Elrod Reimagined – We’re honored to have this historic home featured in Palm Springs Modernism Week 2026.

This project has also been featured in Palm Springs Life & LA Times.

Located in historic Old Las Palmas, this restored mid-century residence, originally designed with interiors by Arthur Elrod, reflects the defining principles of mid-century desert architecture. The exterior is characterized by rhythmic brise-soleil screens, a flat roofline, and minimalist detailing. Floor-to-ceiling glass blurs the line between indoors and out, framing views of the era-inspired pool and private courtyards, and embodying the Palm Springs ideal of indoor-outdoor living.

We reimagined this Hollywood Regency residence with the goal of returning it to its mid-century roots while integrating contemporary functionality. The interior layout was reconfigured to improve circulation and spatial clarity, establishing a strong axis between private quarters and shared living spaces. Original features, including white pecky cedar paneling and travertine flooring, were preserved and extended into the new additions.

Learn more about our renovations to this historic home here.

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ABOUT ARTHUR ELROD

Arthur Elrod (1924–1974) was a pioneering American interior designer whose work helped define the Palm Springs modern aesthetic of the mid-20th century. Born in South Carolina, he studied textiles at Clemson University and interior design at the Chouinard Art Institute before arriving in Palm Springs in 1947.

In 1954, Elrod founded Arthur Elrod Ltd. with partners Hal Broderick and Barbara Wills. The firm quickly gained recognition for elevating desert homes—treating them with the same importance as primary residences—and for designs that seamlessly blended everyday living with entertaining. His bold use of color, texture, pattern, and low-profile modern furnishings became synonymous with the desert’s signature midcentury style.

Elrod’s client roster included Hollywood icons such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Mary and Jack Benny, Frank and Lucille Capra, Walt and Lillian Disney, and Bob and Dolores Hope, as well as Palm Springs’ founding families and leading industry figures. In 1968, he collaborated with architect John Lautner on his own residence, now known as the Elrod House, one of the region’s most iconic modernist landmarks.

Known for both his glamorous lifestyle and influential creative vision, Elrod helped shape the cultural and design identity of Palm Springs. His work continues to inspire designers and enthusiasts alike, reflecting a timeless blend of innovation, elegance, and modern living.

Much of this information is drawn from the work of Adele Cygelman, author of Arthur Elrod: Desert Modern Design and featured producer of Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool, premiering at Modernism Week 2026. We encourage readers to explore her work for a deeper look into Elrod’s life and legacy.

HISTORY OF THIS HOME

Originally constructed in the 1950s, this quintessential mid-century desert home features interiors designed by Arthur Elrod in his iconic style. Drawing from Hollywood Regency influences and desert modernism, the interiors reflect the era’s ideals of refined proportion and seamless indoor-outdoor living. 

Over time, a series of alterations obscured aspects of the original vision, disrupting key alignments and softening the home’s architectural clarity. Yet beneath these layers, the underlying structure, spatial intent, and essential volumes remained intact. Elements such as the internal light wells and planters set between the west-facing breeze-block walls continue to animate the interior with dramatic afternoon shadow play—a testament to the strength of the home’s mid-century roots and the enduring architectural legacy of Old Las Palmas. 

Today, the Camino Norte Residence stands as a layered architectural record—bridging its mid-century origins and Elrod’s influence with a renewed commitment to preservation and thoughtful adaptation. The home celebrates its Hollywood Regency heritage while functioning as a refined modern residence, balancing historical reverence with contemporary living in one of Palm Springs’ most iconic mid-century neighborhoods. 

Learn more about the history of the home here.

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