Category: United States

Groovy hits the desert in a big way with Modernism Week. The annual 10-day festival hosts 350 events showcasing the best of all things mid-century. Architecture, art, fashion, decor, landscaping, talks and more provide inspiration for how to emulate the 1950’s in your own home.  Over 100,000 people attend the festival. Events are spread throughout Palm Springs, so no one location is overcrowded.  Mid-century buffs purchase tickets to events showcasing vestiges from days when go-go boots were de rigueur and smoking was cool.   Vintage Vespas and trailers make one yearn for the open roads of yesteryear. Cruising buffs learn the edgy elegance of mid-century ships from maritime historian Peter Knego.  But the festival highlight is the house tours. Stunning homes are sprinkled within thirty-five historic neighborhoods. Palm Springs has one of the largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern homes in the world. The crème de la crème are open for visitors to tour.   King's Point This community boasts iconic William Krisel houses. The architect along with his business partner Dan Saxon Palmer built 2,500 tract homes in Palm Springs beginning in 1953. Six King’s Point residents opened their impeccably refurbished Krisel masterpieces for Modernism Week, allowing guests a peek inside. Colorful Roche Bobois sofas, neon art, shag rugs, and waterfall chandeliers elicit oohs and aahs. Owners graciously answer guests questions. Tickets for the two-hour, self guided tour of the interiors and exteriors costs $110.    Canyon View Estates  Canyon View Estates is another example of the famed architect’s work. He and developer Roy Fey built condominium homes in the estate’s park-like setting in 1962. Homes comprised of quintessential mid-century style pop-up gable roof designs with clerestory windows, patterned shadow block, and open carports sit among the 40-acre neighborhood in South Palm Springs. The mountain views were paramount for