A 600-Square-Foot Pasadena Bungalow Is Packed with Sculptures and Surprises

“I couldn’t find anything in my range that had an interesting personality. I found this space on Zillow maybe 30 minutes after it had been posted,” she begins. “The houses were designed in the Mission Revival style and feature arched porches and windows, stucco exteriors, and tile roofs. According to its National Register of Historic Places nomination, these bungalows ‘epitomize the concept of the Southern California bungalow court’ due to their layout and Mission Revival details; sometimes tour groups walk outside to point out its historic nomination.”

This bungalow was built in 1924, and it’s only 600-square-feet, but Han says there was something “sweetly cottage-like” about the Pasadena space that came with vintage trim, wood floors, and all-white walls. “Even with wear from past renters, it still carried a quiet charm that I was excited to build upon!” 

Although I had heard of Meow Wolf before, I hadn’t been inside one until I visited the Omega Mart installation in Las Vegas. Expecting to spend a pleasant hour in air conditioning out of the oppressive desert heat, I was delighted to find myself — and my creative spirit — invigorated.

Known for their narrative-driven and interactive art installations, Meow Wolf is unlike anything I’ve seen before, and I find myself wanting to visit their other locations in Santa Fe, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and future spots in Los Angeles and New York to get inspired and refill my creative tank. I didn’t just feel transported while inside the Meow Wolf experience — the feelings of awe and curiosity stayed with me long after I stepped back into the hot Las Vegas sun.

Transformation is a theme for Han in her home. “Transforming a space, even a small one, can have a profound effect on your psyche; it certainly did for me. I wanted this home to reflect the beautiful and strange feelings I was moving through, but most of all I hoped it would be infused with optimism and light,” she explains.

“My taste is deeply tied to my work — my creative contributions to Meow Wolf carry into my home in ways that oscillate between silliness and stillness,” Han writes. “Many of the artists whose work lives in my house have also built installations for Meow Wolf, which makes the space feel like an extension of that community. I’m grateful I get to be authentically myself in this role, and I’m always expanding and evolving my own sense of taste.”

Quite beautifully, Han says that decorating this little bungalow wasn’t just about interior design. “[I]t was about creating a vision for a new chapter of my life. I approached it almost like a ritual, a rite of passage to move beyond an acute stage of grief. When I moved to Los Angeles, I wanted to rebuild my life, and shaping this home became part of that process. It was about letting new love in. Every choice — the collaborations with friends, the wacky custom furniture, the small beautiful objects collected along the way — was an act of love toward myself. It was my way of saying, you can do this.”

• Story Bookshelf — Herman Miller 
• Brown Chair — Sunbeam Vintage
• Red Chair — Amsterdam Modern 
• Brass Wall Sconces — Facebook Marketplace 
• Wood Coffee Table — Facebook Marketplace 
• Sheep Rug — Etsy 
• Framed Illustration — Pace Taylor 
• Terrazza Sofa — Can’t recommend the place I got mine just because of wait time and customer service, but you can Google “terrazza sofa” for leads
• Black and White Vase — Ryan Bock
• Swan Lamp — Candid Home
• Lighting Guru — Benja Juster
• Eero Saatinen Marble Side Table — 1st Dibs
• Framed Figurative Print — Pace Taylor

• Tapir — Miles Robinson 
• Table — Corinne Loperfido 
• Painting — Matt King 
• Yellow Asari Chair — Herman Miller 
• Chairs — Facebook Marketplace 
• Ceramic Wall Hooks — Luka Carter
• Vase — Pam Puck 
• Sandwich & Butterfly — Jessie Le Grand
• Teapot — Frankie Toan 
• Rainbow Girl — Danae Brissonnet 
• Candyish Sculpture — Pip and Pop 

• Green Spice Rack — Gift from my mom
• Lighting Fixture on Fridge — Thrift 
• Lighting Fixture on Ceiling — Tulip (I rave on this renter-friendly lighting cover) 
• Weiner Dog Card Holder — Rose Bowl Flea 
• Mexican Coconut Masks — PCC Flea

• Persian Rug — Rose Bowl Flea 
• Seashell Lamps — Rose Bowl Flea 
• Duvet — Parachute 
• Wire Artwork — Lane Walkup 
• MCM Ceiling Light — Lowes

• Tiny Flower Vase — Sandra Wang
• Towel — Dusen Dusen 

Thanks, Han!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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