Tour a Designer’s Bright and Open Midcentury Home in Palm Springs
Staci Munic ditches dated materials and closed-off rooms for wide-open spaces and fresh desert modern style
Growing up in Chicago, designer Staci Munic escaped the cold winters with family trips to Palm Springs. When a recent opportunity came up that allowed her to move to the Southern California city, she jumped at it. She then embarked on updating a 1960s condo designed by notable Palm Springs architect William Francis Cody into a stylish modern-day desert home.
To do that, Munic removed many elements left over from a 1980s remodel, such as glass block walls around the entry and in the bathroom, carpeted floors in the living area and curved walls in the kitchen. The renovated space is now bright and airy and features better indoor-outdoor flow, custom art and a mix of new and vintage furnishings. “I just reimagined it and tried to bring it back to something that William Cody would have been very proud of,” Munic says.
To do that, Munic removed many elements left over from a 1980s remodel, such as glass block walls around the entry and in the bathroom, carpeted floors in the living area and curved walls in the kitchen. The renovated space is now bright and airy and features better indoor-outdoor flow, custom art and a mix of new and vintage furnishings. “I just reimagined it and tried to bring it back to something that William Cody would have been very proud of,” Munic says.
Before Photo
After: Munic removed the brick wall and multiple glass blocks in the entryway walls. She added floor-to-ceiling windows flanking a new stained wood door, bringing more light into the entry. Wall sconces and uplighting on native succulents brighten the area at night. Large concrete pavers interspersed with pea gravel form a stylish new walkway.
New wood planks on the underside of the overhang extend into the house. “The wood ceiling flows into the home, drawing the eye from exterior into the interior,” Munic says.
Just inside the home, Munic hung a floor-to-ceiling macrame piece behind a mirrored cabinet to divide the entry from a dining area on the other side.
New wood planks on the underside of the overhang extend into the house. “The wood ceiling flows into the home, drawing the eye from exterior into the interior,” Munic says.
Just inside the home, Munic hung a floor-to-ceiling macrame piece behind a mirrored cabinet to divide the entry from a dining area on the other side.
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Before: In the former layout, a dropped ceiling that hid ductwork created a crowded feel in the kitchen. Structural walls bookending the peninsula and a unit of built-ins separated the kitchen from the living area. Different flooring materials — carpet in the living room, white tile in the kitchen — made the separation even more pronounced.
After: A single steel beam established enough structural support to allow Munic to remove the former walls and built-ins. This move physically and visually opened up the layout and provided better connection between the living and kitchen spaces. “I decided to leave the steel beam exposed to add an architectural element to the space,” Munic says. “I painted the beam black and added other touches of black throughout the kitchen and living area to tie it in.”
The restructuring also allowed Munic to rework some of the ducting and raise the ceiling.
Matte black hardware on the refrigerator cabinets and on the back of the peninsula, as well as a matte black finish on the faucet, coordinate with the steel beam.
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The restructuring also allowed Munic to rework some of the ducting and raise the ceiling.
Matte black hardware on the refrigerator cabinets and on the back of the peninsula, as well as a matte black finish on the faucet, coordinate with the steel beam.
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Wood-look laminate kitchen cabinets were a practical choice for the climate. “Because of the extreme temperatures in the desert, wood requires a lot of maintenance,” Munic says.
Satin brass pulls on the lower cabinets and tip of the faucet complement the warm wood-look tones and contrast with the matte black finishes to create a mixed-metal look.
New 33-by-33-inch terrazzo-look porcelain floor tiles run throughout the house. Elongated hexagon porcelain tile, or picket tile, in varying tones of blue, white and gray form the backsplash. The countertops are solid white engineered quartz. “With so much pattern on the cabinets, floors and backsplash, it was important to keep the countertops neutral,” Munic says.
Undercabinet outlets keep the backsplash tile free of plugs.
Watch now: See more of this desert home on Houzz TV
Satin brass pulls on the lower cabinets and tip of the faucet complement the warm wood-look tones and contrast with the matte black finishes to create a mixed-metal look.
New 33-by-33-inch terrazzo-look porcelain floor tiles run throughout the house. Elongated hexagon porcelain tile, or picket tile, in varying tones of blue, white and gray form the backsplash. The countertops are solid white engineered quartz. “With so much pattern on the cabinets, floors and backsplash, it was important to keep the countertops neutral,” Munic says.
Undercabinet outlets keep the backsplash tile free of plugs.
Watch now: See more of this desert home on Houzz TV
The dining area features a streamlined wood table surrounded by six midcentury-inspired dining chairs. The oversize chandelier mixes brass and ruched ivory fabric. “The chandelier helps to soften the area and make it feel more cozy,” Munic says. A large piece of art features biomorphic shapes painted on silk. (On the right you can glimpse the macrame panel that separates the dining area from the entry.)
