My Visit to Palm Springs

I have just returned from a much needed vacation in Palm Springs. The dry, sunny desert climate was a welcome and refreshing relief from the damp and cold winter we have had in Vancouver. I swam every morning in 94 degree mineral spring pools (plural). Where I was staying had 9 pools in total. The benefits of these naturally occurring mineral pools are many and I felt the stress I had accumulated in my body melting away.

This was a view of the palm trees surrounding the pool. I took this picture while I was floating in the pool.

The mountains in the desert have a beauty all their own. Next time I go, I am inspired to paint them. They are the most beautiful in the early morning and just before sunset when the shadows are the strongest and highlight all the contours.

I picked oranges right off the tree. The taste and smell was the best.

The desert flowers were in full bloom.

I will post more this week on some of the highlights of my trip:

• The BEST shopping in Palm Springs
• Drinks at the Viceroy Hotel
• Mid-Century Modern Architecture and the use of Screen Block
• Palm Springs Images and the Colony Palms Hotel
• Visiting the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Badlands
   
  
  

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

My Top 10 New Interior Design Blogs

 

Interior Design Blogs

I am continually amazed at the time spent by talented people sharing their passions with the world around them.
It reminds me of a quote by Joseph Campbell that I try to live my life by: "Follow your Bliss"
Thank-you all for taking time out of your busy lives and careers to share your Bliss with us in the 'Blogosphere'!

A Schematic Life An Interior Designer from Vancouver 'satisfying her need to make everything about design'.
Brillante Home Decor Discovering trends of Italian Design and writing about Milan.
Design Ties Share their love of all things related to home decor and remodeling.
HD Inspirations Dale is an Interior Designer in Vancouver who explores interesting and new hotel projects and related products.
Meade Design A multidisciplinary design studio in Victoria, BC, Canada that creates interiors and graphics.
Pure Style Home Her design philosophy, "pure style," is based on keeping things simple, beautiful & fun.
Qerat Furniture Designed & Made With Passion in Amman, Jordan.
Renee Finberg Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her BLOG of her Adventures in Design.
Tartanscot The musings of an interior designer/stylist living in San Francisco.
Velvet & Linen English fabrics, French and Swedish antiques inspire her.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

15 Top Contemporary Staircase Designs

Contemporary or modern stair design can be gloriously simple using clean lines or gracefully curved. Staircases are such an important element in a home as they are usually the first thing that you see when you enter a home and are so frequently used.

Most modern staircase design is meticulously detailed, exposing all the working elements and eschewing trim, moldings, and other decoration. Because this type of stair is meant to be viewed as if it were a piece of sculpture, it looks best in an open space where the entire structure is visible.

I have long had a fascination for staircases. They are one of the most challenging elements I have to deal with in my practice and one of the most expensive to detail correctly. One of my pet peeves is wall to wall carpet on stairs. I prefer to use runners or leave the stairs bare if at all possible. In my last renovation for a client, I removed the carpet on their open staircase and replaced it with 2 inch thick slabs of 100 year old reclaimed Asian teak. The reclaimed teak has a beautiful patina and you see it's solid thickness as you traverse up and down the staircase.

The best reference book I have in my library is Staircase Design. Although it is out of print, there are a few used books available on Amazon. 
Staircases: Design & Construction and Stairscaping are also noteworthy. 

 
This graceful staircase by Armenio Losa (above & below) makes me want to run my hand along the curved hand rail, or slide down it. 

Bo Bedre

 

                                                                                                                 Caldwell Beebe Interiors

The side detailing of this staircase shows off the solid thickness of the treads and risers. David Schefer

 

                                                                                                              Architectural Stairs Company

David Pontingar Architecture 

  

Jennifer Post
 
 

                                                                                                                           Leonie Brown

Living Etc

Living Etc

Magni Design 
 

Renwick above and below

 

 

Thom Filicia
 

I love how the circular design of the staircase is repeated in the flooring. Alberto Pinto

 

This is one of my favourite staircases. I love the cantilevered slabs projecting from the rough concrete wall.
Steven Ehrlich

Addendum March 13 2009

The Blue Fin Restaurant W Times Square Wall Surface Interiors
Interior design Yabu Pushellberg via A Schematic Life

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can enhance your world.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009