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It's Not Naughty, It's Knotty Pine

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

It's Not Naughty, It's Knotty Pine in Pasadena

While going through some old files I ran across one of my Pasadena listings that sold in June 2010.  It was a one owner home built in 1953 on a large flower and exotic plant-filled lot.  It was a bit of a time-warp but well-preserved with a definite very cool vibe.  Kinda like a trip to Grandpa and Grandma's home.    There was lots of attention with eight offers received after one week on the market.  One of the most intriguing features was found throughout the home:  very cool retro knotty pine.   All over.  Ceilings, beams, doors, built-ins.  

Knotty Pine

 

knotty pine

 

Knotty Pine 

 

Knotty Pine

Retro Cool Kitchen(okay, maybe not the faux brick on the breakfast bar)

 

Looking for you little bit of cool? Do you have a feel for retro?  Michael Jacobs is a Realtor who serves the many diverse neighborhoods of Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley as well as the northeast foothill communities within the city of Los Angeles and can be reached at 818.516.4393 cell or michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com.  

 

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Show All Comments
Nancy Milton Holtzscher
RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs - Edwardsville, IL
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR

I adore knotty pine and am so happy that this house found a Realtor who appreciates its mid-century design. If I were buying a house in Pasadena, I'd contact Michael Jacobs!  (May I hope against hope that it also has a pink tile bathroom?)

Aug 22, 2011 04:40 PM
Tara Stone
eXp Realty - Alexandria Township, NJ
NJ Estates and Stables

We had a lot of this when I was selling homes in Cape Cod MA, many people opted to paint it white and then deal with the Knotty dark color that always shone through.. :)

Aug 22, 2011 04:58 PM
Scott Petersen
Client First, Realtors - Canton, MI - Canton, MI

It could be Naughty pine... that home was around in some wild times. If those walls could talk.

Aug 22, 2011 04:59 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Nancy -  there were two baths in this home and I distinctly remember one was a mint green and the other was PINK.   Thanks very much for your kind words.

Tara - I can imagine you had quite an inventory of homes with knotty pine in Cape Cod, MA.  --- I have seen some Craftsman homes(and a lot of them in Pasadena) where they have painted the original natural woodwork white--it doesn't work out so well.

Scott - isn't it true that the stories behind the pine, drywall, lath and plaster, brick is a true treasure of history?

 

 

Aug 22, 2011 05:16 PM
Larry & Jacque Ficek
Alaska Dream Makers - Wasilla, AK
Realtors - Wasilla Alaska

Michael, just look at the attention to detailing and quality of the time though. Crown, built ins that actually fit properly, cut outs and edging details all very cool retro elements.

Not a particular fan either though of the faux brick but I do love the rustic fun of the tongue and groove.

Another huge plus is how clean it appears with its age-it says a lot about the owners!

Jacque & Larry

Aug 22, 2011 06:46 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Jacque and Larry -- this original owner home certainly showed pride-of-ownership to a high level.   Though there were some unfortunate updates(the faux brick and some flourescent lighting), overall it was incredibly maintained and certainly a tribute to the former owners.  

Here are two more photos:

knotty pine in Pasadena

 

wall of closets with built-in dresser in bedroom

 

knotty pine in pasadena

 

hallway closet(one of several)

Aug 22, 2011 07:12 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Michael, that is a real treasure esoecially in the way it's been preserved. Real pride of homeownership. Although I'm not a fan of knotty pine, I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went in to the building of it. Great photos, thanks for sharing!

Aug 22, 2011 07:26 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Pamela -- knotty pine can be an accquired taste or maybe it's the kitsch factor --- the real estate business is so great because of all of the things we encounter on a daily basis.   Thanks for stopping by.

Aug 22, 2011 07:46 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Not a big fan of knotty pine Michael, but it was huge back in those days and certainly made a statement............

Aug 22, 2011 10:54 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Roger - I can recall many reactions of open house visitors upon entering this home ranging from mock-horror to delight.   Knotty pine definitely makes a statement.   

Aug 23, 2011 12:39 AM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Wow, Michael, I haven't seen Z-brick in years.  I love all the knotty pine.  It reminds me of the cabins up on the North Shore.  You could pretend to be on vacation year-around.  I also liked the built-ins!

Aug 23, 2011 12:56 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Suzanne - it is rather cabin-esque, isn't it?   Behind one of the built-ins(photo with desk) there was a vintage 50s hi-fi which actually worked -- it was fun to turn it on during open houses and play the oldies.  

Aug 23, 2011 01:44 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Wow - wonder what the new owners have done with it!  All those knots don't go over so well around here.

Aug 23, 2011 02:43 AM
Larry & Jacque Ficek
Alaska Dream Makers - Wasilla, AK
Realtors - Wasilla Alaska

Michael, they certainly made use of the space with all the nooks and crannies!

My family used to take picnics when we were kids (I am sure to get our happy little bodies out of the house for mums sake) but we would look at the clouds and find shapes. Have you tried that with the knots? We have an Alaska style home with tongue and groove (it fits the rustic atmosphere here) and we just had a family reunion, guess what my crazy, silly family did? Yep, try to find shapes etc in the knots. Hard to take the 'kid' out of us kids I guess. I blame our parents. ha!

Jacque & Larry

Henley family reunion 2011

Aug 23, 2011 05:44 AM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Michael, certainly not my cup of tea.  But that vintage stereo would have been a highlight for sure!

Aug 23, 2011 07:54 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Julia - I don't know what they have done to the interior but the property is now gated and the pride and joy of the former owner(her garden) is much less colorful now.   What is they say--you can't go home....?

 

Jacque and Larry - I believe you can find "design" in almost anything and that certainly does not eliminate finding shapes in knots, although I must admit I haven't tried.   

Don -- yes, that vintage stereo was very cool to find intact.

Aug 23, 2011 02:51 PM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

The only place I've seen something like that was at Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn and The Lodge at Crater Lake National Park.

Aug 24, 2011 02:52 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Jim -- yes, it's a definite cabin-forest-lodge look.   

Aug 24, 2011 05:26 PM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

I have knotty pine in my home, but before it's all said and done, I won't.  It's got to go.  My style is not quite "country."

Aug 25, 2011 02:18 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Charita - I can understand -- can it be recycled for someone else?

Aug 25, 2011 03:31 AM
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