Today, Linda and her partner Betty share the story of their process of closing an era of their lives in NYC and embarking on a dream in the desert.
The NY couple had previously visited Palm Springs several times during Modernism Weeks and fell in love with the Palm Springs lifestyle. Armed with dreams of retiring in the sun, they found themselves involved in a nightly obsession of combing Palm Springs real estate listings.
The search began to narrow by learning more of which neighborhoods they most desired and that were close to downtown. One night they came across a listing for Desert Eichler 6. Having already been familiar with the track homes built by a company founded by Bronx –born developer, Joseph Eichler, their curiosity was spiked.
The couple own a post and beam home in the Hamptons and have an affinity for wood with minimal sheetrock and lots of architectural glass to view and enjoy nature. The concept of bringing the outdoors inside especially with the atrium, which the Eichler’s are known for, affords the experience of the out of doors inside.
The 6th Desert Eichler was to be the Eichler Gallery Model MC674. The lot was located in the central Palm Springs neighborhood of Tahquitz River Estates. This enclave was known for its juxtaposition of midcentury modern homes alongside homes with the old world charm of Spanish-revival architecture.
#6 was completed early 2018 and Betty, Linda and their two French Bulldogs, Sadie and Petie promptly migrated to the left coast. The 2123 square foot, 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home was easily filled up to capacity with their collection of furniture from their Downtown loft in TriBeCa. Adding a few local vintage finds, the place became Home.
Long time Design enthusiasts, Linda and Betty worked closely in collaboration with the teams led by Troy Kudlac, the developer, and Steven Shield’s, the builder. The couple, admittedly having quite specific tastes and attention to detail, found that they had racked up a sizable amount of upgrades and additional expenses to the original sale price!
The home is bright and lively with a 360 degree beauty. The couple personalized the home choosing bold vivid MCM colors of avocado green, burnt orange, black, white and anthracite. Given the inside/outside theme of the Eichler, the landscaping was equally as important as the inside design choices.
They worked closely with the professionals to further customize the living spaces outdoors to their family’s lifestyle. The couple felt fortunate to be able to keep the five palm trees that were originally on the lot, which was no easy feat for the builders! They had to move and replant at least three of these large beautiful Palms, successfully dodging many obstacles and mishaps in their path.
One of the highlights of the house was the couple’s choice of a see-through two-way gas fireplace. One can enjoy the beauty and warmth in the living room and on the outside seating area. Along with the addition of an outside Modfire gas fireplace the outdoors seating spaces can easily be enjoyed on a cool night.
Inside the home the couple opted for a custom Walnut wood accent wall in the living room and in the master bedroom to add richness and warmth in contrast to the smooth, polished grey and black Terrazo Textura tile floor throughout the home.
The avocado colored front door is in keeping with the Palm Springs tradition in featuring the front door as a focal point of interest. All other doors throughout the home are custom made solid core walnut with strips of metal inlays, also adding to the feel of warmth and richness. The MCM color theme of burnt orange and avocado green are accent colors in the overall walnut colored cabinets.
Penny round tiles in grey/taupe were chosen for the kitchen backsplash and the guest bathroom. Bright orange penny rounds were used in the master bath to tie in the bold color scheme elsewhere throughout the home.
The Interior décor is a mix of modern and vintage. A corner in the kitchen is accented with a vintage wrought iron bar and matching bar stools which the couple proclaim is their favorite local find. Two orange wooden Japanese bar stools sit comfortably next to the oversized Fleetwood sliding glass door providing direct access from the kitchen to the outside.
The living room has orange accents starting with an orange cowhide rug, Nesso orange table lamp designed by Giancarlo Mattioli for Artemide sitting on a vintage chrome rectangular side table. An orange lacquer cube table and vintage hula girl lamp provides ambient lighting.
A Vintage Eames fiberglass molded rocker, Eames lounge chair and ottoman, Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair and footstool, Bantam Studio Sofa, Barcelona chair, and a Flemsted Futura Mobile hanging over a Nogushi table as centerpiece make up the living room décor.
The Master bedroom is well appointed with a Hastens King bed with beige check headboard, Saarinen side tables for Knoll, an Art Deco leather and chrome club chair.
They also opted to have a larger pool with a tanning shelf furnished with two Ledge Loungers signature chaises and a side table with select black and white striped umbrella make a festive in-pool perch. The pool has 3 pencil jets for ambiance as well as a large luxurious spa alongside the pool.
In the open atrium at the center of the home the Sculptura Occassional chair in black with the Spring Occasional chair, Bench and Ottoman made by Woodard allow for comfortable seating with a vintage wrought iron low table in the center.
