Category: Newsletters

Designed by Stephen Chase in 1981, this singular 5,600-square-foot estate initially belonged to Robert Pond, heir to the creators of Pond’s Cold Cream. Flush with pristine original detailing, including a step-down living room and wet bar, the residence centers around a glorious atrium capped by towering skylights. A second atrium serves as the focal point of the primary bath, a luxe dream-like oasis with a soaking tub, oversized dual-head shower, and separate his-and-her water closets, equipped with a urinal and a bidet, respectively.

Overflowing with impressive stonework, curving walls, and stylized built-ins, this modern adobe pad is a revelation! Located high atop Andreas Hills, the spectacular views battle the sprawling living room and its stucco fireplace stretching 14 feet to the Viga and Latilla beamed ceilings above for standout feature. But there is plenty more to be had with oversized living spaces, walls of glass, and warm pueblo-inspired design elements throughout. The two-acre lot, complete with a pool, spa and loggia, is equally grand.

This butterfly-roofed architectural marvel stands seemingly miles above the Valley, overlooking nearly all of Palm Springs. Completed in 2007, the 3,200-square-foot property was crafted entirely of steel, glass, and stone, with sleek angles showcasing dramatic 360-degree views at every turn. Designed for entertaining, disappearing walls of glass open the ample double-island kitchen and dining area to the rear yard, a lush space featuring a pool, spa, fire pit, exterior kitchen, grassy expanse, and sparkling waterfall.

A trophy estate in every sense, this 8,000-square-foot behemoth is teeming with A-List amenities, including a theater, billiard room, gym/yoga studio, 9-hole putting green, regulation Pickleball court, resort-style pool, and spa, full outdoor kitchen, in-ground trampoline, walking path, and a private lake with a dock. Designed in 2001 by Rudy Herrera (one of Home Builder Digest’s best local custom builders) as his personal residence, no detail of the palatial dwelling’s construction was overlooked!

Built for Arnold Palmer in 1999, this charming hacienda (which is offered furnished) served as the golf great’s desert home for nearly two decades. Featuring striking postcard-like views from every room, the 2,600-square-foot residence is endlessly warm and inviting, with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, plush living spaces and myriad upgrades. The primary suite – Palmer’s one-time personal office – is a genuine retreat complete with a kiva fireplace flanked by two leather club chairs formerly belonging to the four-time Masters champion.

I consume a ridiculous amount of cheese and, as such, have been eagerly anticipating the launch of this fromagerie ever since seeing its “coming soon” signage pop up on El Paseo last summer. Barely open a month now and it has already become a favorite. The gourmet market/deli/cheese shop is intimate, welcoming, and serves up some of the most scrumptious sandwiches in town (the Turkey/Brie and French Ham are my personal favorites), alongside stellar charcuterie boards, pizzas, salads, wine, and, of course, cheese.

Cathedral City native Tara Uziel has created an atmosphere of pure joy with her chic coffee shop Hot Lips. Offering “daytime disco for your heart and soul,” the café opened this past summer and promptly acquired a league of devotees. I finally popped in to sample the fare last week and couldn’t agree more with the glowing online accolades! The espresso is tasty, the service insanely friendly and the ambiance hip – think colorful chairs, retro art, and shelves teeming with fashionable vintage attire and handmade goods.

An inspired shopping concept recently hit El Paseo in the form of the Hat Bar by Pretty Please Collective. Patrons of the vibrant new shop are invited to craft custom hats – everything from felt to trucker to cowboy – using a curated selection of embellishments, including patches, pins, ribbons, dried flowers, matchbooks, and more. Skilled designers are on hand to help guide the overall process, as well as to burn words and graphics onto your creations. Not into hats? The shop also carries a fun selection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

Desert X has long been one of my favorite Coachella Valley happenings. This year’s exhibition doesn’t kick off until March 8th, but you can catch a sneak preview courtesy of Sunnylands, which is currently hosting The Living Pyramid, a stepped monolith covered in cacti created by nonagenarian Hungarian-American artist Agnes Denes. Per Dezeen, the plants “will sprout, bloom, grow and perhaps die over six months as part of the installation, reflecting the growth cycle of the surrounding desert.” Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Sunnylands Gardens, the work is a true sight to behold!