Artwork: Cudra Clover
Artwork: Cudra Clover
Before: The former living room featured a slightly recessed fireplace wall covered in polished stone. Munic felt the skylight in the center of the ceiling was unnecessary due to the abundance of light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Plus, it prevented her from hanging a ceiling fan.
After: Munic covered the fireplace wall in white ledger stone that now lies flush with the surrounding walls. A photo collage by artist Steven Rudin hangs to the left of the fireplace and a trio of black-and-white prints of Tina Turner hangs to the right.
A pair of light gray slipcovered sofas face two patterned ottomans that also serve as a coffee table (with the use of the tray on top) or additional seating. Munic bought the two antique chairs flanking the fireplace in Chicago, painted them black and added gold nailhead trim.
She also filled in the skylight in favor of a sleek new ceiling fan.
A pair of light gray slipcovered sofas face two patterned ottomans that also serve as a coffee table (with the use of the tray on top) or additional seating. Munic bought the two antique chairs flanking the fireplace in Chicago, painted them black and added gold nailhead trim.
She also filled in the skylight in favor of a sleek new ceiling fan.
Sliding glass doors connect the living room to the backyard. The same terrazzo-look porcelain tiles run directly from inside the house to the outside, creating seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Munic brought the large teak dining table and chairs from Chicago. “I had it covered in a boat varnish to help it hold up to the hot desert sun,” she says.
A stylish blue metal bar cart serves as a movable drink station.
Munic brought the large teak dining table and chairs from Chicago. “I had it covered in a boat varnish to help it hold up to the hot desert sun,” she says.
A stylish blue metal bar cart serves as a movable drink station.
The guest bedroom includes a pair of twin beds with laser-cut panel headboards that extend a few inches out from the wall for a 3D effect.
Watch now: Go inside this bright and airy desert home
Watch now: Go inside this bright and airy desert home
Grasscloth-covered walls in the master bedroom feature specks of gold thread on a creamy white background. A custom grasscloth valance hides automated window shades. A pair of blue swivel chairs, one of which is visible at the left in this photo, belonged to Munic’s parents in the 1970s. The headboard is wood wrapped with rope.
A sliding glass door leads to the backyard and an outdoor seating area set around a gas fire pit.
A sliding glass door leads to the backyard and an outdoor seating area set around a gas fire pit.
Before: A built-in tub in the former master bathroom crowded the vanity area and took up valuable square footage. Light blue tile, including on the countertop, and glass blocks hearkened to a 1980s style that Munic wanted to leave behind.
After: Munic removed the built-in bathtub and added a freestanding model made of stone, which retains heat well. Fan-shaped mosaic tile runs floor to ceiling behind the tub.
A large single-pane glass window replaced the glass blocks. A new wood-look laminate vanity (the same cabinetry as in the kitchen) features a chunky quartz countertop that mimics soapstone. “I used the same cabinetry throughout the whole home to create a sense of continuity,” Munic says.
A large single-pane glass window replaced the glass blocks. A new wood-look laminate vanity (the same cabinetry as in the kitchen) features a chunky quartz countertop that mimics soapstone. “I used the same cabinetry throughout the whole home to create a sense of continuity,” Munic says.
Munic replaced glass block walls surrounding the shower with a new frameless glass enclosure. The glass enclosure to the right is frosted two-thirds of the way up to lend privacy to a water closet.
Terrazzo-look porcelain tile runs unimpeded from the main floor into the shower. Satin brass fixtures and hardware pop against a neutral backdrop.
Munic is enjoying life in the sunny climate. In fact, the city has had such a positive effect on her whole family that her mom, aunt and uncle recently moved to Palm Springs full time, and her younger brother will make the move soon. Plus, her home has become a getaway for her son and daughter, both in their early 20s, just as the city was for her when she was growing up.
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Terrazzo-look porcelain tile runs unimpeded from the main floor into the shower. Satin brass fixtures and hardware pop against a neutral backdrop.
Munic is enjoying life in the sunny climate. In fact, the city has had such a positive effect on her whole family that her mom, aunt and uncle recently moved to Palm Springs full time, and her younger brother will make the move soon. Plus, her home has become a getaway for her son and daughter, both in their early 20s, just as the city was for her when she was growing up.
Watch now: Tour Staci Munic’s desert home on Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See more home tours
Look for an interior designer near you
Browse a collection of stylish home furnishing products for every room
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Watch now: Go inside this designer’s bright and airy desert home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Staci Munic
Location: Palm Springs, California
Size: About 1,800 square feet (167 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Staci Munic Interiors
Before: At the former entry sequence, a painted brick wall inset with glass blocks made an abrupt first impression. More glass blocks surrounded a solid blue front door, creating a dark entry inside and out.
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