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Hugh Kaptur Home
Palm Desert, California, USA
Hugh Kaptur Home
Palm Desert, California, USA
An Architecturally Significant Residence Reimagined
A classic Palm Springs mid-century modern bungalow by Hugh Kaptur, one of the community’s most prolific architects (and designer of the Steve McQueen house), this villa for rent in California preserves its notable architecture of origin, with updates that subtly enhance its 21st-century appeal.
The homeowners of this Hugh Kaptur original have thoughtfully maintained the architect’s vision for this classic residence, preserving its open-plan, 1960s-vintage styling, and executing updates that mimic the original. Deemed “Architecturally Significant” by Palm Springs Modernism Week, it features recreated walnut cabinetry topped by a punchy, lemon yellow Formica countertop, with the original colors Kaptur chose for the classic Palm Springs-styled block walls and his signature beams.
The preservation project maintains the home’s original footprint, too, so that when you walk through the door (also refurbished in its original color), it feels like you're traveling back to 1962. Original fixtures and furnishings have been joined by designer newcomers, and the interior mood fits the mid-century’s spare, geometric heyday. Furnishings include a George Mulhauser chair and ottoman set, armchairs by Jens Risom and Pierre Jeannette, and a Modernica Case Study couch.
Outdoors, the lean residence’s front walkway reveals its original, Stilnovo exterior lighting, and the front door opens into a foyer still accented by the pendant Kaptur specced back in the day. Completing the picture, an amoeba-shaped pool and garden cabana fill the landscaped garden. The pool was kept in its original form, retiled and replastered. Shaded, paved patios look out over the palm-dotted horizon, and there’s even a classic carport and retro rock gardens all around.
AROUND
Palm Desert is Palm Springs’ little sister, set against the dramatic San Jacinto mountains in southern California’s Coachella Valley. Located at the heart of the desert town, the house makes easy business of exploring the shops and restaurants on El Paseo, the town’s landmark street lined with luxury brands. Country clubs, art and design galleries, funky shops, retro-inspired nightlife, plus classic, mid-century modern architectural landmarks have put Palm Springs and Palm Desert on the map, and the greater Coachella Valley area has enjoyed a youthful renaissance of late, the result of its synonymous music festival and the popular embrace of all things desert hippie chic.
A quick drive from Palm Springs, poster child of the Desert Modernism movement, the house makes an convenient and authentic base for architecture lovers drawn to the region to tour its iconic structures. Palm Springs’ retro-glam strip features vintage boutiques, hip concept stores, plenty of Modernist signage and neon, and too many cafes and cocktail bars to count.
A veritable oasis in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, both Palm Desert and Palm Springs offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities to boost their architectural allure. Golf courses and leisure resorts, spas, hot springs, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing are all big draws to the area. And the town serves as a gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, the otherworldly landscape that’s become a hot spot for desert combers, New Age seekers, and expert rock climbers. Also nearby, the breathtaking Indian Cove and the San Jacinto Mountain range, both offering dozens of trails, overlooks, and unforgettable California views.
LOCATION
Palm Desert, California, US. Nearest airport: Palm Springs.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round, but best weather is fall through spring.