I recently had the pleasure of touring this Thermal equestrian facility and was introduced to a whole new world of desert adventures! Open seasonally each October through March, the expansive park offers 18 weeks of horse shows and competitions, as well as a plethora of special events, including concerts, trivia nights, bingo and more – all open to the public! Admission is free (as are many of the activities) and includes access to all of the park’s rings, arenas, warm-up fields, shops, and food kiosks. I highly recommend grabbing a brew from Cowdog Coffee when on site!

As Miley Cyrus says, you can buy yourself flowers – but making your own bouquet is even more fun! Join Studio Kate Floral tonight at Sunnylands to do just that! As a nod to Leonore Annenberg’s fabled rose garden, the studio’s skilled florists will be leading a custom rose arranging class during which attendees will craft their own blossom bouquets using an assortment of colorful varieties. All materials, including vases, are provided.

Music more your thing? Head to Boozehounds tonight to enjoy “My Funny Valentine,” a retro-inspired concert honoring the heyday of both Hollywood and Palm Springs hosted by vocalist Bernard Scahill. Taking patrons “back to the beloved era when a night out meant a live band, dinner, drinks, and dancing,” Scahill will be singing bygone romantic hits from Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Etta James, and more, sure to get anyone in the loving spirit.

Love is in the air at fave store Kaylie Nicole! While every Friday is a veritable party at the El Paseo clothing boutique, Valentine’s Day will be extra memorable thanks to the shop’s Galentine’s Pop-Up! Stop in from 10 to 5 to enjoy matcha from Buena Matcha, tasty treats from Con Amor, Nina y León, custom blooms from Botanical Verbiage, permanent jewelry from Forever Adorned, and handcrafted skincare products from Shekinah Glow, all while shopping Kaylie Nicole’s beloved staples! (I just snagged this set!)

If your sweetheart is a Disneyphile, you won’t want to miss this one! Award-winning author, artist, and animator David A. Bossert will be appearing at the Annenberg Theater on the afternoon of the 14th to discuss and sign his 2023 book, The House of the Future. The tome extensively chronicles the iconic (and sadly now-defunct) 1957 Disneyland attraction of the same name, exploring its inception, architecture, and lasting impact on the world of Disney as a whole.

Looking for a way to celebrate gratis? Desert International Horse Park in Thermal is hosting a one-hour Valentine’s Day ballroom dance class from 5 to 6 PM. Led by Palm Springs Ballroom, the workshop, held in the park’s ultra-plush Palm Club, is open to the public and, best of all, completely free to attend! Champagne and “sweet treats” will also be offered. Single and partnered dancers are welcome, and no experience is necessary!

This one-bedroom, one-bath Racquet Club Cottages West gem, designed by William Cody in 1964, is the ideal Palm Springs pied-à-terre! Initially built as an overflow hotel room for the historic Palm Springs Racquet Club, the swank freestanding unit (offered turnkey) has been completely overhauled with quartz counters, cement flooring, a walk-in shower, polished cabinetry, and stylish mod furnishings. Surrounded by gorgeous landscaping and lush pathways, the ultra-private setting makes it a genuine retreat.

This is your chance to own an architectural icon, as Steel House No. 1 is up for grabs! The folded-plate-roofed masterpiece, crafted in 1962 by Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison for the Alexander Construction Co. as part of an inspired (but ultimately failed) all-steel subdivision, the home is one of only seven completed, all of which are “internationally acclaimed” today. Restored in 2014, with Wexler himself serving as a consultant, the dwelling’s sleek original detailing is beautifully and artfully preserved.

Another Wexler-designed gem, this property, known as the “Royal Singapore,” served as a model home for the Alexander Company’s Green Fairway Estates community upon its completion in 1965 and is considered the acclaimed architect’s most singular creation today. Meticulously updated by its current owner, who uncovered the signature Alexander Cone fireplace still intact, the residence is classic, unique, and timeless. Bonus – the home also boasts its original outrigger-adorned roof as well as sublime views of the Tahquitz Creek golf course.

