Live Beautifully
Create Where
FROM VISION TO V I E W
Thought fully craf ted moving glass walls and windows redefine the boundaries of indooroutdoor living, o ering you the freedom to design, build, and live in spaces that inspire.
Designing Homes For Inspired Living.
Thompson By Nakayla Shakespeare
Deli-Cecil-Ous By Candace Nagy
Everybody Knows Wally By Nakayla Shakespeare
Badillo
Forever Marilyn By Nakayla Shakespeare
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Renee Dee. PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark Sacro. LIGHTING: Mark Sacro. MODEL: Barclay Butera. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Nakayla Shakespeare. WALLPAPER: Thibaut. LOCATION: Marrakesh.
Condon
Nora Burba Trulsson
Rubin
Renee M. Dee Publisher
renee@iconiclife.com
@iconiclifemag
@iconicreneedee
NEW YEAR, NEW US
WWelcome to ICONIC LIFE magazine. You are holding our inaugural issue— The Desert Collection—in your hands, and we are so excited for you to page through this issue that will serve Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
We’ve been publishing since 2018 and felt a trifecta relationship with The Desert, which is situated between our two markets, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley and Orange County. With so much in common and so many shared residents between these three communities, it felt like a perfect fit for ICONIC LIFE.
We love the allure of the Desert, from the vintage design vibe that is the DNA of Palm Springs to the luxurious hideaway that is Palm Desert. Hollywood discovered a rare jewel, and the proximity to the studios made this desert gem a private escape that is today home to lovers of architecture and billionaire moguls, all in love with the seductive and serene desert.
Our mission is to bring our Live Beautifully point of view to the Desert, focusing on homes, design, dining, travel and style. In addition to the magazine you have in your hands, we’ve got a strong digital presence and love creating content for iconiclife.com (our national luxury lifestyle portal), our social channels, my podcast, “ICONIC HOUR with Renee Dee” and especially YouTube. In addition, we’ve developed an ICONIC LIFE newsletter to stay in touch with our newest readers in the Desert. We invite you to join us!
If you are enjoying this magazine and want to make sure you receive it at home, please subscribe to our print edition at iconiclife.com.
Thank you for joining us on this journey! As storytellers, we look forward to hearing from you about what you love most living here. Our door is always open.
With Gratitude,
Renee M. Dee
Photography by Mark Sacro
Nakayla Shakespeare Editor-in-Chief
nakayla@iconiclife.com @iconiclifemag
THE FIRST OF MANY
When ICONIC LIFE’S publisher Renee Dee told me we would publish a magazine in the Palm Desert area, I smiled from ear to ear. I can’t think of a better place to have our magazine. Everything about the Valley is ICONIC, from its rich and glamorous history to its distinct design signature.
My first experience of Palm Desert was when we shot our 2023 February/March issue in Palm Springs. I remember being captivated by the beauty of this ICONIC city. The beauty of its architecture, the beauty of the people I met, and the beauty of the art and culture that radiates through the town made me think, “This place is really special.”
Here we are one year later, releasing an issue of ICONIC LIFE. It’s a full-circle moment. Since we’re new in town, I should introduce our brand and myself.
ICONIC LIFE is a luxury lifestyle magazine committed to bringing the best of the best to your mailbox. Everything we do here is with intention, from the elevated content and design of the magazine all the way down to the way our cover feels in your hands; ICONIC LIFE is about giving you that luxury experience.
I am our young and ambitious Editor in Chief. I started with ICONIC LIFE in the summer of 2023, and since then, I have helped produce more than 16 issues for this publication. I can’t wait to add more Palm Desert issues to my list.
As you flip through the pages of our magazine, I hope you learn something and are inspired by the content we have carefully curated. I am excited to start this new journey with you. Cheers to the launch of ICONIC LIFE The Desert Collection, the first of many!
Yours truly,
Nakayla Shakespeare
by
Photography
Mark Sacro
RENEE
NAKAYLA
MEG
DOROTHY
ERIN
MADELEINE
NANCY
MARK
CONTRIBUTORS
Bailey
Advertising
MUST HAVES
Let There Be
Light
These pendant lights are a must have for the home!
By Nakayla Shakespeare
Soltaire Round Chandelier. ($3,599) via Arhaus.
Andreas Linear Chandelier. ($2,999) via Arhaus
Cascade Flush Mount in Blue. ($1,199) via Arhaus.
Collier 108 Chandelier. ($7,229) via Visual Comfort.
Mahalo 32” Tiered Pendant. ($1,799) via Visual Comfort.
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Top Off at the THOMPSON
By Nakayla
Lola Rose Grand Mezze is the place to grab a delicious cocktail.
Shakespeare
The Thompson Hotel is a beloved gem in Palm Springs. Its buzzing atmosphere and stunning interiors ooze luxury, drawing in tourists and locals alike. Its charming restaurant, Lola Rose Grand Mezze, is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to excellence and is inspired by the flavors of the Middle East. Along with delectable menu items, Lola Rose has incredible cocktails to sip throughout the evening.
Here are a couple recipes for you to try at home.
TZATZIKI MILK PUNCH
INGREDIENTS
1.3 ounces Beefeater Gin
1.7 ounces Arak
.3 ounces coconut milk
5 ounces Greek yogurt
7.6 ounces Saffron syrup
3.4 ounces lime juice
INSTRUCTIONS
MIX: In a large container, combine the Beefeater Gin, Arak, coconut milk, Greek yogurt, Saffron syrup and lime juice. Stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly blended.
INFUSE: Cover the container and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This resting period helps the flavors meld together.
CLARIFY: Strain the mixture through a chinois (fine mesh strainer) to remove larger particles. Follow with a pass-through cheesecloth for further refinement. Use a Chemix-style coffee filter and filter the mixture through it for the final clarification step. This process will take at least half a day, so be patient.
