Villa Verde
Author:Abigail StoneA reimagined home in Palm Springs, created by Rowland+Broughton, celebrates its connection to the outdoors
Photographed by Lisa Romerein, and styled by Helen Crowther.
“We’d been thinking about establishing a warm weather home for quite some time and decided on Palm Springs because of its natural beauty, access to nature, architecture, arts and culture,” says John Rowland, co-founder, along with his wife and partner Sarah Broughton, of Colorado-based architecture and design firm Rowland+Broughton. The home they settled on—a 3,320-square-foot Mid-century modern home, originally built in the 1960s and located in the city’s Deepwell Estates—stood out for its quiet architectural integrity and lush, established landscape. “Even though the house itself was relatively understated, it had a strong foundation and a natural connection to the outdoors that felt authentic to the spirit of Palm Springs,” Rowland remembers. And fortunately, it was in great shape. Apart from a few tweaks to the exterior, including the addition of solar panels and huge retractable awnings, most of the couple’s work focused on the interior.
Photographed by Lisa Romerein, and styled by Helen Crowther.
“Our approach is rooted in an emphasis on historical preservation and the relationship between indoor and outdoor living,” confirms Sarah Broughton. “It’s an approach we’ve developed over time while working within the Colorado landscape. Bringing that mindset to California allowed us to adapt it to a different climate and quality of light.”
Photographed by Lisa Romerein, and styled by Helen Crowther.
That philosophy, which seamlessly dovetails with California’s emphasis on blurring the lines between indoors and out, is reflected in the lyrical name they gave the house: Villa Verde. Italian for “green house,” the moniker also nods to the green accents that are woven throughout the interior, the explosive greenery that surrounds the property, and its use as vibrant and fertile laboratory for the ideas that have long fueled the firm’s work. “It reflects our interest in the intersection of historic preservation, contextualism and local vernacular and acknowledges the chrysalis of history while providing a highly individual, appealingly international, balanced oasis just on the other side of tradition,” Broughton shares.
Photographed by Lisa Romerein, and styled by Helen Crowther.
The interior showcases hand-crafted objects including contemporary Milanese furniture, Mexican women’s textiles and Japanese ceramic works. “Inside and out, the home is resonates with personal meaning,” Broughton notes. “We focused on creating spaces that feel effortless and resolved, where every piece has intention but nothing feels overworked.” Adds her husband: “The calmness comes from balance and clarity rather than minimalism alone. Each piece is distinctive and intentional yet it all flows together effortlessly, reflecting our presiding desire.” The result is a home that celebrates its connection to nature.
