Skip to main content

For Sale: A Charles DuBois Swiss Miss A-Frame in Palm Springs

Sotheby's International Realty

Palm Springs. No other place in the world boasts the mid-century modern pedigree of this Southern California town. During the 1950s and ‘60s, architects flooded the area with a strikingly new home concept. With open floor plans, vaulted ceilings thanks to dramatically sloped roof lines, and a strong relationship between indoors and out, the mid-century modern home represented a total lifestyle shift. Names like Eichler, Frey, and Neutra became synonymous with the style and today are some of the most sought after homes in the country. But one architect walked his own unique path, developing a distinct style that stands out for its quirky facade.

While the name Charles E. DuBois is not as well known today as his contemporaries, his homes are instantly recognizable and a cherished part of Palm Springs’ Mid-Century Modern treasures. Nicknamed “Swiss Miss” homes, just one look at the entry will tell you why these dwellings are so special. Taking the iconic vaulted ceilings of the time to the extreme, the Swiss Miss is best recognized by an A-frame roofline that touches the ground with the rest of the home spreading out to either side. While today it’s known as a Swiss Miss, there’s debate as to where DuBois took his influence from, with many citing the “Tiki” trend that was also taking hold in the ‘50s. Whatever the inspiration, DuBois’ A-frames are exceptionally rare, with only 15 left. And now one has hit the market.

Located in the Vista Las Palmas neighborhood, the Crescent Drive home is currently listed for a cool $2.9 million. The high asking price is justified, though. Along with the Swiss Miss being incredibly rare, they were also much larger in size than other homes of the time. The Crescent Drive home, built in 1958, is a spacious 3,833 square feet spread out over just one story.

Recommended Videos

Backed by a rocky hill, the home feels secluded with plenty of privacy in the backyard where there is a large pool, lawn, and patio. The exterior has been preserved with the bright white painted stucco walls standing out in contrast against the stacked stone foundation. At the front, a section of glazing highlights the central A-frame entry that gave the DuBois homes the “Swiss Miss” name.

Inside, classic mid-century modern elements can be spotted in every corner. While the home did receive updates over the years, many original elements remain. The 16-foot-high vaulted ceilings feature the original tongue and groove wood planks. A massive stacked stone fireplace anchors this central space which includes the sitting area with views to the backyard, an updated gourmet kitchen, and the dining room outfitted with period-inspired furnishings.

One wing off of the dining room features a second sitting area with a concrete brick clad fireplace and contemporary furniture – perfect for lounging while watching a movie. Guest rooms are also in this wing which boasts a second vaulted roof. The changing ceiling heights allow for a sense of privacy in some areas while allowing natural light to flood the space in other areas. On the opposite side of the home is the spacious master suite which includes an updated, spa-like bathroom. An oval soaking tub faces sliding glass doors and a breeze block wall which allows in light while providing visual privacy.

Though there are contemporary updates throughout the home, the extreme rarity of the Swiss Miss home makes this an exciting find. The quirky combination of classic Mid-Century Modern features with the dramatic A-frame entryway makes this Charles DuBois home truly unique and one that’s sure to sell fast – in fact, there’s already an offer pending. Sorry, guys.

For a different take on the A-frame architectural style, check out this updated cabin version.

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
Jeremy Allen White was born to run in the first trailer for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
The movie follows Springsteen as he makes his album 'Nebraska.'
Jeremy Allen White in Deliver Me From Nowhere

Music biopics are all the rage these days, and Bruce Springsteen is the latest icon to get the treatment. The first trailer for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere sees The Bear star inhabiting the role of The Boss. The film is based on Warren's Zane's book of the same name, which focuses on the period when he was making his 1982 album Nebraska.

The film is directed by Scott Cooper, who also directed Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. In the trailer, we see White embodying Springsteen as he sings "Born to Run," and we also get a lengthy monologue from Jeremy Strong's Jon Landau as he explains why Springsteen feels the need to make this album.

Read more
Tony Soprano vs. Walter White: Who is the ultimate antihero?
TV's biggest heavyweights duke it out for the antihero crown
Breaking bad season 4 screen shot

Sports fans often debate between two heavyweight legends. For basketball, it's LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Switching to tennis, you have Roger Federer fans and Rafael Nadal diehards. Debates like these are ingrained in the culture of athletics, but TV fans have their own version of this sparring match.

Tony Soprano from The Sopranos and Walter White from Breaking Bad are the two characters who still send shockwaves through every drama in the 21st century. These men were the perfect mix of good and evil. They navigated family life and the criminal underworld with cunning intelligence and ruthless risk-taking. Every show with morally gray characters at the center owes its storyboard to Walter and Tony, but which character deserves the antihero crown? This is Tony Soprano vs. Walter White for all the marbles.
Who was the more complex character?

Read more
Learn how to smoke a pipe the proper way with our guide for beginners
Let us show you the classy way to smoke a pipe
Packing a pipe

Pipe smoking is the most aesthetically distinguished way to enjoy tobacco, but you lose the classy effect if you don’t know how to smoke a pipe properly. Smoking a pipe has become a lost art, and these days, most people who engage in pipe smoking do so to achieve a sense of nostalgia. Perhaps your grandfather enjoyed a puff now and again paired with a good stiff whiskey, or maybe your goal is to emulate a pipe-smoking artist.

I know that I enjoy a good puff on a pipe now and then, and knowing the right way to enjoy a pipe has made the experience much more pleasurable for for me. Whatever the case, if you intend to take up the time-honored tradition of unwinding with a pipe like me, you should learn how to smoke a pipe the right way. And smoking a pipe is very different than smoking a cigar (except you shouldn't be inhaling either).

Read more