Martyn Lawrence Bullard on His Favorite Spots in Palm Springs
Martyn Lawrence Bullard on His Favorite Spots in Palm Springs
By Laura Eckstein Jones | February 6, 2023 | Home & Real Estate
Villa Grigio, Bullard’s Palm Springs home PHOTO BY: DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN
Master of maximalism Martyn Lawrence Bullard (martynlawrencebullard.com) shares what’s new—from fabrics to an upcoming book—and reveals his must-visit Palm Springs haunts.
The Bullard-designed lobby of Sands Hotel & Spa PHOTO BY: HOPE ROLLINS
Rumor has it that you’ve been quite busy developing a wide range of new products. Do tell! We have some wonderful new products hitting the market. The Couture Collection is the latest addition to my eponymous line, to celebrate my 15 years as a fabric designer. There’s also beautiful stone, shell, lacquer and mother-of-pearl accessory collections for SV Casa worldwide, and two new tile lines launched with Ann Sacks, one being beautiful glass mosaics and the other, Terrazzo tiles in amazingly versatile patterns, inspired by the Terrazzo floors of Palm Springs’ most iconic homes. As well, there’s a magnificent wood flooring line with DuChateau... and my newly launched Shade Store collection will be added to and enlarged, which is very exciting as it’s been wildly successful. Last but not least, my new book will launch later in 2023, highlighting some of my most interesting projects to celebrate and commemorate my 30 years in the industry.
The designer has a book coming out this year. PHOTO BY: HOPE ROLLINS
What residential and commercial projects are you working on currently? We have amazing clients, from rock stars to royalty. From drag queen superstar RuPaul to multi-awardwinning rocker Machine Gun Kelly and his movie star wife, Megan Fox, to the magnificent supermodel Winnie Harlow to my fifth project for TV star Ellen Pompeo. With projects in L.A., London, Dublin, Palm Beach, Malibu and Paris, we are feeling very international this year too. We are designing a new restaurant for master chef Rick Bayless—another of his highly successful Red O Mexican cuisine concepts— and will soon break ground on a super-stylish and highly secret new hotel concept that incorporates exciting technology in the easiest and most progressive way.
Martyn Lawrence Bullard Couture Collection’s Turquerie pattern PHOTO: BY JON HUGSTAD
Modernism Week is coming up this February. What do you like best about it, and what events do you like to participate in? I love how Palm Springs comes alive during Modernism. The energy abounds in the city and it’s always very exciting to see newly opened homes and visit the classic landmarks of the city. Of course, the Modernism Show is a great favorite of mine and always offers up some great surprises and treasures. I will often host a party at my home, which is always fun, from a classic martini night to a mid-mod fiesta soiree. I have had a Palm Springs home now for six years, having gained a great love for the city after designing the Colony Palms a decade ago, and, more recently, the Sands Hotel & Spa in Indian Wells. I own an amazing James McNaughton landmark midcentury home that has immense personality, and is also an American landmark. With Hollywood Regency architectural roots and a very ‘Hollywood’ pedigree to match—once home to James Bond star Roger Moore and later Playboy’s own Hugh Hefner—the house is very glamorous whilst retaining a spectacular Palm Springs Rat Pack vibe. Some say it’s the ultimate Palm Springs house, but I prefer to refer to it as my special desert sanctuary!
Bullard designed the shell and brass Hollywood Collection for SV Casa. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SV CASA.
What do you love most about Palm Springs? I love the energy in Palm Springs and how it makes me feel the second I turn off the freeway to the 111 highway, the road that leads me into town. It immediately soothes the soul and I relax, feeling there is a magic in the air which cultivates a relaxed way of life that is truly nurturing. I love to shop the vintage stores, eat in my favorite hangouts like Mr. Lyons, Bar Cecil and Cheeky’s, along with taking long, languid walks in the parks and hikes in the mountains. It undoubtedly is my sacred relaxation zone.
The designer’s ongoing collaboration with The Shade Store includes the Palmier print PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE SHADE STORE
BULLARD’S PALM SPRINGS PICKS
“Cheeky’s for breakfast is a mustvisit. The perfect start to your day with the most delicious offerings, always served with the added bonus of friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere.” cheekysps.com
“Johannes is a culinary delight that is unexpected in the desert. Johannes himself cooks at the helm, with the provenance of having been sous-chef to Wolfgang Puck. His dishes have a refinement to them, a true Cordon Bleu taste, and his schnitzel menu is always my favorite treat.” johannespalmsprings.com
“Christopher Anthony is a valuable source for vintage furnishings and artwork. I have sourced amazing pieces there by some of the most important furniture-makers of the midcentury movement, yet also will find wonderful quirky and inexpensive objects, which is always a delight. They also represent several talented local artists and artisans, which are thoughtfully mixed into their vintage offerings.” christopheranthonyltd.com
“Candice Held is a local fashion designer who not only makes her own eponymous line of beautiful silk wrap dresses and shirts, but also designs all her prints exclusively. She has even added a small but beautiful men’s line, and houses a very edited collection of vintage jewelry in her store. It’s the perfect spot for a special outfit or a beautiful gift.” candiceheld.com
“Trina Turk is a fashion icon whose Palm Springs-inspired style has become her signature the world over. Her flagship store is always a delight with her amazing fashions, swimwear, adventurous men’s apparel (Mr. Turk) and truly special gift items including Palm Springs-centric books and colorful accessories. It’s that one-stop shop that captures the entire Palm Springs look from head to toe to glam pad too!” trinaturk.com
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FULL ARTICLE: https://mlangeleno.com/martyn-lawrence-bullard-palm-springs