The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician and his fashion designer wife, Ace Harper, have curated their Palm Springs home with an aesthetic that is modern with nods to the past.
A PALM SPRINGS OASIS
MATT SORUM
At Home with Rock Musician, Matt Sorum
INTERVIEW WITH MATT SORUM
How would you describe your and your wife’s personal styles, and how they are reflected in your home?
We feel style is similar to how you wear your clothing, times change, and the way you look at style changes. Luckily, my wife, Ace Harper, and I have similar tastes and always grab inspiration from the past while bringing a modern twist to it. We live in Palm Springs in a house built in 1961, which would be considered Mid-Century; that being said, we also love designs from the 70’s for some of our pieces, from lighting to our sofas.
Our bed is custom-made from Mohair and has a modern Art Deco vibe. We like to mix things that make us feel good. It's all about feeling great in your space so bring in things you are naturally drawn to.
There is a strong connection between music and memories. Are there any items in your home that hold sentimental value or evoke specific memories from your music career?
I don't have Gold Records on the wall as I'm lucky to have a recording studio where those things live. Ace talked me into a nook in the hallway with my Grammy and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame awards which are very special to me.
With our family complete with our baby girl, Lou Ellington, it's really structured now. Early to rise etc, but as Lou is in pre-school now, we're able to get in some exercise and us time. Before a tour, I get serious about eating clean and preparing physically as well as mentally. When I was younger it was different, it was 24/7 wild and crazy times. But I'm happy I did it that way to give me balance as I'm a bit older and wiser. Home is where my heart is now.
When choosing linens and décor for your home, what are the most important aspects that you take into consideration?
Keeping things simple in bedding with classic white is something we learned to love from our travels and great hotels. Crisp and clean, yet soft and cozy. SFERRA sheets are elegant and have a sophistication of their own. We stayed with SFERRA’s white Bello towels in our marble master bathroom outfitted with a steam shower to give us that spa vibe. Once again, the SFERRA Amira monogrammed robes are the best robes we've ever experienced! The finest linens that I'm very honored to speak about here and grateful to be able to enjoy.
S: How does your design philosophy inform how you (or your clients) host and entertain?
T: The key to hosting is planning ahead and keeping things easy so that you can enjoy your time with friends—set the table in advance, have the starters out, and get the glasses ready with drinks.
When Peter and I have friends over for dinner, he usually does the cooking while I set the table and arrange the flowers. I have to admit, I do love a pressed napkin. SFERRA makes the best linen napkins. The weight of Festival is nice, the colors are amazing, and the best thing is that they go right into the laundry.
The concept of home evolves over time. How has your taste in home décor changed over the years as you have expanded your family?
As I said before, style changes as you grow. We've been lucky to travel the world and stay in some of the world's finest hotels, which is how we found SFERRA. You travel and develop better taste, in my opinion. I think back to the 80’s and 90’s when maybe my home décor style was a bit heavy, but that was how I was back then, wearing black leather pants and Rock & Roll attire around the clock. Now the house is lighter and open, and at the end of the day I hit the jacuzzi, get on my killer SFERRA robe, and then crawl into bed (made up with SFERRA bedding) – it’s absolute heaven. It's one of the most important places in your home where you recharge and why not have the best?
S: How does your design philosophy inform how you (or your clients) host and entertain?
T: The key to hosting is planning ahead and keeping things easy so that you can enjoy your time with friends—set the table in advance, have the starters out, and get the glasses ready with drinks.
When Peter and I have friends over for dinner, he usually does the cooking while I set the table and arrange the flowers. I have to admit, I do love a pressed napkin. SFERRA makes the best linen napkins. The weight of Festival is nice, the colors are amazing, and the best thing is that they go right into the laundry.
What influenced you and your wife to settle down in Palm Springs, and what do you both love about living there?
We were married in Palm Springs ten years ago in a hotel designed by our friend, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who also lives in Palms Springs. The vibe is serene and peaceful, yet it's not boring. You have plenty of outdoor activities, from hiking to biking, and now an International Film Festival and plenty of art galleries and fine dining. When we connect with people here it feels more authentic than the big city as well. We have more quality time I suppose with fewer distractions. Obviously, summers here are hot so it forces us to travel. Summers in Santa Barbara or Europe, and the beach isn't far in California.
The concept of home evolves over time. How has your taste in home décor changed over the years as you have expanded your family?
As I said before, style changes as you grow. We've been lucky to travel the world and stay in some of the world's finest hotels, which is how we found SFERRA. You travel and develop better taste, in my opinion. I think back to the 80’s and 90’s when maybe my home décor style was a bit heavy, but that was how I was back then, wearing black leather pants and Rock & Roll attire around the clock. Now the house is lighter and open, and at the end of the day I hit the jacuzzi, get on my killer SFERRA robe, and then crawl into bed (made up with SFERRA bedding) – it’s absolute heaven. It's one of the most important places in your home where you recharge and why not have the best?
What influenced you and your wife to settle down in Palm Springs, and what do you both love about living there?
K: I think it is good to be realistic with your capabilities. For instance, do not try to have a sit down dinner for 12 if the space can only fit 2 or 4. Some people are better at throwing brunches than they are at cocktail parties, while others want a big cocktail party or buffet. It depends on what your resources are and what you can accomplish. Only then can you host at your best.
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