Cover The single-storey build is a nod to the iconic mid-century designs that define the ‘50s and ‘60s
The single-storey build is a nod to the iconic mid-century designs that define the ‘50s and ‘60s
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Modern luxury meets desert chic in the mid-century style home in California designed by Harrison Soll
Stepping into the home of a pair of entrepreneurs from the construction industry in Rancho Mirage, California, is like stepping back in time to the 1970s, “When life was simpler and slower–sipping a cocktail on the rocks, and soaking up the best gossip by the poolside with a warm breeze teasing through your hair,” as interior designer Harrison Soll articulates eloquently.
“This project is like a love letter straight out of the 1960s and ‘70s,” he adds. “From the moment you arrive, you’ll be enveloped in a mix of textures, elements, and vibes, each inviting you to craft your own story within the space.”
Read more: Home tour: A mid-century desert home with earth tones in California’s Rancho Mirage
Above Interior designer Harrison Soll
Interior designer Harrison Soll
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Situated in Coachella Valley just a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage is set against the allure of a sexy, beautiful desert backdrop, with a captivating piece of Hollywood history that spans as far back as the 1920s.
Lauded as the getaway destination for the rich and the famous, the oasis is a living, breathing tribute to an era of glamour and elegance. Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack turned this place into the hotbed of social clubs and martini lunches, whereas Frank Morgan, the Wizard of Oz himself from the 1939 film, built his magical Desert of Oz abode here in 1937.
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“This home is a classic California dream,” says Soll. “I was mesmerised by the openness, connection with nature, and the location. So, the opportunity to work on such a project in a familiar and beloved setting was irresistible.”
Above Constructed by Studio AR&D Architects, the home is a nod to the iconic mid-century designs
Constructed by Studio AR&D Architects, the home is a nod to the iconic mid-century designs
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Above The front entrance greets with a modernised desert aesthetic
Above Local desert foliage peppers the surrounding landscape
The front entrance greets with a modernised desert aesthetic
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Spanning 3,200 sq ft, the single-storey build designed by Studio AR&D Architects is a nod to the iconic mid-century designs that define the ‘50s and ‘60s. With a modernised desert aesthetic, it features three bedrooms and an office across its open-concept layout.
While the challenge stemmed from weaving the locale’s rich history into a modern context, creating a space that feels both timeless and distinctly rooted in the era’s indulgent desert resort elegance, Soll found inspiration in and of its location.
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The living room is distinctly rooted in the era’s desert resort elegance
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Above An onyx and bronze console and mid-century art pieces
Above One of the three-module de Sede Non Stop DS-600 chairs
An onyx and bronze console and mid-century art pieces
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“I wanted to reflect on the original stories of Rancho Mirage desert life–houses, clubs, hotels–and bring them to life in my clients’ homes,” Soll elaborates. “I started with the owners’ favourite: The Tamarisk Country Club, an iconic venue famous as a former hangout for the Rat Pack, including legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.”
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Characterised by clean lines, geometric shapes, and open floor plans, the private country club established in the 1950s exudes a retro and vintage vibe, complete with low-slung buildings, flat roofs, kidney-shaped pools, and lush palm-strewn landscapes.
These elements were instrumental in informing Soll’s design: “It not only resonates with nods to desert homes of the yesteryear but also captures the leisure and exclusivity reminiscent of the Tamarisk’s heyday.”
The pool area beckons to bask in the warm California sun
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Layered against the predominantly black-and-white of the property, Soll channelled the boundary-breaking aesthetic of the ‘70s, with bold pops of greens, oranges, and yellows against textile patterns and eclectic furnishings that fill the spaces.
“I wanted the home to feel like one giant living room plucked from the 1970s, making the space inviting and arresting in a way that melts you into the desert was achieved thanks to the relaxed, psychedelic motifs from the ‘70s,” the interior designer shares.
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Adding depth and contrast to the design narrative are touches of unlacquered brass, while tactile fabrics–mohair, ribbed velvet, mud cloths, and lucite–coincide with various kinds of wood to intertwine the exterior foliage and desert paradise with the interior.
Above The cosy TV room is like stepping back to another time
The cosy TV room is like stepping back to another time
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This is exemplary in the living room, where an alpaca lemon green boucle pairs with custom dark green textile pillows from Zak + Fox, while a pair of supple, baseball-glove brown leather chairs ground the communal space with their dakota bull whisky leather reupholstery.
“I had my heart set on a pair of de Sede Non Stop DS-600 chairs, initially sourcing three modules to combine into a single chair,” remembers Soll. “But, the design called for two, and determined to realise my vision, I contacted vintage dealers nationwide, found the modules in Chicago, and secured them after persistent negotiation.”
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Large, retractable sliding glass doors open to a manicured backyard, where African beaded chairs and contemporary outdoor furnishings invite the homeowners to soak in the pool and bask in the warm California sun, surrounded by desert vegetation.
Above Charles Hollis Jones orange stools at the kitchen counter
Above Sculptural Frank Gehry hat trick bent maple dining chairs
Charles Hollis Jones orange stools at the kitchen counter
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Inspired by the clients’ love of vibrant colours and the home’s lush green surroundings, Soll referenced the exterior environment in the internal design to ensure that the interior and exterior narratives tell a cohesive story.
In the kitchen and dining area, the nostalgia of the ‘50s and ‘60s is brought into the modern age through a curated selection of vintage furnishings, ranging from the Frank Gehry hat trick bent maple dining chairs, to the Charles Hollis Jones orange stools at the kitchen counter.
Meanwhile, a mid-century credenza juxtaposes with sleek white oak cabinetry, while a vintage pair of African feathered wall decor is paired with more contemporary finds, such as the Martyn Lawrence Bullard Aries chandelier over the dining table.
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Above A picture perfect view of the garden from the bathroom
A picture perfect view of the garden from the bathroom
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A mix of natural textures and warm tones steers the nature-inspired theme in the primary bedroom with a tasteful assemblage of vintage designer icons.
Custom wooden nightstands with a pair of vintage Murano lamps flank the four-poster bed, whereas a vintage Arthur Elrod bench reupholstered in ribbed velvet and corduroy contrasts in texture with the Herman Miller Eames black leather lounge.
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A tasteful assemblage of vintage designer icons in the primary bedroom
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“It is an oasis that captivates with warm tones and abundant greenery, and whispers from another time,” concludes Soll.
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Credits
Photography: Pablo Enriquez
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Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
