Palm Springs Midcentury Redux

Palm Springs Midcentury Redux

In 1960, Alexander Construction Co. designed a house in Las Palmas for homeowners Claire and Teddy Morse, who hired architect Harold Leavitt to expand it. The result was a magnificent home that used the latest in design and building techniques. However, as with most homes, each subsequent owner put his or her design fingerprint on the residence. The result: a dark, dated residence that needed a little TLC appropriate to the era of the original construction. New owners Mark Anton and Jim Richardson have brought the home back to its midcentury glory.

The bright entryway invokes comparisons to Parker Palm Springs, with its painted white brick and vibrant light fixtures. (In fact, Jonathan Adler makes an appearance in the home in the form of his Bel Air lamp in the living room.) The living room is the showpiece of the home. A chrome railing on three stairs leads down to the living room. Pocket doors disappear into the wall and open to the pool, which comes into the living room. A wraparound, terrazzo-covered bar houses original bar stools. Surrounded by large rocks, an original black-tiled fountain sits in the corner of the living room near the grand piano. The room opens even further when the doors are opened to the patio. Anton and Richardson retained the original terrazzo flooring.

The dining room features a “fire on ice” fireplace with crushed glass at its base. A curio cabinet showcases colorful glass pieces. A sofa covered in a black, white, and chartreuse print provides additional seating for guests. In the master bedroom, a chrome circular fireplace from Sweden doubles as a piece of furniture. The master bath continues the chrome theme on the sink frames and the toilet. On the opposite side of the house, guests who stay in the second bedroom are treated to amazing views of the mountains and a spa-like outdoor shower.

“It’s a real Palm Springs house,” Anton says. “It’s the epitome of Palm Springs style.”

Location: Las Palmas, Palm Springs
Year built: 1960
Drapes, linens, and bedding: Nugent’s Interiors
Specs: 3,800 square feet — 2 bedrooms plus guest house, 3.5 baths