In Palm Springs, where mid-century modern design meets retro pop art, The Shag House stands as a vision brought to life. Conceived by celebrated artist Josh Agle—better known as Shag—this once-tired Alexander pool home has been reimagined into a living embodiment of his distinctive style. Known for his richly colored, retro-inspired paintings that celebrate the glamour of mid-century consumerism and hedonism, Shag has infused every corner of the house with his signature boldness, humor, and charm.
Part home, part art installation, The Shag House invites visitors to feel as if they’ve stepped directly into one of his iconic works. With custom-designed wallpapers, vivid color palettes, and bespoke furniture, the property is more than a home—it’s an immersive experience. Yet, it’s not merely a showpiece. True to the spirit of its creation, The Shag House serves as a philanthropic hub, hosting events ranging from chic cocktail parties to architecture and design lectures, all for the benefit of charitable causes.
In an interview Coachella Magazine, Shag shared his vision for the project, describing it not as a museum but as a fun and interactive space. With features like a freestanding round fireplace, a cat-themed bedroom, and a pool-centric layout perfect for Palm Springs revelry, The Shag House has exceeded expectations and is poised to become a Modernism Week highlight and an enduring icon of the city’s architectural legacy.
From the backyard to the meticulously designed interiors, The Shag House is the collaborative efforts of Agle, his team, and his passion for mid-century modern aesthetics. As Agle put it, “It’s half preservation, half new,” blending the historic charm of the original Alexander design with contemporary, Shag-inspired flair. For those who experience it, The Shag House offers a glimpse into the playful optimism of mid-century modernism—reimagined for a new era.
“I wanted it to be really fun and I wanted a lot of wow moments, so things you could look at and be like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s cool.’”
JOSH AGLE
Read On for the Coachella Magazine Interview.
The Story Behind The Shag House
Coachella Magazine: Can you share your initial thoughts and inspiration when presented with the idea of transforming The Shag House into a life-size Shag painting?
JOSH AGLE: Well, my first thought was that I wanted a great party house. So something that you could have a lot of people at and a lot of stuff to look at, a lot of activities.
CM: Did you have a specific vision or key elements in mind that you wanted to include in the design?
JOSH AGLE: Yes, I knew that each room was going to have a specific wallpaper or graphic designed for it. which would kind of set the theme for each room. And I knew that obviously, it had to have a swimming pool because, you know, what party house in Palm Springs doesn’t have one of those? And I wanted the freestanding fireplace with the hood.
CM: Would you describe The Shag House as a living showcase of your art, similar to a museum?
JOSH AGLE: I feel like museums are stuffy places. I want people to enjoy this. So I think of it more as like an expo than a museum.
CM: You studied architecture in college. Does this project feel like a return to your early beginnings, bringing your journey full circle?
JOSH AGLE: I would love that. I would love to do more projects like this, you know, seeing something that’s an actual physical structure. Yeah, it’s just so gratifying. Something you can step inside, you can walk around, you can touch. I love that.
CM: Have you been studying architecture most of your life?
JOSH AGLE: I studied architecture for one year in college, but I’ve been a fan of architecture my entire life and really into it, especially mid-century modern architecture for about the past 30 years.
CM: What was your first introduction to modernism?
JOSH AGLE: My first introduction was seeing furniture at thrift stores back in the 80s. So 50s and 60s furniture, and when I got my first apartment, I decided I wanted to buy 50s and 60s furniture for my apartment because I had seen it in the thrift stores and back then it was cheap. and then that just ignited my love, first for furniture and then for architecture.
CM: What is it about mid century architecture that excites you?
JOSH AGLE: I liked that it was optimistic, you know, back in the 50s and 60s, they thought that architecture was gonna change the world, make people’s lives better, improve everything, and it was forward looking. They were looking to the future, they weren’t looking to the past. I think those are the things that really appeal to me.
CM: What part of designing the Shag House did you enjoy the most?
