one has more fun building theirs. It gets built in the parking lot behind the War Memorial Building on Fair Oaks and visitors are welcome.
Laurie - you should take your daughter see the float, and don't miss the cannon in front of the building - it's great to climb on.
Just another great, oh COLOR!, pic from LA.
ps: as tall as u r Laurie, u must've been as surprised as eye was, 2 have too look up two sea Petrea! She must've been a basketbrawl player 15yrs ago in her college daze.
Wow, color slam!
I actually like this crayola box green, because unlike the wretched, ubiquitous color teal, this doesn't clash with the growing greenery! That these folks put their pink tree right in the window, well, that makes it an art statement. Very cool.
Now that it's been mentioned here re the So Pasa city rose float, I guess I should put in my 2 cents, aka de USe $dollar, what with the time crunch here:
Not only is it one of a handful of self-built floats remaining, it's the oldest. And it depends not on big corp sponsorship, but numerous community fund-raising events, raffles, auctions, etc. Funds are always in need for something like this & these times are no exception.
Even this dog, a non-southern pasa (aka Pasadena), has been helping out a couple of friends over de border with fund-raising for the So Pasa tour of roses committee. I dunno how with my zero time!
Anyway, if you're feeelin groovy enuf you can get more info at my link, the South Pasa Way , especially since a key fund raising date is coming this 15th, and then a related party on the 29th.
This has Dr. Seuss written all over it. Great find!
Thanks for the plug for the SPTOR, Cafe Observer, and for your volunteer effots. The fundraiser on the 29th is called the Crunch Party. It's a fun dinner at the War Memorial Building where you can walk outside and see the final frenzy to get the float built. Volunteers come from all over to finish the job. Tickets to the Crunch Party are availble at their website.
That is so California! At least, that's what I imagined from the cold days in Illinois.
What is a "crunch party?", some may ask? It's not as terrifying as it sounds.
It's the final fund raiser of the year for the SPasa Rose Float. Tix are $35/person which includes a dinner plus a live & silent auction of the donated items, plus more! More info on my link above & the sptor site. Help in any way if you can.
Ok, this Pasa dog has done enuf already 4 these So Pasa's.
Thanks, Cafe. It's called the Crunch Party as in "crunch time." The last few days are hectic and there's always a crunch to get it finished. See you there!
This is one of my new favorites. Being different is one thing but to do it with such style is fantastic!
Oh WOW, what an awesome color combination! That particular shade of green in itself is amazing, but with the pink Christmas tree it's amazing
All I want for Christmas is a pink, pink tree.....you got it, babe, and in the window of a pea green house. Is that A Cat In The Hat I see eating Green Eggs and Ham? How do these houses find you, Laurie? I would love to see what the owners look like. No, maybe not. It's just fun to imagine the lady of the house wearing purple with a red hat.
Hi kids,
I'm half asleep after a busy day so I'll catch up in the morning. Thanks, though, for all the wonderful conversation, information and observation. Carry on!
How utterly awesome is that??
Sorry I missed your blog yesterday... I was volunteering at the Warner Bros. holiday Party for children with cancer... with not a hair tree in sight! (Inside joke for Laurie)
OK Laurie, if you want to make me happy, give me this shot for my Christmas present, or put copies up for sale. THIS is what I LOVE about California... the juxtaposition!
Love love love this shot!!!!!
Laughing at the reference, Yak. And if you are a nice girl, maybe Santa will put a print of this under your fabulously avant guard Christmas tree...
Pretty in green with pink. Nice tree.
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