Palm Springs’ Most Iconic Mid-Century Homes with Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Palm Springs has long been synonymous with mid-century modern architecture, Hollywood glamour, and indoor-outdoor living. But beyond its famous streets lined with iconic homes and elegant palm tries lies a deeper story—one of visionary architects, fearless designers, and homeowners who continue to preserve the city's remarkable design legacy.

In Live, Love & Decorate, acclaimed interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard offers an insider's guide to Palm Springs, opening doors to some of the city's most celebrated private residences. Rather than simply showcasing beautiful interiors, the episode explores how architecture, history, and personal style have combined to make Palm Springs one of the world's most influential design destinations.

The episode begins at The Ship of the Desert, the 1936 Streamline Moderne residence owned by fashion designer Trina Turk. While Palm Springs is often associated with postwar modernism, the home's sweeping curves and nautical-inspired architecture reveal an earlier chapter of the city's design history. Designed by Adrian Wilson and Earl Webster, the landmark embraces rounded corners, expansive windows, and dramatic mountain views that blur the line between indoors and out.

Turk explains that optimism has always shaped both her fashion and her home. "Palm Springs is partly about getting away," she says. "We really love color and pattern... I think there's something very optimistic about that."

The home's interiors combine period architecture with vintage furnishings, handcrafted pieces, and colorful textiles collected over decades. Rather than creating a museum-like restoration, Turk has assembled a layered home that reflects the relaxed spirit of the desert while honoring its original character.

From there, Bullard visits one of Palm Springs' most recognizable celebrity homes: the former residence of actor Adam West, forever known as television's original Batman. Reimagined by designer Michelle Boudreau, the 1954 house celebrates its Hollywood history while remaining deeply rooted in Palm Springs modernism.

Instead of turning the property into a novelty, Boudreau focused on restoring the home's architectural integrity. Inspired by architect Albert Frey's additions—including the dramatic sunken bar—she incorporated soft curves, terrazzo, natural materials, and colors pulled directly from the surrounding landscape.

"The reason they bought the property was because of the view," Boudreau says. "It really was built around the landscape."

That relationship between architecture and nature becomes a recurring theme throughout the episode. Walls of glass frame the San Jacinto Mountains, reflecting pools extend living spaces outdoors, and carefully chosen materials reinforce the feeling that the desert itself is part of every room.

The tone shifts dramatically at the Shag House, where collectors Brandon McBurney and Dexter Camaquin transformed a classic Alexander-built home into an immersive collaboration with artist Josh Agle, better known as Shag. Every room reflects the artist's unmistakable graphic style, from custom murals and cocktail-inspired installations to playful references to Palm Springs' Rat Pack era.

The project goes far beyond decorating. In one remarkable example, the home's backyard was built directly from one of Shag's paintings, translating a two-dimensional artwork into a fully realized landscape.

"I think he has changed and molded so much of this town," Brandon says of the artist. "It really is that Jetsons-meets-Rat Pack vibe that captures what happened here in the '50s and '60s."

Bullard also attends the glamorous opening gala of Modernism Week, the internationally recognized celebration of architecture and design that draws collectors, preservationists, and enthusiasts from around the world. For anyone interested in Palm Springs modernism, the annual event has become an essential gathering, showcasing everything from museum-quality furniture to landmark home tours.

The architectural centerpiece of the episode arrives at the legendary Abernathy House, widely regarded as one of William Cody's greatest residential designs. Built in the early 1960s, the nearly 5,000-square-foot residence was conceived as a one-bedroom home designed primarily for entertaining—an unconventional idea that perfectly captured Palm Springs' social culture during its golden age.

Finally, Bullard opens the doors to his own Palm Springs retreat. While each home reflects a different vision of desert living—from Hollywood glamour to artistic experimentation—they all share an appreciation for architecture that respects both history and place.

"There is nowhere in the world quite like Palm Springs," Bullard says. "From the Ship of the Desert's Streamline curves to the Dark Knight's sunken bar... what unites all of these spaces is passion. A passion for beauty, for modernism, and for the belief that fantasy and reality can be one."