The MCM backyard was an original selling point for homeowners Philip Heckman and Rex Bonomelli, and now that the designer couple has patiently made the home their own, the backyard may just be its crowning glory.
Homeowners Rex and Philip were drawn to the potential of their Wexler and Harrison-designed home in the Palm Springs neighborhood of El Rancho Vista Estates “because of the huge, empty backyard with mountain views,” Philip, an Emmy nominated costume designer for television and stage production, says. “It was essentially a blank canvas with the exception of the original kidney-shaped swimming pool with original coping.”
Rex is a graphic designer whose portfolio includes pieces for Broadway productions and bestselling books. Both Rex and Philip understand the importance of patience and layering in the right pieces gradually rather than schlepping something together all at once. And some thinking outside of the box. When it came to the fabric they wanted to use on their outdoor Homecrest furniture, Philip relates, “The print was a mod geometric design in yellow, orange and green. These colors started to become the anchor for our accent colors inside the home, and ultimately that fabric inspired the restoration of our Homecrest patio furniture. We had a gut feeling that the vintage fabric would not withstand the summer sun, so Rex recreated the print in Illustrator. We then had the new-and-improved mod geometric design printed on an appropriate outdoor fabric.”
Configured as an outdoor sunken living room, the pool area also has several zones for different uses: recliners and shade umbrellas for lounging, a table and chairs for dining and entertaining. Orange provides contrast with the pool’s blue and coherence with the furniture in throughout the backyard’s several areas.
For a quiet zone for mindfully basking in the sun or reading a book, the swing chair is tucked away among the succulents and desert-friendly landscaping.
See more of this home’s equally fantastic interior here.
Want to keep on finding ways to bring mid mod planters and more outdoors? Check out our Exterior & Landscape special issue! In it you’ll find expert advice from landscape architects for small spaces, drought tolerant gardens and bringing your vision to life on a budget. Discover homes that have seamlessly blended their interior with outdoor spaces, spruce up your patio with mod décor picks, and so much more!
You’ll tour modern marvels that wow from inside to out including a magnificently renovated 1957 Van Evera Bradley home in the Pacific Northwest, a Streng Bros masterpiece in northern California, and a stunning 1960 Bill Blurock in Pasadena, California. Explore a new-build poolside retreat in New Jersey with a killer outdoor kitchen and learn about a glass concrete and steel home in wine country where Japanese meets modern. Order your copy here.
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Want to see more inspiring MCM backyards? Check out our Exterior & Landscape special issue!
