PS: Last Modernism Event

I haven't had the time to share my last event for Modernism Week (Feb. 22nd), the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Donald Wexler's Sagewood.

Julie and I began our morning with author, Claude Peck, who gave each of us his informative booklet, Sagewood: Donald Wexler's Oasis for Living.

This midcentury complex, planned by the desert modernist wizard Donald Wexler, is set on 18 acres of meticulously designed, tree-filled, lush greenbelts. It embodies the aesthetic that Wexler, lauded for his quiet elegance, desired in his architecture; the serene grace of 108 stucco units harmoniously arranged; subtle colors that meld with the desert terrain, floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views that draw nature inside, large patios with bordering desert plantings; pronounced overhangs that protect the structures from the desert sun and Sagewood's low-density architectural landscape plan that seamlessly blends architecture and nature. All this priced at $29,990 and $34,490 in 1972.

When Sagewood opened in 1972, its architect, then 46 years old, was already one of the busiest desert modernists in Palm Springs. His long career had so many headline-grabbing highlights: the airport, the Steel Homes, Dinah Shore's house, so much so that what he created at Sagewood has tended to be overlooked.

Our neighborhood tour included 12 select two-and three-bedroom units where docents (most were the homeowners) answered questions about design and décor. We were free to explore their lovely homes, lounge about in backyards, and stroll around the spectacular green space.

Parked in each of the condo's driveways were amazing, vintage vehicles. This car surprised me. The Studebaker Avanti is a personal luxury coupe manufactured and marketed by Studebaker Corporation between June 1962 and December 1963. A halo car for the maker, it was marketed as "America's only four-passenger high-performance personal car."

Described as "one of the more significant milestones of the postwar industry", the Raymond Loewy-designed car offered safety features and high-speed performance. It was called “the fastest production car in the world” upon its introduction. Definitely a first for me.

I loved the homes that had original, 50-year-old elements, like this doorknob.

This was Julie's childhood car.

I wanted this set up.

Trailorboat Mfg Co built their version of a teardrop between 1961 and 1963. The teardrop with a boat on the roof, built in San Rafael, was sleek and innovative. It offered travelers snug overnight accommodations inside its small cabin and a convenient way to transport a matching boat to seaside destinations.

Fiberglass construction made lifting the boat into the water a simple task and the tongue was adapted to hold a small outboard motor, which could easily be attached in a few minutes. The large rear door dropped down to reveal storage space for suitcases, picnic baskets, fishing gear and other equipment.

With no real official count of the total number manufactured, the popular belief is that somewhere between 157 and 400 of these were built during their three-year run, and not many are left. I want one!

Interestingly, throughout our tour, we saw artists positioned around the complex, drawing, painting and using the inspiration of Sagewood's sublime oasis setting with its 24 different tree species (Aleppo pines, California peppers, eucalyptus, olive, jacarandas, silk oaks, flowering pears and palm trees). The cars made for a fabulous painting subject, too.

"Only in Palm Springs!"

Julie had arranged a wonderful early birthday lunch for me poolside at the historic La Serena Cottages & Sequoia Bungalows (c. 1936 / 1939 Spanish Colonial Revival, Architect: Unknown). The two “motor court apartments” were combined sometime after 1962 and are now known simply as La Serena Villas.

Lunch was at Azúcar, located in La Serena Villas. How could we resist this description, "Dedicated to excellence, we serve modern contemporary cuisine with an emphasis and focus on flavor utilizing high quality and local ingredients."