By Jerry Braun, January 11, 2022
Michelle Boudreau, Palm Springs Designer
I recently sat down for a chat with Michelle Boudreau, owner of Michelle Boudreau Design. She is renowned for her extensive design experiences in a variety of fields, which she now applies to her design work across the Coachella Valley and beyond.
Tell me a little about yourself and your business.
My background is in Boutique Store Design for innovative international brands. Drawing from frequent travels I have gained inspiration from many different cultures and places. I started my own interior design firm to focus on residential and hospitality, allowing me to express my creativity to develop unique, modern environments with an artful perspective applying a custom approach to each client. From architectural details, interior remodels and exterior landscape design. I enjoy creating a holistic vision that is appropriate for the location and respects the architecture.
Palm Springs has always been a magical place for me, as I have been visiting the desert since I was a little girl. The modernist architecture, glamorous eclectic lifestyle, and cocktail culture has always inspired me and helped shaped my design aesthetic. The desert was a natural location for me open my design studio when I moved back to the states.
What is your “design philosophy”?
Aim for the “WOW” to get a powerful reaction to a design and visual moment in an each and every environment.
Always do something unexpected. Create a sense of surprise and delight.
Mix different styles and eras together to create a cohesive space. You have to have a sense of balance, with a very thoughtful design juxtaposition.
I know that you recently renovated your Midcentury Modern home in Palm Springs. What did you learn from this process? Any words of advice?
I have remodeled many Midcentury Modern homes in Palm Springs. I really strive to find ways to respect the original structure while having the lightness and brightness of mid-century modern. This time around I incorporate better glass and other materials for a more efficient structure. Midcentury modern homes are simple but allow you to do more with less.
Advice: Understand and research the history of a Midcentury Modern home. Pay attention to the common materials, colors, shapes, and textures used and enhance with modern advanced materials. Preserve and enhance.
What are some of the current trends in design that are relevant to home owners and buyers in Coachella Valley?
Desert Modern Design / Modern desert style was born from mid-century modern design. A combination of interior design and fashion are fused to create a unique aesthetic that emanates a free-spirited, bohemian vibe. Desert modern is a minimalist mood: clean, soft neutral colors and materials which draw inspiration from modern design, California eclectic, bohemian design, and desert landscapes and graphic plant shapes. Warm colors of the sunsets behind the mountains are brought to the interiors with golden hues, rust tones, corals and soft blush palettes.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I personally am so inspired by the desert and the amazing architecture every day.
I love integrating the views of the mountains in every room and ensure that it is seamlessly integrated into the desert landscape. Designing the landscape so it is cleverly designed to take you on a journey of surprise and delight by discovering multiple different spaces to experience and celebrate the Palm Springs lifestyle of indoor/outdoor living. I envision the interior environments to be carefully curated with unique, custom details, shapes and texture that are inspired by the sculptural mountains and unique graphic shadows of the desert plants.
For more information or to contact Michelle, here is her website and contact information:
Website michelleboudreaudesign.com • Phone 415.471.4818 • Instagram @michelleboudreaudesign