JOSH AGLE: I think the most fun I had was designing the wall treatments in this house, so you know, there’s a kitty-cat bedroom that has cats on the wall. There’s a Polynesian bedroom that has a jungle and Tikis on the wall. I think designing those wall graphics was the most fun.
CM: When the Shag Store first opened, it primarily featured your paintings, but over time, it expanded to include clothing, furniture, and glassware. Was this part of your original vision, or did it evolve naturally over time?
JOSH AGLE: I always was interested in that sort of stuff. In fact, even back before the Shag Store existed, when I was just showing art in galleries, I used to make things like drink coasters, so I’d put paintings in the gallery, and then I’d make some drink coasters with with the art from those paintings. So I was always interested in things like that.
CM: What would be the next step?
JOSH AGLE: Building a house from the ground up. Either that or Shag Town. A whole development.
CM: Have you ever designed anything for movies?
JOSH AGLE: My art has been in movies. I’ve manipulated my art for movies and TV shows before. I haven’t designed like a movie set, though.
CM: Animation?
JOSH AGLE: I have no animated cartoon rule. I won’t let my art be animated. With a few limited exceptions.
CM: And how did the collaboration with John Patrick come about?
JOSH AGLE : I knew JP from around and we’d worked on other projects, you know, not big projects like this, not houses, but other things.
CM: Was there anything about the project you had to consider before you invested your time and energy through it?
JOSH AGLE: I had to make sure that these guys were serious, that it was really gonna happen. And once I was sure of that, I was all in.
CM: As the Creative Director and Lead Designer, what elements of your artistic style did you aim to incorporate into the Midcentury Modern design of The Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: It’s definitely cocktail centric and, you know, a lot of references to drinking and cocktails, which you see in my art as well. And I didn’t want it to be taken super seriously. I wanted it to be really fun and I wanted a lot of wow moments, so things you could look at and be like, “Oh, wow, that’s cool.”
CM: Do you have a favorite cocktail?
JOSH AGLE: Well, I don’t drink anymore. but when I did, my favorite cocktail was a Singapore sling.
CM: The property search had specific criteria. How did the chosen property, 660 Compadre, align with your vision for The Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: Well, it was something that needed a lot of work and I knew that I didn’t want to come into a house that was already beautiful. I wanted to come into a house that was ugly, and this was ugly and completely transform it, so that’s what we did.
It was a bad canvas. So you gotta get rid of all the bad stuff and then you have a blank canvas and then you go to work on that.
CM: Considering the challenges during the property search, what aspects of the Midcentury Pool Home’s history appealed to you the most?
JOSH AGLE: I think it was the seeing this house, I think it was actually the backyard with the pool and the layout there, because the house itself, especially initially, it was it was uninspiring inside. It was the family that lived here. They had a style and it was not necessarily my style, not mid century. It wasn’t very Palm Springs.
CM: Which feature was the most challenging?
JOSH AGLE: The round bar outside.
CM: Can you elaborate on any unique design features or artistic elements you introduced to make visitors feel like they’re stepping into one of your paintings?
JOSH AGLE: I think in every room, every room has them. You know, there are things that like most of my paintings have hanging lamps, so I made sure every room had hanging lamps. The colors completely reerence my paintings. You know, the orange, the lime green, shots of purple, turquoise. All of the wall coverings were designed and had them made. And a lot of the furniture in the house was made specifically for the house as well.
CM: How did the team navigate the design and build process, especially considering the impact of COVID on the project timeline?
JOSH AGLE: Well, it was tough, you know, COVID definitely threw a wrench into things, you know, supply chain issues and labor issues. Everyone was dealing with it and we were dealing with it as well, but we overcame it.
CM: Were there any unexpected moments or challenges during the renovation that influenced the final design of The Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: I mean, certain things like, we weren’t going to move the swimming pool, you know, so the swimming pool stayed where it was. The front is entirely different. The front is completely different. So the original house and what the front is now is completely has completely been redone. Just technical things, a few technical things like where to put the pool equipment and stuff like that. Those affect the design a little bit, but not too much.
CM: In what ways do you believe The Shag House reflects the essence of Palm Springs and the Midcentury Modern aesthetic?
