As a child, Rachel Duarte was “obsessed” with color, art, fabrics, and the arrangement of things. Now, she has over 20 years of experience and runs Rachel Duarte Design Studio, a full-service residential design firm specializing in luxury homes. Although Duarte participated in Pasadena Showcase House several times in the past working for another design team, this year is her first time presenting her own vision. Duarte’s space, the Guest Suite, includes a bedroom, closet, and bathroom. “My goal with these spaces was to create a comfortable environment in which a guest would really want to stay and feel like it was a special place to be,” she says. “I [used] saturated colors, comfortable furnishings, and a little bling to keep things fun.” Here, she shares her favorite flea market find and where she spends her “me time.”
I am originally from Texas and moved to Pasadena in 1997. For many years I lived in the Madison Heights area and loved walking to the South Lake District and to Old Town. I currently live in North Glendale, but my heart still lives in Pasadena.
Whenever I have visitors from out of town, I love driving them through the Arroyo and San Rafael areas. A drive by the Greene & Greene Blacker House is a must.
Working on any historic home is a thrill for me, and Wallace Neff is at the top of my list.
For inspiration I enjoy visiting the Norton Simon Museum and Huntington Gardens. The art and rich history give me peace and ignite creativity. I see things in a new way every time I visit.
I love Finn + Willow Boutique for fun casual apparel, Salutations Home for special gifts, and On Madison for unique accessories and furnishings.
I frequent the many antique stores around Pasadena. Fair Oaks Avenue has so many: Pasadena Antique Center, Revival Antiques, and Pasadena Antiques & Design are a few of my favorites. My rule going through each of these great places is not to walk the store once—a second loop around always presents something I did not notice the first time through. The Rose Bowl Flea Market is one of my very favorite things to attend. I usually hunt for Murano glass or vintage art glass from the ’50s and ’60s. A treasured find I added to my collection recently is tall, midcentury, optic ruby-red balloon vase.
Getting a nice walk in around the Rose Bowl track or taking a hike at Eaton Canyon are my springtime, “me time” things to do.
My husband and I are both pizza fanatics so whenever we have a diet cheat day our go-to spot is Settebello. The Emilia pizza and the involtini di prosciutto salad are a must.
Completing a design project means a champagne toast in The Tap Room at The Langham or wine tasting at Everson Royce.
