Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Color Returns to a Palm Springs Home With a View
This remodeled midcentury modern house gets bright blue and orange highlights, and a new outdoor focus
This couple watched the price of a Palm Springs home drop online for nine months. Why was no one snatching it up? Maybe it was the beige paint that covered the house. Maybe it was the tall bushes that hid the views. Or maybe it was the wooden moose head that hung on the outdoor patio. Whatever the reason, this couple was happy about it because they were able to get a better deal on the home and return it to its midcentury style.
Outdoor Areas
Front yard (before): The front of the home and the fences were painted brown and beige. The vegetation had outgrown the space and didn’t make the property appealing from the street. “We had to bring it back to what it was meant to be,” Judge says.
Front yard (before): The front of the home and the fences were painted brown and beige. The vegetation had outgrown the space and didn’t make the property appealing from the street. “We had to bring it back to what it was meant to be,” Judge says.
After: A vibrant entrance greets the homeowners. The orange gate stretches to the left, and the color also was applied to the front door and planters.
“Orange makes it feel very Palm Springs,” Judge says. Orange is also a favorite color of his. Albrecht prefers blue, which is another accent color throughout the home.
The ample outdoor space drew Judge and Albrecht to the property. Before we walk inside the home, let’s take a look at the home’s three private outdoor spaces: to the right and left of the front door, and a narrow space along the back.
“Orange makes it feel very Palm Springs,” Judge says. Orange is also a favorite color of his. Albrecht prefers blue, which is another accent color throughout the home.
The ample outdoor space drew Judge and Albrecht to the property. Before we walk inside the home, let’s take a look at the home’s three private outdoor spaces: to the right and left of the front door, and a narrow space along the back.
- To the right of the door and behind the blue-gray wall, the couple has a pool, lounging area and fire pit.
- To the left of the front door, they have lounge chairs, an outdoor fireplace and outdoor dining.
- Along the narrow strip at the back of the home, the couple has a private outdoor bathtub and shower area.
Side yard pool and lounge: This fire pit and sitting area sits on the other side of the blue-gray wall seen from the front of the house. From this location, you can see the view that attracted the couple to the home.
The corrugated metal wall on the right keeps the pool equipment out of sight.
Lounge chairs: Best Choice Products
The corrugated metal wall on the right keeps the pool equipment out of sight.
Lounge chairs: Best Choice Products
To make room for the fire pit, the couple moved the wall out and took space from the front yard.
“We spend most of our time out here — coffee in the morning, wine at night,” Judge says. “It’s our favorite spot.”
The gas fire pit was created using geometric bricks and has lights underneath that glow at night.
Outdoor sofas: Best Choice Products
“We spend most of our time out here — coffee in the morning, wine at night,” Judge says. “It’s our favorite spot.”
The gas fire pit was created using geometric bricks and has lights underneath that glow at night.
Outdoor sofas: Best Choice Products
The pool was in good condition, so they didn’t need to do anything to it. That let them focus on the design and look of the pool area.
The doors along the side of the home give the couple and guests easy access to the pool from any room of the home.
Acapulco chairs: Albertsons
The doors along the side of the home give the couple and guests easy access to the pool from any room of the home.
Acapulco chairs: Albertsons
Side yard dining area: To the left of the front door and behind the orange gate, the couple has an outdoor dining and lounging area.
The outdoor fireplace in the corner came with the home, but it was green and rusted out. The couple was able to paint the top and have the base remade.
The outdoor fireplace in the corner came with the home, but it was green and rusted out. The couple was able to paint the top and have the base remade.
They created separate seating areas by adding a table and chairs under the overhang and two more chairs around the outdoor fireplace. Above the table hangs a vintage brass pendant light that Judge got from his sister. Many of the vintage lights throughout the home are from his sister, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin. She had purchased a lot of vintage midcentury furnishings and had been storing them in her basement. When Judge purchased this home, he knew he needed those items and had them shipped down.
“She was saving them before she even knew we would have a home to use them in,” he says.
Table and chairs: LexMod; brass chandelier: from homeowner’s sister
“She was saving them before she even knew we would have a home to use them in,” he says.
Table and chairs: LexMod; brass chandelier: from homeowner’s sister
Before: The covered outdoor dining space was filled with plants and had all brown decor, including the moose attached to the wall.
After: This outdoor area is where the previously mentioned wooden moose head hangs. Judge, unlike other people who had viewed the house, loved the moose and wanted to keep it. “I stressed to the Realtor and the owner that the moose would be part of the house deal,” he says. And it was.
