| (November 12, 2025) Pasadena, California — Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts announces today its 2026 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, one of the oldest, largest and most successful home and garden tours in the country. Now in its 61st year, the Showcase House chosen is Baldwin Oaks Estate, a magnificent residence in Arcadia that was once owned by Clara Baldwin Stocker, the eldest daughter of Elias Jackson Baldwin, known as “Lucky.” A wealthy pioneer, Lucky Baldwin is credited with the development of Arcadia as well as some of the surrounding areas. This highly significant house is known not only for its historied owner, but also for its significant architectural style, making it a true treasure of the past.Built as a shingle-style home in 1907, the style is closely associated with the American Arts and Crafts movement. Typical features of the shingle-style home include the shingles surrounding the exterior, a roofline with multiple gables, a prominent front wraparound porch and the use of natural materials such as local stone. With more than 8,000 square feet of living space, the home is set behind California oak trees which stand ready to greet visitors as they travel up the circular driveway. Approaching the expansive wraparound porch set with magnificent stonework, you are welcomed into another era of early 20th century luxury and grandeur. Opening the door, the grand entryway takes your breath away with its stunning sweeping oak staircase. Oak beams and paneling appear throughout the first floor which includes a grand living room, a library, family room, dining room, entertainment room, kitchen, pantry, laundry room, and mudroom. Upstairs are five expansive bedrooms, some with fireplaces and their own bathrooms, all creating an elegant and gracious living environment. The home sits on nearly two acres of park-like grounds with the native oaks sharing space with pine, camphor, and palm trees. A gazebo and outdoor kitchen overlook a pool with a pool bath and changing rooms. Rose gardens, fruit trees and expansive lawns complete the property. Clara Baldwin Stocker inherited a fortune from her famous father and was well known for her elaborate lifestyle, earning the nickname of “The Diamond Princess,” for her love of jewels and extravagant spending. She made Baldwin Oaks Estates a center for lavish parties and entertained with many of her guests from the entertainment and sports worlds. Her parties were legendary, with some lasting for several days.2025/2026 President of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, Dotty Ewing, says she was excited to extend the organization’s reach into the City of Arcadia and present a Showcase House that has never been seen by the public before. This marks the fourth time the Showcase House has been held in Arcadia with its last showing being in 2020, in which COVID prevented its opening to a public tour. In lieu of that, Ms. Ewing said she is gratified to be able to return to the city and have this opportunity to present such a unique and beautiful property to the public. “We received such a gracious response from the city as well as our neighbors. We are looking forward to a banner year,” she says. After just a few months of renovation, more than 30,000 guests are expected to tour the 30 interior and landscape design spaces which will be transformed by talented designers highlighting the latest trends in high style living. Guests are welcomed to stay for a full day of entertainment with a visit to Shops at Showcase, featuring a variety of exquisite vendors, an on-site restaurant offering an opportunity for a sit-down meal, and a stylish tavern will provide a place to linger over a cocktail while enjoying the garden view. More activities are also in the planning stage with live music events, special brunches, and more unique experiences to enjoy. The Pasadena Showcase House of Design is the annual fundraiser for Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, an all-volunteer organization. Funds raised have allowed the organization to contribute more than $27 million to music and arts programs throughout the community. Ms. Ewing touts the hard work and tireless efforts of the volunteers that make the fundraiser so successful. Part of her role as President is to oversee the Benefit and once the 2026 location was selected, her next order of business was to restructure and encourage three exceptional members to handle different aspects of the Benefit Chair position. “We have such a wide variety of professionals in this organization,” she says. “Each Benefit Co-Chair can now concentrate on an exclusive area of expertise and bring their specific talents to the role.” She also gives credit to a long-time sponsor of the Showcase House, Dunn-Edwards Paints, which has exclusively sponsored the event for 61 years. The 61st Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be open from April 19 – May 17, 2026. Golden tickets and Insider Packages will go on sale November 17 and timed entry tickets go on sale in early February. For more information, visit pasadenashowcase.org. |
2026 Pasadena Showcase House of Design announces 61st edition
