Project Description
This special space was adapted by Mystic Water Gardens for the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts 2014.
It is both historical and clever, a magical little project that inspired visitors to reuse their existing property assets!
A Springhouse from the 1800’s sits quietly next to the well on the property. Because it is partially subterranean and adjacent to the artesian well, this 9×12 building can be up to 30 degrees cooler than the temperature outside, a big asset in the hot San Gabriel Valley!
We used this natural cooler to create a wine cellar for the property. A raw walnut wine rack housing over 180 bottles was built by Cellar Masters of Newbury Park and installed for the space, the well water was recirculated to a new koi pond. Every other item (other than the lighting) that was installed in the house was vintage or made of reclaimed materials. The world is full of enough things and materials, it is not always necessary for new things to be created to make a space beautiful.
Mystic Water Gardens transformed the outdoor area to a lush English shade garden, perfectly appropriate to the home’s architecture, and used fallen logs personally sourced to create and incredible entry arch and a waterfall. Zin Chair provided furniture made of reclaimed oak wine barrels, and Vermont Cedar Chair offered chairs made of logs tragically clear cut from their personal property in Vermont.
We are so proud to have furthered the idea that old buildings can be relevant, old materials can be meaningful, and old things can be on-trend and beautiful. We loved the opportunity provided by Pasadena Showcase House to work on this special space, serve charity and inspire reuse while we were at it!