Amongst the cluster of antique shops and galleries located in the Sunny Dunes neighborhood of Palm Springs, there is a vintage finds and modern design store you won’t want to miss.
When you step inside industry, this unique home design store might make you feel like your home is missing a certain je ne sais quoi. Perhaps you’re missing a tree? The almost one-year-old store is basically a curated mix of mid-century, vintage, and modern pieces that owners Arel & Eric have picked up from their various worldwide travels. Let the recent pics I took speak for themselves.
Helps to have a good eye and a knack for quality! It’s almost like walking into a museum.
Even the candles and coffee table books are a cut above. Walking through there I wished I had more coffee tables.
I love birds and always love coming across different kinds of bird houses.
Aside from looking pretty, they provide a nesting place for a variety of birds. More than 24 species of birds nest in birdhouses (provided they have ventilation and drainage holes), including songbirds, swallows and owls. Most of these birds nest in tree cavities, but when natural nesting areas remain scarce, birdhouses serve as a backup. They’re also an attractive outdoor home decoration on their own.
This taken at “Market Market” – handmade by Laura Temkin.
I recently came across some of the most beautiful and intricate birdhouses which are handmade by ceramicist/artist Laura Temkin. I went to her lovely indoor/outdoor home to have a look at her studio and all the exquisite (some more ornate) handmade birdhouses surrounding her home. I’m not sure that these photos here do them justice.
As Laura says, making art is her therapy. Certainly it is a way of expressing emotions. I asked her about the process and she replied below:
“Ironically, the process is so involved in the making that it lets me forget my worries in the real world.
you can see a lot of the detail in this photo.
I usually start with basic slab walls, cut by sight, perhaps a ruler nearby. I do this fairly carelessly because I am impatient, and because the pieces have more character when they are not perfect.
I’ve always thought that the clay itself where it bunched up or split apart is as beautiful and inspiring as anything I can create. It is the nature in the clay showing itself.
Taken at “Market, Market” – where Temkin sells some of her birdhouses.
I like to combine unexpected textures with jagged seams. I punch them with holes that will later be sewn back together. I cover them with barnacles or *sqrafitto so the underglazes will influence the final piece.
I always add glazes dark to light. First celadon dipped or painted, before painting other glazes in the same color palate of greens and blues.
Taken at “Market, Market”
Between the use of 3-4 glazes painted and overlapping the underglazes, the various textures break over an edge. The pieces are fairly controlled and yet clearly offer many opportunities for the glazes to interact, allowing for an appreciation of the materials itself.
*Sgraffito is a technique where potters can put a layer of glaze or slip on a piece of pottery, let it dry, then use a pottery carving tool to scratch at it to show the base layer of color. Sgraffito derives from an Italian word meaning “to scratch.”
Who wants to be perfect? More interesting to be slightly less-so and have more character which is more important anyway. Like these birdhouses.
Sidenote: Laura’s husband Steve is also an artist. They’re a creatively interesting couple.
The color variations, the grain, the knots and the richness of natural wood make me happy.
Bali Breeze has been garnering a lot of attention lately. This new home décor and furniture store in Palm Springs appeals to anyone whole loves an indoor/outdoor soothing home environment.
Photo: Megan Abbott
While I certainly like and appreciate all the Midcentury modern, contemporary and industrial design of the homes and décor surrounding Modernism Week, my personal preference lies with the allure and warmth of natural beauty. This, combined with expert craftsmanship and a touch of wellness, makes for a cozy and inviting space.
At the Bali Breeze Home Decor, you can find exotic rustic wood furniture, large sized Buddhas, wood slabs, and unique home decor pieces from Indonesia. Jewelery, candles and singing bowls too.
Marcelo, the owner, is originally from the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais. I told him that I lived in Brazil for a year and how much I loved everything about being there – the people were friendly, vibrant and fun loving and I really had the best time. His connection with gem mines in Brazil and all over the world provides the store with a great selection of gemstones, crystals, fossils, and minerals.
