Modernism Week 2022

The Limón has been used for various purposes over the years—from residential to hospitality—but was originally built as a six-unit studio apartment building in 1964. Its location was prime: south Palm Springs amongst charming tourist attractions and other eclectic resort properties. The space, true to its Midcentury Modern roots, is full of light, with spacious rooms that surround a classic Palm Springs pool.  

Unique to the Limón is that it is an all-steel structure. With the goal of attempting an all-steel, fireproof, residential building, the More–Lite Company and Perlite Panel Company of Riverside, California supplied the building materials. After its construction was complete, the building was doused with 20 gallons of high octane gasoline and set aflame! The fire swept across the roof and fizzled out in a successful demonstration of the fireproof building materials!

Safe to say the building is sound and ready for a new concept and comfort elements to bring it into the 21st century. Enter H3K Home+Design, who describe the Limón as, “a beautiful blank canvas...really just needing a refresh and new vision.”

H3K Home+Design is located in the heart of Palm Springs, California and provides a wide range of interior design solutions for residential and commercial clients. The H3K design team worked alongside a Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery consultant in Palm Springs to find the products that best suited this unique project.

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery returns to serve as one of Modernism Week’s grand sponsors for 2022. 

Q&A with the H3K Designers!

Build with Ferguson: Were there any unique design challenges working on Limón?

H3K Home+Design: The new incarnation of the Limón is a one-group hotel—meaning the entire property is rented out to one large party of up to 14 people. Since it was built as residential, each room is extra-large—each with its own entrance, bathroom, and private patio. All with large windows looking at the pool area. There’s a community kitchen for gathering as well as a community living room in Unit #2 with a wet bar and large screen TV. The spa, an outside BBQ and bar and covered patio contribute smaller communal outdoor spaces. It’s large enough that everyone can find their own space but small enough to encourage shared time.

BwF: Will each room be identical, or will each have a different design theme?

H3K: Because the property is a one-group hotel, there are similarities between rooms, yet we’ve varied them enough to make them feel individual. Different wallpaper, art, carpets, and slight variations in furniture create that unique feel. We also went with a completely different wallpaper in Unit #2 to ensure it felt very different than the individual rooms. 

BwF: What do you know about the history of the property?

H3K: Limón was built in 1964 by George and Verna Clarke and was originally called Stuart Manor—named after their son. Marshall Roath was the architect. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke were the original owners and builders of the one-time famous Town and Country Restaurant.

BwF: What inspired the name, Limón?

H3K: Our overall inspiration for the property was the Midcentury Modern movement of Central and South America. Pulling a continental vibe as well as a strong influence from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

BwF: What specific products from Build with Ferguson did you use on the property? 

H3K: We chose door hardware from the Baldwin Estate Collection and cabinet hardware from the Amerock Caliber and Separa Collections. For the appliances, we love the JennAir NOIR collection, from which we chose the refrigerator, range, and microwave. In the bathrooms, we used the Brizo Kintsu line, for its unique angles, in the Brilliance Black Onyx finish.

Love Midcentury Modern?  

Use the Shop By Look buttons to see the products used to outfit this project and learn more about how Build with Ferguson can help you keep Midcentury Modern design alive in your own home.