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!

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.

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. 

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.

From an article when the small tract of six homes was released:

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Bedroom! Whimsical art touches in this simple guest bedroom.

Another bathroom carefully curated.

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

 This guest bedroom showcases a fabulous art collection.

Is that driftwood in your shower? :)

Amazing primitive art collection.

 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?

And the very necessary ceiling fan and bench.

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

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

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

Very spectacular indoor outdoorish shower.

Soaking tub. Sigh. I brake for big tubs.

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

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!

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.

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.

Awesome green pants. I get distracted so easily.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Classy TV and entertainment area just off the kitchen.

Eames!

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

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

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

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

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

WOW. I'll leave it at that.

Related Posts

• PSMW 2014: Mod Goes Modern: Celebrity Homes in Vista Las Palmas Historical Walking Tour
• PSMW 2014: Signature Home Tours Glamours Herbert Burns Treasure

Last year's #PSMW Posts

• PSMW 2013: Ten Tips for Visiting Palm Springs Modernism Week Next Year
• PSMW 2013: Bringing the Outdoors In
• PSMW 2013: Ten Decorating Tips from Marrakesh
• PSMW 2013: 1970s Time Capsule Marrakesh Home Tour 
• PSMW 2013: Hedge Tour
• PSMW 2013: Garden Tour
• PSMW 2013: Palmer and Krisel House Tour
• PSMW 2013: Frey House II
• PSMW 2013: Liberace
• PSMW 2013: Desert One by Jim Jennings
• PSMW 2013: Margaret Joplin Glass Garden Lights