PS Modernism Week: Day 4
This post is probably one of my longest. It documents a day full of a variety of activities and should be several posts but alas, you're stuck with reading this in one lengthy tome!
We began our morning in this awesome customized Airstream RV, Blue Betty. Its purpose is to give new and existing customers a chance to sample the JetBlue experience.In Blue Betty, visitors can sample the airline’s on-board flying experience, everything from its XM Satellite Radio, Fox in-flight movies and DirecTV service to its posh leather, and expanded legroom.
“As a brand, to have a vehicle that…kind of pops up in cities here and there, just has a feel good, buzz-building feeling,” said Lisa Borromeo, JetBlue’s manager, sponsorship and promotions.
It certainly worked for me. I was ready to book their new route to Paris! Well done, JetBlue.Next was our traditional visit to the Vintage Market. What's not to love? "Mid Century Modern • Vintage Americana • Retro Fun Finds • Food and Entertainment".
We were pleased to introduce our Temecula friends, Mark and Carol, to all the groovy fun!
Of all things there, I think I wanted this huge, vintage roll of gift wrap the most! I just couldn't justify the $150 price tag. Plus, Julie made a good point, my friends would tire of the pattern over the many years this supply would last!
Our Modernism tour for today was at Racquet Club Cottages West – William Cody’s 1960 Gemstone.
This community is a desert oasis with 37 private homes that surround a lush garden with a meandering stream that runs through it. The property’s pool, cabana, and community area has been newly restored to its original splendor, and this was the first time it was available for viewing.
The team that made it all happen was Architect William F. Cody, AIA, Real Estate Developer Paul W. Trousdale, and Phil Shipley the Landscape Architect.
Constructed as an expansion of the famous Palm Springs Racquet Club, the 54 original cottages that comprise this 3.2-acre historic district were originally marketed to provide "maintenance free 'hotel apartments' to people who wish to make Palm Springs their winter home." Cody designed delicate concrete block screen walls for privacy and flexible units that could be combined or rented separately. The lush landscape with its meandering water feature provides an oasis-like environment for its residents.
One of the most influential developers in Southern California, Paul Trousdale built over 25,000 homes. His most famous project, Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills, includes houses by many famous modernist architects. In 1957, Johnny Dawson, who had worked with Cody on major country club projects, recommended him to Trousdale. Trousdale commissioned Cody in 1959 to design projects for the Racquet Club in Palm Springs. Actors Charles Farrell and Ralph Bellamy founded the Racquet Club, in 1934, as a place where their Hollywood friends could play tennis, and the club remained popular with actors, including stars such as Clark Gable, Kirk Douglas, and Elizabeth Taylor. This clientele helped make it an icon of postwar leisure, a status reinforced by its appearance in national magazine ads for upscale cars such Cadillac's convertibles and Chevrolet's Corvette.
It was only fitting that we began our visit with Marilyn Monroe since it is believed that in 1949 she was discovered at the Racquet Club, after all.
In order to accommodate a variety of users, Trousdale and Cody developed four types of plans: one-bedroom apartment, living room suite, bedroom suite (no kitchen), and bachelor (no kitchen). By closing a door between the two dressing rooms, the one-bedroom unit could be separated into a living room suite and a bedroom suite. The four unit types were mirrored and combined in various ways to create a wide variety buildings and exterior spaces, a strategy that Cody had previously used at L'Horizon Hotel. For example, some cottages consist of adjoining two one-bedroom units, while others house only a single one-bedroom or bachelor unit. An artificial creek and curving paths, part of the landscape design by Phil Shipley & Associates also contribute to the sense of variety and lushness.
This was probably my favorite wall art so far- a library check out card documenting when all the Palm Springs notables 'checked in'. I love it.
"A Jewel in a Hidden Oasis, this unique Mid Century Villa was designed by Wm. Cody and built and lived in by Paul Trousdale as his own personal residence. This is the ONLY villa, out of 37 in the historic Racquet Club Gardens. with a private pool and four secluded patios nestled alongside a stream that runs through the heart of the Garden Villas."
The current owner of this amazing condo is also the owner of Bubbles, an art piece that had been in his family for decades. According to the October 8th, 1951 issue of Life Magazine, he learned the history of Bubbles as being the first Tennessee Supreme Court case of Art v. Pornography. Bubbles was declared a piece of art, but the original cocktail lounge that had commissioned photographer Don Brisby, was forced to remove her as a result of Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission laws, with her eventually landing in this homeowner's family barn. Hysterical.
The last condo we toured was truly like going back 62 years. It was the most 'original' of all we explored.
I loved this vintage mail clasp or was it used for placing your room service order slip outside one's door? The is the only one I saw. Very cool.
Peter Sellers stayed in Unit 220, the same one we had the opportunity to tour. Oh the footsteps we were following in.
Next stop was a fortuitous one. Our younger son's mother-in-law grew up in Palm Springs and this was one of her two homes. There was an open house so I got to share with her what her childhood home looked like almost 50 years later. So very, very cool.
This true mid-century, Palm Springs dream home was built by the Alexander Construction Company. Racquet Club Road Estates homes were completed in 1959, coinciding with space-age optimism, the apex of tailfins, and the height of popularity of the nearby Palm Springs Racquet Club. William Krisel designed the 1225 square foot houses as weekend and vacation getaways, on slab with single pane glass and without insulation. The beauty in these houses, however, is the post and beam construction allowing soaring rooflines, an open floor plan, and an indoor/outdoor relationship to the generous 1/4 acre lots dotted with poodled olive trees and fan palms.
When I sent photos of her home now, she wrote, "I grew up in that pool and I learned to bake carrot cake at age 16 (with whole wheat flour) in that kitchen. The stove, oven, and fridge are all in the same locations. Thank you!"
Having a hankering to mix it up a bit, we headed to the Palm Desert Greek Festival, a community celebration of traditional folk dancing, live music, ethnic groceries, souvenirs, and what we were hoping for, wonderful homemade Greek food and pastries created from generational, family recipes.
And what a spectacular setting- St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Desert.
We did feel "Greek for the afternoon".
But the dream about Greek treats eluded us. EVERYONE came out for this event and we were simply too hungry to wait in the extensive food line.
So we watched some cute old Greek guys dance. Opa!
And we dreamed of returning to Santorini.
Then we found the only Greek restaurant open on a Sunday- Athena Gyro which made everything right in our world.
We concluded our day by "Experiencing rejuvenation from the mineral springs! The hot water for all of our resort’s pools and tubs comes from natural hot springs, which erupt from the earth below us at constant temperatures between 115 and 146 degrees Fahrenheit. Naturally infused with healing minerals, this water is part of an ideal treatment for a number of health ailments." It was just what we needed from our day on the town. Wow what a diverse day of all things that make Palm Springs special to us.
1 comments:
To me, Walt Disney will always have the most iconic signature. I always wonder how much time he spent working on it, or if it just came naturally.
Post a Comment