I love that Marcelo’s wife is a ceramicist and her beautiful pottery is sold in the store.
Below are some photos of magazines that their products have been featured in like Palm Springs Life and Home + Design. A big wood centerpiece (like in my photo above) was purchased for The Spa at Séc-heat Agua Celiente Cultural Plaza.
The family run business has two other locations: Joshua Tree Rock Shop and Palm Springs Rock Shop (around the corner from Acai Oasis – which they also own). Website at bottom.
Welcome to a sneak peek of Hungarian-Hollywood history!
The pink palace; part of this year’s Palm Spring’s Modernism Home Tour.
The home’s previous owner was glamorous socialite and actress Magda Gabor, eldest sister to both Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor. (Eva was well-known for her role as the most stylish housewife who lived on a farm in the series “Green Acres”). The Kardashians have nothing on these three. The charismatic sisters, originally from Hungary, were a favorite on the talk show circuit, dazzling each host with sophistication, wit and charm. Zsa Zsa had some memorable one liners among them “I’m a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.” I always admired their “no apologies” excess because of the way they handled it all. And I always find it amusing when people assume beautiful women-with-means are stupid, and even more amusing when they’re proven wrong.
Eva (L), Magda (in the middle) + Zsa Zsa (R)
But it’s not all about the house or the Gabors…
It’s as much about the unique style and many talents of the new owner, Tracy Turco. The devoted wife/mother/artist/hotelier has built an empire unto herself, bringing her vivacious design flair and spirit to one of the world’s glamour capitals, and making it more so.
original painting portrait of Magda Gabor to Tracy’s left.
The mid-century design mecca of Palm Springs has never been better since Tracy and her real estate developer husband Jerry took up residence here a little over two years ago.
Tracy isn’t called the “Design Diva of the Desert” for nada. Her entrepreneurial spirit has been hands-on behind several boutique hotels – Art Hotel, Cheetah Hotel (as shown in the header), Tiki Hotel, with more on the way. A modernism museum is already in the works including a disco pizza + roller rink (can’t wait!) and she still finds time to head an “Entrepreneurial Women’s Club of Palm Springs” (helping other women realize their own business potential) with monthly meetings, along with having a toddler.
Tracy with her adorable baby daughter Marchesa.
I don’t know how she handles it all – but she does and always with amazing aplomb. I have a feeling it’s in her DNA – both beauty and brains. Maybe we should refer to her as “the unsinkable Tracy Turco” (an allusion to the movie “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” – about the famed American socialite and philanthropist played by Debbie Reynolds). See what I mean?
Master Bedroom with custom made round bed.View from master bedroom bathtub
Tracy (nee Stern) first made a name for herself in her native New York with creative lifestyle brands such as Salon Tea and Tea & Co. (with multiple locations around the globe – even making Oprah’s favorite list). I had the pleasure of sampling a few teas at a Tiki Party she hosted at her previous Tiki House and they were several cuts above anything else I’ve ever tasted as far as teas go. No wonder she was able to publish two books on tea and entertaining (another skill she excels at, including cooking/baking). But she didn’t stop there. She’s designed shoes for the likes of Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan. Not a shabby squad. But that was then…
Elvis Silkscreen by Warhol.
At the Tiki hotel there’s a colorful boutique with Tracy’s name on it – literally. It’s almost impossible to drop in and walk out empty handed. I ended up buying a pair of flip flops that have gold crown emblem’s (afterall, my last name is King) and an amazing lipstick that comes in 3 gorgeous pin-up girl shades. Oh yeah; they also have her name on it – as she designed those too.
Now getting back to the Turco’s stunning house…
Aside from the original interior design which includes the etched “M’s on the mirrors (that baby Marchesa will one day inherit), Tracy added bold color and contrast, keeping faithful to Hollywood Regency elegance, signifying both opulence and comfort. Something not so easy to achieve. A few of the paintings of beautiful Magda that belonged to Magda, now belong to the Turcos, along with some of the furniture (including piano shown here) which belonged to Zsa Zsa from the Gabor era. A bygone era, or so we thought.
