Modos Is Furniture Anyone Can Build (and Un-Build and Re-Build)

Huge glass walls throughout the house blur the line between indoors and out, making the whole place feel super connected to nature. It’s a fresh take on desert living — grounded in its surroundings and full of personality.

1. Lean Into Cozy Seating

It’s the kind of place that invites you to sink in, unwind, and soak up the desert calm. While Francesca paid homage to the spirit of Palm Springs, she intentionally steered away from the typical mid-century vibe, bringing something fresh and unexpected instead. “Drawing from my travels in France and Italy, I incorporated hues that evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, ensuring the interiors resonate with the desert landscape while maintaining a timeless appeal," says Francesca.

The moment you step inside, it’s a stunning visual experience. Desert views are perfectly framed, while Francesca’s thoughtful use of color and sculptural furniture mirrors the rugged landscape and captures the magic of the desert light.

Here’s a peek at those spectacular indoor-outdoor views that give the home a serene, spa-like feel — and turn every window into a work of art.

2. Use An Earthy Palette

The color scheme was influenced by the natural surroundings of Palm Springs and Francesca's affinity for earthy, rich tones. And that velvet platform bed? The curved edges make it feel extra inviting—so much softer and cozier than sharp lines.

3. Maximize Views

This dreamy bathroom is beyond beautiful thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that invite the desert in and an elegant design. "Floor-to-ceiling windows were left unadorned or dressed with minimal treatments to frame the natural beauty without obstruction," says Francesca.

Even the walk-in closet comes with a picture-perfect view of the desert — because why not?

4. Embrace Natural Stone

A bold marble sink adds just the right amount of edge to this neutral bathroom, keeping the design layered, luxe, and anything but boring.

5. Blend Textures

Francesca sourced a boulder from the surrounding land and transformed it into a custom coffee table, merging the connection between indoors and outdoors.

“Texture is my love language," says Francesca. "It’s how I bring emotion into a space without shouting. For this home, I layered everything: marble, smooth leather, raw woods with polished stone, sheer linen next to rich velvet. The palette might be neutral, but the materials are doing all the talking. That contrast keeps the eye engaged and creates a sense of quiet luxury that doesn’t try too hard," she adds.

That marble fireplace is also a work of art. The stunning desert landscape significantly influenced the layout and styling choices. “I positioned seating areas to maximize views of the outdoors, creating a seamless connection between the interior and exterior spaces.

The kitchen acts as a breezy bridge between the entry and the back of the house, creating a clean, open space that balances all the surrounding coziness.

Here’s the view from the dining area — and I’m obsessed with the textured pendant lights. They bring a soft, organic touch that beautifully balances the kitchen’s harder lines.

6. Mix In Vintage Pieces

Francesca mixed in a few vintage finds and unexpected accents to keep things fresh and dynamic, but her LA shop Somme really set the tone. “There’s something really special about designing pieces that already have a story and a soul behind them—and being able to place them in a home like this just adds another layer of intention. I wanted the furnishings to feel elevated but livable, with just the right amount of edge," says Francesca.

7. Go Bold With Art

For this home, Francesca worked closely with Creative Art Partners (CAP) to curate the perfect art collection that she says "felt intentional, emotional, and deeply tied to the spirit of the space."

“Our goal was to create a narrative through the art — each piece had to serve a purpose, whether it added a punch of color, an unexpected texture, or a provocative element that brought energy to a room. That said, because this is a staged home, we were thoughtful about how far we pushed certain pieces. There’s a fine line between bold and polarizing, so we curated selections that had impact without alienating potential buyers. CAP was an amazing partner in helping us strike that balance and tell a cohesive story throughout the home,” she said.

8. Balance A Cozy Minimalism

Striking the right balance between cozy and clean called for thoughtful layering and intentional decor choices. It’s all about avoiding clutter without letting the space feel cold or sterile.

"I focus on incorporating plush textiles, ambient lighting, and personal artifacts to add warmth, while maintaining an uncluttered environment by curating pieces that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. This philosophy ensures the space feels inviting without visual overload," she says.

Here's the dreamy home in the middle of the desert, stunning view inside and out.

Here's how the home is lit at dusk, simply beautiful.

Palm Springs feels almost otherworldly — the perfect desert escape.

On a recent visit, B+C's VP of Content, Ali Ives, and I wandered into Somme and were instantly smitten. Imagine cottagecore with depth, where antique treasures meet bold, layered styling that feels both timeless and unexpected.

Francesca is a master at crafting vintage-inspired spaces with a distinct, modern POV. Here, she shares insights on her design philosophy, her latest collaborations, and her stunning transformation of a $24 million estate now on the market.

B+C: How would you define your aesthetic?

Francesca: I’d define my aesthetic as eclectic, nostalgic, and unexpected. It’s about mixing eras, textures and patterns in a way that feels curated and collected over time — like stepping into a space with history and soul.

B+C: How do you make a space feel one-of-a-kind?

Francesca: I love designing spaces that have depth and a bit of tension, whether it’s a balance of feminine and masculine, vintage and modern, or soft and bold. To make a space personal, I lean into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces — antiques, art with a story, textiles that feel lived-in. I want it to feel like someone’s life has unfolded there, not like a staged set.

B+C: What's the strangest or most surprising source of inspiration you've ever drawn from?

