After all these years, Kari Kroll is still in awe of her home. A fine artist born in Long Island, she nearly fell over upon seeing it for the first time, and after 28 years in the Pasadena, California, midcentury, it still holds the power to render her speechless. She is grateful each time she relaxes on her multicolored living room sofa, paints on the expansive back patio, or watches as her neighbor gathers sunflowers from her abundant front garden. It’s the place where she raised her children, and it serves as an ongoing source of inspiration for her evolving art career.

Built in 1954 by an architect Kari and her husband, Ken, haven’t been able to identify, the 2,100-square-foot, three-bed, two-bath was sold to his family just a year later. Today, it’s in original mint condition. The 1950s oven, red brick flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wide entry are among its treasured relics. Kari’s family has lovingly named it the Inside-Out House as it stays cool in the summer and California’s temperate climate means al fresco winter meals on the patio are never out of the question. “I still pinch myself,” says Kari.

Funny enough, it was never a place she thought she’d end up. Kari spent her high school years visiting her older sister in Manhattan. Weekends wandering exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art inspired her to attend the School of Visual Arts, which led to an impressive career. While naturalistic or “atmospheric, intense work” were in vogue in the ’90s, Kari’s mixed-media illustrations caught the eye of publications like The New Yorker and Washington Post. She also designed book jackets, and worked in a tile studio hand-painting murals, an opportunity that deepened her love for bold hues. “I got to meet and work with a lot of design superstars of the day, like Peter Marino,” she says.

A serendipitous concert changed everything. Ken was managing an alternative punk label in New York, and he and Kari happened to meet at one of his band’s shows. In another twist of fate, Kari’s roommate moved to Los Angeles and rented a room in Ken’s family’s house. Soon thereafter, Kari and Ken relocated to the Golden State, married, and moved into the home in 1994. “I thank God every day for this life,” Kari says, using the expression. “I thought I’d never leave New York.”

Since then, the transplant has made her own mark on the home. It’s original pink and teal walls and coordinating fireplace mantle have been painted white, yet little else has been touched, and she prefers it that way. The artist, who regularly draws inspiration from her colorful surroundings, can be found tending to her organic garden, creating new custom works for clients, or spending time with her four children, Eliza Mae, Lilli, William, and Kurtis, one of whom is expecting their first child. She’s been a lifelong fan of midcentury modern style and her home, a time capsule punctuated by her bold canvases, is a welcoming family space with decades of cheerful memories. We sat down with Kari to find out what makes her house so special.

Dwell: Tell us about the home’s backstory.

Kari: My husband actually grew up in the house, but he didn’t spend much time there besides sleeping. His parents were both doctors, one in psychology and the other in medicine, so he spent most of his days at his grandparent’s home down the street. His dad died when he was 10, and his mom died when he was in college, so we inherited it. Because his parents were so focused on their professional lives, they never renovated and everything was intact. It’s been one of the greatest gifts. I still use the original 1954 Caloric oven and it works like a charm.

What state was it in when you moved in? Have you made any changes since?

My husband’s mom had put up very heavy curtains, and I immediately took those down. We haven’t put up any drapes or window treatments since. The entire back of the house is glass, but we don’t have neighbors so it’s super private. We also ripped up the carpet in the family room and living room. When my twins were 18 months old, I took it upon myself to re-sand and put a clear coat on the kitchen cabinets because of the age and darkening of the wood. I did it all during one of their afternoon naps. It’s trendy lately to paint wood post-and-beam homes, but I love the serenity of the mahogany paneling and redwood ceiling. It’s grounding, natural, and works well with the colors outside and in.

Over the years, furniture and artwork has come and gone. I’ve redecorated and added more works to my collection yet my experience of the home has always been a positive one. I like to say the home has its own energy. Maybe it’s all of the wood, or multiple family pets, which includes two dogs and many reptiles, which have continued to make it such a relaxing place.

What areas of the home are most important to you?

My family and I love to hang out in the living room. There is a gigantic L-shaped built-in couch. When my kids were younger, we always had an open-door policy and any friend at any time and at any hour was welcome in our house. My eldest daughter was on the dance team in high school and we hosted many sleepovers on that couch.

The kitchen is also a hub. I have a little antique table in there I brought from New York. Even though my children are grown and all six of us can’t fit there anymore, we still sit around it. We all like to cook and two of my kids love to bake.

Are there any specific elements that bring you joy?

There is a lot of music in this house. Three of my four kids are musicians. We have a midcentury baby grand piano in the family room from my husband’s aunt who owned a music store in Michigan. We also have string instruments in the living room. This home is dynamic and very peaceful and I wish the architect could know how much joy it has brought us.

How does your home’s style reflect your art and vice versa?

A lot of my artistic language comes from going to museums and is inspired by modernists and expressionist painters. I lean toward curvy shapes, which you can see in my Verve collection. I don’t really think about it; It just happens. The palettes are definitely informed by artists like Matisse, Willem de Kooning, plus all of the time I spend outside gardening.

The definitive curvature of midcentury architecture is a clear inspiration as well. Eames, Sarinnen, and iconic George Nelson pendants were some of my earliest exposure to the aesthetic. I would sit on the benches at the MoMA and just look at it all. I also loved the few midcentury homes in my neighborhood in Long Island. Those homes are what made me want to live in one to begin with.

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