SERVE: Pour three ounces of the clarified Tzatziki Milk Punch into a double old-fashioned glass and add a large ice cube.
GARNISH: Create a cucumber ribbon using a vegetable peeler and place it in the glass.
Lightly smack a mint sprig between your hands to release its aroma, then add it to the drink.
Finish with fresh dill on top, and enjoy your refreshing and herbaceous Tzatziki Milk Punch.
DESERT ROSE COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
2 ounces Cazadores Blanco Tequila
.50 ounces Ras El Hanout agave syrup
.25 ounces prickly pear
.75 ounces fresh lime juice
Black salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Shake briefly with a few ice cubes to mix and chill. Pour the mixture into a double old-fashioned glass rimmed with black salt.
Add ice cubes to top off the glass. Garnish with an edible flower of your choice. Enjoy your vibrant and refreshing Desert Rose.
-ousCecilDeli-
Bar Cecil pays homage to famous photographer Cecil Beaton and is a local favorite and hotspot in Palm Springs.
By Candace Nagy
The diaries of bon vivant Cecil Beaton come to life in vibrant technicolor the moment you step inside Bar Cecil—the festive Palm Springs restaurant otherwise known as the home of The Fifty Dollar Martini. Everything from the inviting jewel box interior to the elevated bistro menu reflects the legacy of the 20th-century icon.
Michelin Guide calls Bar Cecil’s ambiance both “garish and chic,” which is also fitting of Beaton’s most well-known works. His theatrical style and avant-garde techniques redefined fashion photography and made him the favorite among celebrities, from British royalty to the Hollywood elite.
It was the circle he surrounded himself with not only in his professional life as a designer and photographer but also in his personal life, where he enjoyed enduring and intimate relationships and friendships with golden age stars, including Greta Garbo, Laurence Olivier and Frank Sinatra.
“Bar Cecil’s design is an homage to Cecil Beaton and his joie de vivre (enjoyment of life), which was expressed through photography, art, interiors and costume design and is now complemented here by our collection of contemporary art, warm and inviting hospitality and signature bistro menu,” says partner, John Janulis.
Whether seated at one of Bar Cecil’s tufted velvet booths, upon a coveted cerulean blue stool in the wood-paneled bar, or on the lush and charming patio, you’re sure to feel joined in spirit by Beaton and his ICONIC clique. “Signed prints from Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Damien Hirst, Sam Francis and Donald Sultan are found in the dining room and include, of course, timeless photographs and signed sketches from Beaton’s portfolio,” says Janulis.
Every element of Bar Cecil is designed to inspire patrons to live by Beaton’s philosophy on life—to enjoy the best of everything and to steer far from boredom and the ordinary—right down to the beverages that Janulis describes as “a nod to Palm Springs’ connection to the cocktail culture.”
The extravagant martini is served tableside on a silver tray with a caviar-topped deviled egg and exotic sunchoke chips. A brass engraved plaque earns a place among the bar’s eclectic decor for those who sip their way through 10 of the famed cocktails on the menu (not in one night).
When it comes time to dine, expect an elevated experience. “Bar Cecil’s menu reflects the best European and American bistro offerings, setting the stage for the overall dining experience. From the steak frites to Sole Meunière, it’s classic and approachable,” Chef de Cuisine Bryan Ramirez explains.
Menu highlights include a colossal shrimp cocktail, heritage breed bone-in pork chops served with a seasonal chutney, and the Beaton Burger, topped with a slice of creamy French Comté cheese and sealed with a namesake hot iron branding. Saving room to indulge in an after-dinner sweet is a must, especially with desserts as delicious and decadent as pavlova with chantilly and fresh raspberries and local lemon bars.
With no lack of eye candy and fine food and drink to please any palate, there’s no singular way to enjoy the best of Bar Cecil. The only mistake to be made would be waiting to add your name to the reservation list, which books weeks in advance. Still, a seat at the bar can almost always be found.
Living in a GLASS
HOUSE
The revival of the famous Southridge Glass House.
By Bailey Badillo
Photography by James Haefner
Beneath the desert sun, perched on the edge of the Palm Springs ridge, stands an icon of modernism reborn—a shimmering, crystalline ode to architect William Cody’s genius; the Southridge Glass House, also referred to as the Goldbergh Residence by Modernism Week. Originally crafted in 1962 for the Goldberg family, this Mid-Century Modern masterpiece has been meticulously reimagined by project designer, Michael Johnston, marrying history with contemporary elegance.
Everywhere you look in the home, you will see an open view of mountains, deserts and history. It’s peaceful, it’s living in nature, it’s romantic. To gaze upon it is to dream. To live within its walls is to embrace a life steeped in light, nature and unbridled luxury.
A JOURNEY OF REVIVAL
Though standing now as a breathtaking beauty, the journey to restore the Southridge Glass House was not without its challenges.
“Sixteen years before we bought it, my husband, David and I, visited this house when it was an Airbnb. It was threadbare, suffering from years of deferred maintenance,” Johnston recalls.
By the time the couple became its owners, the pool was dry, the landscaping had withered, and the only thriving residents were palm trees and pests. Yet, even in its disrepair, the bones of Cody’s vision shone through.
Today, those bones have been lovingly revitalized. The atrium—a centerpiece of Cody’s design—has been reopened with lush landscaping and a black granite water feature that doubles as a 10-person spa. It is both an homage and evolution, honoring the past while embracing modern luxury.
THE MOUNTAINS AS NEIGHBORS
The home is a dialogue between architecture and the desert’s infinite beauty. From sunrise to starlight, the house dissolves the barrier between indoors and outdoors. Walls of glass blur the boundaries, inviting the dramatic hues of the desert sky to seep into every corner.