When they closed on the house, Judge’s mother helped him spray paint it orange and hang it back up in its original place.
When they closed on the house, Judge’s mother helped him spray paint it orange and hang it back up in its original place.
The outdoor dining space also has bar stools up against the large kitchen window that opens up to the space, giving them access to an extended countertop and outdoor seating. This is the same painted moose seen in the previous image.
Bar stools: Target; moose head: original to house; orange paint: Japanese Koi, Behr
Bar stools: Target; moose head: original to house; orange paint: Japanese Koi, Behr
Backyard bathing area (before): The corridor along the back of the house is only 5 feet wide and was mostly unused.
After: Judge reimagined the space as an outdoor bathroom, complete with seating area, shower and tub. He walled off the end of the corridor with corrugated metal, giving the bathing area privacy.
“I wanted to make this space more intimate and have function and purpose,” Judge says.
Now they can shower off after a dip in the pool without having to go through the house, and they have a private outdoor bathing area.
The bathtub came from the dump in Phoenix, and Judge cleaned it up and painted it orange to fit into the home’s new color scheme.
The brass waterfall shower fixture is attached right outside the door to the master bedroom and is an exact replica of the fixture they have in the master bathroom.
Tub: salvaged
“I wanted to make this space more intimate and have function and purpose,” Judge says.
Now they can shower off after a dip in the pool without having to go through the house, and they have a private outdoor bathing area.
The bathtub came from the dump in Phoenix, and Judge cleaned it up and painted it orange to fit into the home’s new color scheme.
The brass waterfall shower fixture is attached right outside the door to the master bedroom and is an exact replica of the fixture they have in the master bathroom.
Tub: salvaged
Indoor Living Spaces
Entry and dining room: When you walk through the door and look left, you’ll immediately see the small entry space. Judge added a console table here to give the space a landing point. “We toss our keys and cellphones here,” he says. “With it being a small house, we didn’t have a lot of space. It works nicely and gives us a sense of entry.”
Then, you enter the dining room, which sits in the middle of the home’s open layout design. Judge used a mix of chairs and a bench to give the space a playful feel and add color.
Flooring: polished concrete; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr; entry table: eHemco; artwork: Honorable Grasshopper; brass mirrors: Nate Berkus; dining chairs: LexMod; dining bench: Ross Stores; chandelier: DuttonBrown; dining table: Aeon Furniture
Entry and dining room: When you walk through the door and look left, you’ll immediately see the small entry space. Judge added a console table here to give the space a landing point. “We toss our keys and cellphones here,” he says. “With it being a small house, we didn’t have a lot of space. It works nicely and gives us a sense of entry.”
Then, you enter the dining room, which sits in the middle of the home’s open layout design. Judge used a mix of chairs and a bench to give the space a playful feel and add color.
Flooring: polished concrete; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr; entry table: eHemco; artwork: Honorable Grasshopper; brass mirrors: Nate Berkus; dining chairs: LexMod; dining bench: Ross Stores; chandelier: DuttonBrown; dining table: Aeon Furniture
View from the entry (before): You stepped inside the front door to lots of beige-painted walls.
After: Now the homeowners and guests walk into a bright, open room. From the front door you can see the living room, dining room and kitchen.
Living room: This room offers multiple seating options, but Judge’s favorite spot to sit is on the little orange ottoman tucked into the bottom-right corner. “It’s the best place to sit and take everything in,” he says.
The living room also leads out to the pool, so when they have guests over, people can easily flow in and out of the house.
Console: thrift store in Phoenix; orange ottoman: At Home; sofa: Living Spaces; coffee table: Overstock; blanket: Jonathan Adler; Eames-style lounge chair: Lazy Buddy; curtains: Ikea; ceiling fan: Home Depot
The living room also leads out to the pool, so when they have guests over, people can easily flow in and out of the house.
Console: thrift store in Phoenix; orange ottoman: At Home; sofa: Living Spaces; coffee table: Overstock; blanket: Jonathan Adler; Eames-style lounge chair: Lazy Buddy; curtains: Ikea; ceiling fan: Home Depot
This alcove in the living room used to be a closet, but they decided to dedicate the space to entertaining. They added a wine cooler, small sink and marquee lights that label the space, in case there was any question about its use.
