buzz:

Spent yesterday on bike appreciating Palm Springs modernist architecture, including the Kaufmann House (pictured above in a famous photo by Julius Shulman), a Richard Neutra building commissioned by the same Pittsburgh department store magnate who built Fallingwater. A little bit of additional research on the landmark after I got home uncovered the following anecdote about one-time owner Barry Manilow and his questionable modifications:

It is not known what changes were made by the Klein’s, but of the Manilow years, Beth Harris relates an amusing story. Filmmaker John Waters visited Manilow at the house during his ownership. Manilow had decorated the two guest bedrooms for favored guests; one was actress/comedienne Susanne Somers — the other was a male friend. Somers’ suite was tricked out with wallpaper, drapes, linens, and bed clothes done in a famous Laura Ashley lavender floral print. The other guest room was decorated with faux-marble wall coverings and stage-set Roman columns. The interiors of the main house were also extensively wall-papered. Years later, upon a return visit to Palm Springs, Waters toured the Harris’ extensive restoration, remarking to Beth with an arch grin: “My dear, you’ve just ruined the place!”

(Source: moonmilked)