Is Amboy, California Worth the Detour? Inside the Googie Ghost Town That Refused to Stay Dead

Featured image credit: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “Amboy (California, USA) — 2012 — 4” / CC BY-SA 4.0 About 200 miles east of Los Angeles and 100 miles northeast of Palm Springs sits a remote Mojave Desert town that exists out of logic and reason. It was built near a dead volcano, along a highway (that died), with a gas station […]

The Mid-Century Fairytale of LA’s Case Study Houses

Featured image credit: mbtrama It’s not often that we get to witness experiments in architecture while they’re in motion. Yet, that’s exactly the experience case study houses offer. Arts & Architecture magazine challenged notable architects to create affordable homes to address the U.S.’s residential housing boom. With World War II finally coming to an end, […]

The Last Chuck E. Cheese Animatronic Band in the World is Playing a Northridge Residency

Featured image credit: Ben Schumin What a year for legendary bands. New wave icons Devo retired from live performance. Rock gods Kiss called it a day. And now Munch’s Make Believe Band is packing it all in… with one notable exception. Wait, you don’t remember Munch’s Make Believe Band? Surely you’ve had the singular experience […]

Modernism Week Palm Springs Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Magic Line-Up

It seems there isn’t a second that passes in the Coachella Valley when Mid-Century designs aren’t celebrated in some way. Yet, Palm Springs still devotes a “week” to Mid-Century Modern styles. That “week” lasts 10 days this year, but it still doesn’t seem like enough time to pack in every event, tour, lecture, and party. […]

How To Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials To Give Your Home A Fighting Chance In Wildfire Season

As our neighbors consider rebuilding their homes following the horrifying wildfires that tore through the region just a little over a week into the new year, more and more homeowners are taking careful consideration into what materials and practices build fire-resistant homes. Sadly, a fully fireproof home just isn’t feasible. Otherwise, we may not be […]

Bing Crosby House in Palm Desert Could Be Among the County’s Most Expensive Sales

Featured image credit: Paramount Pictures Before Mariah Carey wrapped her mittened hands around the holiday music charts, December was the season of Bing. Legendary actor and crooner Bing Crosby recognized the value of a well-timed Christmas tune… or ten. When the holidays rolled around, so did Crosby’s latest carol… or maybe a golden oldie. It […]