Category: Palm Springs Modernism

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The Lost Mid-Century Moderns in Palm Springs

73110 Grapevine in Palm Desert.  

We have many fine examples of this architectural genre that are “The Lost Mid-Century Moderns” because we can’t connect them with their architect.  These post and beam homes were designed for maximum light, view lines and contact with the desert. Take this home for example.

According to the County Tax Assessor record, it was built in 1957.  A knowledgeable visitor pointed out that the raked stucco exterior was often used by E. Stewart Williams, and the time frame was right. Continue reading “The Lost Mid-Century Moderns in Palm Springs”

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Modernism Week 2016

MODERNISM WEEK IN RANCHO MIRAGE

 

With Modernism Week 2016 fast approaching, fans are looking for new places to visit. The City of Rancho Mirage is also a Modernism Week sponsor.

Mid-Century Modern In Tamarisk Rancho, Rancho Mirage
Mid-Century Modern In Tamarisk Rancho, Rancho Mirage – Photo by Jim Riche

Rancho Mirage became a hub of modernist architecture with the development in the mid 1950s of Thunderbird and Tamarisk Country Clubs. Both became the focus of architectural innovation. As the rich and famous flocked further east, so their architects came with them: Cody, Krisel, Williams, Wexler, Lapham, Welton Becket, Pereira, and more designed houses here, while smaller condominium communities were also developed. Continue reading “Modernism Week 2016”

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Mid-Century Modern – Always in Style

Mid-Century-Modern in Palm Desert

This upscale Mid-Century Modern residence was renovated with meticulous attention. Superior finishes enhance the open floor plan, with double pane windows and oversized French doors combining indoor and outdoor living areas. Wood beam ceilings and a stone fireplace create an ambience well suited for entertainment or simply relaxing. Sparkling, low-maintenance quartzite stone floors flow from the entrance onto the spacious shaded patio. A secluded rear area boasts a heated saltwater spa and pool with diving board. The fabulous kitchen offers contemporary Acorn Kitchens hardwood cabinetry, beautiful Caesarstone counter tops, backsplash by Walter Zanger, Bosch and KitchenAid appliances. Situated on a nearly half- acre lot, the private home is surrounded by block walls and attractive glass and steel frame fences, with ample room for expansion. Within walking distance of fine dining, boutique shopping and other amenities offered on El Paseo and in South Palm Desert, the home is perfect for year round living or a vacation getaway. Available turn-key furnished. See the Video

 

 

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2016 Palm Springs Modernism Week

Modernism Week 2016

2016 Palm Springs Modernism Week is Almost Here! Plan Your Week

If you plan to attend, buy your tickets soon, as the events are being sold out as we speak – about forty as this being typed.

Tickets remain for the popular Frey House II tours that are about half sold out and there is one remaining Modernism Week Signature Home tour.

There are a number of theme Parties left, which may be a good place to start, or with Neighborhood Home Tours where new neighborhoods are to be seen in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.

More exclusive home tours may include a reception: Abernathy Residence, Raymond Lowry House, Smoke Tree Ranch, Frank Sinatra Estate, and The Loewe Estate.

Be sure to check out the Lectures, thirty-nine alone at the Annenberg Theater, some by famous names, on topics ranging from architects to architecture, art, fashion, design and even Cuba.  All look interesting and some are very unique. There are also daily lectures at the MW Camp. Some you will not want to miss.

Check out unique events such as an evening at Hotel Lautner, a retro Pinball Tournament and Student Modernism Projects, which is free, and many more.

If you plan to spend a day or more at MW, you should spend a few hours digging into the Whole MW Program. There is way too much for any one person to see.

If you use don’t mind experimenting, and understand what this is, we have created a Calendar File that will place MW events on your personal calendar. It includes only those events not fully booked at it’s creation.

Click this file to download it:  MW 2016 Events.ics

It will load into your calendar automatically. Go to February.  You will need to view each day by itself to see all the events.  Click each one to get more detail and link to the event and buy ticket pages

 

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The Architectural and Design Center of the Palm Springs Art Museum just celebrated its first anniversary.

The Palm Springs Art Museum
Edwards Harris Pavilion exterior rendering by Marimol Radziner

The original building was constructed in 1961 as Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan and was designed by E. Stuart Williams, one of the original MCM architects in the desert. The building was meticulously and lovingly renovated over the past several years, maintaining many of the original features, and is well worth visiting.

For hours and additional information please visit the link below:

http://www.psmuseum.org/architecture-design-center/

The current exhibition, running through January 3, 2016 is entitled “Seeing the Light, Illuminating Objects”, followed by “Bauhaus-21: An ongoing Legacy” from January 24 to May 1, 2016. The Bauhaus exhibit will coincide with Modernism Week, which runs from February 11th though the 21st. A visit to the A &D is a must and best of all the admission is free.

