H3K Design gives the scoop on the Modernism Week Featured Home: Green Gables.
Each year, we are proud to feature homes that showcase some of the best in Palm Springs design. We sat with Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper of H3K Design to learn more about the Modernism Week Featured Home: Green Gables, which debuted to the public during Fall Preview. If you missed it the first time, make sure to see this stunning home during Modernism Week!
Tell us about the home!
The house is a High Gable in the Twin Palms subdivision. It was designed by Palmer & Krisel and built by the Alexander Construction Company in 1957 as a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home.
What drew you to this property?
We purchased the home in 2005. When we saw the photos online, we instantly fell in love. In fact, we made an offer over the phone without seeing the house in person! We appreciated that the house had been updated mechanically but had not been over-renovated, so it retained many of its original architectural features. Of course, that didn’t mean the house didn’t need renovations or changes. It had been remodeled in 1996 and was given a very Asian theme – certainly not very appropriate for the architecture.
Why did you choose to name the home “Green Gables”?
The house is a High Gable Alexander hence the gable reference. And the fascia and trim of the house is painted in Dunn-Edwards Stuffed Olive green – a very appropriate color for Palm Springs!
What were some highlights of the design process?
Since purchasing the house in 2005, we have slowly updated and revitalized the house. Our initial update was to bring back the wet bar, as well as add three large windows in the back of the living room. The addition of the windows really transformed the house and created the indoor/outdoor vibe. Painting the house white with green trim was also a huge transformation from the dark red and browns when we moved in. In the most recent transformation, we remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms but our favorite update was the creation of an interior atrium in the master bedroom – which was often a feature of many homes in the Twin Palms subdivision. We also enlarged the master bathroom with an oversized shower area.
What were some challenges of the design process?
The biggest challenge was remaining sensitive to the MCM architecture while providing modern day convenience and features.
What is your favorite feature of the home?
We truly love many of the features of the house and were honored to have William Krisel, the architect, in the house during Alexander Weekend in 2011. One of the things he pointed out and we really appreciate is that the High Gable has one of the more dramatic entries of the Alexanders. When you open the front door and enter, you are walking in at the highest point of the house – making the house feel even more grand than it truly is. We also love the clerestory windows than run the length of both the front and back of the house.
Why should guests visit Green Gables during Modernism Week?
Green Gables epitomizes midcentury architecture with its classic soaring tongue-and-groove ceilings, walls of glass, and architectural petigree. The home was renovated thoughtfully while paying homage to its midcentury modern roots. Visitors will be inspired by the vintage-inspired yellow kitchen, expanded master bathroom and playful wet bar.
Modernism Week Featured Home: Green Gables
1040 S La Verne Way
Palm Springs, CA 92264
February 15-17, 2019
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$30
