An increasingly popular design style and trend in Australia is Palm Springs. It encompasses entire homes, from the exterior and interiors right through to the décor and landscaping. The style originates from its namesake, Palm Springs, a desert resort city in California in The United States. This design style is noted for its mid-century, modern architecture and design elements.
So, lets take a look more closely at how you can get the look in your home, whether you are redecorating, renovating or starting/planning a new build.
Key Elements of Palm Springs Design
Sleek Lines, Interesting Angles and Natural Materials
Forget the fussy detailing. Sleek lines in this modern, mid-century style would almost reflect a home of the future. Upon approach of a Palm Springs home, the first example of sleek lines would be the flat roof. Angles, natural materials and geometric and flowing lines are abundant in the form of the roof, floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, furniture (legs of furniture for that matter), mirrors, artwork and décor.
Mirrors
Image: Vogue Australia
Drinkware
Bar Cart
Image: Holly Hunt
Art Work
Image: Luxe Interiors & Design
Materials
Travertine Tray & Brass Coasters, Brass Incense Hardware
Image: Luxe Interiors & Design
Decor
White Ceramic Fruit Bowl - Sonei Home (Coming Soon)
Angles and Sleek Lines
Breeze Blocks
Made popular in the 60’s and 70’s, breeze blocks are cinder blocks that have been stacked and designed to create a mosaic or other pattern. Usually used outside, their primary purpose was to offer privacy to the homeowners whilst allowing a breeze to flow easily through, due to the desert conditions. As time passed, their purpose was found useful and countries like Australia, providing relief and protection from the sun. They are incredibly robust and hardwearing, so their use in high, stacked exterior walls was and still is popular.
Image: Pinterest
Image: Apartment Therapy
Image: Brickworks
White on White on White
Palm Springs Homes are mostly white. The reason for this is due to the arid conditions Palm Springs homes have to endure. Surrounded by desert and mountain ranges, white reflects the suns heat. All aspects of a Palm Springs homes composition is considered with the heat in mind.
Image: Dwell
Image: Houzz
Options for White Paint from Taubmans:
Brilliant White Cotton Sheets Crisp White
White Marble Coasters
White Frosted Bulb Vase
Alive Body - Luxury Room Spray Sweet Dewberry & Clove
Image: One Kings Lane
Pops of Jewel Tones and Pastels
Usually used on the front door, Palm Springs homes are easily recognisable because of this feature. The coloured front doors are, in fact, so popular you can book door tours in the area and take photos of all of the inspiration. There are no limits with colours to be chosen for this feature and is easily changeable over time by homeowners.
Image: The CEO Magazine
Image: Une Piece
Image: Bennion Deville Homes
But, the pops of colour don't have to stop at the exterior, extend the colour inside the home too through furniture, decor and artwork.
Image: Tim Street-Porter
Options for Front Door Paint Colours from Tint Paint:
Bright Warm Red Bright Warm Yellow BonBon The Dame
Crystal Blue Pool
You will find the design aesthetic of a Palm Springs pool is closely tied to the outdoor entertaining area. It will most likely be white, with that crystal blue water you would expect to see in a magazine. Contrasting the white against the pop of colour really ties the outdoor with the indoor and exterior.
Image: love, crystal
Image: The Architectural Insight
Image: The Spruce
Desert Friendly Landscaping
The climate in Palm Springs requires low desert flora. In California, plants and trees like succulents, cacti and palms are the go-to for any garden. And, whilst there are options for ground cover flora, pebbles are widely used.
Image: Palm Springs Lifestyle
Image: Steve Martino
Here are a few options for you to use in Australia:
Golden Barrel Cactus
Image: A Growing Obsession
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Artichoke Agave
Image: AZ Plant Lady
Desert Spoon
Image: Palm Springs Modern Home
Mexican Fence Post
Image: Jason Roehner
Moroccan Mound
Image: Sunnylands Gardens
Single Story
This characteristic is considered and with residents and neighbours in mind. Flat roofs are used to ensure the escarpment and views are not covered. The importance of retaining the Californian landform is almost an unwritten requirement.
Image: Jason Roehner
Image: David R Olson Architects
Image: Dwell
Flat/Butterfly Roofs
Probably the most distinct element of a Palm Springs home. Not only is this feature incorporated for the above reason of keeping the landscape views untouched, it is linked to making homes more energy efficient in terms of lighting, ventilation and heating. Flat roofs with a slight overhang also assist in resistance to the strong winds and offer shady respite from the desert sun.
Image: Palm Springs Life
Image: Arch Daily
Image: PSHomes
Image: Dwell
Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Outdoors
Ensuring the home is connected with the landscape, the entertaining areas and gardens in the outdoors are generally extensions of the interior. The outdoor area in a Palm Springs home is widely considered the most important part of the home. What should be an extension of the main dwelling, the outdoors are used just as much as the interior. Include features like a cabanna, slight roof over-hang to provide some shade from the sun, upholstered cushions and lounges for somewhere comfortable to sit, a bar fridge and outdoor kitchen, fire pit.
Image: Onekindesign
Image: New York Post
Image: New York Post
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