Bar sign: HomeGoods; cabinets: Ikea; countertop: white quartz, Better Homes Cabinets & Granite
Bar sign: HomeGoods; cabinets: Ikea; countertop: white quartz, Better Homes Cabinets & Granite
Kitchen: The open kitchen gave the couple room to add a peninsula and a bookshelf against the right wall. This added storage space allowed them to remove the upper cabinets and instead install two open shelves. They used simple hardware from Ikea and spray painted it gold to get a polished look.
Bookcase: Baxton Studio; bar stools: At Home; gray cabinets: Ikea; countertop: white quartz, Better Homes Cabinets & Granite; wall-mounted shelves: Ikea
Bookcase: Baxton Studio; bar stools: At Home; gray cabinets: Ikea; countertop: white quartz, Better Homes Cabinets & Granite; wall-mounted shelves: Ikea
Before: The kitchen was closed off from the living room and had an additional doorway that led to the home’s pantry.
After: They removed walls, cabinets and flooring to create an open kitchen that flowed from dining room to outdoor patio.
“We wanted the kitchen to have a big focal point, and the backsplash made that happen,” Judge says.
The couple found the tile while on a trip to Sausalito, California, and knew it would be perfect. The tile store only had a limited amount left, so they decided to buy it and carry it back on the plane with them. “It was 120 pounds total,” Judge says. “We each had 60 pounds of it in our carry-on luggage.”
During the flight home to Phoenix, none of the tile broke, which was good because they only had two extra tiles once installation was complete.
Backsplash tile: Heath Ceramics
The couple found the tile while on a trip to Sausalito, California, and knew it would be perfect. The tile store only had a limited amount left, so they decided to buy it and carry it back on the plane with them. “It was 120 pounds total,” Judge says. “We each had 60 pounds of it in our carry-on luggage.”
During the flight home to Phoenix, none of the tile broke, which was good because they only had two extra tiles once installation was complete.
Backsplash tile: Heath Ceramics
Before: The kitchen had dark cabinets and a tiled floor. They knew this was not a style that matched their vision.
The opened kitchen allowed them to connect more with the outdoor dining area. “You have a beautiful view out here now,” Judge says. “It used to be just bushes and laundry.”
To the right is a small desk that functions as a home office. They didn’t need a huge office space at home, so the small desk and chair against the wall works for them.
If you go past the desk, you’ll find the master bedroom. “You still have to walk through the kitchen to get to our room,” Judge says, “but the new layout has made it less awkward.”
Desk: Whalen Furniture; desk chair: salvaged; wall tapestry: Jonathan Adler; desk lamp: Z Gallerie
To the right is a small desk that functions as a home office. They didn’t need a huge office space at home, so the small desk and chair against the wall works for them.
If you go past the desk, you’ll find the master bedroom. “You still have to walk through the kitchen to get to our room,” Judge says, “but the new layout has made it less awkward.”
Desk: Whalen Furniture; desk chair: salvaged; wall tapestry: Jonathan Adler; desk lamp: Z Gallerie
Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Laundry
Master suite (before): The master bathroom vanity was tucked behind a small wall and had a dark-colored toilet and shower area to the left. The bedroom is back on the other side of the vanity.
Master suite (before): The master bathroom vanity was tucked behind a small wall and had a dark-colored toilet and shower area to the left. The bedroom is back on the other side of the vanity.
After: They knocked down the small wall and reconfigured the bathroom area. The sink is still separate from the toilet and shower, but they gained enough space to add a double vanity.
“This layout was a struggle for us at first,” Judge says. “We didn’t like it, but it wasn’t worth ripping it all apart. Instead, we think of it like we are at a resort and have learned to embrace it.”
Vanity: Ikea; mirror: HomeGoods; pendants: from homeowner’s sister
“This layout was a struggle for us at first,” Judge says. “We didn’t like it, but it wasn’t worth ripping it all apart. Instead, we think of it like we are at a resort and have learned to embrace it.”
Vanity: Ikea; mirror: HomeGoods; pendants: from homeowner’s sister
Inside the bathroom, they have their second brass shower fixture. They also installed a slim window at the top of the shower to give the narrow space more light.
Brass stool: Living Spaces; gray wall tile: Custom Crafted Floor Covering; gray geometric tile: Home Depot
Brass stool: Living Spaces; gray wall tile: Custom Crafted Floor Covering; gray geometric tile: Home Depot
The master bedroom has two doors to the outside: The orange-framed door leads to the outdoor bathing area and the other opens directly to the pool.
Bed frame: West Elm; lamp: Living Spaces; bedding: Target; chair: Overstock
Bed frame: West Elm; lamp: Living Spaces; bedding: Target; chair: Overstock
Green guest room: When Judge and Albrecht purchased the home, it only had two bedrooms. They decided to enclose some of the covered outdoor dining space to create another bedroom.
