Palm Desert is no stranger to style. The California enclave has long been regarded for its resort lifestyle, and for its deep connection to the arts and to the design and creative communities. It’s in this storied place, nestled within the Marrakesh Country Club, that designer Anne Michaelsen returned a residence to the glory of the Hollywood Regency era, complete with spirited hues, rich textures and a lively stroke of whimsy. “La Maisonnette,” as the home is called, is a testament to the power of infusing a space with one’s own history and present pleasures at once. Among the design highlights are a commanding, bespoke yellow AGA Range; custom patterns from Anne Michaelsen Design Wallpaper; family heirlooms and vintage finds; and an abundant art collection that is sometimes even interactive. The home reflects both its location and its residents, making for a truly individual experience.
aspire’s Deputy Editor Jennifer Quail spoke with Michaelsen about bringing this home to vibrant life.
Jennifer Quail: This was a major project. What prompted this redesign? How did you want the home to feel?
Anne Michaelsen: The home had endured a bad 80s-style remodel, which did not relate at all to the Hollywood Regency architecture of the home and neighborhood. We also wanted to add a powder room and a third guest room.
JQ: This reads as a home that is always ready to entertain. Tell us about how you live here?
AM: We entertain a lot, whether it’s for our large family, another couple or 70 neighbors. We often have dinners with friends and cocktails with neighbors before dinner at the club or out in town. We have also used the pizza oven in the outside kitchen for a neighborhood pizza party on New Year’s Day.
JQ: Art is clearly an important and lively part of the interiors. Why is the cohesive inclusion of art in a home so vital? Do you have a favorite piece in your collection?
AM: Fine art adds another interesting layer to a home’s design. Art can add to one’s enjoyment of your home and make it more interesting and provocative. I am particularly fond of the Andy Warhol flower which my son has digitally restored. It now changes from its current faded state to its original coloration and back again. It’s interactive, so when someone walks by it the colors pop and change. I think Warhol would approve!
JQ: This home celebrates color at every turn. Why was a vibrant palette important for this home? How do you talk about color with your own clients?
AM: Our home and the entire historic neighborhood is pink, and that was my starting point. I wanted the home to celebrate the Hollywood Regency style in a fun and unpretentious way. The fun colors really help make the house not too serious. After all, it’s a vacation home! Many people are afraid of color or are adamant about what they like and don’t like. I try to show colors they might not be comfortable with in smaller ways, mixed in with more common colors. Every once in a while, I do get a client who loves color.
JQ: The project now complete, do you have a favorite space in the redesigned home? Tell us why it’s special for you.
AM: I really love this home. One thing I really cherish is how many family heirlooms I was able to incorporate into the design. It gives this contemporary space a grounding in history. My bedroom is also a favorite as it is so different from any other room I have designed for myself.
Photography by Roger Paperno.
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