HOUSES
Parenthood and a Palm Springs backdrop encouraged one high-voltage duo to turn down the volume and switch up their style
LIVING ROOM
‘It would have been easy to rip out the stone wall,’ says the home’s interior designer Ryan Saghian. ‘But it would have murdered Du Bois’ creation.’ Iconic architect Charles Du Bois built this house in 1961. ‘Having the high-gloss terrazzo floor right up against the stone and the ceiling painted white makes it fresh.’
DINING SPACE
‘I didn’t need to do much to this space because to the right is the kitchen and that is where all the design is. This room was an extension of that,’ says Ryan.
it was only supposed to be a weekend retreat. But, as As Ryan Saghian, interior designer to former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum and his fashion-designer wife, Ace Harper, explains: ‘It happens a lot when people buy a vacation home in Palm Springs – they become addicted to the tranquillity there. The moment you pass the mountain, there’s this meditative energy – it’s very calming.’
Inside is what happens when rock stars do tranquillity. ‘It still has that rock’n’roll flair,’ says Ryan – just check out the wallpapers, for starters. ‘But it also has that California cool aesthetic.’ Having bought what is considered a coveted exemplar of mid-century-modern architecture in Palm Springs – complete with a commemorative plaque to its architect, Charles Du Bois – Matt and Ace were keen to honour its history. ‘When you walk in,’ says Ryan, ‘you know that whoever bought this house knew what they were buying – they didn’t buy a home just for the location and make it their style. They loved the fact that it was architecturally significant.’ That California cool mood has brought a sensitive update to the iconic design. ‘It’s much lighter and more contemporary, with a sun-baked desert palette,’ says Ryan.
They all agreed on adding mid-century-modern details, such as the reeded white-oak detailing in the kitchen and guest bathroom, and statement furniture, variously bespoke, vintage and re-issues. ‘They let me do a lot of work to enhance the original elements, says Ryan. For example, it would have been easy to rip out the stone wall and fireplace in the living room that no one loved and replace it with a travertine wall, but, as Ryan says, to remove it ‘would have
