The Ace Hotel recently collaborated with the Comex Group and Arkitip on a project that introduced different color combinations into a small block of rooms at the hotel’s Palm Springs location. I headed out with a small group of participating designy type folks to spend a few nights in these experimental color spaces. After staying in a few different rooms we discussed how each color shift changed the space and our mood.

Yes, I totally ended up interviewing on camera. Pretty much my ultimate sweaty awkward nightmare.

Besides the filmed voyage into my uncomfortable zone, I stayed in three of the five rooms : the indigo and pink, cerulean and navy and the mushroom and turquoise. Even though I didn’t stay in every color combo, all the participants got to see every room and feel sad about the ones we missed (with a fireplace). I also attempted to hectically photograph them all before checking out on Sunday. Thinking I did pretty awesome after about four days with about zero hours of sleep.

So, above is the pink and indigo room.

This was my first room and the only one I violently hated. Well, only initially violently hated. When I first arrived it was dark and super late and maybe I was exhausted and somehow this space seemed like some kind of massage parlor of ill repute. When the sun rose though, it was actually kind of awesome and my feelings warmed up.

I shockingly enjoy some neon pink accents – especially the way these are photographing, but for some reason, how this looked in real life didn’t wow me as much. I liked it much better in daylight than I did the night before, but I think it almost needed a bit more florescent hotness (not comfortable with that phrase usually).

 

My second night was spent in the cerulean and navy room.

This combo ended up feeling pretty cohesive with the hotels original furniture and accessories, like it appeared to be the most seamless and unobtrusive or possibly the most calming color shift of the bunch. I almost wanted the lighter blue to be a bit more brightly florescent after spending time in the hot pink room. Florescent = fun? What is happening to me.

Weirdly, this combo didn’t photograph as well as I assumed it would.

My last night was spent in the turquoise and mushroom room.

Not a huge fan of this one.

Maybe this felt a bit too South Beach for the desert light and dusty colors I love and know so well? So, mainly not loving this particular combo, but was definitely enjoying how these big injections of color started totally changing how the rooms felt overall and gave the usually all white slats some architectural dimension.

Abby stayed in the yellow room.

This was a whole lot of yellow.

I can’t handle tons of yellow, but the gray accent was amazing and I kind of wish the two colors had been flipped. I can get behind some bright yellow as an accent with a more neutral gray backdrop, especially when nursing a brutal hangover from too many roadrunners the night before.

ALL yellow = eyes imploding into aching brain.

Yup. Still love a simple black porcelain socket with a big clear bulb.

A super simple and affordable combo that just might be appearing in a great project I’ve been working on with Laure. Can’t wait to share.

The color slats do make the Robert Lewis Love Lights stand out way more than ever before and look somehow less cheap? I hate thinking that but I was never a Love Light fan until this trip.

Now I’m digging these things, especially the soft light they give off. Super sexy time. Paired with a great wall color behind? Yes please.

The green room.

Didn’t stay in here but kind of dig it when paired with the patio and plants outside. Although I somehow weirdly want my desert rooms to feel sparse and dry and golden and neutral…so maybe the green is too lush? Too dark?

Mmmmhhmmmm.

Acapalco chair. I love you.

Notice the black paint inside the white planters that hide all the ugly dirt? GREAT trick.

Yellow room with yellow chairs?

Give it.

Anyone notice that all the kilim rugs are now cowhides? I wonder why? Maybe it’s just these rooms…

I’ve long been a fan of the cowhide as rug since they can take a ton of abuse and still look good. It’s possibly the perfect rug for spaces with high amounts of foot traffic or very careless carpet owners. Maybe the kilims were too delicate and got thrashed? Who knows…

Many thank again to Arkitip and The Comex Group for inviting everyone to come out and participate in this color experiment and  super big thanks to Alex and The Ace Hotel for putting up with us and being so generous.

I had a great time with my ladies and my boy and all the new folks we got to chat up, eat, drink, and swim with – even loved meeting the naked grandma who taught us the simple truths and ways of the sauna. Everyone was super cute and well dressed and made me very nervous, but despite my tendency to always feel a tad dumpy chubby country mouse in this type of situation, it was a great experience and super fun little getaway. Also, must note that I was especially glad to finally meet Miranda Jones in the real life. You lady, you are the funnest.