Palm Springs Modernism Week 2020 opens with cool houses opening up to the public

Modernism Week has kicked off in Palm Springs, an annual 11-day showcase of the town's fabulous mid-20th century modern houses for design enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Visitors are given the rare opportunity to take a look at what's inside these houses - some may not look like much from the outside, but what's beyond the front doors will take your breath away.

Different houses open to the public each year, with both locals and tourists competing for tickets which can sell out well in advance.

Some houses, such as the Frey II - now empty and owned by the Palm Springs Art Museum - illustrate how creative architects were with space and the environment as the home sits around a huge boulder protruding from the hill. Others are showcase homes, once derelict, snared by a opportunistic buyers and restored to their former glory.

This year special events include showcasing 1948 Gilman residence, while kitsch culture guru Charles 'ambassador of Americana' Phoenix led bus tours around his favourite Palm Springs locations.

There's plenty of other tours to choose from, plus vintage trailer exhibits, cocktail making classes and parties galore.

This year's event runs from from February 13-23.

See visitgreaterpalmsprings.com, modernismweek.com

The writer travelled as a guest of Visit Greater Palm Springs.