The Movie Colony Hotel: Cactus in Bloom

There is a nifty boutique hotel in Palm Springs called the Movie Colony Hotel, located in was once a neighborhood where movie stars lived. Originally designed by famed architect Albert Frey, the hotel has been featured in Architectural Digest magazine as an example of the many noteworthy Mid-Century modern properties which have become synonymous with Palm Springs style. This post however is not about the architecture or the movie stars who once frequented this hotel. Instead, it is to highlight the beautiful cactus garden. So here are a few photos, I hope you enjoy them:

above: tall & proud cactus line the walkway into the front entrance of the hotel.

above: the prickly pear cactus are thick and full, providing vibrant color contrasts of yellow, purple and green.

above: look at how beautiful these cactus are...go ahead, click on the pics to biggify them...

above: this close up really shows how beautiful the yellow cactus flowers are. It is a wonderful combination of texture and color.

Hope you have a great day today, and thanks for stopping by.

-Rick Rockhill

Taste the Palm Springs Life

Regular readers of this blog know that I never post any paid advertising, nor do I "pitch" anything at someone else's request. That being said, I decided to write a post about a friend's business that might be of interest to some readers. My friend has no idea that I'm writing about his business, but it is a small way for me to say "thanks" for something very sweet he did for me over this past weekend, for which I am eternally grateful-(Thanks again Kevin).

One of the things I enjoy about writing this blog is the amount of e-mail I receive from people asking about visiting Palm Springs. People from all around the world e-mail me asking advice about sights to see and living here. We have a variety of interesting hotels, ranging from full service to small boutique hotels. For a more authentic desert experience I always suggest renting a house, especially if you want to entertain guests and want some extra personal space. There are a number of truly stunning properties that are professionally managed and maintained. Many can be rented fora long weekend, or for extended periods of time. Imagine visiting the desert for a week and staying in an architecturally significant home, nestled on the side of the mountain, or in a historic neighborhood. Or imagine yourself relaxing poolside in a home that was once owned by Frank Sinatra? now THAT is the Palm Springs life!

above: I've been to this mountainside house a few times. It has an infinity pool with breathtaking views of the desert below. Wow. If I didn't already live here, this house would make me want to buy a place of my own.

above: Ultra contemporary homes like this one, with glass and steel construction allow you to move effortlessly indoors and out. These are the types of places that offer an experience that you just don't get by staying in a hotel. I actually happen to have two friends who own/operate vacation rental homes: Beau Monde Villas and Vacation Palm Springs . I'd recommend both, depending on your travel plans and interests. Both firms offer great options for business or family trips. Having your own kitchen, dining room, space to entertain, and options like a pool or spa can actually make renting a house very affordable when you consider you won't need to dine out as often.

In this post I've shown a few homes from Beau Monde, which has exotic rentals and luxury vacation homes in Palm Springs, but also Beverly Hills, San Diego, Hawaii, Beaver Creek, CO, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Naples FL, among others. If you are planing a vacation or business trip, think about coming to Palm Springs and finding a house to rent. It will offer the most authentic Palm Springs desert experience with privacy and amenities to satisfy your every whim. So that's the plug. Thanks for reading. Go ahead, indulge yourself and check out the amazing array of properties you can rent. Pack the car, book a flight and just get here!

Take it from me, I'm the Palm Springs Savant, I know about these things.

-Rick Rockhill

Modernism Week in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is known for many things; a near perfect year-round climate with dry heat, 360 degree stunning mountain views, pristine golf courses, a get-away playground for Hollywood celebrities and a fantastic array of fine dining. But Palm Springs is also noted for having an impressive amount of well preserved mid-century modern architecture. There are numerous examples of the quintessential mid-century style designed by giants such as Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, Richard Neutra, and E. Stewart Williams, among others. Palm Springs has an abundance of "Alexander Homes", named for the developer who popularized the post & beam design style in Palm Springs. These mid-century gems are identifiable by low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, open-beamed ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and also narrow horizontal windows. Many homeowners of this style have embraced the mid-century style by furnishing these homes with modernist art and furniture. As a result Palm Springs has attracted a huge amount of new and resale shops that specialize in this style. The modernist style is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and Palm Springs has become a mecca for all things mid-century modern. Thus the annual Palm Springs Modernism Week was born several years ago.

Modernism Week is the combination of a Modernism Show held at the convention center, events/lectures and tours by the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Palm Springs Historical Society & Palm Springs Modern Committee, exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum and parties, galore! The activities all week cover everything from art, architecture, design and furnishings. Artists, designers, writers, photographers, architects and students from around the world descend on Palm Springs to live, learn and experience the modernist style and re-live the era. There are several groups that participate and sponsor events all week long:
The Palm Springs Modern Committee participates to promote and maintain the heritage of mid-century modern architecture and design. Year long, they serve as a resource for residents and nonresidents who identify and appreciate mid-century modern style. They also rally supporters to preserve significant buildings in the Palm Springs area.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is another group that participates. They are also a non-profit group that focuses on educating the public to identity and recognize our historically important modern sites. In particular they attempt to maintain the very elements that make Palm Springs unique from other communities in the area. (at left: photo of Palm Springs City Hall entrance). Another important partner in Modernism week is the Palm Springs Art Museum, which itself is housed in an architecturally significant building designed by E. Stewart Williams. Right now, the Palm Springs Art Museum features exciting exhibitions that include modernist style and also offers lectures and discussion groups.
Finally, the Palm Springs Modernism Show hosts a large number of decorative and fine arts dealers known nationally and around the world. The show, held at the Palm Springs Convention Center will also include vintage mid-century furniture, art, and furnishings available for purchase. It is truly a mecca for anyone who appreciates this style. Whether you want to stay at an authentic mid-century modern hotel, buy something for your home, or come to learn, this is the place to meet and greet other folks who live and love modernism. So grab your martini glass and visit Palm Springs. This image here at left is from the Modernism website and promotes a cocktail party being hosted at the former Twin Palm's estate of Frank Sinatra. I've been to this home many times for various events, it is a marvelous example of mid-century modern style-complete with a swimming pool shaped like a piano. I'll try to share another post on the events of this week, so stay tuned!

-Rick Rockhill

Sunday Art Review: Mid-Century Modern Work of "Shag"

Living in Palm Springs I have developed an appreciation for mid-century modern style, in everything from architecture, fashion and art. It refers to the pre- and post- second world war developments in modern design from roughly 1933 to 1965. This was very much the early heyday period for Palm Springs, when desert glamour first hit the scene and took the Hollywood set by storm. One current artist whose work captures the essence of this era is Josh Agle, better known as "Shag". (His namesake is a contraction of the last two letters of his first name and the first to letters of his last name.) I thought his work would make an excellent subject for this week's Sunday Art Review: MidCentury Modern Work of 'Shag"

above: "Palm Springs Weekend"

above: "The Best Party"

above: "Liberace's Hands"

above: "Prometheus Brings Fire"

above: "Desert Polynesia"

above: "Hipsters"

above: "Calypso Party"

above: "Baron Von Vodkalov"

above: "Three Minutes Late"

I hope you enjoyed the fun and fabulous works of "Shag". Which one(s) did you like best? Go ahead, leave a comment, its absolutely FREE!

-Rick Rockhill