Intrepid Aesthetics: Palm Springs – The Home of Desert Modernism
‘Where modern design, Hollywood glamour and the desolate drama of the desert coalesce.’
Palm Springs, California - a resort city with abundant Californian fan palms, sheltered by a mountainous backdrop and situated within the Coachella Valley desert region - is a mecca for post-war modernist architecture. The popularity of Palm Springs tourism flourished in the 1900s as major hotels were built drawing in the rich and famous. This popularity continued into the 1950s following the post-war boom as the Hollywood elite and wealthy retirees commissioned architectural modernists to create resort homes. Architects bravely decided to use the city to explore characteristics of modernism, such as new prefabricated materials, expansive glass, sharp edges and streamlining, while still applying it to the warm climate of Southern California, creating what we now call the ‘desert modern’ style. Taking style cues from this beautiful blend of desert, glam, and urban living will bring an eclectic utilitarian charm into your home.
DESIGN ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER
Colour: Typically desert modern homes were painted in white or light colours as a shelter from the stifling heat. Colour was mainly used subtly throughout the interior through the use of wallpaper, cushions, sofas, carpet or rugs. Colours were usually quite soft and pastel – think soft dusty pinks and peach, olive, sage and forest greens, burnt orange, peacock blue - with touches of brass and glass for glam opulence. Today, metallic wallpapers are a great way to inject the glitz and glamour in a more contemporary and exciting way.
Texture: When it comes to desert modern homes, embrace natural textures and materials. Keep and expose old breezeblocks or timber panels within your home as a feature or check out TradeMe for some vintage treasures. Alternatively, if this is not your style, try wallpaper which looks like a stone or brick wall. You can also tidy up exposed beams with a fresh coat of paint or stain for a contemporary industrial feel, re-upholster tired furniture with textured fabrics or sumptuous velvets, or invest in Shaggy Flokati rugs to bring a cosy, timeless look into your home.
Features: Work on creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow within your home. Palm Springs architecture was renowned for open planned living and utilising large windows to merge the outdoors and indoors. Exposed stone framing the doorway and outer walls, enhancing your front entrance with a brightly coloured door or incorporating indoor plants in each room are all easy ways to harmonise a space with the outdoors.
Images 1, 2 & 4 | Studio Pepe www.studiopepedesign.it
Image 3 | Albert Frey House II via www.yellowtrace.com.au