Why is mid century design so mod? 

It was after WWII and America was full of spit and vinegar. We defeated the enemy with grit and new technologies. It was a new day full of enthusiasm and raw materials.

Why not rethink the home? Modern designs with few walls and open plans had been popping up since the 1930s but now was the time to implement those new ways of living. More light, open kitchens, bring the outside in. 

And it just so happened that Los Angeles was a hot bed of new architecture and add the entertainment industry with creative minds and you get an explosion of amazing new ideas in Southern California.

Books on Modernism

Julius Shulman Palm Springs

Palm Springs Modern Design

Modern Thinking

New Architecture

John Lautner

Palm Springs Mod Shops

Modern Way

Flow Modern

The Shops at 1375

Gallery

Frippery

If you want to tour significant homes in person you can:

Modernism Week is an annual Palm Springs event every February when you can tour famous homes. Just click here to see what’s on this year’s schedule. About 70,000 visitors come for this event each year.