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Modernism Week in Palm Springs: A Celebration of Design and Style

Every February, Palm Springs comes alive with a vibrant celebration of mid-century modern design, art, architecture, and culture during Modernism Week. This highly anticipated event draws design enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious visitors from around the globe to experience the city’s unique architectural heritage and embrace the glamour of a bygone era. With its dazzling lineup of home tours, exhibitions, lectures, and parties, Modernism Week showcases the best of Palm Springs’ retro-chic allure. At the

Retro Roadtrip: The Blue Swallow, Tucumcari, NM

We have had the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM in our Motel Directory for a long time.It’s as much of an icon along Route 66 as the WigWam Motels. Owner Lillian Redman, a legend along Route 66 ran the motel from 1958 to 1997. By a stroke of luck, owners over the years after she sold the motel managed to restore instead of modifying (and thus destroying the charm) the old motel. The rooms

1950’s Modernism: A guide for the clueless.

What is characteristic of Modernist architecture? Do the major design features involve steel and glass? Was the design machine-inspired? (does it look somewhat like a machine?) Do the upholstery’s and fabrics look like those found at www.maharam.com? Does the design lack unnecessary details? Does its form follow its function? Does the design emphasize linear qualities? Are there a lot of horizontal and vertical lines? So, when exactly did Modernism develop as an architectural style? Modernism

Top Trendy Mid-Century Landscaping Styles for 2025

Mid-century design isn’t just about interiors; it also extends to outdoor spaces with striking landscaping styles that marry function, simplicity, and natural beauty. Drawing inspiration from the 1940s to 1960s, today’s mid-century landscaping trends blend timeless features with contemporary updates to create harmonious and inviting outdoor spaces. Here are the top trendy mid-century landscaping styles gaining popularity right now. Geometric HardscapingMid-century landscaping is characterized by clean, geometric lines that complement the home’s architecture.What’s Trending: Modern

The Mad Men Effect on interior design

Just in case you’ve been hiding under a rock, Mad Men is set in 1960s New York, the sexy, stylized and provocative series follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising, an ego-driven world where key players make an art of the sell. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960s traditional

Detail of Kitchen handles from other house

My friend over at Ranch Handy posted about this Kitchen (not hers) quite some time ago, but I’m not sure she ever found these handles…aren’t they cool? I also LOVE the knotty pine cabinet doors. We had a ton of this in our old house – knotty pine built ins and we loved it. Even when we ripped out a wall with closets between two very small rooms, we carefully saved all the lumber. The

Las Vegas and Mid-Century Icon The Sahara closes today

The Sahara Hotel closes tomorrow, Monday, May 16th at 2:00 pm. Having gone from big plans of restoration to succumbing to the bad economy, they just couldn’t keep it afloat any longer and it’s closing it’s doors. The Sahara has a colorful history and it was here the Beatles stayed when they played the Convention Center back in 1964. From its inception the list of major acts that performed on property is truly staggering and

Save the Houston Astrodome

The Houston Astrodome was designed by architects Hermon Lloyd & W.B. Morgan, and Wilson, Morris, Crain and Anderson. The world’s first indoor, air conditioned stadium. The home of Astroturf. An architecture icon known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” On Opening Day, April 9, 1965, a sold-out crowd of 47,879 watched an exhibition game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees. President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife Lady Bird were in

Mid-Century Photo Friday: Apache Motel

This photo, taken by a friend of mine (Studio Whimsy) – is of the Apache Motel in Moab Utah – great sign and apparently a fantastic 50’s motel! Be sure to check on older Mid-Century Photo Friday posts to see other photos posted in the comments! (and be sure to link here to any of your mid-century photos you want to share!)

Mid-Century Photo Friday: New Mexico Motel Sign

The fun thing about having a website like this is when your friends travel – they send you photos. This one was taken by my friend Dianna in Santa Rosa NM