Esoteric Survey

Peter Blake Gallery from Laguna took over the Cody House by William F Cody for an exhibition they are calling BLAKEHAUS PALM SPRINGS This was  William Cody’s personal residence. He started designing the house in 1946, but it wasn't built until 1952. The construction is an interesting combination of adobe walls with a steel frame. The Cody family owned the house until it was sold to  architect Francisco Urrutia, who worked for Cody from 1969-1974.    Urrutia "updated" the house in the 1990s.  The current owners, who purchased it in  2022, are Spanish architects Paula Bueso-Inchausti and Guille Castaneda. Their Palm Desert-based firm is Nomos RED and this isn't the only Cody house they own. The plan is to return some of the original features to the house. Also, apparently only architects are allowed to own this house.  Source: Arts & Architecture  Now to the art and design installation. Peter Blake Gallery has a long history of showing Cal...

The Fontenell, also known as the Max Factor Compound, 1957  James and Frances Kopecky were the original owners of the Fontenell. Unfortunately the San Diegan passed away of a heart attack in 1959 while vacationing in Canada.  It was then purchased by Max Factor in 1960 and was used as his Palm Springs family retreat.  US Modernist  and a couple of other sources state William F. Cody was the architect.  I wasn't able to track down any period references to the architect and I can't find a reference in his CalPoly archives. One source that doesn't list the project is  Master of the Midcentury: The Architecture of William F. Cody .  US Modernist is usually on point with their information. Also, Cody was living and working in San Diego around this time. The Kopecky family was from San Diego so they could have known each other. If I find out anything for sure, I'll update this post. UPDATE:  Charles W.  Doty,  (1927-2011) designed the apartmen...

The Palm Springs Spa Hotel (later The Spa Resort and Hotel) by  Architects Donald Wexler, Richard Harrison and William Cody (1958)  Source: Palm Springs Preservation Foundation Before After - such a shame The hotel goes next More here ,  here  and at the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

Del Marcos by William F. Cody,  1947 - Palm Springs Back in the day. Photo: Julius Shulman via Flickr user  srk1941 "Barwa"    Bartolucci & Waldheim Lounge Chair Photo: Julius Shulman via Flickr user srk1941 The Del Marcos used to be decked out in Maurice Martine furniture--even the dining set . That 's an Eames screen behind the plant. T hat plywood chair look s super familiar . Photo: Maynard Parker Let's just say that the Del Marcos is going for a different look these days. They have some Eames stackers out on the patio. Photo: Del Marcos