Once a playground for the rich and famous, hip Palm Springs in the US is perfectly suited to our Aussie lifestyle. Its style is characterised by mid-century modern, low-slung, single-storey houses with flat or butterfly roofs and full glass walls with views to the garden and pool.
A predominantly crisp white palette is the preferred choice, although a spot of vivid colour appears here and there. Clean lines dominate throughout. Outside, porticoes or canopied terraces provide relief from the sun and are an ode to alfresco entertaining.
Outdoor kitchen
Aim for laid-back, open-air alfresco spaces decorated with mid-century furniture. A barbecue is a must-have and so is an outdoor fridge for seamless entertaining. Placing them in close proximity keeps the cook in the party and meals served hot off the grill.
The landscaping is as simple as a variety of cacti, with pebbles as mulch and randomly placed larger boulders.
Lighting
Add ambiance to your night-time soirees with the flickering flames of candles. White minimalist lanterns with timber handles complement the space.
Relaxation zone
An outdoor wicker easy chair tucked away in a corner is the ideal spot to take it easy. And it’s no accident that it’s within arm’s reach of the fridge!
Citrus centrepiece
Keep citrus fruits handy to add a refreshing zest to your meals and margaritas. Their bright colours make a great centrepiece, while the cane and timber bowls fit right in with the other elements of your decor.
Get the project sheet
Download the step-by-step instructions to build this pergola
Crisp white with pops of contrasting colour are hallmarks of the Palm Springs style. Breeze-block screens are part of the Palm Springs look and here concrete blocks have been used to build a resort-style built-in bar with a merbau timber top in a corner of the pergola. Paint the wall aqua for a retro-style backdrop.
Get the project sheet
Download the step-by-step instructions to build this block bar
Structures with strong vertical and horizontal lines are signatures of the Palm Springs style. Soften the look with organic shapes, colours and plants.
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