Community: Palm Springs

The Ship of the Desert "The Ship Of The Desert" sails into restoration and preservation by the new owners of a husband and wife fashion team Trina Turk and Jonathan Skow of Los Angeles with James A. McBride, II, Architect and Construction Administrator. The original property was under construction in 1936 during the Depression years on the Davidson Estate which enjoys a panoramic view of the desert valley. The new owners of today are meticulous in preserving every aspect of the original design in particular the plumbing fixtures and hardware and the door hardware. Jonathan Skow, a stylist is personally restoring the hardware and has found replacement lavatories as necessary from a 1934 house in Los Angeles, utilizing American standard fixtures and hardware. Someone enclosed the second floor balcony with windows. Jonathan and Trina requested that this balcony be returned to an open air balcony. The owners and the architect studied the existing exterior design and developed a solution to harmonize with the existing design. Arthur Coleman, Palm Springs Life Photographer and wife Cheryll purchased the house in January 1979 from Robert Ford in San Francisco, and resided there for 11 years adding their touches to the house. The monument at 1995 Camino Monte was christened "the Ship of the Desert" by Sunset magazine in 1937 because its living room extends from the property like the bow of a ship. Built in 1930 by Mrs. Davidson, a prominent lady from Washington, D.C., this 1.5 acre estate, built on the south side of Palm Springs. It rests high on a mesa above the city, partially built into the surrounding mountains and often unsurpassed views of desert vistas, mountains and twinkling lights from many of its balconies and decks. The interior of this 4,072 square foot home, has been restored yet still recaptures faithfully the feeling of the original Davidson household.

Additional Details:

Improved Size:

4076

Year Built:

1936