Designer Clancy Monterrubio’s guiding philosophy is to “breathe new life into old homes.” Her firm, Simon Projects, seeks to reimagine rather than reinvent— an approach beautifully exemplified in this character-rich 1941 home in Pasadena. “The clients and I live nearby and share a love of traditional architecture and historic homes,” she tells us. “The kitchen is filled with natural light from its many windows, and every counter stool enjoys a view of the greenery outside, creating a grounded, serene atmosphere.”
The clients are a police officer and a pediatric speech language pathologist raising three young children. “Because both dedicate their days to caring for others, it was important that their home feel calm and restorative,” Clancy explains. “After a successful bathroom renovation, they invited us back to take on a larger project: their kitchen and butler’s pantry.”
The original kitchen felt closed-in, with full-height cabinetry, decorative beams that accentuated the low eight-foot ceiling, and a table-height peninsula that disrupted circulation. “With a dining room nearby, they opted for a generous island for prep and gathering instead of a breakfast table,” Clancy says. “Our shared goal was a kitchen that supported everyday family life while looking as though it had always been there.”
Within the existing footprint, they completely re-envisioned the kitchen. “Rather than creating a fully open great room, we preserved a traditional layout with cased openings that allow each space to maintain its own identity,” she tells us. “What was once a butler’s pantry became an ‘ancillary kitchen,’ a multi-purpose zone for baking, serving, and storage that keeps the main kitchen uncluttered. Keeping the spaces distinct allowed for a saturated paint color and statement wallpaper. The Morris & Co. Arbutus wallpaper dates to 1914, making it plausible it could have originally adorned these walls.”
Though every element in the space is new, Clancy ensured it felt storied and timeworn. Unlacquered brass fixtures will naturally patina, while mixed hardware adds collected charm. The island was designed to feel like furniture, with apothecary-style drawers, turned legs, and brown-stained white oak. Tactile finishes, like woven roman shades, a pitted cast-iron sink, and handcrafted zellige tile, layer the room with warmth and authenticity.
“We loved the look of soapstone and Bianco Lasa marble but chose porcelain for a more durable, low-maintenance option,” the designer says. “Using different materials on the perimeter and island adds a custom feel, while today’s through-vein porcelain slabs offer the beauty of stone with exceptional stain resistance.”
She says some of her favorite details are the small touches. “The curved cabinet feet, unlacquered brass outlet plates, and a simple dish towel hook by the sink,” she lists. “I also love the antique runner, which is a family heirloom whose colors inspired the ancillary kitchen wallpaper.”
The cost and lead time for cabinetry remain one of the biggest challenges in kitchen renovations. The clients briefly considered scaling back but ultimately invested in custom inset cabinetry for a more original, lasting result. “Prioritizing quality upfront helps avoid the regret of a compromise you’ll have to live with—or redo—later,” Clancy notes. “We’ve found the most success with contractors and cabinet makers who share a history of collaboration and genuinely care about the details.”
The clients lived in the home throughout the renovation, and after five months of construction, they were thrilled to finally use their new kitchen. “The last ten percent of a project is always the hardest, but seeing a thoughtfully transformed space makes it worthwhile,” Clancy smiles. “We work so closely with our clients that lasting friendships form, and we are often invited back as their homes continue to evolve.”
