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Luxurious Palm Springs living room designed by David Rios — emerald velvet, marble, brass, and desert light

Palm Springs · Los Angeles · Orange County

David
Rios Designs

Eclectic interiors. Bold vision. Spaces that make an entrance — designed with love for over 25 years.

The Designer

Where mid-century meets
modern glamour

David Rios is an eclectic designer renowned for fusing modern, mid-century, and unique minimalistic styles. For over 25 years, he's been selling, flipping, and designing homes across Orange County, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs — leaving an indelible mark on each region with his distinctive vision.

Described by clients as "incredibly talented, passionate, and a wild personality with a generous heart," David doesn't just design spaces — he creates experiences. From intimate residential remodels to the nationally televised Trixie Motel on Discovery+, his work spans every scale with the same fearless energy.

"If it's a traditional home, you might get 1920s art deco David. If it's a vacation rental, you get wild, fun David thinking outside the box. Whatever personality you want — you're going to get the love."
Art deco inspired bathroom with emerald vanity, brass fixtures, and geometric floor tiles — David Rios design aesthetic Mid-century modern kitchen with emerald tile and walnut cabinets

Selected Works

Homes, hotels, and spaces that don't whisper — they make an entrance

Palm Springs mid-century modern home at twilight — flat roof, glass walls, illuminated pool, mountain silhouette

Residential

Desert Modern Residence

Boutique hotel room with forest green velvet headboard and vintage Hollywood Regency touches

Hospitality

Boutique Suite

Emerald and gold living room with mid-century modern furniture and desert pool view

Interior

Living Room Transformation

Walnut and emerald kitchen with brass pendant lighting and mountain views

Residential

Kitchen & Dining

Glamorous Palm Springs poolside entertaining area at sunset with coral pink furniture and mountain backdrop

Outdoor Living

Poolside Entertaining

Art deco bathroom with black and white geometric tiles and emerald vanity

Detail

Art Deco Bath

The Story

From humble beginnings
to Palm Springs icon

David remembers being seven years old, rearranging the pillows on his grandmother's couch. Even then, he was developing a creative eye and setting his career course in motion. Born near Long Beach to a working-class family, he learned early that hard work, dedication, and kindness were the only way to get ahead. On his own by sixteen, David turned heartbreak and hardship into the very foundation of his strength.

Moving to Palm Springs in 2015, David saw a city that needed someone with a spark — someone who would think outside the box, who would be in love with the energy flowing into the desert. He's spent every year since reviving that timeless Palm Springs glamour, transforming boutique hotels, flipping mid-century homes, and bringing dreams to life across every neighborhood. His day revolves around creating — and he's never bored.

25+

Years of Design

$20M+

in Home Sales

Top 1%

Agent, L.A. County

38K

Instagram Following

Trixie Motel — themed boutique room designed by David Rios, mid-century modern with maximalist pop art energy

Signature Project

The Trixie Motel

As project manager for drag icon Trixie Mattel's legendary Palm Springs motel renovation, David oversaw the complete transformation of the former Coral Sands Inn into a nationally televised sensation. Featured on Discovery+ and HBO Max alongside the Scott Brothers, the 7-room boutique motel became a love letter to mid-century glamour and fearless self-expression.

  • 7 uniquely themed rooms — each an immersive art experience
  • Featured on Discovery+ and HBO Max
  • Collaboration with Trixie Mattel & Drew Scott
  • 4.5-month complete renovation
  • Now one of Palm Springs' most iconic stays
The Velvet Rope — boutique hotel in Palm Springs, originally built in the 1950s, redesigned by David Rios

Owner & Designer

The Velvet Rope

David's own masterpiece. Originally built in the 1950s by architect Herbert W. Burns, The Velvet Rope was meticulously restored and reimagined as a nine-suite boutique hotel where Old Hollywood elegance meets modern luxury. Every room pays tribute to a different era of Palm Springs glamour — bespoke furniture, custom art installations, and a palette that honors the desert landscape.

  • Nine individually designed suites
  • Originally a 1950s Hollywood hideaway
  • Featured on HGTV with Brad Fuhr
  • Custom art installations & bespoke furniture
  • 120 W. Veredasur, Palm Springs
Palm Springs poolside entertaining — mid-century modern outdoor living designed by David Rios

Residential Design

Modernism Week
& Beyond

David's design work was featured across 6 custom homes during Palm Springs' prestigious 2020 Modernism Week — the annual celebration of midcentury modern architecture and design. From speakeasy-inspired interiors to desert-modern residences, each project showcases his signature ability to honor architectural history while injecting bold, contemporary personality.

  • 6 featured homes — Modernism Week 2020
  • Featured designer for Living Spaces "Styled by You"
  • Featured designer for BuzzFeed
  • Keynote speaker — 2020 Indio Home & Garden Show
  • Hundreds of residential transformations

As Featured In

Incredibly talented, passionate, and a wild personality with a generous heart. David doesn't just design a space — he transforms how you feel in it.

— Client Review

What We Create

01

Interior Design

Full-service residential and commercial design — from concept through completion. Mid-century modern, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, desert contemporary, and everything in between. David's team is booked 3-6 months in advance.

02

Home Remodels

Complete home transformations that honor a property's architectural DNA while injecting bold, contemporary personality. Kitchens, baths, living spaces, pools, and outdoor entertaining areas — every surface is an opportunity.

03

Real Estate

As a Top 1% agent with EXP Realty (DRE #01797545), David brings his design eye to every transaction. Whether you're buying your dream home or selling at record prices — his creative expertise is your advantage.

04

Hotel & Hospitality

Boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and commercial hospitality design. From the Trixie Motel to The Velvet Rope, David creates immersive guest experiences where every room tells a story.

05

Home Staging

Strategic staging that transforms listings into irresistible offers. David's staging instincts have helped generate record-breaking sales across the Palm Springs, L.A., and Orange County markets.

06

Consulting

Speaking engagements, design consulting, brand partnerships, and media collaborations. From Modernism Week keynotes to BuzzFeed features, David brings bold vision to every platform.

Let's create
something bold

For home remodel, design services, or sponsorship inquiries, get in touch with David's team. Please note David's team is booked 3-6 months in advance.