The Early Years of Design in the Desert
Palm Springs back in the 50's, 60's and 70's was one of the most progressive design communities in the country. Back then a new design was emerging in Steven's childhood town of Palm Springs. There were various design styles in the United States at the time but something new was immerging in the desert community.

As is often the case, people didn't realize a new design style was being created at the time. It was and still is easy to get lost in the vernacular of design. Trying to come up with a name that described a particular style was difficult and subjective. Add to that one's own interpretation of a design style. The origins of naming a design style varied. Often design style names came from a geographical area; Santa Barbara Style, Mediterranean Style, Tuscan Style, Santa Fe Style to name a few. These were all styles whose origins came from a location and tended to be more of the traditional style. Unlike these styles the modern design style names tended to originate from an ideology rather than a location. New technologies for mass production and "form follows function" created other styles. Bauhaus, Mid-Century Modern, Shabby Chic, Memphis and many other styles emerged. The vernacular changed from a place to an idea or a moment in time.

Many design styles now co-exist in Palm Springs. From the geographical style (Tuscan, etc.) to the mid-century modern and ultra modern.

The Beginnings of a Family Design Business
De Christopher's design inspiration came from growing up around the family design business in the 60's and 70's.

In the 1960's a unique style emerged owing its roots to the uniqueness of its founding location, Palm Springs. The design patrons of this location led to the creation of a new design, "The Grand Tour Design" by one of Palm Springs' premiere designers, Steven De Christopher, Sr.

For Steven De Christopher, Sr. this all began back in the 1960's. Palm Springs was quite a different place in the early 1960's and the opportunities for design were unique. Back then Palm Springs in many ways was ground zero for the latest trends in interior design. Most of Steven De Christopher design clients were part time desert residents. Since the homes were not primary residences, this meant less inhibition and the desire for something different than what was allowed back home. Most all of the family furniture was back home so this meant a blank canvas to decorate their new desert homes. There were A list movie personalities and successful business people from all over the United States commissioning Steven De Christopher, Sr. for their interiors.

With the abundance of land, remodels were virtually unheard of so it was always something new. Budgets were generous which allowed for custom designed furniture with quality materials and American craftsmanship.

A New Design Style Emerges
Steven De Christopher, Jr. equates the uniqueness of the Palm Springs lifestyle akin to the "Grand Tour" which was a term originated in Europe over three hundred years ago and coined this phrase to his father's pioneering design work and how De Christopher,Jr. has kept that philosophy alive and evolved it to today's world.

Back in the mid 1600s wealthy young Englishmen began taking a post-Oxbridge trek through France and Italy in search of art, culture and the roots of Western civilization. With nearly unlimited funds, aristocratic connections and months (or years) to roam, they commissioned paintings, perfected their language skills and mingled with the upper crust of the Continent.

In similar fashion, people from all over made the trek to Palm Springs back in the 60's to see and experience a lifestyle much in the same way one experienced new things three hundred years ago.

In Palm Springs in the 1960's Steven De Christopher was the leading catalysts in bringing a new way of designing for the unique Palm Springs lifestyle. This involved everything from furniture, fabrics, works of art, colors and accessories. Many different materials were brought into play. Many of these materials (laminates, acrylics, large color prints, etc.) have gone and come back again.

In the beginning there were a lot of experimental materials, colorful fabrics and foil wallpapers. Through the 1970's a colorful color scheme gave way to a brown color pallet, shag carpeting with lots of chrome and glass. Some still preferred the colorful pallets form the previous decade and Steven De Christopher always accommodated those client's desires. Into the 1980's a more minimalistic design approach with grey as the dominant color emerged with the use of laminates and European cabinet manufacturing methods were used. A tremendous amount of acrylic started being used in many of Steven De Christopher designed homes. Steven De Christopher custom designed virtually every furniture piece and most furniture was made by master craftsman primarily in the Los Angeles area. As relationships developed with client's Steven De Christopher began designing for the client's main residences throughout the United States. This was predominantly in the sunbelt areas where a similar design approach to the desert would be appropriate.

Steven De Christopher, Jr. Joins the Family Business
Beginning in the 1980's Steven De Christopher, Jr. joined his father's design studio and quickly began designing interiors alongside his father. As the 1990's emerged the homogenous design style of Palm Springs started to fragment and client's became more involved in the design process. The result was a more individualistic design style with less emphasis on a "Designer Look" and more about "Self Expression". Into the next decade this attitude continued along with a major shift in the demographics of the typical design client. Wealth was being made earlier in life, whereas in the 60's,70's and 80's design patrons were typically at or near retirement age. Now a new 40 and 50 something year old was appearing. More emphasis was placed on value oriented furnishings however architecture and construction budgets increased dramatically. The availability of imported furniture production pieces, the breakdown of furniture distribution channels and the internet changed how furniture was procured. Sadly many high-end furniture craftsman type manufactures some of who had been in business for over 100 years went out of business. Steven De Christopher as he had done in the 60's always kept a keen eye on the pulse of the Palm Springs' design client. So with the emphasis becoming more towards the Architecture and Construction, Steven De Christopher began incorporating the entire process into the Total Design & Build Solution.

Design & Construction Philosophy
Unlike many styles which captured a moment in time with a specific "look", Steven De Christopher's Grand Tour Design is always evolving. Like a car whose original design might have been created decades ago, the new version always pays homage to its original design yet lives in the present. All of the original desires from its inception are still alive in its most recent design.

Steven De Christopher, Jr.'s design style emphasizes authentic design ideas by transforming each client's unique personality into a one of a kind home and interior. His work is like a tailor made suit. This is exemplified by the diverse work that he has completed over the last three decades. The variety of design styles DeChristopher has produced over the years is a testament to searching for each client's own unique design style reflective of their own personality. His signature design style and construction technique is understated while the client's own uniqueness shines through in each completed project. He also has brought to the design and construction world the attitude that the best design and construction methods can be achieved without having to be more expensive. Careful consideration is given to create quality and value at a great price. He does not believe better means more expensive. He also designs many of the interior elements of his buildings, such as the furniture, area rugs, decorative wall treatments and commissioned works of art.

The power of integrating design with construction is what Steven De Christopher provides its customers.

Today's Design/Build Projects and Looking Beyond
Although today is much different than what it was back in the 1960's, the underlying ideology for a De Christopher Design/Build project remains the same.

It's all about having a good eye and a deep understanding of each individual's authentic lifestyle. Then building a great design around it at the best price possible.