ALL FOR THE SHOW

“I have attended Showcase for years, admiring all of the amazing designs featured. This year, I decided to jump in and take a chance by putting my designs out for display. I like to put an unexpected twist with traditional materials so that the room is a feast for the eyes. There was no time for mistakes!”

“I WANTED TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO A LUXURIOUS RESORT IN MARRAKECH OR PARIS WHEN THEY ARE IN MY SPACE. I WANT THEM TO GRAB A COCKTAIL, RELAX, AND ENJOY THE GORGEOUS VIEW OF THE BACKYARD. GRAB A FRIEND YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IN A WHILE AND CHAT FOR HOURS, ENVELOPED IN THIS SPACE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND STYLISH.”

—RYDHIMA BRAR, Garden Room and Terrace, first-time Showcase House designer

“Since moving to Los Angeles, I’ve been curious to participate in Showcase House. It’s a fantastic opportunity and an important channel to showcase our skills as a designer. I’m glad I finally did because it all aligned perfectly. Despite its challenges, I love this property, its history, and the space I got. I want my space to welcome everyone and set the tone for the rest of the areas.”

“I wanted to honor the life and passions of the original owner, Ruth Stewart, by telling her story within a room. In 1935, Ruth sailed to the Hawaiian islands, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Ruth was so inspired by the aesthetics and culture, she threw Tahitian-themed parties. … Travel, adventure, art, sailing, philanthropy, and Ruth’s free spirit are the thematic elements of the Artist’s Wunderkammer.”

—CHRISTOPHER GRANT WARD, Artist’s Wunderkammer, first-time Showcase House designer

“AS I DID THE PRELIMINARY DESIGNER WALKTHROUGH, I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SPACE AND FILLED OUT THE PAPER TO APPLY THAT SAME DAY! I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL A SENSE OF CALM WHEN THEY’RE IN THE PARISIAN HOTEL SUITE. I WANT ALL MY SPACES TO BE A PLACE TO RECHARGE BATTERIES AFTER A LONG AND STRESSFUL DAY.”

—LOUISE MUELLER, Parisian Hotel Suite, first-time Showcase House designer

“I took the green tone from the Young Gentlemen’s Bedroom but wanted to brighten the small space up with light colors and textures. It was such a fun transformation from the original bath.”

—ASHLEY MARIE O’CONNELL, Young Gentlemen’s Bedroom and Bath, first-time Showcase House designer

“As a student team of eight with no prior real-world industry career experience, the biggest challenge was learning to trust the process as we navigate new, unknown [territory] on a very limited budget and schedule. For our room, the light coming through the skylight and windows, the high ceilings, and A-frame architectural elements create an uplifting, airy quality and a feeling of relaxed optimism—we wanted the furniture and decor to be an extension of that.”

—MICHELLE HALABASO AND MISSA KATO, leaders for the team of ASID students, Modern Guest Haven, first-time Showcase House designers

“I love the house and the grounds—the pool house specifically felt like a beautiful little retreat, perfect for us to renovate. I also really wanted to design a space that represented me and my company, The Studio For. I love how everything came together, but I think what makes the most impact in these small spaces is our wallpaper. Inspired by nature with a modern take on Art Deco, it complements the colorful tile and natural wood.”

“The history of the Stewart House was extremely inspiring. As soon as I stepped out onto the Terrace and took in the view of the magnificent yard, I knew I wanted to be involved! The design for the Terrace was inspired by The Great Gatsby. What if the book had been set on a Caribbean island rather than Long Island …. What would Daisy Buchanan’s famous porch look like?”

“The Meditation Garden spoke to me immediately. Although overgrown, the original design was solid and worth preserving. I began by trimming and transplanting existing plants to expose the garden’s classic features of a natural stone fountain, stream, and statues. To provide a sense of balance, enhancements were purposefully kept simple and all new plants followed the established color scheme. I hope that visitors to the garden will enjoy a sense of peacefulness.”

—SERGIO GOMEZ, Meditation Garden, first-time Showcase House garden designer

“I was surprised that we found a wallpaper that is very reminiscent of the gardens. It’s called Aerial Garden by Anna French/Thibaut. It became the starting point of our design. It’s more traditional than our modern style but it works beautifully with our overall design and just fits the property. My favorite design element, however, was the color palette of whites and accents of gray and black mixed with rustic wood and natural seagrass.”

—MARIA VIDELA, Garden Retreat, 10th-time Showcase House designer

“It’s the first-ever vegetable garden aka Potager in Showcase history! We are at the mercy of the weather as exterior designers with a living exhibit. April/ May is the cusp of spring to summer planting, which is also the length of Showcase, then tack on the rain we’ve experienced in SoCal—that was the biggest challenge.”

—CHIA-MING RO, The Potager: Editable and Cut Flower Garden, first-time Showcase House designer

“I think the biggest challenge has been creating a layout and aesthetic that complements the traditional elements of the estate as well as moving into a more modern and updated feel. We really want people to feel as comfortable in the outdoor pool deck and gazebo area as they would feel in an indoor space. The house and pool area are so well maintained and timeless it has made working in the space so easy and fun. Good design and good bones really are timeless!”

—CARTER WHITE, Outdoor Deck, first-time Showcase House designer