Exquisitely restored by its present owners, this 1958 William Krisel-designed pad looks straight out of a magazine! Tucked away in the historic Tamarisk Ranchos community, an idyllic resort-style enclave of 16 midcentury homes surrounding a pool, pathways, and grassy expanses, the residence is a stunning blend of original and modern, with beamed ceilings, travertine flooring, and rock walls flawlessly complementing such updated creature comforts as frameless glass showers, high-end appliances, and floating cabinetry.

A marvel of elegance, this property is, simply put, a dream! Thoroughly and expertly reimagined by Andelin Design House, the Lakes Country Club dwelling is offered turnkey furnished, complete with sophisticated appointments, décor, linens, and cookware included in the sale. Featuring plush amenities at every turn, including a floating bar, a floor-to-ceiling wine tower, and a futuristically bespoke laundry room, you will not find anything remotely similar in the desert. Photos do not do this beauty justice!

Described as “both a shopping destination and a cultural hub,”this 10,000-square-foot mega-emporium, which opened in 2021, has quickly become one of my go-to retail therapy sites in downtown Palm Springs. Stocked with all manner of gifts, clothing, and souvenirs sourced from local brands, merchants, and artisans (including favorites Mijo Co. and Opal Atlas), Mojave Flea is a one-stop shop with something for everyone! The stationery section, fashioned by Secret Canyon Books & Paper, is especially not to be missed!

Though undeniably gorgeous to look at, this upscale wine shop is much more than just a pretty face! Originally established in 1934 in Provincetown, Mass., the new Palm Springs outlet launched this past July in an utterly sleek and chic space lined with a curated selection of wine, liquor and other libations catering to all budgets and tastes. The boutique even stocks a plethora of alcohol-free spirits. Bonus – Perry’s offers deliverythroughout the entire Valley!

Overlooking the third fairway of Tamarisk Country Club, this extraordinary pad was designed by Val Powelson for mechanical engineer, artist, and Tastee-Freez founder Leo S. Maranz in 1960. Revelers at the ice ceam titan’s house-warming party included four of the Marx Brothers and developer Robert Alexander.  A genuine icon, the residence was one of the first entries to Rancho Mirage’s Register of Historic Places and its cinematic visage is pictured on the cover of Palm Springs Weekend. Best of all, it is entirely visible from the street!

If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls, run, don’t walk, to Billy Reed’s! The downtown Palm Springs eatery, originally established in 1975, serves up some truly fabulous sticky buns, hand-crafted on the premises each morning “just as your grandmother wished she could make them!” My mom recently partook of one during a lunchtime visit, which had me seriously lamenting my healthier Cobb Salad order – even though it’s one of my favorite salads in the Valley.

Spring is in the air at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, where bright orange and yellow flora have begun to bloom across the Wildflower Field. Situated just northeast of the main entrance (and, sadly, missed by most visitors), the sprawling meadow is populated with 12 different vibrant species, including Desert Marigold, Desert Canterbury Bells, and California Poppies. Surrounded by a looped walking path, the garden is free to wander and peruse, and is an ideal spot to spend a sunny afternoon.

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa’s signature eatery offers an “island-inspired menu” in a truly spectacular setting! Whether seated in the sophisticated dining room or outside in the verdant olive grove, the atmosphere is idyllic. The menu items are equally excellent (the Spaghetti Squash and Miso Avocado Toast are personal favorites), not to mention completely affordable – a rarity in the desert’s current restaurant climate

With a nostalgic vibe inspired by La Quinta’s fabled (but sadly now defunct) Desert Club, this Old Town hotspot gorgeously blends new and old, with channeled booths, historic prints, vibrant tilework, a central bar, and an abundance of palm leaf wallpaper. Established by Chris and Anita Chmielak (who are also behind RD RNNR), DSRT Club boasts an elevated menu (I love the Half “Red” Chicken) and a fun supper club feel.

