Palm Springs
Palm Springs just keeps getting better. It truly has become a modern mecca for art, architecture, and design—not to mention fabulous hotels, resorts, and fine dining. I had the pleasure of spending President’s Day weekend in the desert with friends at the intersection of the apex of Modernism Week and Art Palm Springs.
This year’s Palm Springs Modernism Week ran from February 16 – 26th, and was yet another huge success! The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in Palm Springs. And it does just that. From lectures to tours to launch parties to idea houses, there’s truly something for everyone. If you’re like us, you’ll come away throughly inspired—with a few new friends in the bargain!
We enjoyed a fabulous three day weekend touring the stunning homes of Modernism Week. One stand-out favorite was the Christopher Kennedy Compound (AKA Villa Golightly) with its lush indoor/outdoor living and bright, sunny colors and textiles. It was so gorgeous and welcoming that were tempted to move into one of the guest rooms. Think Kelly Golightly would mind?
Next on deck was the fantastic international arts show at Art Palm Springs, as well as the Modernism Show next door (both shows were held at the Palm Springs Convention Center). And ladies, leave your stilettos at home! To bastardize Robert Frost, you’ll have “miles to go before you score your perfect piece.” Luckily they served cocktails! But it was all worth it to rub elbows with some of our favorite artists and dealers, and to take in the veritable cornucopia of stunning international art at Art Palm Springs —not to mention the gorgeous Midcentury Modern furniture, art, jewelry, and textiles at the Modernism Show. We even managed to fit in a little antiquing at a special Modernism Week edition of the Palm Springs Vintage Market. From high art to low; from daring avant-garde to darling kitsch—so much fun to be had all around. I hope you enjoy some of our photos from the weekend. Mark your calendars for next year!
If You Go:
While Modernism Week and Art Palm Springs, won’t be back till next year, you can catch the Palm Springs Vintage Mart next month! Held the first Sunday of every month from 8am – 2pm in the parking lot beside Camelot Theatres at 2300 Baristo Road in Palm Springs, source your own treasures and create a modernism mecca of your own!
Photos: Jackie Owen Photography, Steve Jaffe, and Kate Buckley