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All About Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Palm Springs
Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Why is everyone so interested in Mid-Century Modern Architecture? With all of today’s innovation, technology and design, why are we resorting back to designs that originated more than 60 years ago. There are countless stores and websites dedicated to midcentury modern tastes and many architects and developers have embraced this style when building new homes.

Mid-Century Modernism is an architectural design style that generally describes the mid-20th Century developments in modern design, architecture and urban development between the 1920s and 1980s.

Many consider Frank Lloyd Wright’s principal movement of organic architecture combined with the Craftsman (Arts and Crafts) style to be the jumping off point for the aesthetics behind Mid-Century Modern Architecture. Continue reading “All About Mid-Century Modern Architecture”

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Best Cities in the U.S. for Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Mid-Century-Modern-Architecture-Palm-Springs
Mid-Century-Modern-Architecture-Palm-Springs

From Atlanta to San Diego, Austin to Denver, Palm Springs to Washington, D.C. and everywhere in between, the Mid-Century Modern style of design continues to draw new admirers each year.

While Mid-Century Modern architecture can be found across the United States, there are several locations that offer better examples and higher concentrations of Mid-Century Modern architecture than others.

Here is our list of the “Top 5 Best Cities in The U.S. for Mid-Century Modern Architecture” to help you learn more.

Understanding Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Characterized by flat planes, extensive use of glass, innovative building materials, and open design concepts, many of these homes were built between 1945 and the 1980’s. They were designed by a generation of modern architects that fled the rise of Nazi Germany, including Marcel Breuer and Walter Gropius, who then taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

World War II would bring about experimental technologies and materials like steel and plywood, and architects’ designs would encourage residents to explore the world and nature in new ways. Frank Lloyd Wright, who trained many Mid-Century Modern architects, would also be a huge influence, particularly in Palm Springs, California.

Let’s begin our look at the best cities in the U.S. for Mid-Century Modern Architecture there. Continue reading “Best Cities in the U.S. for Mid-Century Modern Architecture”

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Tamarisk Rancho in Rancho Mirage has Significant Mid-Century Modern Architecture

70470 Tamarisk Ln Tamarisk Rancho, Rancho Mirage

Located next to Tamarisk Country Club you will find a well-desired community, Tamarisk Rancho, which is divided into two separate parts featuring each 16 Mid-Century Modern homes.  The homes are built along grassy green belts with a 45 foot long pool in the center inviting for a swim or just to relax while admiring the beautiful views to many date palms and fruit trees giving it a feel of living in an oasis.  Tamarisk Rancho hosted many parties in the 50th attended by Barbara Sinatra, Groucho Marx and many other stars from Hollywood and was advertised back then as being one of the greatest places in the Palm Springs area. Continue reading “Tamarisk Rancho in Rancho Mirage has Significant Mid-Century Modern Architecture”

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Mid-Century Modern Furniture Stores in the Palm Springs Area

Mid-Century Modern Furniture Stores Palm Springs
Modern Way – Mid-Century Modern Furniture Stores Palm Springs

Palm Springs has one of the largest collections of Mid-Century Modern home furnishings, architecture and homes. Palm Springs has lots of great shopping for modern, nice retro, and great vintage. This is what Palm Springs is remembered for.

Palm Springs is a popular vacation destination for many Mid-Century enthusiasts, celebrities, and those who are looking for unusual designs in furniture.  Palm Springs has dozens of Mid-Century Modern shops – both thrift shops and upscale. Many of these stores offer pieces from the 1950’s, through the 1970’s. There are many vintage and Mid-Century Modern shops in Palm Springs. The greatest number of stores is on North Palm Canyon Drive in the design district of Palm Springs.

Listed below are a few of the best Mid-Century Modern stores in the Palm Springs are – from the well-known shops to some that are less well-known. Continue reading “Mid-Century Modern Furniture Stores in the Palm Springs Area”

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Modernism Lives Beyond Palm Springs

Detail 2 MCM Blocks

The 40,000-odd visitors to Modernism Week 2014 were made well aware of the Mid-Century Modern homes in Palm Springs, but they may not be aware of the trove available in other parts of the Valley.  At the same time the modernist architects like William Cody, Albert Frey, Krisel and Donald Wexler, to name a few, designed homes in Palm Springs, they did too in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio.

It is very difficult to find exact numbers, but we do have some historical sales data.  Based on the Desert Area Multiple Listing Service, there have been about 7,200 residential sales since 1998 in Palm Springs of mid-century (approximately 1949-1969) homes.  Not all of these are Mid-Century Modern, but some good portion are.

According to the same criteria we should find MCM in good numbers In the five cities mentioned above, where there were about 11,000 Mid-Century sales, more than in Palm Springs.   The average sales price over the period 1998-2014 was about $388,000 in Palm Springs, $435,000 in Rancho Mirage and $424,000 in Indian Wells. Continue reading “Modernism Lives Beyond Palm Springs”