Local News in Brief : Home Furnishing Furor

The owner of Pasadena’s historic Blacker House, who caused a national stir in 1985 when he stripped the famed Craftsman-style home of its light fixtures, now wants to replace the stained-glass front doors and nine windows with replicas.

The request by Texas rancher Barton English was rejected this week by the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission. The panel cited a unique ordinance that requires anyone wishing to alter a home designed by noted architects Charles and Henry Greene to notify the commission. However, the commission can only delay alterations for up to a year.

John Wood, English’s attorney, said his client is determined to eventually remove the windows and doors.

The windows and doors of the 80-year-old house, considered among the finest work of the Greene brothers, are extremely valuable. The doors alone have been valued at $330,000.