JOSH AGLE: I think it epitomizes the kind of place you’d want to come to the ultimate Palm Springs party. I can’t think of any other house in Palm Springs that is more conducive to sort of a friendly fun Shag-style party.
CM: As the Philanthropist backing the project, how did Brandon McBurney’s involvement contribute to the realization of The Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: Brandon was great every step of the way. If I said something had to happen, he made it happen. So it’d be hard to think of a partner who’d be better to work with on something like this.
CM: With the opening of The Shag House coinciding with Modernism Week, how do you see this project contributing to the celebration of Midcentury Modern design and Palm Springs’ architectural heritage?
JOSH AGLE: I think this is going to become one of the historic homes in Palm Springs and because it’s a featured modernism home and was on the Modernism Week poster, I think that’s gonna lend to its history and to its status as an important piece of architecture in this city. Also, if I just might add, it’s half preservation, half new. So, like I told you, the the original Alexander floor plan, it’s still here. The kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms, the fireplace are all exactly where they were originally.
CM: Modernism Week attracts design enthusiasts and art lovers from around the world. How do you hope visitors will engage with and interpret The Shag House during this event?
JOSH AGLE: I hope that people who come to Palm Springs for Modernism Week, I hope this is one of the highlights of their week, you know, getting to tour the house or coming to a party.
CM: How many years have you been involved with Modernism Week?
JOSH AGLE: I’ve done the Modernism Week poster for the last seven years. But my business partner was one of the founders of Modernism Week, so I’ve been involved with Modernism Week since the beginning.
CM: The collaboration involved various professionals, from realtors to contractors. How did this collective effort enhance the realization of The Shag House, and what role did teamwork play in the project’s success?
JOSH AGLE: Almost everyone involved with the project was so excited to be part of this project that they went above and beyond, you know. They did things maybe they hadn’t done before or they were really excited to work with us. and I think it was just the spirit of this house and knowing that they were going to be part of it.
CM: The Midcentury Pool Home, built in the 1950s by The Alexander Construction Company, holds historical significance. How did you balance preserving its architectural heritage while infusing your signature style into the redesign?
JOSH AGLE: We kept with the basic layout, like JP said, but we built onto that. You know, we added a dining room. We added a casita and another bathroom. We completely changed the exterior because the previous owners had also, you know, changed the exterior a bit as well. So if this had been a really historically perfect home, I wouldn’t have wanted to do that.
CM: Beyond Modernism Week, what plans do you have for The Shag House? How do you envision it becoming a lasting part of Palm Springs’ cultural and artistic landscape?
JOSH AGLE: It will continue to host events. It will probably be on more tours for charities and things like that. And it’s going to be part of the community. It’s going to be a place that people can come to a party or hold an event here.
CM: Can people actually rent The Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: It will be available for occasional small group rentals. But it’s not an Airbnb.
CM: How is The Shag House different from your personal home?
JOSH AGLE: My personal home is not as bright. It’s still bright colors, but not this much color in one place. and not as over the top. This is more over the top than my house.
CM: Anything else that you want to mention that we haven’t talked about?
JOSH AGLE: All the art in the house, almost all the art was created specifically for the house. So we didn’t want to just fill the house with my art, like go to the Shag Store, get a bunch of prints and paintings and put them on the wall. You know, we wanted the environment to look like you were in a Shag painting, but also the things that are on the wall, I created specifically for the house. So like those bottles there or the operation game. That was all specifically for created in mind to go in that space. If you look at the window, there’s a sculpture that we’re gonna be selling at the Shag Store. The pillows in the house, you can buy at the Shag Store.
CM: What are some of the events planned for the Shag House?
JOSH AGLE: Oh parties, there’s a big reveal party. There are some fashion parties. There’s a mammoth martini party, home tours — they’re expecting over 7,000 people to come through the house during Modernism Week.
CM: That’s it. Thank you.
JOSH AGLE: Awesome.
For More Information visit:
www.theshaghouse.com
modernismweek.com
Interior & Exterior Photos courtesy of The Shag House