The gated community known as Southridge is one of Palm Springs' most exclusive neighborhoods, set in the San Jacinto Hills with a view of the Coachella valley, and is one of Palm Springs' most exclusive neighborhoods. 

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There are two iconic John Lautner homes located within this tract, the Arthur Elrod Residence and Bob and Dolores Hope House, the latter of which is known for its appearance in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. 

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The other two residences were designed by acclaimed Desert Modernist Hugh Kaptur. Originally owned by Steve McQueen and William Holden, the former was owned by Steve McQueen and the latter by William Holden.

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One of the notable homes in the tiny enclave that was built in 1971 by architect Charles Du Bois is also worth mentioning. It was in 1938 that Du Bois opened his own office on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, where he first set up shop as a draftsman in the prestigious architecture firms Walker and Eisen and Horatio W. Bishop before establishing his own office in the same building on Sunset Boulevard. 

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The set designer he worked as a senior with MGM during World War II was undoubtedly an influential member of the theatrical design community that has undoubtedly influenced the aesthetics of his residential constructions, including the exaggerated A-frames found in the Palm Springs development Vista Las Palmas that are known as the "Swiss Misses."

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While Lautner and Kaptur's green modernist residences mimic and merge with their natural surroundings, there is no need for the Hollywood Regency-style residence Du Bois created in Southridge to conceal its splendor under a bushel, which is contrary to the aesthetics offered by Lautner and Kaptur's examples of organic modernism. 

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Those words apply in particular to the home's interior, which was renovated by prolific interior decorator Carleton Varney in 2005. Varney was a Dorothy Draper protege whose flamboyant style earned him the title of "Mr. Color.”

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According to  Report described Varney's overhaul of the approximately 5,000-square-foot house, which included converting a bedroom and an office into an expanded kitchen and butler's pantry in addition to remodeling a few bathrooms. 

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Varney and Draper were both of the opinion that vertical stripes make a room appear larger and more spacious so they made alterations and embellishments to the entry hall with an emerald-green bania leaf mural - no surprise since Varney and Draper were so insistent on this fact! - Redesigning the breakfast area to resemble a tented cabana, instead of a typical dining room. 

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There are also a number of melodramatic features throughout the house including an array of oversize crystal chandeliers and terrazzo floors that add to the dramatic atmosphere.

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The lavish and bespoke design choices of the two-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home may not be everyone's cup of tea, but anyone would have no problem praising the spectacular views and vivid sunsets that are a perfect match for the house's stylish interior that is just as eye-catching as its exterior.

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After being last sold for $1.9 million in 2003, the .39-acre property is now listed for sale at a price of $4.45 million, compared to its 2003 asking price of $1.9 million. This listing is held by Keith Markovitz at TTK Represents at Compass, who is representing the seller.

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