Johnston’s vision is rooted in the belief that a home should nurture the soul, offering moments for contemplation and connection.
“I work hard at creating a seamless movement of gathering places for people,” he says.
Whether it’s a gathering beneath the stars or a solitary cocktail on the patio, the home cultivates a rich communion with both nature and personal history.
CRAFTING CONNECTIONS THROUGH DESIGN
The Palm Springs lifestyle is about creating an uninterrupted indoor-outdoor experience. For Johnston, this was an ethos that defined its modernism and was crucial throughout the home.
“My intention was to honor William Cody’s original design and make it modern and livable,” Johnston explains.
Materiality was key. Terrazzo flows seamlessly from the infinity pool—now a zero-edge marvel cantilevered over the valley floor—into the home’s interiors. Gardens extend indoors, dissolving the boundaries between architecture and landscape.
“I love this house, but I am particularly proud of the new pool. It is the one feature that I completely redesigned, turning it
90 degrees and creating a zero-edge infinity pool that appears to cantilever over the valley floor,” Johnston shares.
Even the home’s practicality exudes beauty. Johnston replaced the original single-pane windows with energy-efficient glass and added solar panels and batteries, reducing the environmental footprint. The living room sliders now span 24 feet, opening to breathtaking desert vistas—a feature as functional as it is striking.
To step into the Southridge Glass House is to enter a world where nature and design coexist in perfect harmony. The infinity pool mirrors the boundless sky; the glass walls reflect the rugged grandeur of the mountains. Every detail—from the floors to the gardens is a meditation on the beauty of life in the desert.
This is not just luxury living; it is poetic living, a celebration of history and an invitation to dream. And for those fortunate enough to call it home, it is nothing short of paradise.
A LEGACY PRESERVED
The Southridge Glass House is more than a residence; it is a living museum of MidCentury Modern design. Awarded the 2018 Residential Rehabilitation Award by the Palm Springs Modern Committee, it stands as a testament to timeless beauty.
“It gives me satisfaction that I have successfully honored Cody’s artistic vision while still making it my own,” Johnston reflects. This balance—of reverence and reinvention—is what sets the Southridge Glass House apart and makes it a jewel in Palm Springs.
Tours of this incredible residence are available for the first time in a tour during Modernism Week this February. More information is at modernismweek.com.
Holiday A Desert in the
Discover the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas.
By Kathy Condon
Turning off Highway 111 and onto the road winding down to the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas created a sense of excitement. Recently changed from the Hyatt Regency, the resort was sure to offer some surprises and, hopefully, a sense of calm, which is always appreciated.
REGISTRATION AND VALET PARKING
Under the portico, the valet helped with my luggage. A wooden carved door led to the welcoming grandiose lobby, its sandy color palate accented with wood carvings of the captivating terrain made me feel at home. It was beautiful.
ACTIVITIES ARE ABUNDANT
When you check in, you will receive the Outlets Weekly Calendar, which provides the hotel’s restaurants, pools and spas hours. You can expect to see exercise classes,
yoga and special activities listed; check the monitor outside the elevators to see when these will be held.
GRAND HYATT KING DELUXE ROOM
My room included an enormous bathroom with an impressive soaking tub, a large glass-enclosed shower and more than enough sink and counter space. A bottle of Balmain Paris lotion stood prominently on the counter, and a note stated all sundries were exclusively created for the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells.
Walking into the room, I passed a nook with a coffeemaker and a king-sized bed. In the spacious living room, the look was clean and modern. Clay-color fabrics and wood were utilized to reflect the natural palate of the surrounding desert. The room’s overall ambiance was relaxed and minimal, allowing the mountainscape to steal the show.
Photos courtesy of Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
GRAND HYATT VILLAS
If you prefer more privacy, a villa may suit your stay. Forty-three villas with golf course views are configured into one- and two-bedroom units with expansive living areas. These stand-alone buildings are luxurious and perfect for entertaining with fireplaces, wet bars and private patios.
THE POOLS
The Grand Hyatt stretches more than 45 acres and has nine pools. One of which is the HyTides Water Park. Two dueling slides twist and turn as you glide into the drop-off pool below. For family members who prefer to float their way through vacation, a 450-foot lazy river is at your disposal.
If you’re on vacation without little ones, head to the adults-only Oasis Pool, where you can soak in the serenity of the desert surroundings, flip through a book, work on your tan and enjoy a cocktail from the Oasis Pool Bar.
DINING
There are five restaurants where you can indulge in delicious bites and sips when the hunger bug hits. You can choose between the Vista Square Kitchen or The Well if you enjoy refreshing bites by the pool. If you’re in a hurry to explore the many attractions near the property, like the Palm Springs Art Museum or the Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Camino Springs Market has a variety of snacks and a deli bar to grab a quick bite.
Carmocha is a delightful place to meet a friend for cocktails. Here, you can enjoy unique craft cocktails and small bites. With a menu specializing in small plates from various regions across the world, Carmocha is a global adventure of rich flavors and diverse culinary cultures.
Craving a more formal dining experience? Tia Carmen is the place to go. It was created by renowned chef Angelo Sosa. Sosa draws inspiration from his aunt (Tia Carmen) and creates food that blends farm-fresh produce with unusual spices. Each forkful makes your tastebuds
dance with delight. The ambiance is elegant and refined, and the service is superb; no request is too big.
AGUA SERENA SPA
The Agua Serena Spa is the ideal place to unwind. With 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, there is plenty of space to relax the mind, body and spirit.
Agua Serene Spa offers a wide range of desert-inspired treatments and packages performed by expert therapists. They also have a full med-spa.
