Designer Forum: A Pasadena pool house evokes a whimsical paradise – Oct 2025

By Michelle Workman 

Designing a home is always an act of imagination, but when the client is a celebrated actress with a young family and a love for storytelling, the creative possibilities become limitless. That was the case with this new-build pool house in Pasadena, California, where Michelle Workman Interiors was asked to create a space that felt as glamorous and whimsical as a classic Hollywood film. The result is nothing short of cinematic-a place where fantasy and function coexist in perfect harmony.

Fantasy meets function

From the moment you enter, the space feels like a living daydream. Ethereal Fornasetti Nuvolette wallpaper floats across the walls, casting the room in a soft glow. Every detail is designed to evoke wonder, but it’s the floor, crafted from Mission Tile West concrete tiles in a fish-scale pattern, that quietly steals the show. With a curved silhouette reminiscent of magical mermaid tails, the flooring adds texture, movement and whimsy, all while offering the durability required for a high-traffic, pool-adjacent environment. It’s glamorous but also practical, which is essential in a space designed for family life.

Michelle Workman Interiors is known for its refined maximalism, where beauty and utility are never mutually exclusive. The approach balances theatrical design moments with livable layouts and long-lasting materials. The floor really is the best supporting actor in this space. Versatile, durable and yet inestimably elegant, the cement tile supports the whimsical imagination of the design without stealing the show. Its organic form adds softness to structured spaces, and its hardwearing nature ensures that even the smallest feet of this actress’ young family can race across it without worry.

This foundational design element anchors a series of detailed rooms, each layered with thoughtful materials and custom touches. In the living room area, a rug by Annie Selke brings warmth underfoot. The kitchen features sleek custom cabinetry paired with bold Black Forest marble countertops, an expressive natural stone with striking black and white veining. The appliances are custom BlueStar that reflect the client’s unique preferences. Despite the high-end materials, the space feels inviting and effortless, thanks in part to the movement and charm of the fish-scale flooring underfoot. Its smooth pattern softens the crisp edges of cabinetry and stone, tying the kitchen into the imaginative atmosphere that flows throughout the entire pool house.

The storybook feeling continues in the bathroom, where luxury meets playfulness. The vanity is carved from Princess White marble, a beautiful stone touched by a rare pink bloom, flooding with fairytale quality. The shower, clad in Bianca Rhino marble, offers rich veining and natural texture, grounding the space with timeless elegance. Yet again, the floor connects everything together: the fish-scale tile extends into the bathroom, bridging the wet and dry areas of the home with cohesion and character. Its tactile quality and alluring form enhance the sense of escape, making even daily routines feel a bit more magical.

Foundational & inspirational

Throughout the home, the design philosophy is evident. Interiors should transport you but also support you. Every material was chosen not just for its beauty but also for its ability to serve a family, gracefully weathering the demands of children, guests and everyday living. Cement tile, in particular, offers the best of both worlds. It is strong and stain-resistant, yet visually expressive and full of personality. The fish-scale pattern feels custom and collected, while its color palette integrates seamlessly into the larger design story.

This project succeeds not because of any single element, but because of how each one plays its part. Everything comes together like scenes in a film, working toward a shared mood and message. And just like in Hollywood’s golden era, it’s often the supporting roles that make the production unforgettable. In this case, the floor may not be the first thing you notice, but it’s what holds the fantasy together.

In a home designed for glamour, family and imagination, the Mission Tile West cement flooring quietly earns a standing ovation. It’s elegant, versatile and full of charm. It is proof that when design is both beautiful and intentional, even the most
functional elements can help tell a magical story. 

The Author

Michelle Workman, owner of Michelle Workman Interiors, is known for her glamorous, maximalist aesthetic and clientele that included Hollywood A-listers. A Southern California native, she ran a successful design firm in Los Angeles for many years before relocating to the Chattanooga, Tennessee area in 2013.