Martyn Lawrence Bullard Archives

Fine Print: Palm Springs: A Modernist Paradise

Back in February, when we really needed the sunshine, I received a review copy of this design book by photographer Tim Street-Porter. As you might imagine, Palm Springs: A Modernist Paradise by Tim Street-Porter (Rizzoli, February 2018) showcases the mid-century modern architecture of Palm Springs, a modern desert oasis.

Examples include jet-set homes designed by Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Paul Williams, as well as private residences by tastemakers, including fashion designer Trina Turk, who penned the book’s foreword and owns a home there.

The pages are glossy and gorgeous; it makes a good housewarming gift if you’re spending the weekend with any modernists this summer.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Rizzoli 2018

Palm Springs: A Modernist Paradise by Tim Street-Porter

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Living Room

Living room of Trina Turk’s home The Ship of the Desert. It was designed by Los Angeles architects Adrian Wilson and Earle Webster in 1936 in the architectural style is known as Streamline Moderne. The sofas are Vladimir Kagan.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Preppy Dining Room

President Gerald and Betty Ford’s home, which they commissioned after Ford’s defeat by Jimmy Carter in 1976. It’s designed by architect Welton Becket, who designed the Capitol Records Building and Pan-Pacific Auditorium in L.A. This is the dining room, which still contains the original dining table, chairs, and wall murals. (The chandelier is a later addition.) Annie Leibovitz shot this portrait of Betty Ford here in this dining room.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Conversation Pit

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard bought Villa Grigio in 2014. It was designed by architect James McNaughton in 1964. The site was originally part of the Barbara Hutton estate, near the first Palm Springs residence of Frank Sinatra. This is the living room’s sunken conversation pit. The view looks out bowed glass windows to the patio and pool.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Round Tub

The master bath of Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Villa Grigio echoes the living room design.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise White Eames Chair

This is a minimalist glass house designed by William F. Cody in 1967. It has views across the Coachella Valley. The master bedroom, complete with an Eames lounge and Mies van der Rohe Barcelona daybed, opens to the pool.

Palm Springs Modernist Paradise Desert Architecture

The Albert Frey House II, which the architect designed for himself on a steeply sloped lot overlooking the city of Palm Springs, 220 feet above the desert floor. It’s built right inot the rocks.

Swatching: Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Ann Sacks

Last May I met Martyn Lawrence Bullard at the Boston Design Center, where he was promoting his new fabric line for Schumacher (I blogged about it here.) In addition to another fabric collection for Schumacher, he has a new tile collection for Ann Sacks. Swatches from both collections, below.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s new tile collection for Ann Sacks

“Mousharabia” inspired by carved wood latticework screens of Morocco

“Eastern Promise” concrete tiles

“Hermitage” mirrored glass tiles

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Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s latest collection
for F. Schumacher & Co.

Theodore

Delos

Kerylos

Shambala

Baglioni

Serpetti

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Shop Burke Decor for classic modern furniture & accessories >

Swatching: Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Mary McDonald for Schumacher

Although I rarely have time to go to events, there was no way I was missing Martyn Lawrence Bullard‘s and Mary McDonald‘s visit to the Boston Design Center last Tuesday. I showered, dressed in J.Crew color block brights, and was on my way, Rizzoli books in hand to be signed. The occasion was to promote the designers’ new textile lines, Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Schumacher and Mary McDonald for Schumacher. They were absolutely charming (Martyn’s accent is too die for).

I’ve emailed several times with Mary and interviewed Martyn on the phone for stories. Both graciously insisted they remembered me. (Doubtful, but nice of them to say!) Mary said she knows my blog; that she recalls its cute and clever name. We are FB friends, so I suppose it’s possible. As I said, they were utterly charming. Must be hard to have to be so *on* with so many strangers at so many events.

I snapped a bunch of Instagram pics of the fabrics for you. I have more from MLB’s line than MM’s line because my iPhone/Instagram went on the fritz, likely from overuse. Ok, now here are the Schumacher Designer Collaborations.