Try the Desert Hot Stone Massage. This 80-minute experience makes you feel the warmth of the desert with hot stones and custom massage techniques to melt away muscle tension. Stone placement on specific areas of the body helps calm and alleviate stress.
GOLF WITH FABULOUS VIEWS
There are two nearby golf courses if you want to get in a quick 18 during your stay. The Par-72 Indian Wells Golf Resort Celebrity Course, created by golf architect Clive Clark, features undulating fairways, streams, brooks and split-level lakes connected by striking waterfalls with vibrant floral detail.
The Players Course, also located at the nearby Indian Wells Golf Resort, was designed by John Fought and opened in 2007. It’s a classic American design with a modern approach to golf. Stately trees surround the landscape, and most holes take full advantage of the picturesque views surrounding the land.
The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas does not disappoint. I really enjoyed my stay there and look forward to returning soon.
Everybody Knows
Wally
WA staple supper club in Palm Desert.
By Nakayla Shakespeare
hen you step into Wally’s Desert Turtle, you travel back in time to the days of glamour, when Hollywood stars would use this serene desert paradise to escape their busy lives in the spotlight to relax and recharge. The Hollywood Regency ambiance of this famous supper club upholds that elevated experience through its staple dishes and
pristine service, attracting generations of locals and visitors alike.
Wally’s Desert Turtle is a family-owned and operated restaurant that opened in 1978 after founder Wally Botello, the creator of the fine-dining chain The Velvet Turtle, relocated to the Coachella Valley. Seeing a gap in the high-end restaurant market in Rancho
Photography by Brandon Harmon
Mirage, he established his roots with Wally’s Desert Turtle– the name being an homage to his former chain of restaurants.
His family became deeply involved in the business, and his granddaughter and current owner, Madalyn Botello, helped with business operations at a very young age.
“I started working at the restaurant when I was five years old, working the coat check and helping with the hostess stand during holidays,” she reminisces. Botello also has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. “Fast forward to 2020, I took a temporary furlough from my job at The Four Seasons in Washington DC and came home to be with my family during the pandemic. I helped my dad with the restaurant, which led to me taking over its operations.”
The restaurant is deeply rooted in family values and traditions, “I think what makes us really special is our generational customers,” the owner remarks, mentioning that current customers’ parents and grandparents would frequently dine there.
Keeping familiarity with the Botello family and their customers is important to her. “I try to be very involved,” Botello says. “I have a great staff here and am very lucky for that, but I try to greet all the customers and see as many people as I can. I always want to make them feel like they’re at home. That’s where our personal touch comes from. My family has been doing it for generations.”
The original interiors of the restaurant are just as spectacular and opulent as the food itself. It was designed in 1978 by interior designer Steven Chase. Warm lighting, large mirrors, beautifully painted murals, coffered ceilings and plush dining chairs maintain the Old-Hollywood Regency feel.
Wally’s became a hotspot for celebrities. Popular figures such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, President Ford and The Rat Pack, to name a few, have graced the restaurant’s walls and indulged in its delectable menu.
by Jennifer Yount Photography
Photography
by Brandon Harmon
Photography
Local menu favorites include their famous Dover Sole, a fish imported from Holland plated with seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes. The souffle is another crowd favorite. “I would estimate that 50 percent of people that dine with us order our soufflé,” Botello remarks.
Botello is actively managing a balance between staying current with the times while also staying true to the restaurant’s original aesthetic, a theme that resonates with the greater area of Palm Desert.
“We’re definitely staying true to our roots, but we’re not stuffy. We don’t do everything old-school. We have different and new options on our menu, which are more contemporary and modern but still trained to stay true to where we’re from,” she notes.
The laid-back, take-your-time dining style is something Wally’s Desert Turtle does best. “We’re trying to get people to enjoy their experience and relax,” Botello explains. “We will never approach you with a dinner menu right away. We start by bringing a cocktail/mocktail menu. We want to let you sit with your drinks for a while before we bring the dinner menu over. Our typical occupancy time between tables is anywhere from two to three hours.”
Wally’s Desert Turtle is a timeless staple in the heart of the desert. Its commitment to creating connections, maintaining brand identity and providing unparalleled service matched with culinary excellence are testaments to why they have been thriving for more than 47 years.
Photos courtesy of Palm Springs Art Museum
Here Flourishes Creativity
A look inside the vibrant cultural oasis, the Palm Springs Art Museum.
By Fran Miller
There’s no denying that Palm Springs exudes a unique vibe. And few spots within the region synthesize that vibe like the Palm Springs Art Museum. Known for its exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art, ICONIC architecture and rich history, the museum is a beacon of innovation, mirroring the unique qualities of Palm Springs. Here, creativity flourishes amidst a backdrop of stunning natural beauty.
Established in 1938 and now a celebrated Coachella Valley cultural institution, the museum was founded as a small collection of works by local and regional artists. By the 1960s, its reach began to evolve with the popularity of the desert as a Hollywood hangout. Increased attention brought artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and David Hockney, who were drawn to Palm Springs’ panoramic vistas and ethereal light.
Their star presence garnered increased attention to the museum, and a period of growth and expansion followed. Today, the museum’s collections focus on modern and contemporary art from the U.S., Latin America and beyond. It’s particularly renowned for its 20thand 21st-century works by such artists as Georgia O’Keeffe, best known for her paintings of flowers and bones; Mark Rothko, whose field of color paintings create a sense of depth and immersion; and Jackson Pollock, renowned for his “splatter” method of painting. An impressive collection of glass, photography and Native American art also fills its galleries.
The museum’s flagship location in downtown Palm Springs is the hub, and a public art program brings large-scale works into local urban and desert landscapes. The downtown building is itself a work of art. Designed by famed architect E. Stewart Williams in the 1970s, its clean lines and minimalistic nature reflect the Mid-Century Modern style associated with the desert aesthetic.
