My Palm Springs Guide for Architectural Digest
I recently did a takeover for Architectural Digest on Instagram sharing some of my favorite Palm Springs spots. I love sharing all of the amazing architecture Palm Springs has to offer — and its colorful doors — speaking of, don’t forget to enter our Real Houses of Palm Springs giveaway that ends tomorrow! I wanted to share my favorite Palm Springs spots here + share some BIG news.
It was fun to see which photos received the most likes and comments. I’ve listed that below, in case you’d like to see, but altogether the photos were shared with Architectural Digest’s 970,000+ followers and received over 85,000 likes and over 1000 comments. Pretty exciting! And to give credit where it is majorly due, these photos were taken by the amazing Fred Moser (aka @fredbaby13 — follow him!). We are so grateful to be able to share our happy place with so many wonderful readers and are so thankful for your comments.
Speaking of grateful, in case you didn’t catch it when we did the takeover, I reveal some HUGE news which just officially became official a few hours ago! Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the news…
Photo 1
Greetings from Palm Springs! @kellygolightly here, creative director and author of KellyGolightly.com, a style guide for the modern-day Audrey Hepburns of the world. Along with my husband, photographer @fredbaby13, we document the playful glamour, color and charm of Palm Springs. Come along as we share our favorite gems from this beloved design destination that endlessly inspires our lives and work.
7308 likes, 69 comments
Photo 2
The Vista Las Palmas neighborhood in north Palm Springs is one of the best for midcentury eye candy and has a handful of charming Swiss Miss A-frames. Be sure to drive around and take in all of the perfectly preserved homes. It’s also the neighborhood Leonardo Di Caprio recently made his home when he acquired the Dinah Shore estate. Plus, you can find one of the most famous examples of midcentury architecture here, the Kaufmann House by architect Richard Neutra (470 W. Vista Chino).
10,900 likes, 113 comments
Photo 3
Nearly as good as the groovy houses are the vintage cars you often see tooling around Palm Springs or parked outside spectacular homes, like this perfect pairing spotted in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. Talk about a #palmspringsdream!
7027 likes, 71 comments
Photo 4
Indian Canyons is another must-see neighborhood in Palm Springs. Discover stunning examples of midcentury and Hollywood Regency architecture, as well as colorful doors, with #thatpinkdoor on E. Sierra Way being the most popular. We were so inspired by the colorful doors of Palm Springs, literal works of art in their own right, that we created the fine art photography series The Real Houses of Palm Springs, find it at @purephoto and at purephoto.com/kellyandfred.
13,600 likes, 131 comments
Photo 5
The Real Aqua Doors of Palm Springs, which reside in the Indian Canyons neighborhood in south Palm Springs, are pure eye candy!
7800 likes, 65 comments
Photo 6
Poolside Gossip, photographed by Slim Aarons in 1970 at The Kaufmann House, is the most iconic photo ever taken in Palm Springs. Capturing two stylish women sipping cocktails poolside, the photo is the epitome of Palm Springs living. The women pictured, Nelda Linsk (former owner of the Kaufmann House) and her dear friend Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur, reunited back at the house in 2015, 45 years after the original photo was taken, and we had the honor of capturing it. Poolside Reunion is on view at @justmodern in the Uptown Design District in Palm Springs, where you can shop your socks off, as well as online at fredmoser.com.
8927 likes, 273 comments
Photo 7
One of the best times to visit Palm Springs is in February for @modernism_week, a celebration of mid-century design and architecture. From lectures to poolside parties to home tours, it’s like Fashion Week for design buffs. A must-have ticket: #thechristopherkennedycompound showhouse, which raises funds for preservation and is spearheaded by celebrity designer @christopherkennedyinc. Alongside a roster of tastemakers such as @martynbullard and @carsonkressley, I had the pleasure of designing the dressing room, dubbed The Glam Cave. It’s fun to see everyone’s take on Palm Springs style (mine a clear ode to the @BevHillsHotel circa 1960, with the focal point being banana leaf wallpaper designed by @justinablakeney for @hyggeandwest).
5335 likes, 72 comments
Photo 8
One of our favorite activities in Palm Springs? Visiting open houses! Endless design inspiration, plus it’s free—how can you beat that? This is a peek (and a peak!) from the #DesertEichler house developed by @kudproperties, who’s creating a brand-new Eichler neighborhood in the desert, featuring the design and architecture beloved by Eichler fans but with modern updates.
6161 likes, 20 comments
Photo 9
Parched? Be sure to pop in to the @ParkerPalmSprings for a lemonade, and drink in the eye-popping interiors by @jonathanadler while you’re at it. It does NOT disappoint and he recently did a re-sprucing. Of course those iconic orange doors make a perfect photo-op. Palm Springs is chockfull of great boutique design hotels: the Hollywood Regency @AvalonHotels by @kellywearstler, the Moroccan-influenced @ColonyPalmsHotel by @MartynBullard and the sleek and chic @lhorizonpalmsprings by Steve Hermann are a few favorites.
11,300 likes, 111 comments
Photo 10
Yello’! Another day, another door to adore. These yellow stunners can be found in the Tennis Club neighborhood in Palm Springs. If you love yellow, the area is also home to @AvalonHotels, which is a lovely spot to grab a cocktail or a nibble. Also fun: Melvyn’s at the Ingleside Inn, a former Rat Pack hangout and the perfect spot to sip a martini or indulge in an old-school dinner (Steak Diane made tableside by waiters in black tuxes, anyone?). We hope you’ve enjoyed our Palm Springs tour! Be sure to follow us at @kellygolightly + @fredbaby13 for more updates, including our new house and upcoming renovations.* Cheers + see you in Palm Springs!
14,500 likes, 107 comments
*Yes, we bought a house + JUST got the keys at 5pm today. We can’t wait to share more next week! Until then, have a wonderful weekend xx!
PHOTOS by FRED MOSER
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CONGRATULATIONS! So happy for you! Can’t wait to see more pics.
Merci merci, Marguerite!