— Noted.

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I went to Palm Springs for the first time a few weeks ago. I’ve not seen much of the Southwest at all, and aside from seeing my best friend, was mostly excited about a trip to Joshua Tree. As I nosed around for places to stay, I saw that the Ace had a location in Palm Springs, which totally satisfied my vision of doing a morning of hiking in the desert in the early morning, and swimming in a pool and lounging with a michelada in the hot afternoon.

I am always at odds when it comes to staying at hotels. The practical side of me hates spending lots of money on something that will disappear as soon as the stay is over. The designer side of me wants to stay at a place that is well-considered and special. I most often settle for the place that looks clean enough and not much more.

The Ace in Palm Springs is my idea of a perfect hotel. The rates are affordable, and the rooms are just the right amount of detail (and more fun than fussy).

From the ace website, this is the room we stayed in:

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And here are a few details I noted:

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Artwork in the room for sale:

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A little black make up towel:

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The hotel used to be a “mid-century desert modern former Westward Ho with a Denny’s.” The cafe made me think of the episode of MadMen when Don is on the Ho Jo account and goes for a visit:

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On my way between the two pools:

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And the pool. The glorious pool. Quiet in the morning with its orderly shades:

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In full disclosure, I do have to point out the fact that we went in the heat of summer, which is the winter of Palm Springs, when the locals hibernate inside their air conditioned rooms and no one is caught wandering outdoors in the noon-to-6pm afternoon sun. Our room rates were low, the hotel was quiet, and the trade-off was a 110° forecast. But I loved it, and it was perhaps the perfect city escape and final extra defrost that I so needed. And I am encouraged, by how much there is left to discover, in places near and far, that can suddenly change your secure feeling of how much you know of the world around you and somehow, then… the adventure is only just beginning.

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Another product by Hay, designed by Clara von Zweigbergk and Shane Schneck. Another ordinary object made extraordinary. Available at the Hay store.

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From Dutch Profile: Karel Martens :

“…So you don’t need to worry, as long as people are sympathetic.”

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Just when you think web design really can’t get all that exciting, a site like this comes around. Simple, but really beautifully executed. From COS:

To celebrate our arrival in the US, we’ve gathered a collection of things we love from across America – people, places and objects from each of the 50 states.

Explore the project: http://projects.cosstores.com/50things

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And, looking forward to seeing COS in America. For a mass brand, I’m impressed by the level of consideration they put into everything they do. Curious as to how well they will do on this side of the pond.

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Obsessing over these graphics for Olivetti typewriters, mostly designed by the Italian graphic designer Giovanni Pintori. So classic, yet timeless. The amount of effort it takes to look effortless is a constant challenge for me in my own work, and I can’t help but wonder if Pintori whipped these out with his eyes closed and a smile on his face.

Booklet cover:

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Posters:

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Manual:
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Ad:

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Giovanni Pintori:

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