It’s freezing cold and snowy and while I love a white Christmas,  a little part of me wishes I was back on California.  Palm Springs is a place I have been to once for a a friends wedding and I would love a good excuse to return again.

Around every corner is a cool piece of architecture and hip design and the Ace Hotel and Swim Club is no exception.

It was designed by Commune Design and it has lots of great ideas and stylish looks to be inspired by — like this hammock alley.

The suites have these lovely patios that are the coolest outdoor rooms I have seen in a while.  I am obsessing over that rocking chair….anyone know where that come from? It. is. so. cool.

Also, I am thinking through construction details for that fireplace….how did that get built??? I am thinking it must be a metal frame, stuccoed and then cut out? (That over simplifies the process I am sure…has anyone ever constructed anything like this? How did you do it?)

The wooden details, like the gate and the big block cocktail table bench are completely cool too.  I have lots of big pine trees (like more than 3′ in diameter) that are laying around my house….I had to have them taken down but couldn’t afford the hauling away….I am wondering how much it would cost to have them milled into big blocks like these?

I have to admit I am feeling a bit garden UN-inspired since coming back to chilly, cold New England….I must stop obsessing about warmer climes…and embracing my winter white season.  Feel free to suggest your own strategies for winter inspiration, I could use it.