The building integrates natural materials, such as wood and stone, with large windows that allow the desert light to pour in. Inside, the minimalist approach allows the art to remain the focal point. Interconnected wings and open courtyards create a sense of serenity—an ideal setting to immerse oneself in the diverse collections that include Native American pottery, textiles and jewelry, as well as sculptures by Louise Nevelson and photography by Edward Weston and Ansel Adams.
Visitors particularly love the monumental, reclining “Two Figures” by British artist Henry Moore and “History of Suspended Time” by Gonzalo Lebrija, where the sculptor has suspended an automobile over a pool of water. The work is meant to encourage thought about suspension and the passage of time.
A sculpture garden adjacent to the museum features awe-inspiring, large-scale contemporary works by Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet and Gustavo Godoy. Each sculpture harmonizes with the natural surroundings. The museum also champions the work of
underrepresented artists, providing a platform for those often left out of mainstream art history.
In addition to its permanent collection of more than 16,000 objects, the museum serves as a cultural hub, offering public lectures, artist talks, art classes, workshops and educational initiatives that engage residents and visitors. During the ultra-popular festival season (Stagecoach, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Splash House, etc.), the museum and its special museum nights and art-focused social gatherings become a focal point for like-minded creatives who descend upon the region.
It’s more than a place to view art. The Palm Springs Art Museum is a vibrant cultural oasis that artfully marries creativity with the serene and vast desert landscape and the towering San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Simply put, it’s a captivating destination for anyone interested in architecture, artworks, environmental beauty, and the stunning combination of all of these.
PINK Perpetually
A rundown on the ICONIC Marrakesh Country Club.
By Kathy Condon
Coachella Valley has a plethora of beautiful resorts with lovely entrances. Marrakesh Country Club’s entrance in Palm Desert, however, is a showstopper with its beautiful blooming flowers leading up to a pink gatehouse. It is located off Highway 111, the road that leads to the Living Desert Zoo.
Designed with views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, the Marrakesh Country Club is known as one of the finest examples of authentic Hollywood Regency architecture and for developing a sense of community among its residents.
This private, gated golf community is on 155 acres and has 364 single-family homes. Fourteen pools, a spa and pavilions provide places for community gatherings and celebrations. It truly is a modern-day time capsule, maintaining the distinct style Palm Springs is known and loved for.
THE DESIGN OF THE MARRAKESH COUNTRY CLUB
Johnny Dawson, the conceptual designer of Marrakesh Country Club, wanted to replicate the feeling of Morocco at sunset when the sun’s rays bounce off the country’s buildings. Thus, the color pink became the guiding component of the project.
Dawson hired John Elgin Woolf, who was then known as the first postmodern architect on the West Coast. After consulting with Dawson, Woolf proceeded to design the club in the Hollywood Regency Style, famous for its glamorous and maximalist aesthetic.
THE DESIGN OF THE MARRAKESH COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE
Dawson envisioned the clubhouse as the gathering place for the community and hired Richard Harrison of the famed modernist architectural firm Wexler & Harrison to design it.
The clubhouse was conceived to capture the light of the desert while serving as a place where residents can enjoy comradery and invite friends to social events and meals. It was completed in 1969.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
This ICONIC community has drawn the attention of many influential individuals, from prominent figures to celebrities including Barclay Butera and Patrick Dragonette. The elevated pink community is the perfect haven for privacy, exclusivity and opulence.
“Marrakesh is one of the most ICONIC communities in Palm Springs," Butera says. "Both the history and the people are amazing. The social events here are like hanging with the 'who's who' of Palm Springs.”
Anne Michaelsen, a successful interior designer, recently completed her home in the Marrakesh County Club community. She appreciates the historical significance of the property and particularly loves its timeless appeal.
Her design gave the home a refresh while still maintaining its original character and charming allure.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have purchased a home in the historic Marrakesh Country Club neighborhood, an architectural gem designed by the renowned John Elgin Woolf,” she says. “This property represents a unique piece of history, and it’s been an inspiring journey to honor its original Hollywood Regency aesthetic. My design goal was to celebrate the elegance and glamour of this ICONIC style while thoughtfully reinterpreting it for contemporary living. By blending timeless elements with modern updates, I’ve sought to create a space that respects its storied past while feeling fresh and relevant for today.”
The marriage between historical preservation and contemporary living is common among Marrakesh residents.
TOP LEFT
PHOTO & THIS PHOTO: Photography by Roger Paperno. BOTTOM
PHOTO: Photography by Mark Sacro.
AMENITIES
Residents can relax in the quiet of their homes or around one of the many pools. There are also numerous amenities to indulge in if you enjoy being on teams or around people. They include:
• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Bocce ball
• Croquet
• Yoga
• Water Aerobics
• Hiking (Coachella Valley has 60 miles of hiking trails)
• Cycling
• Bridge
• Book Club
• Art Classes
RECENTLY UPDATED
With a need to refresh the clubhouse while still staying true to the building’s rich history, Tom Scheerer, an internationally known interior designer, was hired for the renovation, which was completed in 2023. The clubhouse is now two stories and 25,000 square feet.
The expansion includes a larger formal dining room and an expanded casual dining area. Residents can enjoy conversations around the fire pit while taking in the panoramic mountain vista views.
The new decor is timeless and modern with top-of-the-line upgrades. It exudes elegance and warmth.
MARRAKESH GOLF COURSE
The Marrakesh community was designed to honor the views of the mountains, and the 18-hole golf course is no exception. Golfers encounter breathtaking vistas from the greens, which are even more magnificent when the mountains are snow-capped in the winter.
