DREAMS ARE REALIZED IN PASADENA SHOWCASE HOME.

Byline: Marilee Reyes Staff Writer

With all its many architectural attributes, this is probably the first Pasadena Showcase House of Design on record to have a tunnel 140 feet beneath it that leads to the lower grounds where the pool and tennis court are located.

But we're cool with that, right? I mean, c'mon. It would be a kick to take visitors on a cook's tour and just casually mention, ``By the way, Caltech seismological studies were conducted in this cute little tunnel during the '50s, '60s and '70s.''

So you don't care about the tunnel? What about balcony views of the Pacific Ocean 40-some miles away ... at least on clear days? Or the view of the fabulous snow-covered mountains to the north? Or the sight of sparkling city lights spread out below you at night?

If you're inclined not to look much farther than the end of your nose, there's the Vista Giardino, the perfect place for a spot of tea, where you can be surrounded by orchids; the Maxfield Parrish Garden, reminiscent of sultry afternoons in a Tuscan garden; the serenity of a mysterious reflecting pond; and an Italian sculpture garden. You could even go out and snip lettuce for your salad from the kitchen garden.

What we're saying here is this is a dream house of dream houses, and some of the area's most creative interior and exterior designers have pulled out all the stops to get this gem of an estate in apple pie order for the opening Sunday. And while their endeavors are the finishing touch, there are plenty of intrinsic aspects of the house to inspire them.

Inside, there's a marble-floored foyer stretching from here to wa-a-a-a-y over there. Overhead in the entry is the hand-painted ceiling, a Venetian sky with vines and birds and butterflies like the brightest spring day. There are warm, wood paneled rooms, heavy carved doors and even a rosewood paneled elevator to transport people to the aforementioned tunnel.

Designers have augmented it all with creative tile, unorthodox painting techniques, classic wallpaper and window coverings, elegant carpeting, lighting fixtures, and furniture and accessories to die for.

Please, do dream on. The headiness of this exquisitely perfect atmosphere is good for the soul ... we don't care what the Puritans say.

Sigh. But since most of the rest of us will never call a structure like this classic Florentine-style villa ``home,'' we can at least be voyeurs at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design tour. In addition to the house and grounds tour, a Marketplace will feature boutique items from accessories to gardening accents. Il Grotto will offer al fresco dining, and musicians will entertain tour-goers.

And if anyone runs into Robin Leach of ``Rich and Famous'' fame, please tell him that this is the place.

PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE OF DESIGN 2001

Where: A Pasadena location reached by continuous tram service offered from Rose Bowl parking lot 1 starting at 9 a.m. daily (except Monday) until the house closes each day.

When: Sunday through May 20; closed Mondays.

Tickets: $17 to $25, available through Ticketmaster at [phone] or [phone], online at www.ticketmaster.com, or cash only at Ticketmaster outlets. Reservations are required to tour the house and grounds, but not to visit the Marketplace or Il Grotto Restaurant.

Information: Call [phone] or visit www.PasadenaShowcase.org

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) The kitchen of the Pasadena Showcase home, which opens for public viewing Sunday, is, like the rest of the house, a feast for the eyes.

(2 -- color) Tunnel beneath the Pasadena Showcase House of Design