Van-Martin Rowe added his own unique contribution to the rich architectural tradition of Pasadena, California, when he designed and built an”urban castle” for himself and his spouse, Barry Storch. The landscape and interior designer chose a nondescript two-bedroom, one-bath home and transformed it into a one-of-a-kind residence with details from the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia and Morocco.
Inspired from the sequoia that has burst on the land for more than a century, Rowe envisioned a home having an indoor-outdoor sensibility along with a vertical accent, which more than doubled the present structure’s square footage. Fourteen-foot ceilings give mass to the spaces, without sacrificing livability or comfort. “I attempted to maintain it so that it lived just like a larger home,” he says.
Van-Martin Rowe
Two of the seven towers lend a fanciful air to the home, while a tall hedge guarantees privacy. Earth-toned textured stucco provides a link to the earth and the surrounding neighborhood.
Van-Martin Rowe
Rowe tucked the entry door, which he had fabricated of steel with a bronze finish, into the hedge.
Van-Martin Rowe
Rowe picked warm-toned gravel for the entry courtyard, while artificial windows and doors provide the space the impression of a space. “They start it up,” he says. “I had eliminated them from a different property I was remodeling — I hate to throw things away “
Van-Martin Rowe
Vintage tiles, antique Persian adorn one of the fountains. The classic pot is out of Italy. “I love using tile,” says Rowe. “The color never fades.”
Van-Martin Rowe
Cast-stone steps lead from the courtyard to the loggia, which can be used year-round. Rowe finished the ceiling inset here with skylights — in blue plaster to evoke those completed in Roman times. The lovers throughout are from the Modern Fan Company.
Van-Martin Rowe
Flanked from cast-stone columns, the loggia stays open to the outdoors but is protected in the exact same time. Rowe designed the table behind the sofa.
Van-Martin Rowe
Interspersed with vintage Malibu pieces, tile from Walker Zanger and Anne Sacks stand for a carpet. “I always say a space should appear incredible empty — that way it’ll look even more lovely supplied,” explains Rowe, who also designed the chairs upholstered in golden mohair and the couch.
Van-Martin Rowe
Triple-glazed French terra-cotta tiles from Cavendish Grey were installed with big grout joints.
Van-Martin Rowe
The furniture on the loggia can readily be eliminated to accommodate big dinner parties or even to create an impromptu dance floor for parties. “Flexibility is very important to mepersonally,” says Rowe.
Van-Martin Rowe
Glass doors from the loggia lead into the library, which comes with a reclaimed-oak flooring. “It is really practical for animals, children and guests,” says Rowe. “Children can and should learn to live with beautiful things .”
Van-Martin Rowe
For the ceiling at the library, Rowe took his cue from artist James Turrell’s Quaker meeting house in Houston, Texas. “Blue is quite a therapeutic color,” says Rowe. “Here it essentially disappears at night” A classic phone cage hung from the ceiling provides entry to the habit shelves, done in vertical-grain walnut cabinetry with a mahogany finish.
Van-Martin Rowe
The distressed plank floors continue at the kitchen, which Rowe designed for entertaining, with two Sub-Zero refrigerators and an extra-deep Thermador professional selection. Rowe installed an oversize Viking hood liner and decorated it using terra-cotta tiles and set the cupboards six inches above the ground. “If you want something to look larger, float it off the ground,” he says. “Otherwise, it stops the eye”
Van-Martin Rowe
Tile out of Ann Sacks is offset by a terra-cotta slice from Eye of the Day Garden Design Center at Carpinteria, California.
Van-Martin Rowe
For the dining area, Rowe designed a built-in buffet with ample drawer space. The handles are ebony with wenge pegs.
Van-Martin Rowe
There’s additional storage space in the butler’s pantry. “I call it the Costco Room,” jokes Rowe. “I don’t have a butler, but I do have a Costco card” Ample mahogany counters may be used during parties as well as for folding laundry.
Van-Martin Rowe
“I desired the master bedroom fireplace to appear to be a walk-in terrace,” says Rowe. He raised the hearth so that the flames could be seen from the bed.
Van-Martin Rowe
Outside the master bedroom, cantilevered beams trickle water into the swimming pool, which doubles as a fountain. “I gave it a negative edge like a reflecting pool,” Rowe says.
Van-Martin Rowe
Pagoda-like details decoration among the towers. Of the blend of diverse elements he used throughout the house, Rowe observes,”In music and fashion, you see folks sampling all kinds of things, but in design, not so much. This home is such a personal expression of my life”
Van-Martin Rowe
Rowe produced a magical space beneath the roof, which provides views of the San Gabriel Mountains nearby. “I had just completed a home on the canals of Venice, California, in which you really have to maximize space,” says Rowe, who also took inspiration from the way roofs are employed in Egyptian and Moroccan residential buildings. The daybed is by Dedon.
See more photos from this project.
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