It may be a town with history, but Palm Springs has always belonged to the future-minded. Long before it became a design pilgrimage site, the desert drew architects who believed homes should respond to the climate, landscape and lifestyle. In the late 1950s and early ’60s, modernist pioneers like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, William Krisel and Charles Du Bois reshaped the desert with optimism and experimentation, designing houses that felt light, open and utterly new.
That spirit still lingers, floating in the desert glow of the afternoon sun and the geometry of low-slung rooflines. And it’s that ethos that drives this Palm Springs renovation by principal designer Christopher Kennedy, who has redesigned numerous homes in the area over his 20-year career, with some recently showcased in Palm Springs’ Modernism Week.
So, when a client with a deep love of art—spanning decades, continents and styles—approached Kennedy with a second home project in Palm Springs, Kennedy knew something new was about to unfold.“This client came to me with a great art collection and a great sense of style, and I could tell we were going to have the chance to do something really eclectic and different,” he shares.
This home is a true Palm Springs classic: built by the famous Alexander Construction Company and designed by architect Charles Du Bois with strong bones and an unassuming footprint.
The residence had more recently functioned as an Airbnb, leaving behind worn surfaces and a lack of cohesion. Concrete floors felt raw, bathrooms were tired, and the interiors lacked warmth. What it did have was potential and a client who trusted Kennedy to execute something unexpected.
“We always want to be respectful of the mid-century character of the homes,” Kennedy notes. “But generally, our clients don’t hire us to create a time capsule.”
That distinction is key. In a city where Mid-Century Modern can sometimes veer into kitsch, Kennedy believes reverence doesn’t mean repetition.
“When I approached the design, what I loved about the original architecture is that these designers were innovators and futurists,” Kennedy says. “To me, it isn’t really an honor to their legacy just to recreate what they were doing 70 years ago. If they were here today, they wouldn’t be resting on their old laurels; they’d be pushing it forward.”
Cozy Mid-century
Modern mid-century design doesn’t always align with cozy or inviting. But Kennedy made it a point to merge the two into a contemporary, yet warm living room space.
The living room unfolds with a quiet confidence. White-painted tongue-and-groove ceilings draw the eye upward, catching the light as it filters through soft, floor-length drapery. Art is the anchor of this space, with a striking fireplace clad in Japanese rib tile—subtle, linear and tactile—crowned by a bold tapestry by artist Kazumi Yoshida.
“One of my favorite features is the tapestry hanging on the fireplace,” Kennedy says. Sourced from a local dealer, The Gilded Owl, the piece became a creative touchstone early in the project. “Once I saw that, it really helped inform my decisions. I knew they were open to taking risks. They appreciated art, they appreciated nice things.”
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To make way for the artwork, the furniture in the room is intentionally restrained. Neutral, mid-century-inspired sofas sit opposite one another, surrounding a much more contemporary, sculptural, angular, black-iron coffee table. Then, a patterned rug grounds the space, while warm accent pillows echo the desert palette just outside the windows. It’s all eclectic by design to match the client’s favorite things: bold patterns, nostalgic vibes and warm neutral colors, notes the designer.
“I like to juxtapose different things from different decades,” Kennedy points out. “That contrast keeps it interesting, and I think we accomplished that with this home.” Nearly 90 pieces of artwork were brought into the space, becoming the anchor of the design throughout.
Luxury in the Bedroom
The bedrooms take a softer turn, leaning into comfort and texture without losing their modern edge. Kennedy’s love of custom fabric designs is on full display, from grasscloth wall coverings to custom drapery that stretches wall to wall.
“I really like the bedrooms to feel lush,” he says. “I love wall-to-wall draperies. People sometimes think mid-century design is cold, but it doesn’t have to be.”
In the primary bedroom, patterned fabric wraps the headboard and reappears in the drapery and bed skirt, a deliberate decorating move requested by the client.
“It’s not something we get asked for a lot anymore,” Kennedy admits. “It was a nod to the Midwestern classic aesthetic (where the client is from), and it was really fun to do.”
Soft browns, creams and camel tones layer effortlessly, while textured bedding and sculptural ceramic lamps add dimension. Through the windows, palm trees sway against a backdrop of mountains.
The twin bedroom is especially charming. Patterned headboards and drapes bring a playful rhythm to the space, while wallpaper highlights one of the home’s original features—the tongue-and-groove ceilings. “Because the original home had the ceilings painted white, the wallpaper lets you really appreciate that signature detail,” Kennedy explains.
“Mid-century with a twist sounds a bit cliché,” Kennedy says. But that’s what this was, a twist that was intentional—rooted in curiosity, with a touch of nostalgia.”
Working with History—Quirks and All
Mid-century homes weren’t designed for modern expectations, and Kennedy embraces that reality with humor and creativity.
“These were small vacation homes,” he says. “They didn’t have walk-in closets, dedicated TV rooms or large laundry rooms.”
Rather than forcing grandeur, Kennedy leaned into the home’s quirks. One prime example is a small linen closet cleverly transformed into a laundry room, which was essentially nonexistent before. This “room” pops with a lemon-print wallpaper—a cheerful, slightly unexpected moment that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
“Mid-century homes might not be considered luxurious by today’s larger standards, but we embrace those quirks and make it fun,” he shares.
This Palm Springs residence feels layered, lived-in and deeply personal, a reflection of Kennedy’s design philosophy in every detail: respect for history, confidence in contrast and an understanding that great interiors evolve.
“Mid-century with a twist sounds a bit cliché,” Kennedy says. But that’s what this was, a twist that was intentional—rooted in curiosity, with a touch of nostalgia.”
In a city born of experimentation, this home stands as a reminder that the most authentic tribute to mid-century modern design is not preservation alone but progression.
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