When designer Nina Freudenberger was asked to reimagine a Palm Springs, California residence for a pair of longtime clients, the project unfolded less as a renovation and more as a dialogue – one with the existing architecture, with the desert, and most notably, with the clients’ storied art collection. Barring the possibility of major construction, the home became a study in creative restraint for Freudenberger Design Studio requiring thoughtful furniture choices, subtle materiality, and a disciplined palette to transform the existing structure into something deeply personal.
The clients’ art collection quickly became – and remains – the soul of the project. Rather than compete with it, Freudenberger approached the interiors with what she calls “decorating to 92 percent” – a philosophy of restraint that leaves room for art to breathe and evolve. Gallery-like walls, a light and neutral palette, and moveable furniture allow the collection to take center stage while giving the clients the flexibility to reconfigure displays as their tastes shift.
“It’s important not to overwhelm a space,” Freudenberger notes, “The clients wanted something that was distinctly unfussy.”
In a city celebrated for mid-century modernism, Freudenberger resisted the temptation to lean into familiar tropes. Instead, she looked to Post-Modern influences, layered with her signature blend of Scandinavian sensibility and California ease. The result feels contemporary yet rooted in context for a crisp, modern aesthetic that acknowledges Palm Springs’ design heritage without being defined by it.
Climate, too, was an influence. Heavy bouclés and dense fabrics are eschewed in favor of breathable, lighter-weight materials that mirror the desert’s airy quality. Rift-sawn oak, Roman clay walls, and golden wheat tones warm the space, while cool whites and minimalist gestures lend balance. The meticulous level 5 drywall finish – a hallmark of Freudenberger’s work – offers a smooth, gallery-ready foundation for art while supporting a clean, modern language.
At its core, the redesign is about more than aesthetics. The home must support a life at ease for both people and pets, from casual merriment to formal occasion. Durable, stain-resistant fabrics and practical flooring choices make the house livable without sacrificing sophistication. Natural light, an abundant desert resource, is harnessed with fenestration unencumbered by heavy window treatments. This ensures that mornings and evenings are equally considered in their ability to effect change indoors while framing one-of-a-kind views.
“That balance – celebrating the magic of natural light while creating a comfortable environment at any hour – was key,” the designer adds.
The completed Palm Springs residence is both serene and lively: a crisp canvas for art, a comfortable refuge for everyday life, and a welcoming, light-filled environment that feels distinctly of its place and time. It exemplifies Freudenberger Design Studio’s ethos, which champions spaces that are responsive to clients and architecture alike, elevated not by sweeping intervention, but by thoughtful, intentional design.
Here, the art leads. The design follows, not in deference, but in conversation – proof that sometimes the most compelling interiors are those that leave just enough room for art and object to do some talking.
To learn more about this and other works by Freudenberger Design Studio, visit freudenbergerdesign.com.
Photography by Michael Clifford.
