MODERN ENGLISH

Pasadena native Hayley English takes inspiration from across the pond to transform an 8,000-square-foot Elmer Grey estate for a young, growing family.

´ BY NING CHAO

From the Huntington Library and Pasadena Playhouse to the Beverly Hills Hotel, Elmer Grey’s buildings are local landmarks. To give this 1912 Craftsman a cozy yet classic feel, designer Hayley English took cues from traditional English country seats. “My last name is English, and luckily it coincides with my aesthetic,” says the local, who used playful prints and pops of color to revitalize the century-old architecture.

Situated on 1.5 acres in the San Rafael Hills, “the house’s layout captures the magnificent San Gabriel Valley views and Arroyo breezeways,” says English, who notes that the former Clifford Barnes Estate looks different than it did 100 years ago, even though many historical elements were restored. For instance, distinct concrete marks and archival paperwork both indicated that a previous owner pulled out the loggia’s original balustrades. “The Historical Society required balustrade infill to approve the Mills Act designation, so it was done and custom made to look old,” says the designer, who credits the Mills Act as “the biggest incentive in California for preservation.”

LEFT: Off the foyer, the bar was designed to look original. Built-ins and a solid oak bar top were stained to match existing dark wood paneling. Gray soapstone and unlacquered brass “give a timeless, weathered patina,” says English, who raised the bar’s height and added the footrest and Made Good stools to resemble an “old English pub.” Heavyweight Fermoie linen wallpaper “feels cozy and inviting,” adds the designer, who replaced built-in pull-down screens in all the windows in the house (from Pasadena’s pre-air-conditioning days) with fine brass wire mesh.

TOP: “Two huge covered patios allowed the family to enjoy indoor-outdoor living when there was no air conditioning,” explains English, who added Frontgate furniture, Jasper upholstery, Schuyler Samperton pillows, and Samuel and Sons cord.

OPPOSITE TOP: If clients are going to splurge on something like these Laboratorio Paravicini plates, English encourages them to “put it on the wall and display it like artwork.”

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: A child’s bedroom leads to a sleeping porch, where the Arroyo below blows in a breeze that cooled the original family on warm Pasadena nights. A roman shade separates the rooms, “but you can pull it up to let in more light—the afternoon sun is really strong but the views were meant to be enjoyed,” English says. Vaughan Designs light fixture and Schumacher pillows, drapery, and rug.

LEFT: The office was originally the maid’s quarters, with simplified millwork and lighter hardwood, says English, who used Farrow & Ball wallpaper, a Serena & Lily console, and Namay Samay bespoke lampshades with Circa Lighting table lamps. Framed Schumacher green wallpaper offers a striking focal point: “These rooms felt light, bright, and airy because they were smaller spaces—using blue and green brings the outdoors in,” English says.

BOTTOM: English sourced the office’s antique French desk, with working keys and a leather top, in the South. “With old homes, I like touching on the aspect of sustainability,” she says. “I think reupholstering is OK, like we did with this chair [from Namay Samay], but there’s something really gratifying with adding old elements to a new space.” Schuyler Samperton bespoke lampshade, Annie Selke jute rug.

´ INTERIOR DESIGN Hayley English Interiors LLC hayleyenglishint.com

LEFT: This clawfoot tub was the only item salvaged before the master bathroom was completely gutted and tripled in size. “I sampled the blue Farrow & Ball [#89] paint myself, which was terrifying because I didn’t want to get anything on the tile,” says English, who framed watercolors the family already had under glass to protect them from the room’s humidity. Watermark tub fixture, Matouk towel.

ABOVE: The Serena & Lily Webster bobbinstyle bed “feels youthful,” says English, whose clients wanted a colorful space that their toddler could grow into. The Farrow & Ball floral wallpaper is whimsical but also feels sophisticated because of its beautiful texture. The quilt, upholstery, and drapery are all bespoke. Schumacher hand-blocked print quilt, Peter Dunham paisley pillow, Nichola Taylor hand-dyed pink pillow, Maison Maison lampshade, Noir side table.

RIGHT: A his-and-hers closet replaces an upstairs office. “The side we see here is her side, which is actually much smaller than his,” says English, who used adjustable shelving and rods for flexibility, left space at the top for hats and shoes, and hid storage behind the mirrors. Lisa Fine chair cushion, antique rug.