Ted Robinson, known as one of the premier golf course architects in the world, designed the Par-60 course, which is often rated as the finest executive 18-hole course in the country and is known for its challenging greens.
There are pitching, chipping and practice areas. If you are looking for exercise, you can walk the course, but golf carts are available. The Golf Shop has a simulator for practicing and carries golf wear for the most discriminating taste.
This is a year-round course that hosts PGA professional tournaments. The course is only available to membership holders, (resident members and non-resident members). If you are a golfer, you’ll want to play this course.
The Marrakesh Country Club stands out as one of the most architecturally remarkable communities in Coachella Valley. Its breathtaking views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, world-class golf and dining set a high standard of excellence.
HOME
This House Feels Like
In Palm Springs, Holiday House, a Herbert Burns design, gets a charming refresh by Mark D. Sikes.
By Nora Burba Trulsson
Photography by Zeke Ruelas Photography
Afew steps from the bustle of Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs is Holiday House, a chic oasis of mid-century design surrounding a lush lawn and turquoise pool ringed with palms, citrus trees and ficus hedges. With the sun-drenched slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains as a backdrop, the 28-room boutique inn manages to preserve its architectural history and showcase the airy, colorful approach of Los Angeles interior designer Mark D. Sikes, who updated the property in 2017.
The inn dates back to Palm Springs’ early days as a winter resort for Southern California’s coastal dwellers and celebrities who escaped cold, foggy weather for dry desert air and sunshine. “Holiday House was created as an apartment hotel in 1951 by architectural designer and builder Herbert Burns,” says Steven Keylon, a Palm Springs-based architectural historian and author of The Design of Herbert W. Burns, a book devoted to the designer’s biography and his projects in the Coachella Valley. “That building style was popular back then for people who spent the season in Palm Springs and wanted more residential accommodations than a hotel.”
According to Keylon, who is also vice president of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Burns had a circuitous route to becoming a successful builder and designer, starting in his family’s East Coast lighting business before moving to Los Angeles to become a stockbroker in 1928. With an education in business and engineering, Burns managed to flourish during the Depression, took up flying,
trained pilots during World War II, and then relocated with his second wife, Gayle, to Palm Springs in the late 1940s.
Seeing potential in the desert city’s growth, Burns hung up his shingle as a residential contractor and designer. “His style is best described as ‘Late Moderne,’” says Keylon. “While many other Palm Springs architects were doing International Style, Burns used a more organic approach, with decorative elements, horizontal lines and walls that jut out.”
Holiday House, another apartment hotel, was created for Long Beach developer Lloyd Whaley and his wife, LaVere, and showcased many of those elements in the single-story compound that wrapped around the lawn and pool. Burns detailed the project with deep roof overhangs, sandstone-clad accent walls and grid-patterned screens and handled the interiors himself, installing all-in-one kitchenette units and opting for corner seating that served as sofas by day and converted to beds at night. He built a larger unit for the Whaleys as their personal residence.
In addition to the pool, the grounds offered guests plenty of fun in the sun with a barbecue area, shuffleboard, putting greens and a spot for badminton. According to Keylon, Burns was also a gifted colorist, choosing hues for his projects that matched local plants, soil and rocks, linking the buildings to the desert site.
“Holiday House was built right in the middle of the Tennis Club neighborhood and around the corner from the new Bullock’s department store,” says Keylon. “It was the perfect spot where everyone wanted to be.”
After the Whaleys divorced, LaVere kept Holiday House and, in 1962, expanded it by adding a second story to one of the wings, against Burns’ recommendation. She also ran a boutique on the property, Holiday Originals, offering dresses and sportswear for the Palm Springs lifestyle.
Burns went on to have a prolific career building more apartment hotels and single-family homes—largely for guests who had stayed at the apartment hotels and wanted something of their own in the desert. He retired in the 1970s and died in 1988 at the age of 91. “There’s no explaining how Burns did what he did,” says Keylon. “When it comes to architecture and construction, he was self-taught, but he was successful.”
After the Whaleys, the property had a long run as the Chase Hotel. Several years ago, the team behind the Sparrows Lodge, also in Palm Springs, acquired the property and launched a major renovation, keeping the original design largely intact. Sikes was called in for a significant refresh, putting into play a vibrant blue and white color palette in the lobby (formerly the owners’ apartment), bar, lounge and rooms. Gio Ponti-inspired tile in the bar and artwork by the likes of David Hockney, Annie Leibovitz, Roy Lichtenstein, Geroges Braque, John Baldessari and Donald Sultan set the tone for the inn, with rooms featuring Waterworks bath fixtures, modern lighting, playful fabrics and walnut and wicker accents. French artist Lucas Beaufort updated the shuffleboard court with his creative spin, and chef Jon Butler now presides over the informal indoor/outdoor restaurant, The Pantry.
Now part of the Common Thread Hotels group—which has not only The Sparrows but properties like Casa Laguna in Laguna Beach and The Prospect Hollywood— Holiday House is a peaceful, laid-back sanctuary, thanks to its 21-and-over guest policy and the absence of TVs in the rooms. The Pantry was recently awarded an Open Table Diner’s Choice Award, and last year, the inn received a Michelin One Key hotel excellence designation.
What would Herbert Burns think of his project more than seven decades later? “His architecture is still there,” says Keylon, “but now it’s infused with color and a new sense of community. I think he would have been impressed with it.”
Dancing throughLife
The fashion shoot that explores the overlap between the arts.
By Nakayla Shakespeare
This photoshoot explored the overlapping nature of abstract art and the human body. In this photoshoot, we wanted to convey the similarities of shape and fluidity that can be seen on both canvas and sculpture and compare it to the beautiful movements of expression through dance, ultimately showcasing the human body as a work of art itself.
