Sunday, April 6, 2014

palm springs modernism week 2014: royal palm court home tour is best of new home construction and mid-century modern

Back to our regularly schedule programming, although I did really enjoy the Eichler distraction. Let's jump from 1962 all the way to 2006. On the Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014 Signature Homes tour back in February, I was disappointed perusing the brochure that one of the homes included was nearly brand new. What a travesty!

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Alright, alright. So I was wrong. Not the first time. 

When I stepped into this home, I did a double take. It has the sensibilities of mid-century modern but completely modernized. The other thing that knocked me out was the art. Oh the art. I wish I knew what I was looking at half the time because I had a funny feeling, that it was a bit of a collection.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


A little digging gave me what I was looking for on the original builders. This was a Contempo Home, built in 2006 with the idea that they would offer mid-century modern architectural style, but with current building standards and very eco-modern. 

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Can you see the little bit of butterfly roof above? Again, I failed to get a good view of the house itself! These are things you learn when you go back and review the photos a month later. How annoying. But, please admire the amazing desert landscape. This was one of the most tasteful and carefully curated desert plantings I saw on the tour. 

Here is a home from across the street... this little tract of six Contempo homes really does scream mid-century.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Solar energy powers the lights and air conditioner, tiny tankless water heaters store 200 to 500 gallons of instant hot water per hour, and a salt- water pool twinkles under the Palm Springs sun in the backyard. After a dip, the owner walks barefoot over an organic-fiber area rug, through hallways done up with low VOC paint (to preserve air quality), and into the bathroom, where his glass mosaic-tiled shower with a water-conserving rainhead offers a swathlike view of the Santa Rosas’ peaks.
Stepping in the front door, you see a few clever touches with an indoor/outdoor reflection pool. I think it would look great at night. During the day it is more a little curious.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Immediately opposite the reflection pool is the first outdoor space. Nice, huh? Can you see the tongue and groove ceiling? All throughout the house. Lovely.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

I kept staring up at the ceiling. I just thought it was so beautiful.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Sometimes I give you house tours in a logical order. Today you get it in the order I took the picturs. You can see just how random my meanderings are. For some reason my next stop was a bathroom

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Again, the glass mosaic tile was oh so pretty. I think glass mosaic will be officially called a trend. When you see it, you will absolutely know that it was installed sometime in the early 2000s.

But I just love it.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Yes, the floors, are indeed terrazzo marble. So pretty and they match my navy blue toenails. I bet they are heated.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Bedroom! Whimsical art touches in this simple guest bedroom.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Another bathroom carefully curated.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


And a second guest bedroom. Love the desk area. I want an Eames desk chair!

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture



 This guest bedroom showcases a fabulous art collection.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Is that driftwood in your shower? :)

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Amazing primitive art collection.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

 And the master! I love the end tables, the non-matching lamps, the comforter and the art over the bed. Oh, yes, the upholstered headboard too. Thanks, I'll take it all. Can you wrap that to go?

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


And the very necessary ceiling fan and bench.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

And the carpet. I. Can't. Stop. Taking. Posting master bedroom pictures.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


 The master bath mosaic tile is FABULOUS... His and his sinks.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Check out the faux paint on the lightswitch to match the tile. Awesome. Seriously.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Very spectacular indoor outdoorish shower.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Soaking tub. Sigh. I brake for big tubs.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


From the bedrooms, I wandered outside to the garden area. This is the covered outdoor sitting area from the reverse side.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


There was quite a bit of art on display outside as well. the most recent homeowners contracted with Palm Springs architect Sean Lockyer to design the steele-and-fabric shade structure.  Nice job!

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


The plantings are perfect for the desert. The owners put their touch on the yard especially, by removing grass, and installing many desert varieties of plantings.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


We are TRYING to grow one of these tress but no real luck. Snails crawl out and eat the leaves.  I think the green bark is really distinctive. You see these all over the place in PS. Whatever they are. David Cristiani  knows.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Awesome green pants. I get distracted so easily.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Living room time. I'll let you do your own mid-century modern I-spy identification.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Dana, what is this? I suck at this game.

