For a decade, Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning called Pasadena home, living in San Rafael Hills in a 1940s modern home and later a midcentury residence in Altadena designed by architects Kenneth and Robert Gordon that they restored. It’s no doubt that Pasadena’s timelessly compelling architecture sank into their creative minds while they were furniture design students at ArtCenter in the late ’90s. They chose a space in Old Pasadena as their first studio, from which they launched furnishings and accessories brand Lawson-Fenning. Now, the brand has grown to occupy a two-story Melrose Avenue flagship space for their original pieces and reimagined vintage pieces, and the designers have each chosen to settle in nearby Los Feliz. This season, don’t miss their debut collection with CB2, which celebrates classic California style, as well as their exclusive one-of-a-kind lighting and furniture pieces created with Santa Fe ceramicist Natan Moss.
Pasadena has one of the most varied and best-preserved ranges of 20th-century architecture in the world, so it’s hard to pick a favorite architectural spot, but the Craig Ellwood–designed ArtCenter Hillside Campus’ main building is among the best. The simplicity of a glass bridge over the canyon still inspires awe. A truly important architectural masterpiece.
When we were in school, our go-to hangout spots were Pie ’N Burger, Connal’s, and El Portal. Now when we’re in the area, we love Osawa for great Japanese home cooking and, believe it or not, Houston’s. Despite it being a chain, that dimly lit dining room with a nod to the Arts and Crafts history of the neighborhood always draws us in.
The ceramicist Victoria Morris is one of our favorite local artists. She is continuing the legacy of craft that is synonymous with Pasadena. Another favorite ceramicist, Jude Pauli, is pushing the boundaries of ceramics with her amazing sculptural work.
When it comes to art shows, ArtCenter Student Gallery and the Armory Center both have great programming and put on well-curated shows.
Pasadena Architectural Salvage is really one of the best design stores in the U.S. It is a trove of 20th-century architectural pieces. Also, Mik Hollis has taken the institution to the next level with a beautifully curated selection of pieces at Hollis Pasadena.
When it comes to vintage, The Huntington Collection is one of our all-time favorites, and Revival Antiques is great for hard-to-find and unique pieces. We like the scale and ease of the Pasadena City College Flea Market over Rose Bowl’s. It’s easy to shop and always has some good finds.
For museums, Norton Simon is perfectly sized, and its permanent collection is just fantastic, particularly with 20th-century American sculptors like Peter Voulkos, DeWain Valentine, and Donald Judd.
