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It’s no secret that I love Palm Springs so I wanted to share some of the highlights from Modernism Week – the annual celebration of mid-century modern design that takes place in Palm Springs each February and is like the Fashion Week of interior design. The architecture! The panels! The poolside parties! The palm tress! The air kisses! Oh my! Modernism Week continues through the weekend so if you’re thinking, Hey I wanna get in on that, there’s still a chance to enjoy some of the fun. Here’s the skinny…

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I’m honored to have been a part of the Mod Squad for the second year in a row. The Mod Squad is a select group of press, tastemakers and bloggers who share Modernism Week through their lense. Perhaps you caught some of my snaps over on Instagram this weekend? I also wanted to share some of my favorite photos that Fred Baby shot, which really shows off Palm Springs off in her resplendent glory. We feel so lucky to call this place home.

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Here are some highlights and what you can still see…

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House Tours: Christopher Kennedy Compound

Many Modernism Week events sell out months in advance, especially the home tours. But this year, Palm Springs has her own show house called The Christopher Kennedy Compound, spearheaded by amazing interior designer Christopher Kennedy, and to which you can still nab tickets! (Sidenote: I’m working on a fun collaboration with Christopher Kennedy that I can’t wait to share soon, but in the meantime, the show house is a must-see.)

Each of the rooms was designed by a fabulous designer and I loved seeing each designer’s personality come out. Among the highlights: Trina Turk’s playful-chic pool area, Sammy Castro’s pristine landscaping, Patrick Dragonette’s deliciously decadent den, Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield’s jaw-dropping living room, Tamara Kaye-Honey’s jewel box of a powder room, Thomas Lavin’s sleek and sophisticated guest bedroom, and Celerie Kemble’s master bedroom, which has me wanting to cover my bedroom in zebra wallpaper and get a golden bamboo luggage rack, stat. Of course, Christopher Kennedy’s outdoor living room really took the cake and epitomized the indoor-outdoor lifestyle Palm Springs is so known and beloved for. Bonus: All of the proceeds raised are donated to modernism preservation efforts, which is so great for Palm Springs.

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Architectural Bus Tours

While Fred Baby and I are lucky enough to drive around and enjoy the architecture of Palm Springs any time we’re out here and tooling around in the car, we both really enjoyed the double-decker architectural bus tour, which lets you see town from a different perspective. Plus, you get the chance to learn the history of so many buildings and residences and get to peek over the pristinely manicured hedges into the marvelous manses that you often can’t see from your car (bonus: we even spotted a naked man enjoying his outdoor shower– bravo, sir, bravo!). There still seem to be a few tickets left!

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Open Houses

If you can’t get tickets to a bus tour anymore, not to worry. One of the best parts of Modernism Week is that all of the realtors are in on the game and are hosting open houses galore. So hop in your car, head to the neighborhoods Vista Las Palmas, Twin Palms, Racquet Club, Movie Colony, Deepwell, the Mesa, and Indian Canyons and follow the Open House signs. Best part: It’s free! See my guide to 5 Free Things To Do in Palm Springs.

Spend the rest of your time poolside soaking up the sun (and maybe a cocktail or three – I won’t tell!), biking around, vintage shopping and counting your lucky stars that it’s sunny and 80 degrees in February. And be sure to check out the Modernism Week website to see which events are going on and are still available (just click on the Events tab, then select the day you are looking for, and presto whamo glamo). Enjoy!

[photos by Fred Baby and Kelly Golightly]

 

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