People have flocked to the resort town of Palm Springs since the 1930s. Originally, it was an escape, either from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood or the cold of northern winters. These days, however, Palm Springs is a year-round destination. Since the 1990s, when a new generation rediscovered its mid-century modern architectural treasures, Palm Springs has become a mecca for collectors of 20th-century modern design.
Want to take a mid-century modern home with you? Well, you are in the right place. In Palm Springs, you’ll find some of the finest modern antique furniture – all the fabulous furnishings, lighting, and decorative arts that once filled these equally fabulous modern desert homes. Some vintage shops that you can’t miss:
111 old mall
68-401 East Palm Canyon Drive
Cathedral City
760.202.0215
2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.864.9390
http://www.info111mall.com
Owners John Hall and John Connell have been a part of Palm Springs’ modern vintage scene for years (in fact, Hall pretty much created it with his first store). Of course, modern vintage wasn’t always as popular as it is today. “It was a joke,” Hall says of the early years. “People laughed at me.” Nobody laughs now, of course. There’s more than 23,000 square feet of space and nearly 100 dealer spaces in what Connell calls his “two mid-century modern supermarkets.” what heat? Hall and Connell say customers (including Jonathan Adler, who has hauled trucks) clamor for 1970s glamour, especially chrome, Lucite (the work of Lucite pioneer Charles Hollis Jones, in particular), and mirrored pieces. .
dazzle
1035 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.327.1446
Owner Mike Sauls describes his store as “a department store,” but Dazzles is perhaps best known for its unparalleled collection of costume jewelry. Everything is displayed as handmade sweets in a pastry box, and the effect is mesmerizing. Shimmering rhinestones, shimmering enamels, and colored bakelite—all authentic vintage pieces. Sauls says these “fun, colorful pieces” are popular in part because they take us back to a simpler time, when good design could still be whimsical. And affordable. Sauls has something for every budget, so as he says, “people can take something home with them.”
Gallery
457 N Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.323.4576
The Galleria is made up of several different stores, covering a variety of mid-century designs. Up front you’ll find a spectacularly eclectic mix of items, including the best of American, French, Italian and Scandinavian art and design. The collection reflects the varied interests of owner Jim Gaudineer, whose passion is “discovering modern design that was happening around the world,” including numerous “great unknowns.” Also in the Galleria are Phil Hawkins Fine Art and Antiques and across the street, Bon Vivant, offering quality ceramics, glass, art, jewelry and a variety of homewares, all at some of the most affordable prices. Reasonable in town.
mod springs
1117 N. Palm Canyon Drive
After
Palm Springs
760.327.5400
Co-owner Greg Ledesma says he lives with modern furnishings, keeping an eye on the classics and an eye on the latest trends. That way, Ledesma and partner Glenn Clarke can fill out their inventory of vintage modern staples (think Knoll sofas in original Alexander Girard fabric!) with a few flavors of the month (think Hollywood Regency decadence). . However, when it comes to fashion pieces, Ledesma likes to be a bit cautious. Rather than jump on the bandwagon, he prefers to look for the “most unusual and unique” pieces, those that have what he calls “true beauty and craftsmanship.”
modern way
2755 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.320.5455
http://www.psmodernway.com
Visiting Modern Way is a bit like visiting the prop store for a James Bond movie. Though the place is packed with a variety of mid-century modern designs, it’s the white lacquer, chrome, and Lucite from the ’60s and early ’70s that really catch the eye. And designer names like Charles Hollis Jones, Paul Evans, Milo Baughman, and Pierre Cardin. Courtney Newman, the owner, says she likes this look “glamorous, sexy, extravagant…and over the top.” And it’s a look that’s becoming increasingly popular with savvy shoppers. “People understand it more,” says Newman, “so they want to mix it up.”
Palm Springs Shipping
2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Unit B101
Palm Springs
760.416.0704
James Claude and Miguel Linares have moved into their new location on Palm Canyon Drive and enjoy the larger space. It hasn’t taken people long to find them either, especially bargain-hunting merchants and LA set designers (some of their best clients). And if LA dealers buy here, that should tell you something. The best strategy: visit often. You will most likely stay for a while as well, it’s that kind of place. According to Claude, “we’re never too busy to look up and say hello to someone passing by the store.” And it’s true: between the friendly staff and the store’s mascots, Cody and Jack, you’ll want to kick back and stay a while.
Retrospect
666 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.416.1766
Patinas are fine for woods and metals, but when it comes to antique upholstered furniture, sometimes “original condition” isn’t much fun. No problem. At Retrospect, you’ll find all your Mid-Century Modern favorites restored like new (or better). Owner Laine Scott says simply, “we restore everything.” But, almost everything. Scott is quick to add that she rarely alters “museum pieces.” Mainly, it depends on how the furniture is going to be used. Scott uses all new materials, from the springs to the fabric (some of which is actually unused vintage material). In addition to parts for her own workshop, she also does restoration work for clients.
study one 11
2675 N. Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs
760.323.5104
Studio One 11 likes to stock what manager Will Raabe calls “stable items”: design icons from the 1950s and ’60s, like George Nelson items, Florence Knoll tables, and Richard Schultz armchairs. According to Raabe, these are perennial favorites for their “simple, elegant shapes.” In addition to the “stable items”, you’re sure to find some rare and exotic skins here as well. The kind of pieces you won’t see on HGTV or in the shelter magazines, the kind of pieces you’ll gladly redesign your entire home around. Studio One 11 also promotes a handful of handpicked local artists, whose work complements the vintage modern furnishings.
VintageOasis
373 S. Palma Canyon Drive
I study
Palm Springs
760.778.6224
The blurring of interior and exterior spaces is one of the characteristic elements of modern architecture, often in the form of modern planters. And the place to find these little gems (along with a modest selection of furniture and lighting, and a great selection of reasonably priced vintage clothing) is Vintage Oasis. You’ll find antique architectural pottery here, as well as more reasonably priced pots from Gainey Ceramics and others. Owner Trifon Trifonopoulos says he also sells some new Gainey parts that aren’t widely available. According to Trifonopoulos, “people are drawn to the timeless design” of these pots, as well as their sturdiness and durability over high heat.
Where to stay
With all this great shopping, plus the spectacular architecture, of course, you might want to plan a weekend getaway. And anyone interested in mid-century modern will be pleased to know that the Horizon Hotel (originally named L’Horizon) reopened last year, after a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation. Situated on two and a half acres with glorious views of the San Jacinto Mountains, the 22-bungalow hotel was originally designed in 1952 by renowned architect William F. Cody, a Palm Springs legend. The Horizon remains one of the finest examples of Cody’s work, and is one of the few authentic mid-century hotels in the city. The Horizon Hotel, 1050 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264, 760.323.1858 or 800.377.7855, http://www.thehorizonhotel.com.