Francesca:I love wandering through European flea markets, where every object has a history, or getting lost in an old city and noticing the way time has shaped its architecture. Even something as simple as the tilework in a tiny café or the way laundry hangs between buildings can spark an idea. LA still influences me in the way it blends so many cultures and eras, but traveling pushes me to see design through a different lens — less polished, more lived-in, always with a story to tell.

B+C: What is your design pet-peeve?

Francesca: Anything that feels too sterile or overly "designed" with no personality. I’m also so over the idea that everything has to be beige to be timeless — give me color, give me texture, give me something with character!

B+C: You recently staged and styled a 6-bed, 9-bath Spanish-Mediterranean Bel Air Estate that just hit the market for $24M. What were your design goals for this Bel Air project, which leans into the more neutral territory?

Francesca: Our goal was to use our furniture and décor to enhance the home’s Spanish-Mediterranean elegance while introducing a sense of modern livability. We wanted every piece to feel intentional — respecting the architecture while making the space feel fresh, inviting, and effortlessly luxurious.

Francesca: To achieve this, I partnered with home decor brand Olive Ateliers and leaned into organic textures and warm, neutral tones. Soft linen upholstery, sculptural wood accents, and vintage-inspired statement pieces brought depth and a sense of history, ensuring the interiors felt collected rather than staged.

Francesca: In spaces like the living and dining areas, we focused on balancing grandeur with intimacy — placing oversized, plush seating to emphasize comfort while layering in antique and contemporary elements to create visual intrigue. The use of ceramic vessels, textured textiles, and aged metals further complemented the home’s natural materials.

Francesca: For the bedrooms, we aimed for elevated serenity, incorporating soft, layered bedding and curated accent furniture to create a retreat-like atmosphere.

Francesca: Overall, the staging was designed to bridge the past and present, celebrating the home’s timeless craftsmanship while making it feel approachable and effortless for modern living.

B+C: You recently worked with designer Amr Samaha of Samaha Studio on his latest project, an eco-conscious ranchette in Beverly Hills. He said he pulled heavily from his Egyptian background, citing the mashrabiya-inspired front door as an example of the textures and tones of historic Cairo. "Every decision, from materials to layout, was made with the intention to tell a cohesive story," he said. How did you stage the home to complete the story?

Francesca: For the Beverly Hills project at 1300 Shadybrook Drive, our aim was to stage the home in a way that accentuated its contemporary architecture and designer fixtures while creating an inviting and aspirational atmosphere for potential buyers.

In the living room, we placed a plush, earth-toned seating arrangement to complement the home's incredible steel fireplace and built-in cabinetry. To add a little extra warmth and character to the living room I added these gorgeous Myrtle Accent Chairs from Arhaus that I felt really elevated the space.

Francesca: In the dining room I wanted it to feel really funky and eclectic so we added some really fun sculptural dining chairs from Neue Maison. We brought in some incredible art by CLEW and Kader Boly that really amplify the appeal of the home.

Francesca: For the bedrooms, we aimed to create serene retreats by using soft, layered bedding and understated decor while still infusing some pops of color. I wanted the bedrooms to provide a sense of luxury while still feeling like cozy and warm.

Francesca: Throughout the home, we utilized accessories such as ceramic vases, greenery, and area rugs to add depth and cohesion to the overall design. Our goal was to present a lifestyle that potential buyers could envision themselves enjoying, thereby enhancing the home's appeal.

Follow Francesca Grace Home for more design inspiration!

Is Ryan Gosling going to be in Star Wars?

Star Wars: Starfighter comes to theaters on May 28, 2027. #StarWarsCelebrationpic.twitter.com/dsbVb3VdBY

— Star Wars (@starwars) April 18, 2025

Yes, Ryan Gosling is going to lead a brand new Star Wars movie called Star Wars: Starfighter.

The movie was announced at the Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, and both Ryan and Shawn showed up IRL! The Fall Guy proved he has what it takes to maintain that cool-guy vibe (just like Han Solo honestly), and I hope Starfighter has the same urban sci-fi adventure I love to see in Star Wars.

Where can I watch Star Wars: Starfighter?

Star Wars: Starfighter is coming to theaters May 28, 2027.

The movie's coming just after Avengers: Secret Wars, but it's not the next time Marvel and Star Wars could duke it out in the box office. Avengers: Doomsday is coming to theaters May 1, 2026, ahead of The Mandalorian & Grogu, which premieres May 22, 2026. Yes. That's a lot of Pedro Pascal, thank goodness.

What is the Star Wars Starfighter movie?

Star Wars: Starfighter is a brand new Star Wars movie that's set apart from any of the trilogies we've seen so far (although it looks like it's part of a brand new trilogy!). The movie is a "standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker."

But even though the final movie ended on a peaceful note, Ryan Gosling's character is sure to be in for some kind of crazy adventure. "This is the perfect place to start this journey for us, because it's such an incredible reminder of why we're going to make this movie and who we're going to make this movie for," Ryan said at the Star Wars Celebration (via Entertainment Weekly). "[The] script is just so good. It has such a great story with great and original characters."

"This is a standalone. It's not a prequel, not a sequel. It's a new adventure," Shawn added. "It's set in a period of time that we haven’t seen explored yet."

When is Starfighter filming?

Filming for the movie is scheduled to begin the fall of 2025.

What is a Starfighter?

A starfighter in Star Wars is a small but armed starship used in battle.