The Morse House: a Southern Californian Midcentury Masterpiece

When viewing the Morse House, it took only forty minutes for Joan and Gary Gand to decide it was going to be their own. That’s hardly surprising, the property is a midcentury modern masterpiece.  Situated in California’s Palm Springs, the iconic 1960 residence was designed by Palmer and Krisel, enhanced a year later by architect Hal Levitt. 

The home was originally purchased by Claire and Theodore Morse in 1961. They wanted to turn their house into party central for Hollywood’s elite, and often hosted legendary cocktail soirees in their extravagant Vista Las Palmas residence. 

Morse House
Morse House
Morse House
Morse House

The home’s shifting angles, floor to ceiling windows, sunken living room and pool area outside the open plan living area are only some of the features which make the house entertainment foolproof. Wooden ceilings matched with stunning white natural rock walls generate a cool and breezy atmosphere.

Joan and Gary came across the property on the market in 2013. The energy of the property seem perfectly aligned with those of the Chicago native couple, who are professional musicians as well as avid midcentury modern design collectors. 

Morse House
Morse House
Morse House

Joan and Gary share an eye for detail and it is obvious they are synchronized when it comes to garnishing their home. The interiors unravel a wide-ranging midcentury design repertoire, including pieces by George Nelson and Eero Saarinen and Richard Schultz, among many more. The color schemes and design elements of the interiors consistently flow from one space to another.

Morse House
Morse House

The Gands spent time and money also on preserving the original authenticity of this iconic home by completely restoring the terrazzo floors and changing out doors and lighting, among other features, for new and improved versions.

While under the care and love of the Gands, the Morse House has been nominated by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation as a Class One Historic Site

Morse House
Photos by Bob Coscarelli