Photography by, with permission from, Modernism Week.

  Modernism Week, a non-profit organization with their signature design event in February, is happening RIGHT NOW in Palm Springs, California! This year it is being held February 13th-23rd at the Hilton Palm Springs. The event occurs on an annual basis to celebrate mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and of course, culture.  It’s also designed to encourage contemporary thinking through education, preservation and sustainable modern living to reflect what Palm Springs is all about. Modernism Week showcases over 100 events from films and lectures to tour buses and parties, there is so much to do and see!  Click here to see a list of their events. Some of them are even free, so if you are in the area, I would definitely urge you to check them out! You can also view their program here.

Photography by, with permission from, Modernism Week.

We’re lucky to have a couple design pals attending many of the events (and let’s not forget the poolside parties!), Brandon Smith of D’ Coop Media (Editor of The Twenty Six) and Allan DallaTorre, of Hinge Decor (a fabulous new home decor line). So we’ve been getting a little inside peek of some cool design via these two stylish men. Both have seen everything from zebra and fish wallpaper to pops of Orange Tango, neon green and bright yellow, to black glass tile.

Allan’s Inspiration: “Grill work of the 1950’s and ’60’s was one of the hallmarks of mid-century homes. The geometric is so simple but when cast in iron or stone with the sun wafting through it…it becomes such a great graphic that I plan to take it back with me to incorporate it into my own design aesthetic…maybe some wallpaper even.”

Brandon is attending on behalf of Crossville, Inc., an award-winning Porcelain Stone® tile and natural stone manufacturer that creates beautifully designed, environmentally friendly, American-made tile and stone for residential and contract applications.

Brandon’s Inspiration: “Modernism of the ’60s’ and ’70’s can be interpreted to whatever it is you want it to be. From Pop Art elements you put into your home or whatever you like, it becomes “liveable design”.  Heck you can throw anything on the wall out here and it is called art. Plus I’m really seeing the outdoors as a true extension of indoor living.  Like a Chesterfield couch covered in vinyl.”

Laurie Laizure of Customized Walls and fearless leader of the Google+ group, Interior Design Community. held one of her fab G+ hangouts earlier this week with both of these talented designers. That’s how I was able to capture the details of this fantastic event in Palm Springs.  Enjoy the photos below by Brandon and Allan and please check out Laurie’s G+ video: LIVE from Modernism Week in Palm Springs

Photograph by, with permission from, Allan DallaTorre

The architecture of that era is phenomenal.  Photo by, with permission from, Allan DallaTorre

Great example of grill work that was so inspiring to Allan.  Photo by, with permission from, Allan DallaTorre

Modernism Week also holds several other events including “Fall Season Kick-Off” in mid-October. This event includes architectural tours, cocktail parties and even trips to retro “yard” sales. In addition to this, partner organizations will throw “mini-Modernism Week” to kick start Palm Springs social and recreational season. Modernism Week provides scholarships to Palm Springs students who are seeking a degree in architecture or design. Modernism Week is also actively involved with both local and state preservation organizations in their efforts to preserve mid-century architecture throughout California.  And a good thing too, because there is so much eye-catching design out there and houses, like Frank Sinatra’s, fully intact!! (You can see many of the inside of these houses on YouTube).

A rare pair of single-owner Hans Wegner AP19 chairs from Loft Thirteen. Photo by, with permission from,  Brandon Smith on behalf of CrossVille, Inc. #DesignLux

Detail from salvaged screens from Boulder Medical Center. Photo by, with permission from, Brandon Smith for Crossville, Inc. #DesignLux

At Deborah Main Designs, we really enjoy learning and talking about Modernism Week and mid-century modern design because it characterizes the sophisticated, smooth and cosmopolitan lifestyle from 1940’s and 50’s which I so love. Our studio incorporates these timeless characteristics into our Redbrick Modern Luxury Pillow Collection, Timeless Travels Souvenir Scarf Pillow Collection, and  Designer Classics Luxury Pillow Collection. The clean lines and minimal adornments create true classics that homeowners can enjoy for years to come. Not to mention, that Deborah Main’s unique pillows are made from original textiles and vintage scarves from that era. Can’t you just picture the handsome Rick Blaine and lovely Ilsa Lund in the movie Casablanca leaning against these pillows as they reminisce about Paris? Now that’s class if you ask me!

Deborah Main pillows, handcrafted from 1950’s curtain panels and 1960’s pop art, featured in one of Austin’s Modern Home Tours. Photo by, with permission from,  Gregg Cestaro.

Deborah Main original Pop Art pair of pillows. Handcrafted from 1960’s hot pants. Only one pair left. Photo by, with permission from, Gregg Cestaro.

1950’s chain link design. Available for custom orders only. Call our studio for pricing and availability. 512.207.0681. Photo by, with permission from, Gregg Cestaro.

Mid-century Deborah Main classic. This one-of-a-kind pillow  is handcrafted from an original Vera Neumann silk scarf. Photo by, with permission from, Gregg Cestaro.

We at Deborah Main Designs are going to figure out a way, sometime soon, to be able to attend this incredible event as it is a design era so important to us.  Gotta find a way to get out there to enjoy all that sun and fabulous design!!  And like Allan and Brandon, maybe a poolside party or two. Those lucky dogs!! Until then, enjoy the sun in Austin and keep praying for an early spring.  XOPG