A Midcentury-Modern Home in Palm Desert Is Preserved to a T
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Project Details:
Location: Palm Desert, California
Architect: Hugh Kaptur
Renovation: Chris and Stephanie Salay
Footprint: 2,323 square feet
Photographer: Cassia Hall
Project Description: "Hugh Kaptur’s career in architecture spans five decades, and notable works include the Steve McQueen house, Palm Springs Fire Stations #3 and #4, the Tahquitz Plaza as well as the William Holden Estate. The house on Covered Wagon Trail in Palm Desert is an authentic example of ‘the quiet elegance’ that Kaptur is known for.
"Meticulously restored by Chris Salay, the cabinetry, countertops, tile and color details have all been refurbished where intact and restored if not original. An expert in this field, Chris sought to maintain the integrity of the architect’s original vision while updating fixtures for modern living.
"Described as ‘architecturally significant’ by Palm Spring’s Modernism Week, this post-and-beam house is one of the few left in the Palm Springs area that has not been ‘reimagined’ by a developer. One can see the the influence of Donald Wexler on Kaptur, for whom he briefly worked. The home’s dramatic features include a double sided fireplace, block walls and floor to ceiling windows, with large patios that embrace indoor/outdoor living. The beams were scraped in order to uncover the original color, and the block walls were stripped and color matched. Even the front door is the original color, revealed when the door handle was removed to be polished.
"Unlike how designers often alter the footprint of similar homes, Chris only made changes that returned this home to its original state, removing any overhangs or additions to make it appear as it was in 1962. His goal? For you to enter the house and be transported to another era."
The carport features beams that extend to the front of the house.
The garden at the front of the house is one of several.
The front walkway is lit with original Stilnovo fixtures.
The home’s original pendant hangs in the entry.
The interior design is by Stephanie Salay. Some of the pieces shown are a George Mulhauser plycraft lounge chair and ottoman, Pierre Jeannette Kangaroo chair, Jens Risom chairs, Modernica Case Study couch, and a cubist painting by Dutch artist Hubertus J. Mengels.
While the walnut kitchen cabinetry and formica countertops are new, they were designed to replicate the original color scheme.
A patio off the primary bedroom offers a space to lounge.
The home’s beams are a signature of Hugh Kaptur’s style.
A view from the back of the 13,000-square-foot lot shows the pool and its lounge spaces. The pool was original to the house but needed to be replastered and tiled. The landscape design was completed by Stephanie Salay, who often works with her husband, Chris, on remodels.
Outdoor furniture is all made by Tait, an Australian design company that specializes in premium outdoor furniture.
A cabana provides another place to relax by the pool.
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