I had a blast at Modernism Week as part of the #PSModSquad. One blog post cannot contain the epic amazingness that is Mod week, but I will try!
Modernism Week happens every year in Palm Springs in February with a “fall preview” in October. It's a celebration of all things mid-century--- design, architecture, art, and style. It's longer than a week (two weeks!) and it's FUN!
There’s tours, films, lectures, events and most of all PARTIES!
The view from my room at the Saguaro Hotel
Palm Springs is just 45 minutes from Joshua Tree, but the vibe is very different. I headed "down the hill" to take part in the festivities for the weekend of February 16-18. The Mod Squad stayed at the Saguaro Palm Springs, the most colorful hotel ever. It’s such a cute spot!
photo of the Mod Squad brunch by Tadd Dorazio
Saturday morning brunch with the other members of the Mod Squad was a highlight. Great food and fun to meet friends from Instagram in real life.
goodie bags at the brunch!
Super adorable pins from McKean Studio
I focused my itinerary on home tours. There are a ton of events during mod week, and picking which tickets to get was a difficult choice! I love seeing homes and how people live. I visited The Loewy House, The West Elm Pool House, The Hidden Frey, The Steel & Glass House, the Vintage Sale & Show, and the Signature House Tour. I did attend one lecture-- with Dunn-Edwards Paints about color at the Saguaro. Did you know the city of Palm Springs was torn about whether to approve the color scheme for the Saguaro? Crazy, as it's probably the most photographed hotel EVER.
a sweet garden scene at the West Elm Pool House
How about those wave chairs? WANT
More velvet and metallic accents in the bedroom at the West Elm Pool House
Stori Modern furniture looking sleek
Lines and angles.
fancy Hunter Douglas shades!
I think I need a pool.
Palm Springs knows how to POOL. The swimming pools at all the house tours were truly spectacular. All the homes integrated outdoor space in their designs- in the desert, your patio is an extension of your home.
Side chair game strong.
Chinoiserie was definitely a theme.
Even the docents are groovy.
The Loewy House was most defintely a highlight of my time at Mod Week. This rug had me swooning!
maybe I need a mint couch?
loved these mod chairs.
a scene right out of Mad Men.
My favorite homes were the older, lived-in historical homes like the Loewy House and the Kirk Douglas residence. Art collections, objects, signs of day-to-day life-- those are the magic bits. I have a soft spot in my heart for danish furniture design and the mod lines of the chairs and couches were catching my eye too. The use and juxtaposition of textures as design elements (rugs, wood, ceramics) also caught my eye.
Meditation station in a beautiful garden space
a peaceful atrium with a distinct Japanese influence
This room on the Signature House Tour felt a bit more modern than mid-century. Loved the bedframe!
This home was on the National Historic Register
Palm Springs loves its Tennis- the court at the Kirk Douglas estate
The "Mural House" was covered with Picasso-esque paintings on the exterior.
Here are a few recs for bopping around Palm Springs while you're in town for Mod Week. I got links for youuu!
Stay: The Saguaro Hotel (highly recommend their room service btw, delish)
Shop: Thick As Thieves, BKB Design, The Frippery, Trina Turk
Eat: Frank-in-Bun, Ernest Coffee, King's Highway at the Ace Hotel, High Bar at the Rowan, Native Foods (watermelon juice please!), Lappert's Ice Cream (hello Dole Whip!)
The cutest lil' shop in Palm Springs- Thick As Thieves on Indian Canyon Drive. All the pretty things!
cool stuff on display at gallery-shop BKB Design on Palm Canyon Drive.
Trying on Mohinders at the pop-up shop at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. The unofficial shoe of the high desert!
I never pass up an opportunity to get a Dole Whip.
lunch at Frank-in-Bun with the best wallpaper by Palm Springs designer Candice Held
The Blockshop Textiles pop-up Indigo workshop was in full swing when I stopped by the Ace Hotel.
Thank you so much to Modernism Week and Secret Agent for having me. See you next year!
The class of 2018 Mod Squad! Had a ton of fun meeting these instagrammers! Photo by Tadd Dorazio.