I love this diamond ring bird-feeder with a perfect “birds-eye” view.
Long Live Beauty, Charm, Glamour & Imagination!
For more and ALL information including hotels/books/guides click here:
I love observing how other people live. Very nice of the owners to open up their homes and let others take a peek inside and make them feel terribly envious by doing so. I was feeling very Bleue in this home…but in the most positive way.
This home is like stepping into a vacation. It’s a nod to the owners’ appreciation of beauty and being by the ocean with a modern nautical theme (despite being in the desert) as variations of water colors flow throughout, from vibrant turquoise to rich navy blues. It’s just gorgeous. I’m aware that I overuse this word but I just can’t think of another better word to describe this house and many others on the modernism open home tours.
Michelle Boudreau (pic below) recently re-designed the 1958 William Krisel originally designed Alexander Company home. She seamlessly merged materials and new spaces with modern technology while respecting the existing mid-century cherished design details.
“The philosophy of the renovation was to establish a good relationship with the existing structure as it had beautiful bones.” Boudreau states. I did notice that she herself has beautiful bone structure. Just had to add this tidbit of info.
To create a poetic home that embraces the Palm Springs lifestyle, Boudreau selected from brands such as Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Hunter Douglas & Tidelli.
Check out that wall paper!
The 2,400 square foot artful interior space boasts four bedrooms & four bathrooms. And lots of gorgeous attractive coffee-table books which I adore. The home and the books are inspired by the owners’ colorful personalities and passion for sailing and travel.
Check out that bedding and wall paper!
The home is nestled below the San Gorgonio mountain range in Vista Las Palmas, Palm Springs.
Simply breathtaking!
All photos: d. king
Modernism week is on until February 27th. Get tickets for events while they last here:
I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to perusing open houses.
Mostly because I end up loving a lot of them and hate the fact that I can’t move right in or more likely, cannot afford to. But it’s fun to look. I realize how many different styles of homes I’ve come to appreciate. From Mid-Century Modern easily influenced by where I’m at, to old world Spanish hacienda and country cottage chic but in a Cape Cod sort of way. I like furnishings that are modern, vintage, collectible and contemporary but comfortable. Mixed with vibrant colour or plain neutral. I don’t like too stark. I prefer warmth. But then I saw this:
I literally stumbled upon this unassuming ranch style home for sale in my neighborhood when out walking the dogs. It’s not quite finished being updated (at least on the outside) but I was curious so I wandered inside.
It was not showy; actually kind of simple in a bold statement kind of way. What I like is how clean and elegant black and white looks. Very parisienne. Very timeless. Very me. at the very momentCould it be I’m suffering from homestyle schitzophrenia?
Jia Jia on our walk.
Seeing something opposite to what you already have gives fresh perspective to how you can decorate. It doesn’t make it better, it just gives it a different personality. It’s always fun to see what others are doing when it comes to home decor or anything else for that matter.
Armenian hand painted tile from the old city in Jerusalem
Tiles as Art? Why Not?
Sometimes you want to bring a souvenir art piece back from certain travels but they’re too cumbersome.
Mexican tiles imbedded outside front door to resemble a decorative door mat
Consider nice hand painted tiles that are little pieces of artwork that represent a country you’ve visited instead.
Tile over fireplace
They’re easier to pack and will adhere to the wall with tile cement quite easily. Granted, if you move it will be harder to take them off but at least you didn’t invest much in the first place.
Also it’s another excuse to go back and get more.
To decorate a door
From Jamaica – ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica – over stove top cooking elements
Petroglyph from trip to Utah
Italian tiles up staircase
Tile on upper deck bought at Home Sense
Framed Mexican tile on upper deck
Live one day at a time – outside
Pretty & Useful – on tumbled Italian marble kitchen countertop.
*TIP: Tiles travel well and can double as trivets for hotplates or cooking utensils while cooking.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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