5 Favorite Books: Palm Springs

While I am not convinced that the middle of summer is the best time to visit, that is exactly what I did. I was in Palm Springs this week, for a few meetings etc. It had been several years since I had visited and it reminded me just how much I love the desert. The thing that I think I like about Palm Springs though is definitely the architecture. Unlike a lot of other desert communities, such as Las Vegas or Phoenix, Palm Springs embraced the idea of modernism with a fervour that few communities have. What you can see now is one of the best collections of modern architecture, in a condensed place, as well as a community that has taken this identity and created a town that celebrates this style and continues on the vanguard of modern design.

This week I have selected a few books from my collection about Palm Springs, some talk about its history others it's style, but they are all entertaining books in their own right. I hope you pick up one or two, and let me know what you think.

Celebrating the weekend retreat, this book is a great starter book,,,, great images and some terrific examples of beautiful homes.

I am a big fan of all the books that Dianne Saeks does on design, and this is no different, if you were to have only one book on Palm Springs, this would be a tough one to pass up.

Another great volume on Palm Springs Architecture. Adele Cygelman has worked at some of the finest architectural magazines in the world, and brings her trained on to bear this brand of modernism. She has gained access into some of the finest homes in the desert and presents them with stunning photography.

Often regarded as the man who started the modern craze in Palm Springs. The houses of Albert Frey were some of the first to marry modernism with a desert context. His houses remain the benchmark of style even today.

This book looks at the Palm Springs of today, its a great insight to what is happening now, as people buy and renovate, or build from scratch, and how they are managing to capture the spirit of a very special place.

Modern Kitchens

I really love to cook, so Kitchens are rooms that I really love to design. But aside from their practical aspects, Kitchens also function as the heart of the home. This is the place where, homework is done, kids are fed and stories are told. So it can be difficult when I get a request to do a modern Kitchen, because it seems to me that these can be the antithesis of this. The image above is a Kitchen I did in a house up in northern California in conjunction with a local Kitchen Designer. The family has young kids and this Kitchen can be a madhouse at times, so I think that the clean lines help to give the Kitchen a more straightforward, handsome look that a more traditional style might not.

Here are some ideas to consider if you are creating a modern Kitchen:

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  I like to use a combination of different materials to create a sense of warmth. In this Kitchen we used Douglas Fir doors wrapped in stainless steel, and then repeated the stainless steel on the island. It helps to create a nice rhythm.


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  One of the hallmarks of modern Kitchens is this idea of big splashes of one material. I like the idea for instance on the back splash, using a very simple color, like the sandblasted glass, but do it in a small tile, so that you still get some texture up there.


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  Once again, use different types of light so that you can create different effects, from bright utilitarian to a warm glow at night.


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  When laying out the kitchen, massing is very important. You want a modern kitchen to feel light and effortless, so try keeping all the bigger pieces (Refrigerator, wall ovens, pantry etc) grouped together.


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  When using a lot of material like stainless steel, make sure you balance it out with some material with a lower lustre, like slate, or else you will end up with a glary, shiny mess.

Good Luck, and Happy Cooking!

Modern Fireplaces

I have always been a big fan of contrast. Playing light against dark, old against new and most of all modern against traditional. Some of my favorite designers are masters at this, and in my mind, the tension you create can make a room much more interesting, than if you had stuck with just one style.

Today's post is about modern fireplaces. A fireplace represents a unique opportunity in a room, because almost without effort it draws the eye and anchors the space. Because of this inherent property, I like to keep the fireplaces fairly simple. So for me, this is the perfect opportunity to interject a modern element. Here are some thoughts about Modern Fireplaces:

• Think carefully about the material you decide to use. You can see in the fireplace above i used brushed stainless steel, but because of the softness around it in the upholstery, carpet etc, it actually looks very warm. So when deciding on material, be aware of its context, even the most industrial materials can show a softer side if handled correctly.
• When doing a modern fireplace, scale is crucial, you may want to make a mock-up first, to avoid a costly mistake.
• Just because its modern, doesn't mean you can't show the hand of the maker. I prefer modern elements where you can see the craftsman hand, such as elements that include, venetian plaster, or hand worked metal. So while the shape and form are modern, you get the sense it is still within a tradition of craftsmanship. This is an important idea when working the modern against traditional pieces.
• Some of the best modern feeling fireplaces I have seen, are made with old world material. Elements such as rough hewn stone, or hand worked metal, when massed in a simple way can feel more modern than some things made from steel or concrete. So do not feel limited by materials, seek your inspiration from the context of the room.
• Have a fireplace already and want to make it feel more modern? How about a sandblasted glass firescreen, or paint the mantle a vibrant color (lime green would do it), or even as something as simple as chrome fireplace accessories would do the trick.

..... and don't forget the bear rug :)

Mixing Antiques with Modern Pieces

There is a new posting over at DesignTalk today, where I discuss techniques of mixing Antiques with more modern pieces. Drop by and take a look.

http://designtalk.homevisions.com/

Have a great day!

Warm Modernism

Some people who read this blog are probably surprised to find out that I am a huge fan of modernism. I feel very strongly though that just because a room is modern, there is absolutely no reason for it to be cold and uninviting. I give the above room as an example, it is one of the favorite rooms that I have ever done, it was for a young family and they wanted something that felt modern, yet at the same time, somewhere where they could relax and hang out with their kids.

When approaching a modern room, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Keep the color palette neutral, let the architecture be the star
• I like to have only one or two patterned fabrics in the room. In this case I put a very subtle damask on the sofa, it gives a sense of tradition, but the silhouette of the sofa, keeps it feeling very modern.
• Make it all about the texture, I like to use all sorts of textures, from a luxurious wool rug, to silk pillows to venetian plaster on the wall, they all create a sense of the hand of man, that I think is crucial to making a space feel inviting.
• Modern doesn't have to be new. One of the hallmarks of modernism was that form was defined by function, this is not a new idea, I included a Japanese table and a pair of African stools, both of which the form was driven by it's function.
• Please don't ignore the windows, they often look, clearer, taller and more expansive when there is drapes, and boy does it make it more inviting.

Well I hope that you are now willing to attack the new modern house!