Comprising one of the Valley’s prettiest backdrops, this space is the work of Martyn Lawrence Bullard(the celebrated designer currently revamping Erika Jayne’s house on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), who looked to the tennis and racquet clubs of Palm Springs’ heyday for inspiration. Awash in warm pinks and greens, with an emerald-tiled bar serving as a gorgeous focal point, you can’t beat the ambience or stellar Mediterranean fare!

This El Paseo staple, elegantly appointed by Sophie Goineau, features a thoroughly modern take on midcentury design. With a look inspired by the exquisite stylings of the Sunnylands Estate and the Elrod House, the interior boasts plush banquettes, terrazzo flooring and marble counters, all sporting a warm pistachio hue, alongside recessed planters, Herman Miller sconces, and floating walls, making the restaurant’s aesthetic as appetizing as the fare!

This chic Christopher Kennedy-designed lounge opened in late 2023 and promptly became one of my downtown PS favorites. Heavily stylized in earth tones like “cactus greens” with polished accents throughout, including a massive garden mural, Canopy is a genuine haven of design and libation. An excellent selection of mocktails is also on the menu for those not wanting to imbibe.

RUTINA COFFEE

This beloved farmer’s market staple has finally opened a brick-and-mortar in Palm Desert — and it was worth the wait! Rutina (Spanish for “routine”) is a truly welcome addition to the desert coffee scene. The minimalist, chic setting is the perfect spot to gather for hours with friends over a warm brew. And the coffee? Absolutely superb! Being diabetic, I opted for a traditional latte, which was frothy and delicious. But my friend Kaylie, of Kaylie Nicole, swears by the shop’s slightly sweeter signature Pablo Latte — a sumptuous mix of espresso, condensed milk, and panela (raw, unrefined azúcar). Salud!

Very rarely am I a member of the clean plate club, but a recent dinner at this Palm Desert eatery had me practically licking my Pollo alla Piccata dry. Perfectly pounded, topped with a zesty sauce, and paired with the most delicious julienned veggies, I couldn’t get enough. My husband and mom were just as enamored with their meals — Pappardelle alla Bolognese and Carpaccio di Manzo — each disappearing just as quickly as mine. With its charmingly intimate ambiance and exceptionally friendly service, Trattoria Tiramisu has earned top billing in my family’s dining routine.

I have a notoriously low tolerance for alcohol and am always on the lookout for great mocktails whenever I find myself behind the wheel. So I was thrilled to recently discover the Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz at La Fe Wine Bar in Palm Desert while attending an Emerge Palm Springs networking event. Refreshing and crisp, the drink — made with Lyre’s Italian Non-Alcoholic Aperol and Lyre’s Classico Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine — is just as good as the real thing and had everyone I came in contact with asking what delicious concoction I was sipping. I’ve been back several times since, and the beverage always hits.

I’ve long been obsessed with Baltimore’s The Awakeningsculpture, crafted by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. (who was also behind Palm Springs’ Forever Marilyn statue), so stumbling upon a similarly designed installation in Palm Desert was such a thrill! Stretching 12 feet across a grassy knoll in Civic Center Park, Dreamer, unveiled in 1991, is the work of David L. Phelps and depicts a man casually lolling in the desert sun. It’s half-buried state immediately brought to mind Johnson’s iconic piece — and had me (and everyone else around) grabbing our phones to snap a pic. It’s a definite centerpiece!

I’m not exactly artistic, but when my friend Cherry, owner of Old Town La Quinta’s Roam.e, invited me to a Craft & Sip Welcome Mat Painting Workshop hosted by Coachella Valley Craft, I jumped at the chance! Offering custom designs, I couldn’t resist creating a doormat featuring a mock-up of my Everything Palm Springs logo. The process was surprisingly simple — I emailed a PDF ahead of time, and my design was waiting for me when I arrived at La Quinta Brewing Co. for the class. Thanks to the seamless instruction, painting it was a breeze, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s the perfect piece to welcome guests at my door.