Shopping in Palm Springs

Words by Patricia Kline

Our Favorite Midcentury Modern Shops

Now that you have a place to stay, eat and drink — it’s time to shop! 

Downtown Palm Springs offers a variety of shops to explore and you have your pick of high end shops to the shops located in strip malls outside of town that just might have a hidden, well priced gem. 

Here are some of my go to shops for midcentury modern finds — all are located in downtown Palm Springs with the exception of the shops on Perez Road in Cathedral City.

Bon Vivant

Located in the Uptown Design District before it was called that, Bon Vivant is one of our favorites to fuel our obsession for vintage Blenko glass.  Owners Patrick and James are friendly and helpful and don’t hesitate to pull out their Blenko reference books to help us research the date of a piece.  

While we always make a beeline for the back of the shop where they display the Blenko, the front of their shop is stocked with pottery, ceramics and vintage jewelry. And owls — lots of owls. The 1970s is well represented with owls on glass, ceramic, metal and wood.

Before you leave, wave goodbye to shop cat, Harley.

(interesting side note — this shop is located in the historic Albert Frey and A. Lawrence Kocher designed Kocher Samson Building.)

Lindy

Andrea Vincent is the owner of the shop known as Lindy California located in “the shops at thirteen forty five “— a building designed by E. Stewart Williams in 1955 which now houses 15 or so boutiques. 

Andrea has some amazing vintage finds in her shop.  I love her attitude of mixing vintage finds with more current day items that she finds. And don’t miss her second shop which is all about jewelry!

@lindycalifornia

Dazzles

Now located in Rancho Mirage! This is one crowded shop but if you don’t mind the hunt, this is the place for you.

Shops on Perez Road

Located outside of downtown Palm Springs in Cathedral City are variety of vintage shops known as the shops on Perez Road. We particularly like At Hom, Hedge, and Spaces. These three are located next to each other.

@athom_ps

@hedgepalmsprings

@spacesonperez

Palm Springs Ace Hardware (ACE Hardware)

Their tagline is “the most fun you’ll have at a hardware store” and they are correct! They carry the usual hardware items but we love it for the fun selection of items for your outdoor space including fun napkins, one of a kind serving ware, pool toys and much more. Located in the Smoke Tree Village shopping center.

@acehardwarepalmsprings

Antique Galleries Palm Springs

Located in an industrial park just outside of downtown Palm Springs is this sprawling complex of midcentury modern shops. Unlike other similar galleries which are crowded and not so clean, these shops are organized and a pleasure to browse. The complex is also surrounded by other midcentury modern shops that you might as well check out since you are in the area.

@antiquegalleriesps

Pink Cactus

A fun spot for modern home goods as well as a few vintage finds. The small shop is located next to the Antique Galleries.

Wolf Contemporary

Located next to Bon Vivant, this shop features art and unique finds but our favorite part of the shop was discovering the vintage handbags (Chanel, Miu Miu, Gucci and more!) at great prices!

@wolfcontemporary and for the handbags @archiveaccessories

Seasonal

Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale

During Modernism Week in February and October it is worth the price of admission to explore the vendors at the Modernism Week Show held at the Palm Springs Convention Center.  I have picked up some good items there and learned about interesting sellers that we continue to follow.

@palmsprings_mod

Palm Springs Vintage Market at The Camelot Theatre Parking Lot

A flea market with a midcentury modern spin! The vintage market takes place the first Sunday of the month from October to May. 

@psvintagemarket

Not Vintage Shops but worth a visit:

BackStreet Art District

A collection of galleries and artist studios located near the Parker Palm Springs Hotel. Always best to check in with the artist you want to see before heading there to see if they are open. They do host year around a first Wednesday art walk. We discovered this hidden gem because we were searching for the studio of Gary Wexler. Gary is a graphic designer and the son of Palm Springs modernist royalty, the architect Donald Wexler. We are now proud owners of several of his designs.

@backstreetartdistrict

@garywexlerdesign

J. Kenneth Fine Art

This downtown art gallery is located within the Rubine Red Gallery. A recent exhibition featured abstract paintings from the 1950s.

@jkennethfineart

@rubinredgallery

Destination PSP

Located in the heart of downtown, this fun shop carries items for the modern lifestyle including glassware, clocks, posters, beach towels, t-shirts as well as books and other gift items.

@destinationpsp

Gift Shops

The gift shops at the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs Desert Architecture Museum both located downtown always have some great finds. 

@psartmuseum

Don’t be surprised if you find a favorite spot only to discover that it is no longer in business or has moved next time you visit. This seems to be the nature of the retail business in Palm Springs especially as the city redesigns the main part of downtown. 

Have a favorite place we should check out? Follow me on Instagram and send me a DM.