Good Day, Sunshine

An iconic Palm Springs neighborhood and rich collection of vintage furnishings gave these homeowners an irresistible palette to play with.

A cheerful mix of vintage and new furnishings pairs with a cheerful color palette in this midcentury condo.

Palm Springs’ Park Imperial South neighborhood dates to 1960 and was designed by Barry Berkus. With 30 homes featuring distinctive folded roofs, concrete block and fl oors made using poured terrazzo, the desirable area had been calling out to Ossie Saguil and Craig Mann. The couple have enviable style and impressive resumes: Ossie is a practicing physician, a vintage collector and CEO of Mr. Mann’s Design in Palm Springs. Craig Mann is the chief designer at Mr. Mann’s Design, which provides interior design as well as production and event services. He is also an accomplished singer and performer. ( For more about Mr. Mann’s Design, visit mrmannsdesign. com.)

The home’s unique folded roof creates sun and shade patterns that shift throughout the day, adding further visual interest.

Longtime residents of Palm Springs, they had been eyeing the Park Imperial South neighborhood, and in 2015 opportunity knocked. “We took a look at the property and from the outside, I knew that regardless of what was on the inside, I was going to buy it,” says Ossie. “You just know when something this rare comes up.” Sure, the place smelled like old dog, but there were tons of original features and chic midcentury style. The couple took on the project.

“Here in Palm Springs, if you see something, you have to buy it,

or it will be gone.”

THE HOMEOWNERS CHOSE A TUFTED LOUNGE BY JOYBIRD NEAR THE WINDOW TO PROVIDE SEATING WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW. THE PALE- YELLOW CHAIRS ARE VINTAGE BY THE DARING 20TH- CENTURY DESIGNER JAMES MONT ( 1904– 1978).

IN ORDER FOR THE HOME TO GET HISTORICAL STATUS— AND A NICE TAX SAVINGS— IT HAD TO HAVE TWO KEY ELEMENTS PARK IMPERIAL SOUTH IS KNOWN FOR: THE CONCRETE BLOCK AND THE FOLDED ROOF. THE BLUE ON THE DOOR IS THE HOA- SET COLOR FOR DOORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT.

( BOTTOM) ORIGINALLY THE YARD HAD SEVERAL FICUS TREES, WHICH WERE REMOVED TO OPEN UP THE VIEW. TO INCORPORATE SOMETHING GREEN, YET DROUGHT- FRIENDLY, THE COUPLE WERE MULLING OVER ARTIFICIAL GRASS. “AND THAT LED US TO THINK PUTTING GREEN,” SAYS OSSIE. “THIS IS PALM SPRINGS, AFTER ALL.” THE MIDCENTURY CONCRETE PLANTER WAS REIMAGINED AS BENCH SEATING.

( TOP) THE REMODEL EXPANDED THE KITCHEN, RECLAIMING SPACE THAT HAD BEEN A VERY SMALL, UNUSABLE OUTDOOR LANAI. THE HOME HAS ORIGINAL FORMICA IN THE BATHROOMS; THE KITCHEN HAS A SIMILAR SUNNY STYLE BY JONATHAN ADLER FOR FORMICA THAT CLOSELY MATCHES. ( RIGHT) WHILE THE APPLIANCES ARE APPEALINGLY RETRO IN APPEARANCE, THEY ARE MODERN CONFECTIONS CREATED BY ELMIRA STOVE WORKS. THE RANGE HOOD CAME FROM ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD BY BARRY BERKUS AND WAS RESTORED BY A BODY SHOP.

THE VINTAGE HUTCH WAS DISCOVERED IN PALM SPRINGS. “WE TROLL THE STORES HERE,” SAYS OSSIE. THE CUTOUTS ON THE WALLS— LIKE GIANT LACE— WERE MADE BY HIS MOTHER. THE CAMPAIGN TABLES ARE ALSO VINTAGE; HE GOT THEM AT A CONSIGNMENT STORE.

( TOP) THE FIREPLACE IS WORKING AND PERIOD- APPROPRIATE, BUT NOT ORIGINAL TO THE HOUSE. THE DESIGNERS CHOSE TO KEEP IT BLACK TO PROVIDE CONTRAST WITH ALL THE SUNNY YELLOWS AND ROBIN’S- EGG BLUES. PORTRAITS ON THE WALL ARE VINTAGE AND WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE OF THE COLORS THE SUBJECTS ARE WEARING. ( BOTTOM) A GARAGE- SALE FIND, THE MIRROR WAS REFRESHED WITH BLUE PAINT.

( TOP) “A LOT OF OUR ART IS PERSONAL,” SAYS OSSIE. “CONTEMPORARY ARTIST ALEX KOLESSAR CALLED THIS PIECE ‘ 1969’ BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN THE MOON LANDING WAS, WHICH GOES WITH THE 1960s HOME THEME.” THE NIGHTSTANDS ARE VINTAGE ELLO. THE SHAG RUG WAS REDONE AND ALSO PERIOD APPROPRIATE. ( LEFT) IN THE MASTER BATH, YOU CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL FORMICA COUNTERTOPS. “WE HAD TO FIND TWO SINKS THAT WOULD FIT THE AREA AND LUCKILY FOUND SOME, BARELY, THAT FIT,” SAYS OSSIE. THE MEDICINE CABINET IS ORIGINAL, AS ARE THE GLOBE LIGHT, JALOUSIE WINDOWS, TERRAZZO FLOORS AND CABINETS.