Modernism Week 2024

Midcentury Modern is one of the most well-known design styles, and for good reason. The architecture, furniture, and decor are characterized by timeless shapes, quality materials, and an effortless balance between aesthetic and purpose.

The popularity of Midcentury Modern designed is unmatched, and it is celebrated annually in Palm Springs, California. Each year the city hosts Modernism Week, an event that includes architectural tours, nightly parties and informative talks on Midcentury Modern art, interior design and vintage culture.

Two of the homes featured in 2024—the Shag House and Wexler ’54—have been thoughtfully preserved and restored as quintessential examples of Midcentury Modern architecture and design. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery returns to serve as one of Modernism Week’s Major sponsors for 2024. Grand sponsors JennAir and Brizo provided the appliances and faucets for the featured homes.

The Shag House

Artist Josh Agle, AKA Shag, is a world-renowned painter, illustrator and designer with a unique and recognizable style. His creative pieces draw on commercial illustrations from the 1950s and ‘60s, celebrating the heyday of Midcentury Modernism. His work often captures “slices of life” that include people gathering for cocktails, parties, dancing, smoking and the general indulgence of the era.  

The Shag House transforms his artistic vision into an immersive experience that makes guests feel like they’ve stepped right into one of his paintings. The home was built in 1958 by Desert Modern architects Palmer & Krisel for the Alexander Construction Company. It was purchased and remodeled into the iconic Shag House in 2001 by Shag along with the homeowner, Brandon McBurney, and John-Patrick of Brandtopia.

The center of the home has maintained its original architecture, with a classic 3 bedroom, 2 bath layout alongside a kitchen and living room. Features like the fireplace and tongue and groove ceilings remain in place, but the exterior has been completely remodeled. Shag has embraced the Palm Springs tradition of merging indoor and outdoor, with swanky lounge spaces, movable glass doors and an incredible pool area that is ideal for parties.

It can be difficult to capture a vintage style but still make a home appealing for today. The Shag House features kitchen and bathroom plumbing pieces by Brizo and Delta, including sinks, faucets, hardware and more. The sleek finishes pair perfectly with the Edgestar and JennAir appliances. Together they maintain the charm of the past while creating a home that is livable and appealing in the present.

The result is a space that truly feels like climbing into a piece of Shag art, capturing the essence of the city and Midcentury Modernism.

Wexler ‘54

Wexler ’54 is another home built in the 1950s but transformed into a haven for modern living. It was created by master architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison of the Wexler & Harrison architecture firm and constructed by builder Robert “Bob” Higgins in 1954.

The current homeowners worked with Susan Secoy Jensen, AIA, to create an architecture plan that remediated changes made over the years. Jensen is an architect and preservationist who helped the home achieve historic designation in 2022.

Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper of H3K Home + Design kept the essence of the home but modernized it for today’s lifestyle. They retained the best of the midcentury style and elegance, including the elongated flat roof, walls of glass, historic slump stone walls and gorgeous pool area. The 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home pays homage to its roots but fits seamlessly with current design aesthetics.

H3K Home + Design utilized chrome finish Brizo plumbing pieces alongside stainless steel JennAir appliances to modernize the home in a truly authentic way. The kitchen and each of the bathrooms all stay true to the original aesthetic while still offering the conveniences that we appreciate today.

Like the Shag House, Wexler ’54 blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces and prioritizes areas for gathering and socializing. Since its creation, the home has been a celebration of modern style and desert living, offering plenty of room to enjoy the warm climate of the Palm Springs area. Views of palm trees and blue skies make this a true Midcentury Modern oasis that is sure to delight.

Looking for more Midcentury Modern? Use the Shop by Look buttons to see the products featured here, along with our Modernism Week CAMP Space products. If you’re ready to add this look to your own space, stop by a local showroom so we can walk you through our choices! You’ll find everything from small accent pieces to the appliances, fixtures, and lighting you need for a complete remodel.