Glamour without compromise for this holiday villa, far from the chaos of the city. Here, the natural colours of the sand shape relaxing everyday spaces.
The desert oasis of Palm Springs stands out in the Coachella Valley, California. Surrounded by mountains, it is only a few hours’ drive from sprawling and chaotic Los Angeles.
During the golden age of Hollywood Studios, Palm Springs had become the favourite destination of several film stars and major film executives. In a few years, its development skyrocketed, so much so that wealthy customers from nearby Los Angeles, and beyond, commissioned the construction of wonderful villas.
Several architects in Southern California adapted the ideas of the Bauhaus movement, very popular in Europe, and created an elegant yet informal style, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside, creating a hybrid architectural style nicknamed “Desert Modernism”.
Interior designer Christopher Kennedy opened his homonymous studio and shop in Palm Springs in 2015, in just a few years he has become one of Coachella Valley’s most influential designers. His style combines the best of Californian modernism with mid-century jet-set nostalgia.
The owners of the abode displayed on these pages are a couple from Seattle with the desire for a second home to escape the rainy and gloomy winter months. A cosy place to enjoy the warm winter sun and the view of the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains.
After careful research, they decided to purchase this one-level villa, covering 350 square metres and located in the Indian Canyons neighbourhood, an area with wide streets and a remarkable concentration of mid-century villas, dotted with tall palm trees swaying in the desert breeze.
For the interiors, Christopher Kennedy played on the concept of the desert by incorporating Moroccan accessories and items into the furnishings, thus making this project unique and original.
Kennedy told us: “I wanted to give free rein to the imagination; for example, in the lounge area of the bar, we selected a metallic wallpaper with a large floral motif, combined with Moroccan tea tables and a vintage Italian lamp in golden metal; the result is a mix that perfectly matches with the kind of atmosphere we had in mind.”
Particular attention was paid to colours: a palette of layered neutrals ranging from dove grey to cream and from brown to soft pink accents, for a very elegant atmosphere.
For the two bedrooms, both with en-suites, the arrangement of furnishings and accessories has been designed to encourage a sense of calm and comfort.
The master and guest bedrooms are both large and feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open onto the patios, glorifying the view of the surrounding desert mountains in the distance.
The exterior, with the pool as a common feature, has been divided into different areas: one for relaxation and a second by the pool for banquets and cocktails.
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