Table of contents for Spring 2022 in Atomic Ranch

Not everyone has the stomach to buy a home that’s in foreclosure. After all, the process can be lengthy and complicated; and while you might be getting a bargain, there’s likely some serious work that needs to be done. However, if that home was designed by storied architect A. Quincy Jones and sits in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Palm Springs, a buyer can be forgiven for throwing caution to the wind. Realtor Frank Bruno took the plunge in 2015, purchasing a home in Palm Springs’ Indian Canyons neighborhood in a development known as Country Club Estates. “It had the ideal west-facing views I had been searching for, but it was in extremely poor condition,” he recalls. “Literally every system in the house had to be redone. It…

At first glance, both the kitchen and dining room have many features characteristic of Mid Century Modern design. In his work as the architect and builder for this project, Michael Wray sought to bring together the best of MCM while also allowing for modern necessities. “We try to honor classic Mid Century architecture with classically ratioed transoms, floor-to-ceiling windows, timber beams and authentic Eichler siding,” he points out. “However, we've modernized the spaces for current market expectations.” For these two spaces, interior designer Christine Turknett used texture and color to create a take on Mid Century design that’s infused with contemporary elements. “It was an opportunity to think differently,” she says. “Overall, what inspired me was the idea of rethinking MCM design in the context of a new build. I…

With sunshine in the forecast for 350 days of the year and an average winter temperature in the mid-70s, it’s no wonder Palm Springs has become one of the premier resort towns in the United States. In addition, because of its nearly 40,000 swimming pools, Palm Springs has become synonymous with aquatic life. The first pool in Palm Springs was built in 1909 by wealthy businesswoman Nellie Coffman with the express purpose of attracting guests to her new pit stop-turned-hotel, The Desert Inn. By the 1930s, the unbeatable combination of the privacy of the Palm Springs desert, its consistent weather and the promise of lavish pool parties inevitably drew the rich and famous (Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope and Cary Grant, to name just a few). In fact, from…

A Desert Sanctuary Takes it Outside Mod West Ranch continues to inspire, and we take a look at the different outdoor zones on this property where Mid Mod meets Old West. Then, find inspiration for your own exterior! Know Your Zone! How to Pick Plants If you’re looking ahead to warmer months and starting to plan for your landscaping, discover the basics regarding hardiness zones and where to begin as you consider what to plant. Modernist Index: A Mod Masterpiece—The Bob Hope House Designed by architect John Lautner for famous comedian, actor and entertainer Bob Hope, this Palm Springs home remains a unique modernist gem. Take a peek inside and learn about the home’s design and history. Web Exclusive With Dani Nagel Learn more about the intersection between Dani’s work…

Canadian photographer Martin Knowles is no stranger to Palms Springs. He often makes the trek down south for the annual Modernism Week events. However, his latest project brings the desert to anyone who’s willing to get back in touch with their youth and buy one of his classic View Master sets. These sets offer a series of reels, each featuring his photography of such legendary Palm Springs masters as Hugh Kaptur, William Krisel and Donald Wexler. View Master sets are available at Destination PSP, (760) 354-9154 or destinationpsp.com.…

Spring is on the horizon, and it’s the perfect time for some fresh perspective on our mid-century homes and the way we live in them. I often use this time of year as a motivator to reevaluate how my home is working for me and what I can do to improve the areas I use most frequently. A big part of this process focuses on cleaning and organization. Determining what can stay and what can be donated, sold or disposed of is not an easy task as collectors and curators of many vintage things. However, once you’re in that "zone" of condensing and organizing, I find the satisfaction from a spruce-up can often outweigh the tendency to accumulate. With this theme of freshness on our minds, I’ve compiled a few…

Tucked away in the sleepy Palm Springs neighborhood of Araby Commons is CoCo Cabana, a former Mid-Century Modern garden apartment hotel that, for many, is the picture of desert leisure living. The “CoCo,” as it’s known, was built in 1955 as a vacation destination for the “inconspicuously affluent” and later became a magnet for Palm Springs tennis fans when the sport captured the zeitgeist in the 1970s. To capitalize on this fervor, 16 new apartment accommodations were built at the CoCo in 1971, doubling its capacity. They were branded as the “tennis units.” I procured one of these coveted units some 40 years after the CoCo’s 1977 condominium conversion, and while the intervening years had been gracious enough to this iconic property, my one-bedroom, 700-square-foot vacation home was in need…

At the Jaffe House in the Rancho Mirage area of Greater Palm Springs, myriad elements combine to make this home both interesting and also incredibly private. For starters, the double doors you see here don’t open directly into the house, as you might expect. Instead, they open onto a courtyard with a covered colonnade and stone pathway that lead deeper into the property and to the house. Architect William F. Cody drew on many of the principals of modern architecture in the home’s design, using floor-to-ceiling windows inside. These are cleverly shaded by the deeply overhanging roof and plenty of greenery. Palms and yucca plants combine with various cacti to add plenty of interest to the desert landscaping. SLUMPSTONE WALLS CREATE SOFTNESS The brick wall is what’s known as “slumpstone,”…

During a Modernism Week 2020 tour just before the pandemic, a “for sale by owner” sign placed in front of this 1957 Twin Palms, California, home caught the attention of its future owner and his fiancée. It was love at first sight for the couple, and they contacted their realtor and then quickly made a deal. While the house was in relatively good shape, it was in need of a refresh and colorful makeover. The only problem? The new homeowner, a film and television producer living in Canada, was suddenly unable to travel to his newly acquired house. The homeowners had partnered with Kevin Kemper and Howard Hawkes of H3K Design for a previous renovation on a 1960s home in Maui, Hawaii, and reached out to work with them again…

When Los Angeles designer Danielle (“Dani”) Nagel took a trip to Palm Springs’ Modernism Week nearly four years ago, little did she know that not only would she discover a newfound love of Mid Century Modern design, she would also purchase her very own MCM marvel—a cute, 984-square-foot Krisel. "I’m a fashion and interior designer and was invited to attend as a guest in the ‘Mod Squad,’” Dani says. “We did a bunch of tours, attended talks and were simply fascinated with the rich history behind MCM design.” After getting her start in the fashion world, Dani decided to break out and start her own brand—Dazey LA (@dazey_la). “My design aesthetic across all mediums ties in a ton of color and vintage design,” she says. With an eye for bold…