The complex at 3205 Cornwall Drive – Pasadena Now

The 3205 Cornwall residence in Glendale, California is a rare find. It offers 1.6 acres of privacy and historic charm, surrounded by hundreds of acres of dedicated open space. Glendale, a treasure trove of significant properties, is home to this architectural gem. Near Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles, this oasis is a testament to creativity and the art of living well, created by visionary couple Greg Crawford and Julie Markfield. Immerse yourself in its captivating story and discover the transformative power of design.

In the serene hills of Glendale, California, among native oaks and whispers of wildlife, sits a home that defies convention. A masterpiece of architectural ingenuity and personal expression, the Crawford-Markfield Residence is a testament to the power of living with art. Its owners, Greg Crawford and Julie Markfield, have created a space that not only reflects their dynamic lives, but has become an active participant in their family’s story.

With our eyes fixed, the first thing that struck us was the perfect fusion of the original and the new. The original 1940s French Normandy structure, with its dark green exterior and pitched roof, has been beautifully integrated into the new entity with modern additions of sage green, slump block and expansive glass.

The result is a harmonious collage of styles and eras, a physical manifestation of the couple’s belief in embracing life’s contrasts.

Stepping inside, we were immediately drawn into the living room, a stunning glass box with high ceilings and polished concrete floors. This space, Crawford told us, is all about extroversion and connection to the outdoors.

“It’s about participating in that outdoor space while you’re in the living room,” he said.

The room’s cool tones and hard surfaces create a sense of expansion, inviting the eye to wander beyond the walls and into the sometimes lush, sometimes stark California landscape beyond.

As we move deeper into the house, the atmosphere begins to change.

“The hall takes you through a compression space of the pantry and bar,” Crawford described, “and then opens into the kitchen.”

Here, the materials become softer, warmer and more welcoming. The colors deepen and the view changes from the expansive vistas of the living room to a more intimate, horizontal connection to the terrace outside. It’s a masterful transition, one that mirrors the ebb and flow of family life.

Markfield, a graphic designer and painter, spoke to us about the influence of her artistic sensibilities on the design of the house.

“Some of the moves weren’t planned or obvious,” she said, glancing at the vibrant artwork that adorns the walls, much of it her own. “They were more visceral, like my paintings—powerful, emotional, gestural.”

This intuitive approach to design is evident throughout the house, from the riot of color in the daughters’ former bedrooms to the cave-like sanctuary of the couple’s apartment, hidden beneath the house.

As we toured the property, the couple shared stories about the wildlife that frequents their yard—the resident owls, the occasional bear that took a dip in the pool, the deer that once saw their front yard as a personal salad bar.

“When we look back over the trees, it feels like a Tuscan hill,” Markfield marveled. “You really feel like you’re alone. You don’t feel like you’re in Los Angeles.”

It’s a feeling that speaks to the house’s ability to transport, to create a world within a world.

Crawford’s firm BiLDEN was instrumental in bringing the couple’s vision to life.

The firm’s tagline, “Build, Shape, Educate,” encapsulates Crawford’s philosophy of inclusive and enlightening design.

“It’s not about us bringing enlightenment to clients,” he explained, “but the process is enlightening for everyone involved.” That ethos is woven into every aspect of the Crawford-Markfield residence, from the repurposed hospital nurses’ station that now serves as the family bar to the cork floors and marble slabs sourced from LA City auctions.

As I delved into the story of the home, it became clear that this was not just a home, but almost a living entity.

“We don’t just see it as a container for our kids to grow up in,” Crawford said. “This was a dynamic player, a fixture in our lives.”

The home witnessed the family’s joys and sorrows, their triumphs and challenges. He shaped them as much as they shaped him, one might think, a symbiotic relationship that transcends the typical boundaries of brick and mortar and blood and brains.

Markfield spoke passionately about the warmth that distinguishes Crawford’s modern aesthetic.

“The thing that separates Greg’s modern aesthetic from others is how warm these homes are,” she said. “It has a really interesting touch.”

That warmth is palpable in every corner of the Crawford-Markfield residence—from the sunlight dancing on the living room floor to the lovingly curated collection of art and artifacts that adorn the walls.

As our visit drew to a close, the couple shared their hopes for the home’s future.

“Hopefully we’re only somewhat the creators, but the caretakers of it,” Crawford mused. “We want to bring it to people who will be amazed by it daily, weekly and seasonally as the light and the plants and materials around it change.” It’s a beautiful sentiment, one that speaks to the lasting legacy of a well-loved and well-lived home.

Leaving the Crawford-Markfield residence, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and inspiration. This house, in all its eclectic beauty, is a testament to the power of living with art. It is a reminder that our spaces have the capacity to transform us, to shape our experiences and memories in profound ways.

In a world where conformity often reigns supreme, the Crawford-Markfield residence exudes individuality. She embodies the quirks and contradictions that make us human, the very things that enrich our lives with richness and depth. It is a home that encourages us to embrace the dynamic nature of our existence, find beauty in the unexpected, and let our surroundings be a reflection of our truest selves.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the lessons of the Crawford-Markfield residence feel more relevant than ever. It reminds us that our homes are not just shelters, but extensions of our beings. They are canvases on which we can paint the stories of our lives, in all their messy, glorious, imperfect beauty.

Finally, the Crawford-Markfield residence is more than just a house. It is a love letter to the art of living, a masterpiece made not with paint and canvas but with light and shadow, wood and glass, laughter and tears. It’s a testament to the transformative power of design and the limitless potential that lies within each of us to create something truly extraordinary.

As we return to the world, we carry with us a piece of the Crawford-Markfield magic—a renewed sense of possibility, a deeper appreciation for the beauty of imperfection, and a profound respect for the art of living well. For after all, is there any greater masterpiece than a life well lived, a home well loved and a story well told?

3205 Cornwall Drive in Glendale is listed for sale at $4.5 million. For more, contact George Penner (DRE #01394929) at DPP | Compass at (626) 807-8558 or by writing [email protected]