{"id":62113,"date":"2016-03-10T12:58:03","date_gmt":"2016-03-10T17:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/?p=62113"},"modified":"2021-12-15T01:02:07","modified_gmt":"2021-12-15T06:02:07","slug":"before-and-after-palm-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/blogs\/the-study\/before-and-after-palm-springs\/","title":{"rendered":"Before and After: 19 Design Transformations Inside a Mid-Century Modern Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, for the last three years, Christopher Kennedy<\/a> has tackled a full-scale, gut renovation of a different Palm Springs home. But contrary to what you might expect, the designer is not a serial house flipper. Instead, he’s the creative force behind the Christopher Kennedy Compound, a show house that is one of the highlights of the annual Palm Springs Modernism Week<\/a>. While the show house is a primarily philanthropic effort \u2014 proceeds are used to support preservation of the town’s architectural gems \u2014 it also offers the opportunity to marvel at how over a dozen designers chose to update and refurnish a sprawling, mid-century-modern-inspired home, with an eye towards both the style’s historical roots and its contemporary application.<\/p>\n

“Mid-century endures,” says Kennedy. “Everyone’s pace is so hectic now, that I think that we crave simplicity. For me, midcentury modern is about doing more with less, surroundings ourselves with fewer things but things that have meaning and a connection to the natural environment. These ideas are resonating with many people right now.”<\/p>\n

Nestled against a golf course, the 4000-square-foot home exemplifies the low-slung, modular architecture that brings design lovers to Palm Springs in droves. Inside, designers including Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Julia Buckingham, Carson Kressley and Kelly Lee oversaw the makeover of a specific area of the property, each bringing their own aesthetic imprimatur to the home. But unifying themes persist. “Overall, the home has a light-yet-elegant touch,” says Kennedy. “There are lots of champagne and sandy hues, with some warm gray for good measure. It has a fun, casual vibe.”<\/p>\n

During the show house’s run \u2014 this year’s home is closed, but keep your eyes peeled for next year’s edition \u2014 Kennedy was kind enough to give us a behind-the-scenes peek as they readied the property, and then invite us back to see the final product. Scroll down to see 19 different design transformations that make the case for the continued appeal of mid-century-modern-inspired style.<\/p>\n

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