Palm Canyon Retreat

Inspired by a trip to Morocco, our clients hired Los Angeles-based architects Tichenor & Thorp to design a getaway in the desert near Palm Springs. We worked closely with the architects to incorporate luxurious details that play off the house’s happy blend of modern lines and antique forms. The clients requested a luxurious, “dressed up” atmosphere—unusual especially for laid-back Palm Springs. Indian red limestone floors have different tile patterns in every room. Textiles in warm colors and textures are incorporated throughout; most notably with the enormous Oushak rug that anchors the living room. In the combined living/dining room, a hanging constellation of lanterns that the clients brought home from Morocco fills the tall volume and adds visual interest. While Moroccan in style, many of the decorative elements in the house were actually sourced from India. Indian sandstone with a black and white marble inset sets the tone in the entry hall and red Indian sandstone was also used to frame the pool, which is fed from a white marble fountain, also from India. Throughout the home styles are mixed and assembled to create an exotic, yet refined tone: The walls are finished with Venetian plaster, white lacquered "mache arabaia" grills cover some of the windows and Portuguese and Moorish details live side by side.