Only hours later....Thanks Dana!!! She says a Jan Ekselius Etc set.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


This dining room fixture is retro, future, modern, and Italian all at once. Such good taste throughout this home.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


The kitchen! I have a feeling the current owners kept the design elements from the original owners. Zillow alludes to the history of this lovely home. Palm Springs has been on a wild ride for sure. This home first sold for $1.6M in 2006, then sold via foreclosure in 2010 for $645K, less than half -- four years later (awful for someone). Most recently, it sold for $850K which, to me, is not bad for an immaculate three bedroom, five bath, 3,000 square-foot house on a 10,000 square-foot lot in God's country. But, I am seriously tainted by ridiculous Southern California prices.


Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

The light-stained cabinets are very Heywood-Wakefield. My camera angles make this kitchen seem bigger than it is. I like its functional size. Not too big, not too small. And, I like that it is separate from the living room and dining room areas. Very mid-century.

I was intrigued by the countertops. NOT stark white which is what you see time and time again in mid-century modern remodeled homes. I loved the putty color and put it on my kitchen "maybe" list.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Kitchen table is an extension of the countertops as opposed to a giant island with stools. I like this! And the Eames fiberglass chairs too. I am very good at Eames-spotting.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Classy TV and entertainment area just off the kitchen.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Eames!

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


 I have seen these Sapien bookshelves at DWR. Very tempting.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


I am also a little obsessed with acrylic bar carts. I may own one for myself someday.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Desk nook tucked into the kitchen. I almost bought the yellow glass thing once in NYC.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


And, my last stop was a guest bath in my favorite color of lime-ish chartreuse green.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Not a trick missed. The decorating in this home is to D-I-E die for.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture


Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014, PSMW, Royal Palm Court, Mid-Century Modern Architecture

WOW. I'll leave it at that.

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10 comments:

  1. The blue chair and ottoman look like a Jan Ekselius Etcetera set. Great house!!! I want that yellow bird, and I love the color of the countertops too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are the best. Honestly, an encyclopedia of modern furniture design information. Thanks for coming to the rescue. You are such a sucker for birds. :)

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  2. Really love the outdoor space and those bookshelves ARE tempting!

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  3. What fun! Loved this tour... and your pretty toe nails. That wood table by the bed with the Artemide lamp on it needs me. Or I need it, maybe. FABULOUS! The landscape is also a mouth full of WOW. I have such appreciation for anyone who can achieve that look. Xeriscapeing is the way to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stacey... thx for the note and good luck tomorrow!!!!

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  4. Beaiutiful home. And you're right about the art--not only is it lovely but it is also placed in exactly the right spaces. And your photographs really highlighted things perfectly.

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    Replies
    1. The art was almost (almost) better than the house and the landscaping.

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  5. This is quite the house, and I'm glad they "curated" the desert plantings well, in addition to the bathroom spaces. Not just designed (or envisaged in the UK), but curated! Terrazo floors and that book shelf - oh yeah!

    I was thrilled they located trees downhill near the dry stream beds, where when they get rain, it really can soak in. A huge but common mistake in dry areas is to locate trees on top of berms.

    Their tree looks to be a Palo Verde, but not sure of the species or cultivar. (similar to what's not performing for you near the coast - I may have posted some links to why) Nor am I sure of the twin trees that look planted as large, salvaged specimens, though they look like "mesquite" or another desert legume. Palm Springs can grow most any of the desert legumes, unlike the cooler high deserts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And the roofline (especially the view of the front from across the street), shower with driftwood, and pool area / furnishings there...I'll stop!

      This has me remembering to post on some interesting MCM apartments I saw in San Diego (those would be fixed up and command a premium in Austin TX), and in Borrego Springs. Exciting stuff to this 1966-born guy.

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    2. Isn't it wonderful? I am so in love with this home. The landscaping is spectacular and is easy to imagine yourself sitting out by the pool on a warm evening, with a light breeze blowing. **sigh** #thegoodlife

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