DESERT JEWEL // PALM SPRINGS HOME TOUR

By Katy Carrier // Photography by Jeff Mindell

Every so often you come across a home that immediately draws you in and changes your mood for the better, which is precisely the impact of the vibrant Palm Springs residence of interior designer Pjetur Sigurdson and husband Dimitri James, founder of Skinn Cosmetics. This phenomenon is so established with the property that it has been nicknamed “the Sweethearts’ house” by the duo’s friends and family after so many couples have fallen in love there.

Above: The home’s living room, with custom-made sofa, pillows and bench; chairs and brass side tables by Jonathan Adler; C. Jeré Raindrops sculpture over the sofa. Vintage Italian glass and collected objects decorate the tables flanking the sofa, and the marble grapes on the cocktail table are a Palm Springs vintage shopping find.

Above: Front entrance leading to the front-loaded pool and walkway to the main front doors. 

Above: The home’s front doors.

The south Palm Springs home, originally built in 1969, was extensively renovated by Thomboy Properties prior to Sigurdson and James’ purchase in 2012, with minimal subsequent structural work required as a result. Instead, the two set out to incorporate their bold personalities through the design of the home’s maximalist interiors, as well as a few exterior design additions. Blue laser-cut panels were custom made for the front of the home with a midcentury-inspired star motif, and the front double doors, originally brown, were painted a vibrant yellow that is then carried throughout the yellow and blue color palette of the rest of the home, including custom-made yellow doors on all of the interior rooms. Upon entering the first set of front doors you are met with a front-loaded pool, which helps ensure privacy in light of the home’s golf course setting. Another pair of ornate yellow doors leads into the main living space of the home, which is bright and open, with a wall of glass leading out to the back patio and Indian Canyons golf course.

Above: Custom laser-cut screen detail in the front of the home.

Above: The home’s pool, with custom-upholstered lounge furniture.

Sigurdson, who owns the Hollywood Home design firm, describes the aesthetic as “midcentury groovy glam,” mixing classic vintage finds with eclectic and colorful pieces that were sourced locally, as well as during the duo’s extensive world travels.

Above: The door to the primary bedroom was custom fabricated to match the front doors; brass mirror and cat are vintage finds.

Above: The primary bedroom, with a custom bed and bedding and vintage pendant light fixtures. The yellow closet doors were custom made to match the home’s front door.

The unique outdoor sofa on the back patio was custom designed by Sigurdson to ensure the perfect scale, functionality and look. While stylish enough for an interior space, the 10-foot-long sofa is covered in Sunbrella fabric capable of withstanding the harsh desert elements.

Above: Custom-designed furniture in Sunbrella fabrics on the back patio overlooking the golf course.

Above: A vintage Lightolier lamp sits on a side table; Ravens series charcoal over the sofa by Eric Nash.

“I designed this home to be relaxing for the two of us, but also to entertain and have a space that can be filled with friends, life and fun,” says Sigurdson. The main living area features a large formal dining area and adjacent bar, perfect for dinner parties and cocktail soirées.

Above and below: The home’s dining room, with a vintage chandelier that was a fixture at the original Robinson’s Department Store in Palm Springs. Clustered Iittala candlesticks on the dining table were customized by the couple with colored Waterford votives on top. The upholstered head chairs are custom, with Jonathan Adler side chairs. 

Above: The bar area, original to the home, with a laser cut panel in yellow to match the front doors.

Sigurdson is currently in the process of recreating a large, entertainer’s dream of a backyard and pool at a beautiful Alexander home in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs, and is also expanding his design practice to include restaurants and retail spaces.

Above: The patio in front of the home’s main entrance, with custom upholstery in Trina Turk for Schumacher fabrics. Glass on table by Joe Cariati.

Above: A vintage Platner table sits between hand-carved teak hand chairs. Fireplace screen by Del Williams from Christopher Anthony Ltd. in Palm Springs, with vintage glass vases in front. The vintage ashtray and stand were found by the couple in Amsterdam.

“Easy living while surrounding yourself with beauty is what Palm Springs style means to me,” says Sigurdson.  “A carefree ease with bold ideas that make people just want to smile.” Or fall in love.

Above: Jonathan Adler chair and side table in the living room.

Above and below: Shelving in the home office is filled with vintage finds collected by the couple from all over the world. The painting in the center was created by James using makeup (James is the founder of Skinn Cosmetics).

Above: The garage, which also serves as Sigurdson’s design studio, is papered in the same Martinique wallpaper as the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the ceiling is covered in paper blooms from the couple’s recent wedding, created by Beverly Hills florist Eric Buterbaugh.

Above: The home’s “Cabana Room,” lined in custom curtains, opens up to the pool area. The brass palm trees are a vintage find, with custom benches and reupholstered matching sofas, and a painting by Mia Luzajic.

Above: Intricate wood screens slide to cover the bar area in the Cabana Room.

Above and below: The bar is original to the home, with the shelves filled by the couple’s collection of vintage glassware.

Above: The home’s breakfast nook, adjacent to kitchen, opens to the back patio with views of the golf course.

Above: A guest bedroom, occupied by the pair’s one-year-old Ragdoll cat, Ruby. The wallpaper is Cole & Son Malachite in Khaki.

Above: Tiled step-down shower; Missoni towels.

Above: The stylish couple’s custom, wood-paneled walk-in closet.

Above: One of the home’s guest bedrooms, which features a private patio.

Above: Vintage patio furniture with custom upholstery in Trina Turk for Schumacher fabrics.

Above: The home’s front door and entry.