Modernism Week’s First-Ever Door Tour Reveals Palm Springs’ Most Instagrammed Spots

The inaugural Palm Springs Door Tour is taking place this week at Palm Springs’ annual mid-century modern lovefest, Modernism Week. If you find yourself asking, why a tour of doors, just search the #doorsofinstagram hashtag on the photo-friendly platform and you’ll see why (there are over 100,000 photos!).

Perhaps the most popular door you’ll find on Instagram is “that pink door,” a now-icon of Palm Springs’ Indian Canyons neighborhood. That pink door’s popularity on social media, and other colorful doors like it, were no doubt a driving force in the self-guided door tour, which was curated by Palm Springs Style and presented by Dunn-Edwards Paints.

I’m a sucker for some good color-hunting and classic architecture so the bicycle tour was high on my list. The desert offered a cool day with a mix of sun and clouds, perfect for a leisurely ride through the historic mid-century modern neighborhood. What I discovered was a feast for the eyes—along with some fun facts about what is likely Palm Spring’s most colorful neighborhood, and some of its most photographed sites. Here’s what I discovered:

That pink door is so popular among selfie-takers and tourists that it, in fact, has its own Instagram account (and sizeable following), and collectible trading pins are being manufactured in its honor. Turns out, however, that people didn’t always feel so amorous towards the home’s pastel pink front door. When a former owner painted the door pink in 2004, neighbors were actually taken aback by the color choice. What color was the door prior to its bubblegum hue? A dreary brown.

This immaculately manicured home is famous for its crisp white colorblocking, and lion statues out front. The sculptures were found by the owner in Sikkim, India while she was in the region to climb Kanchenjunga (the third highest mountain in the world). She loved them so much that she had them shipped to Palm Springs. The home is perhaps even more famous for the interesting kitsch and costumes often sported by the lions, which changes almost daily. The day of my tour, it was two huge watermelon beach balls.

This yellow door here belongs to “the Rennick House.” The home was built in 1964 for well-known furniture designer Avery Rennick and his wife, Virginia. Their clientele included Hollywood legend John Wayne, among others.

I also learned on this tour that turquoise makes everyone go, “wow.” True story, a crowd of stunned onlookers formed in front of this home with the turquoise door for a serious gawk session.

Looking for more color inspiration to take on your own door makeover? Check this seriously colorful curb appeal.