Don Flood Captures Palm Springs Design Evolution in New Book

Eleanor Vance · 2026-01-23

This past November, something special landed on design shelves. The hardcover volume "Inside Palm Springs" debuted, featuring striking photography by Don Flood. He's the Managing Partner of The Agency San Miguel de Allende, but his eye is legendary far beyond real estate. This book is a visual love letter to the desert's architectural soul. Don's a globally renowned fashion and beauty photographer, you know. His portfolio reads like a who's who of glamour—Victoria's Secret, L'Oreal, Shiseido, Cover Girl. You've seen his work in Vanity Fair, InStyle, Esquire, and Elle. That decades-long career in the arts, combined with his current real estate work, gives him a unique perspective. He spots design trends and cultural shifts almost instinctively. ### A Personal Connection to the Desert He's been a Palm Springs and Twin Palms regular for over 15 years. What first pulled him in? The city's deep dedication to Hollywood legacy, historic preservation, and a genuine appreciation for the arts. When the chance came to photograph architecture for this book, he tapped into that admiration. He also drew from his Chicago upbringing, a city that taught him architectural reverence through masters like Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Curating the homes for the book was a deliberate process. With countless iconic houses in the desert, the team selected just 22. Don notes they weren't looking for places that felt like "1950s or 60s TV show sets." Instead, they sought homes with their own, very original design language. The key was finding work that still showed influence from the desert's great design traditions, from classic names like Arthur Elrod, Steve Chase, and Gary Jon. "The Palm Springs 'look' has really evolved over the last couple of decades," Don says. "We were looking for the houses that were setting the new standards for desert design." ### More Than Just Pretty Pictures The book isn't just a photography collection. Writer and editor Peter Haldeman provides expert commentary and insider perspective. He guides readers through both classic modernist landmarks and fresh, cutting-edge estates that carry the mid-century torch forward. The real magic comes from the residents themselves. Throughout the pages, Palm Springs homeowners share personal stories. - Collectors of 1970s Brazilian furniture and queer contemporary art tell their tales. - Minimalists describe life in clean, glass-walled spaces that blur the line between inside and out. Together, these voices spotlight what's truly new and exciting in desert design. They show a living, breathing community that honors the past while boldly defining the future. So, what's next for Don? In real estate, he's busy expanding The Agency's presence in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He brings that same passion for design to every new listing and project. And back in Palm Springs? He's already thinking about a potential follow-up book to capture even more of the area's unique homes. For now, though, "Inside Palm Springs" stands as a true celebration. It's about design, preservation, and the people who make a place iconic. Don sums up the desert's appeal perfectly: "When you're in the desert and the sun is out, there really isn't a better place to be if you're a fan of architecture and design. You're surrounded by others that are like-minded… with an incredible respect for what is there. People don't level houses and rebuild—they take incredible houses, whether they are midcentury, 1920's Spanish or contemporary designs, and try to restore them."