Inviting nature into the house

This is a newly restored mid-century Pasadena home that its renovators like to call Zen and Now because of its blending of classic Japanese architecture with 21st century conveniences.

The original owners, a Japanese American couple, hired Japanese designer Hideo Matsunaga to create a home with elements of a Japanese country house. Matsunaga designed an open floor plan with walls of glass opening to a balcony sweeping around two sides of the house. The balcony is reminiscent of a traditional Japanese veranda. Extensive use of wood and other natural materials and garden views from every room contribute to the Zen-like, indoor-outdoor feel.

About this house: Hagentorn Investments in collaboration with designer Kelvin Rich replaced carpet with Brazilian cherry floors and used exotic woods on the veranda. The renovators also installed new appliances and enlarged the bathrooms and closets.

Asking price: $1,795,000

Size: There are four bedrooms and four bathrooms in 3,650 square feet. The lot size is about 2/3 acre.

Features: The home, behind stone walls and a gated entry, has a master bathroom with a large wet room and a spa; a spiral staircase with a large skylight; a separate entrance to what could be a maid’s room, den or office; and rolling lawns with mature bamboo, Japanese maples and a sprawling oak.

Where: The house is on a cul-de-sac in the South San Rafael neighborhood of Pasadena.

Listing agent: Andrea Roen, Roen Realty, (626) 683-9696.

To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos (copies only; we cannot return the pictures) and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or e-mail [email protected].