All the World’s a Stage

As the demand for real estate increasingly grows and the supply dwindles, some may think that it wouldn’t be necessary to stage a one bedroom condominium.

Vic Yepello didn’t feel that way and tapped me to lightly stage this condo in Downtown Palm Springs that is set to go onto the market.

I was charged with creating an inviting contemporary space without unloading a shipment of large furniture.  I focused on using lightly-scaled and  interesting multi-functional pieces that could easily be moved about the condo without much effort.

Large scale art pieces not only add a punch of color.  I used one piece to stand in as a placeholder for a TV.    Potential buyers are able to visualize how a large flat-screen television would look in the room.  Just a little staging trick.

Whether you are thinking of selling or buying a home, contact us.  We have design and staging services to fit your needs.

Greeting Cards from Palm Springs

My newest graphic design project is a set of greeting cards for the Desert Star.  The hotel was designed by local Palm Springs architect Howard Lapham in 1954.greeting card for desert star hotel in palm springs by kurt cyr

My intent was to give card’s recipient the sense of arrival that he or she would have upon entering the property, that feeling of anticipation of a long-awaited vacation.

The front of the card showcases the exterior street view of the Desert Star.greeting card front for desert star hotel in palm springs by kurt cyr

Then when opened, the hotel’s inviting courtyard is revealed.greeting card inside for desert star hotel in palm springs by kurt cyr

Krisel in Twin Palms

Situated in the south end of Palm Springs lies the neighborhood of Twin Palms.  The development received it name, for the pair of palms that were planted in the front yard of each home.  It was the first of many neighborhoods developed by Los Angeles builders George and Robert Alexander starting in 1957. The neighborhood features mostly mid-century homes with soaring butterfly roofs designed by Palmer & Krisel.menrad house in twin palms neighborhood of palm springs

One such home is the Menrad Residence.  Here let’s take a tour.

Through the slatted door lies a small courtyard lined with cactus and succulents.entry to menrad house

Upon entering the house a small foyer opens to views of the swimming on the left and bedroom wing to the to the right.menrad house entry wtih vintage art glass

The guest bedrooms are charmingly mod with a highly personal and curated collection of furniture and art.detail of guest bedroom in menrad houseguest bedroom with vintage iron head boards and travel postersbedroom corner with eames rocking chair and vintage books

The master bedroom features its own patio with access to the backyard and pool.master bedroom with saarinen tulip side table and arne jacobsen swan chairdetail of master bedroom in menrad house

The dining area and living room share a generous space with dramatically sloping ceilings. A wall of roman-stacked brick showcases a vintage George Nelson electric clock.vintage george nelson clock in menrad house

A mid-century modern sofa is made even more mod with a collection vintage and retro pillows featuring patterns from the Swiss designer Verner Panton.  An Eames surfboard coffee table holds a collection of architectural and design books.menrad house living room with eames surfboard coffee tablearne jacobsen egg chair and eames surfboard coffee table at menrad house

Arne Jacobsen’s egg chair and swan chair have pride of place flanking the fireplace while a Warren Platner side table provides an extra surface for a cocktail.menrad living room with planter side table, arne jacobsen egg chair and swan chairdetail of planter side table and vintage ash tray

Eero Saarinen’s marble tulip table and chairs provides deluxe dining in this thoroughly modern home. menrad dining area with saarinen tulip chairs and tablemenrad house detail of saarinen dining table with tulip chair

The kitchen is new, but pays homage to its mid century roots with perforated acrylic panels reminiscent of fiberglass panels of the 1950′s and Harry Bertoia’s wire counter stool.  A collection of vintage cigarette lighters harken to another time.menrad house kitchen with bertoia counter chairmenrad house ktichen cabinet detail of perforated acrylic panelsan array of vintage details in menrad house

The Menrad House is a playful example of carefully restored home that is up-to-date in every way.  And at 90 it appears that the architect, William Krisel wholeheartedly agrees!architect William Krisel in the Menrad House