Monday, May 27, 2013

#pasadena modern tour: test house 1952

Our Pasadena Heritage 1940 Forward Modern House Tour continues with the Test House. (You can see all six homes here.) No, this "Test" is not like a Case Study Home.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect
This ornamental rail design is used throughout the house.

It is a home architected by Lawrence Test for his family in Pasadena.

Now, I must caution you, you are not going blind. I may start calling this the "Blurry Picture Home Tour." I had a mishap with my camera at the start of the tour that has caused most of the pictures to be slightly or very blurry. I continue posting because the homes were, honestly, outstanding. Soldier on we must!

Pretty cool, huh?

Lawrence Test House, Pasadena, Photo by Dennis Hill
Lawrence Test House, Pasadena, Photo by Dennis Hill
The Test House was originally a 757-square-foot-out- building of a large estate. Zillow lists the original year built as 1923. Lawrence Test planned to make the home his own and performed the first series of substantial alterations. The current home is 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, and nearly 3,000 square feet. The last set of remodelers have stayed true to what Test originally constructed with all additions being in synch with his initial vision. It is a real beauty.

Here comes the blurry, special effects picture tour. Awesome, right?

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


I love a good angle on a mid-century modern.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Bright and airy dining room. Slanted, beam ceiling is at a pleasing angle.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Here are the rails again. Lawrence Test does not have much written about him on the inter-web. However, from the tour brochure we know the following:
Test (1891-1981) was born in Pasadena and attended the University of Pennsylvania. Schooled in the Beaux Arts tradition, his early career was dominated by Period Revival styles, largely Mediterranean. However, he began experimenting with the new materials and construction processes well before World War II. By the end of his career, Test had made a name for himself in modernism, his designs characterized by a sense of rational order, simplicity, and spaciousness. 

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Noguchi coffee table. Not to be a mid-century modern snob but you do see these everywhere. The shape is organic and the 3 point wood base is sort of a brain teaser. I kind of want one. Even though they are everywhere.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Here are my blurry kitchen photos. This is a decent little galley kitchen with a simple layout and modern upgrades. Yes, down the right are Christmas lights. Oh what fun.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Test House, 1952, 533 La Loma Road, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Blur-tastic.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Charming interior patio. Here is another example of a modern Test on Curbed LA and a not so modern Test on Zillow

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

This bathroom evokes a ship for me. Could be the porthole mirror and the linear tile.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Love this built-in office with the nice sunny corner window.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

And the little desk for meetings and what not.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Lovely art deco wine cart. Really nice piece.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


I wasn't sure what this room was and didn't ask enough questions. Is it a laundry room, wine storage room or bar? Or all three?

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Home had remarkable, notable art throughout.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Another nicely remodeled bathroom.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Blurry furniture. I am not sure how much more of this I can take.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect



Great master bedroom with a lovely Herman Miller style (or actual) bench at the end of the platform bed.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Another cool bathroom. Right space but the owners made the most of it.


Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Eames birdie.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Decent workout room. Personally, I am not a fan of the home gyms. Or any gym for that matter. Ha ha.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


A remarkably clear photo of the rail.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

 Another pretty outdoor entertaining area.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

My own picture of the home.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

 These cool little cubbies were in the garage.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

This built-in furniture is in the garage. I do believe the owners must be using the garage as an office --  because it is just too nice.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

In the garage I met some fantastic ladies from Deassy/Penner Real Estate who specialize in "Home as Art." They had cookies for the weary home tourists and I took a picture of their display for the blog. Unfortunately, it was a ridiculously blurry picture. Sorry nice ladies!

Wonderful large outdoor fireplace and seating area. Mammoth fire place.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


This is the downstairs room adjacent to the outdoor seating area.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

The art and furniture in this home are exquisite.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect

They had a couple of these little mosaic coffee tables. They were outstanding. Clearly art pieces. Use your imagination.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


The bottom level of the house (it is on at least three levels that I counted), is the indoor/outdoor living room. Wonderful space.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect


Here is a non-blurry picture I lifted from the LATimes.

Test House, 1952, Pasadena, CA 91105, Lawrence Test Architect
From the LATiimes.
That wraps up blurry home tour #3. The next 3 house are equally fantastic and the pictures are of equally varying quality. Hang in there with me, it will be worth it. I'll bang them out this week and then we'll be on to new things next week!

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6 comments:

  1. Another beautiful house! I love those railings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I had a spot for railings, I would copy these.

      Delete
  2. Claim the blur--you could call it your impressionist take on Modernism. Aside from the blur, The house looks fabulous, except for the three or more levels. Even with a two-story, I'm always finding the item I need is not on the floor I'm on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I need to own it. Well, even in a one story house, what I want is in the back and when I am in the back, it is in the front.

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful house! Love it inside and out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another very peaceful setting. Huge lots in Pasadena.

      Delete

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