In honor of The Shade Store's showroom opening in Pasadena, EAL is diving into the design scene in the sunny California locale. The showroom's Old Pasadena store, located at 133 West Colorado Boulevard, is number 30 in the Shade Store family, and proves that the design climate in this Southern California town is heating up. Who better than area interior designer Rozalynn Woods to walk interior designers and aficionados through the local landscape? Woods, of Rozalynn Woods Interior Design, shares her favorite haunts, local inspirations and secret shopping spots throughout the area.
Recent projects in Pasadena from designer Rozalynn Woods
The design scene in Pasadena is, in a word, “versatile,” explains Woods. The city’s architecture tells the story for itself. “We have the Arts and Crafts Gamble House built in 1908. We have small bungalows to large estates built in the 1920’s. There are mid-century ranch homes that many young people are buying to update, and we have newer contemporary homes built by architects of note,” says Woods. “There is something for everyone, and the design scene undoubtedly reflects that.”
The Gamble House; courtesy Alex Vertikoff
What are Pasadena’s top shops?
Design Within Reach, Maude Woods and Gold Bug are key home boutiques, recommends Woods. Antiques stores include West World Imports and Susanne Hollis, while Pasadena Architectural Salvage is the locals’ go-to for architectural details. “We have great thrift stores like The Assistance League of Pasadena with interesting home goods and some vintage finds,” says Woods.
With the recent addition of The Shade Store, the area now also offers “a wide selection of materials and styles” of shades and draperies, says Woods. “Regardless of the home I’m working on, I always find something to complement my design. I just did a cabin at the base of Mt. Whitney and used one of their more rustic woven shades. Now I’m working on an elegant home built in the 1940’s and am using a tightly woven refined weave.” The store’s products also help mitigate the sun, which is essential in Southern California: “Their Solar Shades are great too. I use them a lot when we want to filter the light without using draperies,” Woods shares.
Maude Woods
Where are the must-shop neighborhoods?
“Anyone looking to shop Pasadena will want to walk Old Town, down Colorado Blvd. and South Lake,” Woods confides. “Green Street and Union are also wonderful streets filled with unique specialty shops.” Her favorite hidden gem? “The Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market. It’s held the second Sunday of every month. Get there early and you always find something to go home with.”
Little Flower Candy Co.
Where do you take clients for lunch or coffee?
Copa Vida is known for its organic espresso and “chef-driven pastries,” says Woods. “I like to take people there for an early morning meeting.” As for restaurants, “the new foodie place in Pasadena is Lincoln. It is the sister to Little Flower Candy Co. I love going there: The build-out is slightly industrial and the food is yummy!”
Inside the new Shade Store location in Pasadena
Where do you find inspiration?
Pasadena is rife with cultural hotspots, many housed in old mansions: the Gamble House, the Pasadena Museum of California Art, the Pasadena Museum of History, the Huntington Library and Gardens, the Norton Simon Museum, the Pacific Asia Museum...the list goes on. As for Woods, “[Inspiration is] everywhere I look. Whether it's nature, architecture, fashion, furniture, art. The key is to be aware and pay attention.”
Rozalynn Woods
The Shade Store showroom in Pasadena is located at 133 West Colorado Boulevard. Showroom hours are 10:00AM to 6:00PM Monday through Saturday and 11:00AM to 5:00PM on Sunday.