LIVING
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Stylish stay: guests relax at the Kaufmann house in 1970
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HE ULTIMATE desert playground, Palm Springs hasalegacyofstar-chitecture – iconic, eye-popping houses commissioned by movie stars as discreethideaways.Farenoughfrom LA to avoid prying eyes but close enough in case film studios called, thesearingmountainoasisbeganto attract Hollywood’s elite in the 50s. It was popular with old-school starlets like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia
TWIN PALMS ESTATE
Loren, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe(whofamouslyrendezvoused with John F. Kennedy in Palm Springs). If these walls could talk… Desert modernism plays it cool, with jaw-dropping features hiding behind unassuming facades. Think sleek minimalism, fire pits, dramatic cliff-side pools and sunken living rooms with sprawling views across the Coachella Valley. Pucci, porticos and shag pile – oh my!
oisted h y sl u o m fa A R T A IN S K N ‘FRA SIGNAL his a Jack Daniel’s flag to me’ ti il ta k c o c r fo s e d ra m o c K RAT PAC
Palm Springs’ hot, dry climate is perfect for the indoor/outdoor aesthetic
THE KAUFMANN HOUSE
ONE of the 20th century’s most iconic homes, this property was designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1946 for a department-store tycoon and later owned by singer Barry Manilow. It helped revive an interest in modernist design when it was painstakingly restored in the 90s by its cashed-up private owners, architecturaldevoteeswhoevenre-opened a closed section of quarry in Utah to mine replacement stone to match the original. The exquisite home was auctioned off by Christie’s in 2008 for $15 million as a work of art, thanks to its floating planes of low glass, steel and stone surrounded by cacti and the San Jacinto mountains...
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Sinatra used Twin Palms as his bolthole
WHEN Frank Sinatra arrived in Palm Springs, he put the discreet village on the map, bringing sex appeal and glamour, luring the brightest stars of the day to his legendary parties. Ol’ Blue Eyes famously hoisted a Jack Daniel’s flag to signal his Rat Pack comrades and neighbours (Cary Grant and Al Jolson) for cocktail time by his famous piano-shaped swimming pool. And now young Hollywood is continuing the legacy, with the likes of Lindsay Lohan seen partying here. Decked out in vintage designer furniture and the latest technology, the estate is available to rent for the cool-cat price of $2600 per night. Martini, anyone? X www.sinatrahouse.com
Lindsay Lohan’s partied in Twin Palms’ pianoshaped pool
is The estatewith packed from mementoes ner’s the croo day party hey www.grazia.com.au 81
LIVING hit: Hollywood ery n Sean Con Bond filmed a his flick at t ce-age iconic spaperty Palms pro
Heartbreak Hotel: shack up Elvis-style in his wedding hideaway
Bond would have approved of the seductive fireplaces (just add fur rug…)
ELROD HOUSE
ke Recline ligend a rock le metre on the 20- front sofa – in rcular of the ci fireplace
THE ELVIS HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY
IT’S a rockabilly’s dream holiday destination: The King’s postwedding bolthole. This retro house was leased by Presley and was set to be the location for his 1967 nuptials to Priscilla Wagner, but when a neighbourhood gossip columnist oustedthelovebirdstheygothitched in Las Vegas instead, using it as their honeymoon retreat. It’s a favourite location for fashion photographers like Annie Liebovitz and Mario Testino, and the site of star-studded parties such as last year’s Jeremy Scott and adidas bash. We’re into the Elvis memorabilia, 20-metre couch and animal-print furnishings. Pure rockstar. Plus private rentals have optional extras like a butler or cook. We’re so there. www.elvishoneymoon.com
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Modern Way is Palm Springs’ most beloved mid-century furniture store. Pick up cool coffee tables, groovy modular furniture and velvet-chrome loveseats. www.psmodernway.com Check out the a La Mod store for original 70s Lucite bar carts, rainbow Murano vases and Eames desk chairs. And they ship to Australia! www.alamod768.com
o Cali? t g n i Head prings s Palm S ism Week run , Modern ebruary 16-26 from F ith iconic ir 2012, w opening the houses for snooping ls: doors es! For detai.com purpos itcalifornia www.vis
WORDS: CARLI PHILLIPS PHOTOS: CORBIS X4, GETTY IMAGES X2
Soaring ceilings maximise the to-die-for views
HOMEWARE HUNTING IN PALM SPRINGS OUR TIP is to head downtown for the pick of the area’s best mid-century furniture stores… Fashion designer Trina Turk’s store is a mash-up of kitsch goodies, geometric-print linen and poptastic pillows. www.trinaturk.com/residential Visit Bon Vivant Vintage for Californian pottery, sculptures and colourful glassware. www.gmcb.com/shop
DESIGNED by cult architect John Lautner, this luxe property was immortalised in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.The secluded, cave-like lair features a huge disc-shaped living area with a soaring concrete ceiling, retractable curved glass wall and massive boulders jutting through the black slate floors. Very futuristic, very fabulous. Sunken bathtubs and panoramic vistas havealsomadethisremotebachelorpadthe perfect site for numerous Playboy shoots. The mansion has been restored to its former glory by a dedicated owner and was recently on the market for $13.8 million. Fash crush: the cork-lined closets aredesignedforpinningupaccessories!
‘SUNKEN tubs, panoramic vistas …this futuristic BACHELOR PADistheperfect site for Playboy PHOTOSHOOTS’ The ultimate in zen bathrooms
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