Palm Springs Modernism Week 2023 in Images

Modernism Week in Palm Springs really spans 11 days each year in February. The popular annual festival features hundreds of events including tours of iconic homes and the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale. Visitors can experience home and garden tours, informative speakers and films, walking and bike tours, architectural double-decker bus tours, a classic car show, fashion and hotel openings, and nightly parties. Make sure to stay in a boutique hotel or a mid-century home in one of the many historic neighborhoods as Palm Springs boasts the largest percentage of midcentury modern homes in America.

Now in its 16th year, Modernism is another way the desert revisits the past – through the celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and retro culture. A smaller fall preview also occurs in October. Enjoy the highlights of our time in Greater Palm Springs and start planning your next trip to the desert at Modernismweek.com.

Learn more about Modernism in our past articles in LA Travel Magazine in 2022 and 20 Design Tips I Learned at Modernism Week. To view more Modernism photos, check out the @LaLaScoop on the gram.

Hi Sun Home Tour was designed by the H3K Design Team – beautified by the owners themselves as it was their own home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood. Rugs by Flor.

Backyard of Hi Sun.

More Modernism Week design inspiration at Yoasis in the Indian Canyons neighborhood designed by Grace Home Furnishings.

Stunning wallpaper on the ceiling at Yoasis.

Palm Springs favorite designer Christopher Kennedy’s own newly renovated home in the Indian Canyons neighborhood.

Evening cocktail party at Christopher’s Kennedy’s newly revamped stunning home where all proceeds benefitted the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

The Ware Estate (formerly the Maybelline Estate) where British brand Globe-Trotter partnered with Visit Greater Palm Springs and showcased their first one of a kind destination inspired luggage line.

Each Globe-Trotter luggage piece feels like the old trunks of the Golden Age era of travel as the shape and style of many of their products remain unchanged, even using some of the same production methods and machinery from the Victorian era. The company has been around since 1897 and uses a Vulcanized Fibreboard for strength and lightweight capabilities.

Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate which looks much more glamorous in sunlight.

Situated in the Movie Colony, the Frank Sinatra Estate still has the original vintage Rek-O-Kut recording turntable but also is decorated with several of his own artworks hanging from 1975 and the 1990s.

The Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate was not what the singer originally wanted as he asked for a brick Georgian-style mansion, but architect E Stewart Williams knew this would not fit or make sense with the desert landscape. The house built in 1947 set the standard for postwar Hollywood glamour where it became home to his family but also the backdrop for celebrity gatherings, passionate romance, violent heartbreak, and cocktail hours – where often Frank hoisted his flag to let the neighbors know it was time to come over for cocktails.

A moving documentary called Back to the House of Tomorrow: A Retake on the Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway debuted during Modernism at the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The film reminded us of the impact architect William Krisel and the family behind Alexander Construction Co had on the growth of Palm Springs both architecturally and philanthropically. Sadly, both the Alexender parents and grandparents were tragically killed in a plane crash in the 1960s on the way to LA leaving their 13-year-old daughter an orphan. Jill Alexander Kitnick recounts in the film her own childhood memories living in the home that is widely known as the Elvis Home, although Elvis apparently only spent 24 hours here presumably on his honeymoon.

Fulltime counselor and first-time filmmaker Simcha Shtull created the film as her husband was one of the two architects who bought and restored this popular desert home that receives hundreds of visitors swooping by daily to admire the architecture and discover its storied past. The film depicts the incredible geometry involved with the home’s design, the many iterations and owners over the years, and how it has been restored to celebrate its former glory. Writer David Lansing shares the history of the home in the film as he is writing a book about Palm Springs in the 1960s and the glamorous Alexander family.

Palm Springs Art Museum at night from above. On Thursday evenings visitors can admire the art for free.

The new Marilyn Monroe statue in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum draws visitors all times of day.

The Palm Springs Visitor Center was once a ‘modern’ gas station.

Speak easy if you wish to get in. Reservations required. A new speakeasy in town called The Evening Citizen can be found behind Arenas Road in an alley with a dark black door, but once inside you may feel like you’ve been transported to NYC. A Classified cocktail menu offers post-modern libations like Late Edition or Backstabber and a photo of “The Editor” sits above the bar who is actually actor Udo Kier. Both he and the mayor were in attendance the night we imbibed.

The art of Josh Agle known as Shag feels synonymous with Palm Springs life. His retro art brings mid-century fantasy to life. Not only does he have a wildly popular retail store and gallery in Palm Springs with his prints and merchandise, but he has a Las Vegas store and a partnership with Disney.

Shag spoke of his graphic design beginnings creating album covers and selling his first paintings at a Santa Monica Coffeehouse. He partnered with Dunn-Edwards at Modernism for a lively discussion and Q&A with a poster sigining.

Opening Night Cocktail Party for Palm Springs Modernism Show and Sale at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Som any incredible home design vendors at the Palm Springs Modernism Show and Sale.

Market Market is now open behind Bar Cecil in the old Stein Mart filled with over 50 vendors selling vintage and repurposed goods. A great place for unique finds. Thsi vintage 325i BMW was selling for $20,000 amongst cool clothing, old school furniture, and retro style decor.

Desert Island Country Club in Rancho Mirage is now open to the public, featuring a swanky new restaurant and bar called The Penney and a Parlour for late-night mischief. The 1970s playground has been newly remodeled with big plans for a new hotel and swanky lawn dinners.

Surprisingly, the oysters and scallops were one of our favorite things on the menu at The Penney.

Desert Island Country Club is a drool worthy setting for golf but they also have 91/2, a pre golf or apres golf casual concept for the best smashburgers in the desert, breakfast burritos, cocktails, and more. This was my lunch view from the outdoor patio table.

For an ultra lux intimate stay that feels like your own villa, consider the new Hermann Bungalows attached to L’Horizon Hotel and Spa.

Find sexy outdoor SO.PA restaurant at L’Horizon Palm Springs with a sensational menu now helmed by Chef Michael Hung.

Need a quick bite during Modernism? Don’t miss our favorite Gabino’s Creperie for a zesty seasoned crepe jam packed with Chicken and fresh lettuce and tomato. Our favorite is the Chicken Ranch. Even Guy Fieri approves as he featured them on The Food Network for his show Drive-In and Dives.

We took a “hard hat” tour of the new Drift Hotel opening in March in downtown Palm Spring – screaming Tulum Baja vibes and where 2 and 4-bedroom suites are available with automated check-in. A new restaurant called Maleza is coming as well as exciting programming, yoga, a live music venue, and space for weddings, 40-person dinners, and more.