The new bedroom is a 10-by-10-foot room with a slightly sloped roofline. Judge decided to use a canopy bed to give the room height, which he says distracts the eye from the slanted ceiling.
The green chair, which was also a find by Judge’s sister in Wisconsin, set the color palette for the room. He finished off the room with midcentury modern nightstands, fun bedside art and bedding he had in college. “The bedding had been in storage, and it just ended up working in the room,” Judge says.
Chair: salvaged; pillows and geometric bedding: Jonathan Adler; white bedding: Target; bed frame: Overstock; nightstands: eHomeProducts; lamps: HomeGoods; rug: Ikea; prints: Shag; ceiling light: Unitary
The new bedroom is a 10-by-10-foot room with a slightly sloped roofline. Judge decided to use a canopy bed to give the room height, which he says distracts the eye from the slanted ceiling.
The green chair, which was also a find by Judge’s sister in Wisconsin, set the color palette for the room. He finished off the room with midcentury modern nightstands, fun bedside art and bedding he had in college. “The bedding had been in storage, and it just ended up working in the room,” Judge says.
Chair: salvaged; pillows and geometric bedding: Jonathan Adler; white bedding: Target; bed frame: Overstock; nightstands: eHomeProducts; lamps: HomeGoods; rug: Ikea; prints: Shag; ceiling light: Unitary
Yellow guest room: This is another guest room in the home, which also has great access to the pool.
Judge’s favorite feature in this space is the large wooden screen that they hung above the bed. He found it at an antique store in Wisconsin.
The couple loves that they were able to incorporate so many family finds and sentimental pieces into the home. “All the storing and hauling paid off,” Judge says.
Nightstands: eHomeProducts; lamps: Target; curtains: Ikea; ceiling fan: Home Depot; bed frame: Ikea; brown screens: antique store in Wisconsin; bedding: Walmart; yellow pillow: Jonathan Adler
Judge’s favorite feature in this space is the large wooden screen that they hung above the bed. He found it at an antique store in Wisconsin.
The couple loves that they were able to incorporate so many family finds and sentimental pieces into the home. “All the storing and hauling paid off,” Judge says.
Nightstands: eHomeProducts; lamps: Target; curtains: Ikea; ceiling fan: Home Depot; bed frame: Ikea; brown screens: antique store in Wisconsin; bedding: Walmart; yellow pillow: Jonathan Adler
Laundry area: In the hallway off the yellow guest room, Judge added a barn door to hide the washer and dryer.
Gray paint: Pencil Point, Behr
Gray paint: Pencil Point, Behr
Bathroom: This bathroom is for the main living area and guest rooms. The door for it is next to the laundry area.
They kept the original mirror, which gives the room a large, open feel. Then, they added new large-format tile along the wall and wavy, textured tile in the shower.
Now that they have this second home in Palm Springs, they constantly are inviting people to come visit. And when they are traveling or back in Phoenix, they rent it out so others can enjoy the town. “Palm Springs has this really great energy,” Judge says.
Gray wall tile: Custom Crafted Floor Covering; white wave tile: Floor & Decor; shower glass: Palm Springs Mirror & Glass; brass shower trim: Moen; sink: Luxier USA; light: Lucent Lighting
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They kept the original mirror, which gives the room a large, open feel. Then, they added new large-format tile along the wall and wavy, textured tile in the shower.
Now that they have this second home in Palm Springs, they constantly are inviting people to come visit. And when they are traveling or back in Phoenix, they rent it out so others can enjoy the town. “Palm Springs has this really great energy,” Judge says.
Gray wall tile: Custom Crafted Floor Covering; white wave tile: Floor & Decor; shower glass: Palm Springs Mirror & Glass; brass shower trim: Moen; sink: Luxier USA; light: Lucent Lighting
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer James Judge of flippingdiaries and his husband, Andy Albrecht
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: 1,300 square feet (120.8 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
James Judge and Andy Albrecht have a home in Phoenix, but they also wanted an authentic midcentury modern home in Palm Springs. This home, which now boasts bright orange and blue accents, had strong architectural lines and spectacular views. But it needed some work — five months’ worth — before it could look as it does today.
The remodeled home was included on a Modernism Week home tour in February. “It was rewarding for other people to appreciate that we brought the style back to the house,” Judge says.
Address numbers: Hobby Lobby; hanging globe light: Sea Gull Lighting