The idea for this spread was inspired by the stunning sculptures produced by the famous artist Rotraut. After meeting with her in the summer, a vision of creativity swarmed my head, and thus, the fashion shoot was born.
For some of the shots, crane companies were involved in moving the sculptures into place, creating a “forest of art.” The close collaboration between the ICONIC LIFE team and the artist played a crucial role in the successful execution of this endeavor.
Multiple mediums of artistry were conveyed in this shoot to make the point that art is and always will be, in fashion.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Renee Dee. PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Sacro.
MAKEUP AND HAIR Melissa Evans, Ford Robert Black. MODEL Hilary, Signature Models & Talent. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nakayla Shakespeare.
LOCATION Rotraut's Studio Workshop, de Sarthe Gallery.
GONE WITH THE WIND
Artwork: Rotraut’s Feliz Red, 2017. Elephant Pink, 2010. Untitled Metallic Green, 2016.
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Artwork: Rainbow Bridge, 2021 by Rotraut.
ABOUT ROTRAUT
Rotraut is a popular German visual artist best known for her abstract sculptures in primary colors inspired by the earth and large-form galaxy paintings. She currently resides in Arizona, where she continues to create stunning works of art. For more information about Rotraut, read “An Artist’s Journey” on page 104.
REACH FOR THE STARS
Artwork: Cosmos, 1988 by Rotraut
THE FLAMINGO
Art exhibition, Nucleus, by Christopher
Cichocki
Foreground art: Sun Dial, Phosphorescent View.
Background art: Spheres, Daylight View.
at de Sarthe Gallery.
Journey to TANZANIA
TANZANIA
Local resident and travel aficionado David Rubin, goes on the journey of a lifetime through Tanzania.
By David Rubin
Tanzania is one of my favorite destinations, especially for African photo safaris.
Tanzania has 22 national parks and several game reserves and conservation areas that occupy about onethird of the country. Each is a magical destination for nature and wildlife safaris. Many visitors also like to hike the tallest mountain in Africa, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. I love the beaches, culture and history of Tanzania’s famous and exotic island, Zanzibar.
The Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Julius Nyerere was the first president of Tanzania. He helped bring 120 tribes together and establish a national language, Kiswahili. Many credit him with creating the unified Tanzanian national identity. Samia Suluhu Hassan is the current president. She is the country’s first female president and the first president born in Zanzibar.
Now, let’s get there and explore! Most guests fly into either Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA airport code: JRO) near Arusha and Moshi or Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA airport code: DAR) near the coastal city of Dar es Salaam.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti National Park is in northern Tanzania and is unequaled for its natural beauty. Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Maasai language. It is one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas. Year-round, the Serengeti is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise, with abundant elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, crocodiles, and migratory wildebeest and zebra. The park is also home to more than 450 bird species.
One of the greatest spectacles in the natural world is the “Great Migration of Wildebeest” and other grazing herbivores across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. I soaked in the beautiful terrain and nonstop parade of animals consisting of over one million wildebeest, some 250,000 zebras and countless Thompson’s gazelles.
The migration is usually in Tanzania for nine months (mid-October to mid-July) and Kenya for about three months (late July to early October). Once you pick your travel dates, it’s time to choose the best lodge with a prime location so that you are likely to be closest to the Great Migration of The Wildebeest.
Photos courtesy &Beyond
Serengeti
Under Canvas, Chem Chem Lodge, Singita Tanzania, Nomad Graystoke
Mahale
SAMPLE ITINERARY
A “Best of the Best” of Tanzania recommended itinerary (NOTE: Some camps are seasonal):
1. 1-2 nights in Dar Es Salaam at Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam or Dar Es Salaam Serena
2. 3 nights in Ruaha National Park at Jabali Ridge, Kwihala Camp or Asanja Ruaha
3. 3 nights in Nyerere National Park at Beho Beho, Roho Ya Selous, Kiba Point, or Jongomero Private Bush Manor
4. 3-4 nights in the Mahale Mountains National Park at Greystoke Mahale
5. 4-8 nights in Zanzibar Island (now or at the end of your trip) with 1-2 nights in Stone Town at Park Hyatt Zanzibar and then to a beach resort: Xanadu Villas, Zanzibar White Sand Villas, Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar, Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar, The Residence Zanzibar, Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar, or the nearby private island properties: Fanjove Private Island or Thanda Island Private Reserve
6. 3 nights in Tarangire National Park or nearby at Chem Chem Lodge, Little Chem Chem, Forest Chem Chem, Sanctuary Swala Camp, Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge, or Kuro Tarangire
7. 3 nights in Ngorongoro Conservation Area or nearby at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Melia Ngorongoro Lodge, Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, The Highlands, or Gibb’s Farm
8. 3 nights in southern, central, eastern, or western Serengeti National Park or nearby at Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp, Roving Bushtops Serengeti, andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Namiri Plains Camp, Mwiba Lodge, Mila Tented Camp, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Melia Serengeti Lodge, or Lemala Nyanyukie Lodge
9. 3 nights in northern Serengeti National Park or nearby at Singita Mara River Tented Camp, andBeyond Klein’s Camp, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp, andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas, or Serengeti Bushtops
10. 3-5 nights in Singita Grumeti Reserve at Singita Sasakwa, Singita Faru Faru (a personal favorite), Singita Sabora Tented Camp, Singita Serengeti House, Singita Milele, or Singita Explore
11. 1-2 nights in Arusha or nearby at Legendary Lodge, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Gran Melia Arusha, Siringit Villa, Machweo Wellness Retreat, or Hatari Lodge in Arusha National Park
PLUS: 5-8 nights Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb add-on; recommended routes: Shira, Lemosho, or Rongai
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
In northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater, Earth’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its enclosed geography, wildlife does not migrate here. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has become a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest populations of large mammals. The conservation area also contains Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, made famous by the work of Louis and Mary Leakey, famous archaeologists.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
In northern Tanzania, with the lovely Tarangire River, Tarangire National Park is famous for its giant elephants and many majestic baobab trees. Other wildlife includes zebras, gazelles, elands, impalas, giraffes, buffalo, dik-dik, African wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards, lions, olive baboons, wildebeest, and more than 550 species of birds.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
In southern Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is the second-largest national park in East Africa. Ruaha has the largest concentration of elephants here, with a population of nearly 10,000. Plus, Ruaha is home to 10 percent of the global lion population. Other native animals include leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elands, giraffes, impalas, bat-eared foxes, snakes, crocodiles, and jackals. Ruaha is a spectacular destination with a low visitor count of about 20,000 per year.
