THE CHAPTER HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGN

This home is centered in the heart of the desirable Deepwell neighborhood in Palm Springs CA, on a double lot. It has a rich history, having been built in the 1930s by architects Albert Frey and John Porter Clark for Alger Shelden of Detroit as their summer home. It was the first and only house in the neighborhood when built, with the neighborhood springing up around it in the 50s and 60s. The low-slung, slump block structure saw very few updates throughout its life and had fallen into some disrepair due to deferred maintenance in the 90s and 00s.

The owner of Modernous turned her interior design skills inward when seeing the potential of the huge lot and the character of the block walls and decided to bring it into the modern era. While respecting the structure and with a guiding principal to preserve ALL of the masonry construction possible, we set out to enlarge the kitchen, turning the “maid’s room” into a laundry room and using its closet and en suite bath to expand the footprint of the kitchen. Additionally, one bedroom was taken over to create a large master closet, without altering the floor plan. All electrical changes were done using conduit on the outside of the wall to preserve the integrity of the block.

Concrete floors were run throughout and a sleek modern kitchen and bathrooms were added. The old laundry room became a guest bath/powder room. Modernous also designed the outdoor hardscape plan, including integrated Cor Ten planters, a fire pit, several patios, a squared-off decking for the swimming pool, and, the centerpiece: A Cor Ten art installation that copies old IBM punchcards, complete with a secret message! Furnishings and decor was completely sourced and styled by Modernous, making this a great contribution to the Palm Springs interior design landscape.

Photography by Scott Van Dyke Photography