This $1.8M Time Capsule in Palm Springs Is a Red-Hot Rarity

A one-of-a-kind time capsule in Palm Springs, CA, is guaranteed to leave a buyer seeing red. As in, crimson red and many of the other flushed hues on the color wheel.

The home known as Stephan’s Folly dates to 1965, when architect Robert Lewis designed the 3,250-square-foot home that’s now on the market for $1.85 million.

“The owner of the house was a famous plumber—he had a lot of TV commercials, and people remember his ads based on the jingles,” says listing agent Alex Dethier, with Paul Kaplan Group Palm Springs.

Dethier notes that many people come to look at the house and often pipe up with the locally famous jingle’s memorable catch phrase, Adee Do.

The plumber behind the unforgettable ads was Jack Stephan—a man with equally indelible decor tastes. He bought the home in 1969 and lived there until he died in 2014.

“In 1971, he had it redecorated and spent about $150,000 at the time,” Dethier says. “All custom wallpapers, carpets, drapes, everything. Much of what is inside is original.”

Although the home’s had multiple owners since Stephan’s death, those folks have kept mostly everything intact.

“I think it’s very cool,” Dethier says. “It’s not my style, but so well done that it’s actually quite spectacular. [Stephan’s] favorite color was red, so it’s very red and orange centric, and it’s very warm in there, very cozy. It’s as cozy as the photos look.”

The dazzlingly retro abode has four bedrooms and three full baths. Dethier says the standout design, taken as a whole, is what makes the place so unique.

“You go from room to room, and there are different styles and textures and design elements,” he says. “If you used one of these items individually in one house, I don’t think it would work; but the fact that it’s so over the top makes the house special.”

In an area that’s well known for embracing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle, this particular house is more about the interior spaces.

“It’s a great house to entertain and be comfortable and lounge and have a cocktail—or mocktail,” Dethier says. “It has a nice kidney pool. … I don’t think that’s the main feature of the house, but you could easily make it a feature of the house.”

Most of what’s seen in the home’s listing photos conveys with the sale, including the beds, couches, ottomans, and other furnishings.

Dethier says the striking house would make a great weekend getaway.

“You can’t tell people what to do once they own the property,” he acknowledges. “I just think it’s such an iconic house and design that it would be too bad if someone altered it too much. I think it deserves to be appreciated, and that’s why I hope someone buys it and keeps it as is.”

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