Unexpected Treasure
Author:Lindsey ShookDesigner Laura Roberts elevates a Palm Springs vacation home by balancing the past with the present
Nestled at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Springs sits this contemporary vacation home that defies expectations of the mid-century desert aesthetic. When the owner began the process of personalizing the property, he was in search of a space that was low-maintenance and comfortable, and a designer who could effortlessly fuse the past with the present. He turned to designer Laura Roberts, who notes of the overall design goal: “He asked me to create an interior where he could incorporate family heirloom furniture pieces and his unique art and accessories into a space that would still feel fresh and modern.”
Offering a departure from the traditional Palm Springs style, the home’s neutral- toned palette, inspired by the emerging landscape, serves as the cohesive backdrop for the client’s art and antiques, which spanned multiple styles and genres. Roberts achieved this by both countering and magnifying the style of select pieces in each space. “The guest bedroom is where I chose to use the Stickley pieces, where the simple, pure lines and strong wood grains balance easily alongside contemporary cerused walnut pieces with hammered metal details,” she says. “The densely patterned Porter Teleo wallpaper in a striking contrast of black and cream is a modern backdrop that reminded me of carved, textured wood.”
More traditional elements like shiplap walls, distressed leather and a custom barn door complement the collection while maintaining a serene setting. The plumbing, surfacing and lighting was updated entirely throughout, elevating the home’s original design. “We turned what could have been another stereotypical Palm Springs genre home into a completely unique and original interior,” says Roberts.
