05/29/2026
Big Dinner Energy: Palm Springs
The Challenge: Creating a spectacular new kitchen worthy of this Class 1-listed William F. Cody-designed house in Palm Springs, California. The space was originally three small rooms- all very "back of house" which didn't fit well into how we live today nor did it take advantage of the technicolor landscape just outside the windows. We were always charmed by those original appliances- all top of the line in their day. Working bi-coastal can also be daunting.
The process: We first went to the William F Cody archives and found the original drawings of the house. We also researched other William Cody designs from the same era- many of them had novel at the time concepts for open plans and materiality. They were more forward-looking than this original design. We worked closely with our local engineer, and to fully realize a brilliant result. Through design and construction, we held weekly virtual and in person meetings to keep all the moving parts heading in the right direction.
--> Scroll through to see original drawings, before photos, construction progress, and design process.
The result: A limited palette that seamlessly integrates with the rest of the house and features top-of-the-line cabinets, appliances, and an original Stan Bitters sculpture, used as a backsplash. The kitchen and casual dining are now visually and physically connected to the decks, pool, and a pavilion (we designed a decade ago), reinforcing the unique Palm Springs way of life.
With the core Cody details maintained, repaired, or replicated, sitting alongside our contemporary planning and details, this project represents so many personal and professional triumphs. To list, we were able to work with a long time, design forward Client whose confidence and enthusiasm never waned. This is a special property, one we are extremely familiar with, and we had an impeccable design and build team. More like this one, please.
