A Case Study house is a solid investment, and Kristen Wiig didn’t let the opportunity to pick up a sensitively restored CSH in Pasadena pass her by. The actress tossed down a little less than $3 million for the property, which had recently been active in the market; this past summer, the home hit the market at $1.6 million, and promptly sold at the asking. It was quickly renovated, listed again at $3 million, and enter Ms. Wiig.
The house dates to 1947. It was built by firm Nomland and Nomland, a father and son architectural team. The younger Nomland was creatively broad spectrum; his other interests included painting and poetry.
The home—which is the only CSH in Pasadena—measures 3,425 square feet, and that’s not counting the poolside guesthouse. The design of the house flows very naturally from its hillside setting, extending to three floors to take advantage of vertical space in the absence of horizontal expanse. Like all Case Study homes, it originally favored utilitarianism and affordability, an optimistic sense of scale, and a strong sense of community.
The renovations have retained the spirit of the home very well, and restored elements lost during previous renovations. And, a few features have been added which enhance the spaces. Most notably, the original oak parquet flooring is now gone, replaced with plank hardwood with better contrasting grain. The kitchen is larger, and transitions seamlessly into the family room, and baths manage to balance period evocation with modern convenience. The freestanding fireplace that acts as the centerpiece and link of the various common spaces now boasts the look of the mid-century era.
The home’s exterior stairs, and patios and terraces, are poured concrete. A fire feature, lounge and dining areas, and a pool with sunlounge extend down the hill from the residence to the guesthouse. Overall, a faithful recreation—and distillation—of the midcentury modern style.
Wiig’s more recent cherry-picked roles include starring appearances in Darren Aronofsky’s film ‘Mother,’ which was released in September, and Alexander Payne’s film ‘Downsizing,’ which will be in wide theatrical release this month.
