Upon approaching the hotel, the exterior seems quite tame, with a nice, clean, white façade greeting guests from afar. But once close, signs of life start to show, with pops of color emanating from various sides and unexpected places. For example, the porte-cochère’s underside is a lovely surprise, painted with the yellows and light greens from the hotel's palette of desert wildflowers: Staghorn Cholla, Sunflower, California Poppy, and Lantana Camara.

Project: The Saguaro Palm Springs After they revamped the brand identity of The Saguaro Scottsdale, in Arizona, Stamberg Aferiat + Associates turned to nature to revive the hotel’s sister property in Palm Springs, a once-iconic midcentury structure that had become distressed over time. Completed in 2012, the vivacious prismatic update took cues from the desert’s native wildflowers, including lemon bottlebrush, California poppy, indigo bush, agave, and desert penstemon. "Color can bring great joy into our lives and environments," says Stamberg Aferiat + Associates partner Peter Stamberg. "It can make a space more engaging, embracing, warmer, more open, or more closed."

The Saguaro on E. Palm Canyon Dr.

The Saguaro Palm Springs, Palm Springs Especially after a brutal winter, a stay at The Saguaro is like entering a new, technicolor dimension. Centered around a sizable pool, the guest rooms feature hand-crafted Mexican furniture in varying eye-popping hues. Architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat were inspired by Palm Springs’ indigenous desert flowers.

The gabled entry features a patterned, wood rainscreen that evokes the forked ribs of the Saguaro cactus while the recessed entry is akin to a Saguaro boot, the holes in the giant cacti that many desert animals use as their homes.

The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs, California

The house draws its name, “Pleats,” from the corrugated metal that wraps the gabled volume, reminiscent of the pleated exterior of the Saguaro cactus.

Patrons sip on exotic cocktails alfresco at hot spot Skybar, located at the Mondrian Scottsdale.

The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.

Native Sonoran flora—such as salvaged soap tree yuccas, ocotillos, and saguaros—are planted at strategic locations. Low-water hybrid grasses and shrubs complement the larger plants, creating a very serene experience while keeping maintenance to a minimum.

The Lisa Sette Gallery, located in Scottsdale, has earned a reputation for compelling fine art exhibitions.

A lone saguaro marks the southwest corner of Thomas and Laura Hyland’s property, which is situated adjacent to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The structure’s main living volume is elevated and faced in glass, overlooking a descending pathway that leads to a pool tucked into the site.

The cover of Murakami Versailles.

Taliesin West was Wright’s winter home and “desert laboratory” in Scottsdale, Arizona from 1937 until his death in 1959. The complex is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Pendant by Matthew Fairbank Design.

Clock by Ding3000 for Discipline.

The structure of the coop was inspired by the new bus shelters and newsstands in New York City.

Front entrance with saguaro rib ceiling

Saguaros on property

William Lamson's Solarium.

family room and feature saguaro

Great Room overlooking Scottsdale

Kitchen View overlooking Scottsdale

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, known as SMoCA, is just one of Bruder’s contributions to the Phoenix area’s design catalog.

Peekaboo through the Joshua Trees and Saguaro that flourish in the front yard

Bedroom City light Views over Scottsdale west to Phoenix

A covered wagon sits under a Saguaro Ribbed ceiling of the Carriage House.

We hand-stapled every saguaro rib to the outdoor ceiling. It was a long process, but we think it was worth it.

The driveway's large specimen ironwood trees and tall saguaro cactus create an impact when entering and exiting the property.

Detail view of the perfectly imperfect wood detail, inspired by the ribs of the Saguaro cactus

Detail view of the perfectly imperfect wood detail, inspired by the ribs of the Saguaro cactus

Soft Rocks by Tanya Aguiñiga.

The main living room has a SixPenny couch; Amazon Home goods including a console table and pillows; art by Julia Kostreva and Tucson-based Trevor Mock; custom bar by Fire on the Mesa; custom coffee table by Tucson woodworker Sam Okerlund; saguaro print by local photographer Emily Tartaglia; rugs by Pampa and Soukie Modern; Serena & Lily woven light fixtures; bar stools, woven coffee table, and hanging chair; Barnaby Lane lounge chairs; and pillows by Collective Sol, Spark Modern, Pampa, and Amazon Home.

A glazed facade opens to picturesque views of the saguaro-studded terrain. Concrete floors contrast with the plywood ceiling and other wooden features.

The Anita shelf as seen on The Blog on the Bookshelf.