From Vacation Home to Forever Home

Frequent travelers Dave Arthurs and Brennan Pardee have visited 55 countries between them. So when they found themselves drawn to Palm Springs, CA, again and again, they took it as a sign. In 2016 they snagged a 1963 condo to use as a getaway from their home in San Francisco.

The not-relaxing part: Like an oversize time capsule from the ’60s, the home had terra-cotta flooring, wall-to-wall carpet and a choppy layout. The couple tapped online design company Laurel & Wolf to take on the redo on a budget. With a new open layout, fresh tile on the floors and rooms full of colorful retro furniture that nods to the home’s soul, the place looked too good to ever go empty. Add the fact that both guys work remote jobs and “the decision to stay full-time was a no-brainer,” says Brennan. “Being here makes it easy to forget about chores. Laundry? What laundry? I’m on vacation!”

The front door is painted Blue Macaroon by HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams. The bullet planters are from a local decor store, and the mats are from Flor.

A gray sectional by Kardiel gives the living room a mid-century mod vibe; the plush wool rug underfoot—a vintage Flokati—makes it extra cozy. The patterned pillows, hex ottomans from Blu Dot, molded plastic Eames rocker, and gallery wall of new and vintage art add color and fun. “We had a vacation mind-set when we decorated,” says Brennan, “but a lot of it is inspired by the location. All the colors are here to remind us that we’re in Palm Springs.”