PHOTOS BY FREDRIK BRODÉN
PRODUCED BY KENT BLACK
ABOVE: Moonstone’s color and reflective properties were believed by both the Romans and the Greeks to be solidified rays of the moon. This ring from The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo is set in sterling silver with 1 carat of dark champagne diamonds, $1,290.
RIGHT: A 1991 Bob Mackie white fox wrap (label missing) from The Fine Art of Design, Palm Desert. The arctic fox lives in the coldest habitats on earth and one of its keys to survival is its multilayered fur coat, $2,700.
Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender founded the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company in Fullerton, California, in 1946. Its first mass-produced electric guitar was the Telecaster (1951), but in 1954 Fender introduced the world-famous Stratocaster. The Fender pictured here is privately owned, but a new, custom, white, Limited Edition Relic H/S Stratocaster runs $3,750.
Poul Henningsen, Danish designer, author, critic, and architect (1894 – 1967), began designing lamps in 1926. The PH5 lamp was launched by Henningsen and manufacturer Louis Poulsen in 1958. The brilliance of the design is its ability to cast soft, even light without glare. This vintage piece and many like it are available at JP Denmark on Perez Road, Cathedral City, $675.
This version of the classic Chanel J12 watch is boldly fashioned out of white ceramic with white gem-set steel and can be viewed in all its glory at Leeds & Son on El Paseo in Palm Desert, $14,900.
In lieu of two turtledoves and a partridge in a pear tree, we present an umbrella cockatoo, courtesy of Jeff Berger of Exotic Birds in Palm Desert. Native to the islands of Indonesia, it extends a semi-circular headdress when surprised, hence the name. Though this five-month-old had already found a home at the time of publication, Jeff will have more babies in the spring, $1,500.
Charles Hollis Jones (b. 1945) moved to Los Angeles from Indiana and started CHJ Designs, specializing in plastic and acrylic furnishings. He soon acquired important and influential clients such as Frank Sinatra and Johnny Carson. His Ball Line (which included a ball in the design) was named after his close friend, Lucille Ball. This white faux fur bench recently sold at Christopher Anthony Ltd. in Uptown Palm Springs. The store has an identical bench in gray fur for $2,900
Most of the songs on 1968’s The Beatles (aka, the White Album) were written between March and April of that year. The double album was released in November to mixed critical reviews. Despite Charles Manson’s claim that it foretold a coming apocalypse and an evangelist’s belief that “Back in the U.S.S.R.” was a communist plot, it is believed to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time. A low-numbered British pressing in mint condition: $6,000-$15,000.
Finnish desiger Eero Saarinen designed the Tulip chair in 1956 for the Knoll Company. Its organic shape was meant to complement his pedestal dining table. Made with cast aluminum and molded fiberglass, the chairs have removable padded seats. Though the example opposite is from a private collection, the chairs are available from Knoll for $1,733 apiece.
Wilson, the venerable sporting goods giant, actually got its start as a subsidiary of a meatpacking plant whose purpose was to use animal by-products from its slaughterhouses. One of those uses was animal gut for tennis rackets … and the rest is history. Pictured abovde is the Ultra XP 125 from Pete Carlson Golf and Tennis, Palm Desert, a perfect racket for level 3 players looking for more power, $280.
The Converse Jack Purcell — the sneaker favored by hipsters like Steve McQueen — is making a comeback. The shoe was invented by John Edward “Jack” Purcell, who was a Canadian championship badminton player. He played from 1924 to 1945 and created his eponymous sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada in 1935. Available in several colors, but white is really the only choice, $75.
The tradition of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus began during the Great Depression as parents taught their children during those lean times that it was important to give as well as receive during the holidays. It is not a bribe. Pink Hostess Sno Balls were first introduced in 1947; the white version arrives for the holidays (6 count), $5.19. One quart Broguiere’s organic whole milk in glass bottle, $4.95, at Jensen’s Finest Foods, Palm Springs.