Mid-Century Modern Freak

Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Residence | 40-241 Club View Drive, Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA | Architect: Paul R. Williams

In an earlier post I mentioned this home was demolished due to termite damage. It seems I had some erroneous information. Apparently, this beauty is still standing and fully remodeled. Whew.

In 1954, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz moved their family into an informal ranch home architect Paul R. Williams designed for them. The house, on a lot Desi reputedly won in a poker game, was located near the 17th fairway of the Thunderbird Country Club and was the first residence completed in the club’s development.  The 4,400 square foot house had six bedrooms, a swimming pool and a lanai- type signature Williams’ space that combined and expanded the use of interior and exterior areas. Williams’ use of glass walls to separate the patio from the living and dining rooms allowed views from each of those rooms of the nearby desert and mountains. Stone and light colors gave the interior a contemporary style and the natural setting seems to both surround and define the structure.

In 2002 the Ball Arnaz house was extensively remodeled. The lot Desi won in the infamous poker game was sub-divided into smaller parcels and seven one-story houses were built near the residence Paul Williams built for the couple.

Source: paulrwilliamsproject.org