Villa Verde
Villa Verde was one of the largest and most complex projects we have tackled to date. Built in 1937, this classic Spanish-style estate - on grounds of around 3/4 acre in Palm Springs - was in desperate need of a refresh, and with the new owners wanting to turn it into a successful vacation rental, they were more than happy to come along for the ride…
The challenge was to maintain the deco-era Spanish style of this extensive 5 bedroom estate, while updating it with a colorful Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic that would also grant guests all the modern amenities they desire. And besides the terra cotta floor tiles - which still received a thorough deep cleansing - no surface was left untouched!
All walls were painted white from the previous sienna color, immediately giving the property a lighter, brighter and more uplifting feel. And with the home called “Villa Verde” naturally the front door was changed to a vivid shade of green.
Entering the home, you are introduced to the majesty of a bygone era, cleverly updated with a timeless Palm Springs twist. It’s where you’ll find the elegant deco-style “Bette’s Bar”, a walk-in speakeasy-style bar that was formally a closed-in pantry. Now it’s the perfect place to pull up one of those luxurious green velvet stools and pay homage to the regular house guest from back in the day, Hollywood legend Bette Davis… Her picture now gracing the bar.
This area was also updated with lounge seating, new sconce lighting, a retiled fireplace below a vintage mirror, and the addition of a record player and a pool table, lit by one of the home’s original pendant lights.
Just beyond the bar, the Spanish-style kitchen was updated with re-stained cabinetry and a fresh yellow backsplash tile with a Spanish design. The adjacent breakfast nook received a dark wooden counter height table with a western feel.
The wall art in this area and throughout the house is dominated by vintage Spanish poster art, which maintained the theme while also providing graphic vivid color, as well as a fun and light-hearted element.
The light-filled lounge and dining areas meanwhile were transformed by removing the multi-paned windows and swinging doors and replacing them with floor-to-ceiling glass sliders which served to provide magnificent views through to the covered patio. Furniture was designed to fit with a Spanish Colonial theme and so a cognac leather L-shaped sofa was chosen to be paired with black velvet swivel chairs, vintage table lamps, as well as black tables and a media console and credenza both with a rattan inserts.
The traditional-style dining set included an extendable table and luxurious yellow velvet seating, all positioned under a classic circular Spanish-style black chandelier. The nearby guest powder room also got a full makeover with a green lattice wallpaper and gold fittings.
For the bedrooms in the main house, each received an individual color palette that incorporated a Spanish-inspired featured wallpaper, plus new beds, nightstands, dressers, rugs and table lamps that incorporated retro-inspired looks in some rooms, and original vintage lamps with custom shades in others. The rooms with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams saw these transformed from the distressed wooden look to a clean white with dark stained beams to provide contrast.
The casita bedroom meanwhile went green with a more tropical-inspired banana palm wallpaper, which worked in well with its poolside location. All bedrooms saw plantation-style shutters added for a clean colonial-inspired feel.
Bathrooms in the home maintained their original deco style sinks and bath, and new Spanish inspired tiles were chosen for the floors and shower walls, while new deco-look tap ware, mirror and lighting was installed.
When it came to the expansive backyard, the main patio area was freshened up with new floor paint and pergola shade covering, while the ornate central fountain was transformed into a desert-inspired colorful succulent planter. Here we placed a comfortable conversation area with a tropical look, new bright green stools at the outdoor kitchen, plus an outdoor dining set for ten.
Beyond the patio, the luxury and tranquility of the estate continued with the lattice around the courtyards and pool area getting refreshed, and various zones were created with a seating area, a table tennis table, and a giant chess set all put in place.
The pool area also received a makeover, while maintaining the 1930s-style that is dominated by the fully-tiled swimming pool. Its classic black-and-white pattern was complemented by new blush pink paint on the deck, that paired perfectly with the green- and-white striped awnings over the adjacent casita windows and the new cabana that was installed at the far end of the pool. The cabana provided shade for the hot tub as well as additional table seating near the neon sign that was added to provide that perfect “instagram moment”.
The green and blush pink theme was carried through to the sun lounges and shade umbrellas that added to the ambience, with the aim to transport you back to the elegance and luxury of yesteryear and old Hollywood.
Around the pool is also where you’ll find the gazebo that received a tropical makeover with its bamboo-style lounge seating set around the gas firepit for those chillier desert nights.
We also designed the branding for the estate for use in social media marketing and the like, so now as one of the most unique and fabulous vacation homes in the desert, Villa Verde is definitely the place to make all the others “green” with envy!
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