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
Established in 2019, Nyerere National Park was formed by taking over the northern part of the famous Selous Game Reserve. Located in southeastern Tanzania, Africa’s largest national park boasts one of Tanzania’s largest concentrations of wildlife. The park has yet to be frequented by many guests, making this destination a hidden gem.
The park is remote, pristine and unspoiled. Here, the great Rufiji River—the largest river in Tanzania—has a healthy population of hippos and crocodiles. Exciting activities include riverboat safaris through channels, lagoons and swamps to spot wildlife. The park is also home to a traditional village that provides cultural exchanges and insights into the local people’s special and unique way of life.
Photos courtesy
Singita
Tanzania,
Nomad
Graystoke
Mahale, Legendary Lodges, Singita Tanzania
THE GIFT OF GIVING
Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute, was founded in 1991 in Tanzania.
Roots & Shoots inspires young people from kindergarten to university to take action to create a better living environment by devising and setting up hands-on projects. It is now a worldwide network in 120 countries with thousands of members.
Roots & Shoots asks young people, “Do you want to do something about the problems facing your community and our world—social justice, pollution, climate change, and more? We provide the support, resources, tools and training to empower you to take action and lead change in your community.” There is no cost to become a member.
Join, donate and learn more!
Photos courtesy Fanjove
Private Island, Nomad Graystoke Mahale
MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Set among the spectacular, forested slopes of the Mahale Mountains, the Mahale Mountains National Park was created to protect the hundreds of chimpanzees that inhabit the region. Mahale contains nine other primates: two species of Galago—bush babies, vervet, silver and red-tailed monkeys, yellow baboon, Angolan, and red colobus, and the robust chimpanzee.
Mahale Mountains National Park is renowned for its fantastic sunsets over Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second-longest and second-deepest freshwater lake. The lake is home to at least 400 species of freshwater fish, of which about 250 are cichlids and 98 percent are endemic.
The park’s breathtaking habitats include a mosaic of overlapping rainforests, woodlands, bamboo forests, montane forests and mountain grasslands. The area contains at least 337 bird species, many rare and endemic to the Albertine Rift.
SINGITA GRUMETI RESERVE
I have saved the most exclusive and luxurious game, nature and lodging experience to talk about last—the Singita Grumeti reserve managed by the esteemed Singita group. Located in north Tanzania, adjacent to the Serengeti National Park, the reserve is integral to the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and can only be described as magical.
The Tanzanian government created the reserve in 1994 to protect the path of the annual wildebeest migration and the indigenous biodiversity of this vast and vital ecosystem. In 2002, the Grumeti Fund was granted the right to manage and conserve the land spanning 350,000 acres. In 2006, Singita agreed to take over the management of the entire reserve.
Only guests staying at Singita Sasakwa, Singita Faru Faru (a personal favorite), Singita Sabora, Singita Serengeti House, Singita Milele, and Singita Explore can participate in game drives. Each lodge is stunning and offers top-tier service and hospitality.
CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO & VISITING ZANZIBAR
Hiking to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro and relaxing in Zanzibar are excellent options for travelers as well. Adding a beach holiday on the island of Zanzibar at some point in your trip is highly recommended. Suggestions for both are provided with the recommended sample itinerary.
To book your business and leisure travels worldwide, call David Rubin and his team at DavidTravel. In 1996, David moved from a successful law practice, followed a deep passion for travel and launched his travel company. For more than a decade, DavidTravel has been on both the Travel + Leisure Magazine “A-List” and the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine “Specialist List” of the best travel advisors in the world. DavidTravel delivers unparalleled style, attention to detail, and insider access, uniquely responding to each client’s goals, budget, interests and dreams. DavidTravel.com; Request@DavidTravel.com
Photography by Mark Sacro
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Forever MARILYN
ICONIC Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs towers over the desert.
By Nakayla Shakespeare
One name comes to mind when you think of a blonde bombshell in a white dress: Marilyn Monroe. The famous actress made a mark on the world when she stood above the street vent in New York City while filming “The Seven Year Itch.” This ICONIC image has been circulated and recreated worldwide.
One artist, Seward Johnson, constructed a giant statue of this image, which now resides in Palm Springs. Forever Marilyn, his 26-foot tall, 34,400-pound sculpture, was created as a tribute to the late superstar. The statue was made to be highly realistic. Johnson utilized 10 layers of paint hues and topped it off with a matte finish.
While this ICONIC statue has traveled the world, allowing all to appreciate its beauty, it’s only fitting to reside in Palm Springs, where Monroe was discovered in 1949 at Charlie Farrell’s Racquet Club. Monroe frequented the town and owned a home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood in the 1960s. Having her monument reside in Palm Springs is like bringing her back home.
Photography by Steve Cukrov
BEAU SIMMONS
Products: Paonazzo Extra Polished Marble, Café Milk Tile and Laminam Calce Nero
Designer: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Photographer: Adam Macchia