This Small Palm Springs Bungalow Is a Master Class in Pattern Mixing
Name: David and Sarah Magidoff
Location: Palm Springs, California
Type of home: Condo/bungalow
Size: 610 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, owned. We purchased it in March 2019 to fix up and turn into a vacation rental, that we also use.
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our property, which we’ve lovingly named Bungalow M, is located in Palm Springs inside the distinguished Ocotillo Lodge. It features a bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, patio, and pool area, and was conceived by LA-based design team, homeowners, and husband-wife duo, David and Sarah Magidoff.
The Ocotillo Lodge was built in 1957, and is a shining example of the desert’s mid-century modern architectural vernacular. Conceived by architects William Krisel and Dan Palmer, the property originally functioned as a luxury hotel, hosting well-known personalities such as Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, and the Los Angeles Lakers. The lodge was named after the Ocotillo plant, which can be found throughout the property. The stunning panoramic view of the San Jacinto mountains and desert landscape are still focal points of this historic property.
When we envisioned Bungalow M, we imagined a place where we could escape from city living (we live full-time in Los Angeles) to encounter the mystical beauty of the desert, experience its tranquility, and be transformed by its warmth. Our intention for our space was to honor the original architecture, while making it an environment that felt like home to us. Ultimately, we created a space that marries a Modernist sense of design with refined, laid-back desert living.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Mid-century design meets desert living.
What is your favorite room and why? We love sitting in our living room. Not just for the Insta-worthy backdrop, but it’s the heart of the home. We can see views towards the San Jacinto Mountains and the tops of the palm trees from our clerestory windows as they sway in the warm desert breeze. Also, the couch is really comfy.
If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? We would magically go back in time to the 1960s when the property was originally built and see what it was like to live amongst the likes of Lucille Ball and The Rolling Stones, who stayed as guests at the original Ocotillo Lodge. What if “Ruby Tuesday” was written in our home..?!
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing we bought for our home was this graphic (and room appropriate) shower curtain that says GET NAKED in big block lettering.
Any advice for creating a home you love?
1. Let the architecture inform the way you decorate. It’s important to work with your space, and not fight with it. When you view your existing environment as a partner, the design decision-making process becomes a whole lot easier.
2. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Approach decorating with a plan, but hold that plan loosely. Try things out and don’t worry if it ultimately doesn’t work out. Sometimes you just have to see a piece of furniture in your space to see whether or not it works. Thankfully, most retailers have very gracious return policies! Move away from Pinterest boards and trends, and instead, be intuitive about the things you like. When you fill your home with the things you are naturally drawn to, they’ll never run out of style.
3. Take your time filling your space. When you rush the creative process, you end up with things you don’t really want in the long run. When you really want something, especially a bigger, more expensive item, wait a few weeks to make the purchase. If, in a few weeks, you still really want it, chances are it’s something you’ll really love years down the road.
This submission’s responses were edited for clarity and length.
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Correction: An earlier version of this post mistakenly said that they have owned this home for 6 YEARS. It’s actually 6 MONTHS. We’ve updated it to be more accurate—hopefully, we can blame it on Mercury retrograde.