The Ultimate Guide To Billie Lourd’s Mid-Century Modern Connection: Inside The Iconic Palm Springs Design Of Her New Hit Show

The keyword "Billie Lourd mid-century modern" is currently trending, but the full story is far more fascinating than a simple home tour. While the actress has a history with distinctive real estate, the most current and visually stunning connection to the iconic design style comes from her latest project: the acclaimed Hulu comedy series Mid-Century Modern, which premiered recently. This show, set in the architectural mecca of Palm Springs, features a set that is a masterclass in the era’s design principles, drawing intense focus from fans and design enthusiasts alike.

This article dives deep into the world of Billie Lourd’s design influences, exploring the unique production design of her new series, the specific architectural features that define the mid-century modern aesthetic, and the context of her own past real estate dealings. As of December 15, 2025, the cultural conversation around Lourd and this distinct architectural style is at an all-time high, driven by the show's massive popularity and its stunning visual backdrop.

Billie Catherine Lourd: Biography and Career Highlights

Billie Catherine Lourd is an American actress born on July 17, 1992, in Los Angeles, California. Her life and career have been inextricably linked to Hollywood royalty, being the only child of the late, legendary actress Carrie Fisher and talent agent Bryan Lourd, and the granddaughter of screen icon Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher.

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Lourd began her acting career by stepping into the world of one of her family's most famous franchises, appearing as Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.

Her breakout role came on television as the quirky, earmuff-wearing Chanel #3 in the Fox horror-comedy series Scream Queens, created by Ryan Murphy.

She has since become a staple in Murphy’s universe, appearing in multiple seasons of American Horror Story, including Cult, Apocalypse, 1984, and Double Feature.

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Lourd's filmography also includes the critically acclaimed comedy film Booksmart (2019), where she played the eccentric character Gigi.

She is married to producer Austen Rydell, and the couple has two children, including a son named Kingston.

The Mid-Century Modern Set: A Palm Springs Masterpiece

The true nexus of the "Billie Lourd mid-century modern" search is the set of the Hulu comedy series Mid-Century Modern, where Lourd appears as a guest star.

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The entire premise of the show is built around the architecture, with creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan specifically choosing Palm Springs as the setting for their multi-camera sitcom.

Palm Springs is globally recognized as having the largest concentration of preserved mid-century modern architecture in the world, making it the perfect, authentic backdrop.

The production design was helmed by industry veteran Greg J. Grande, best known for his iconic work on the set of Friends.

Grande’s vision for the show's house was a pristine, colorful homage to the era, loaded with references to pop culture and classic sitcoms, creating a space that is both authentic to the 1950s and 60s and visually stunning for a modern audience.

• Design Intent: The set was designed to be a quintessential, iconic mid-century home, blending the indoor and outdoor living that defines the style.
• Key Influences: Grande drew inspiration from the desert aesthetic, the work of legendary Palm Springs architects, and the bright, poppy color palettes of the era.
• The Pop Art Element: The set features bold, saturated colors and geometric patterns, a signature of the post-war design movement.
• Indoor-Outdoor Flow: The entire set is structured to emphasize the seamless transition between the living spaces and the desert environment, a hallmark of Palm Springs MCM.

Lourd’s involvement in the series, alongside other stars like Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer, has brought the set’s meticulously crafted design into the mainstream spotlight, making the house itself a central character in the comedy.

Defining Features of Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern Architecture

To truly appreciate the set design of Lourd’s latest project, it is essential to understand the core principles of the Mid-Century Modern (MCM) movement, especially as it was adapted for the desert climate of Palm Springs. This style, which flourished roughly from the mid-1940s to the late 1960s, was a radical departure from traditional architecture.

The movement was championed by visionary architects who sought to create functional, beautiful, and affordable homes for the post-World War II generation.

The Five Pillars of Desert MCM Design

The aesthetic is defined by several key features, many of which are meticulously recreated in the Mid-Century Modern set:

1. Flat or Low-Pitched Rooflines: Unlike traditional homes, MCM structures feature clean, simple roof planes that emphasize the horizontal lines of the desert landscape.
2. Extensive Use of Glass: Walls of glass, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sliding doors blur the line between the interior and the exterior, maximizing natural light and views of the surrounding mountains.
3. Open-Concept Floor Plans: The design promotes a flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas, reflecting a more casual, modern lifestyle.
4. Integration with Nature: MCM homes often feature large overhangs, patios, and courtyards, creating outdoor "rooms" that allow homeowners to take advantage of the year-round warm weather.
5. Geometric Shapes and Clean Lines: The architecture is characterized by a lack of ornamentation and a focus on simple, geometric forms, often using post-and-beam construction.

Prominent architects who defined the Palm Springs style—including Richard Neutra, John Lautner, E. Stewart Williams, and William Krisel—created a legacy of "Desert Modernism" that the Hulu show pays direct tribute to.

Billie Lourd’s Real Estate and the MCM Contrast

While the focus is on the set, it is worth noting that Billie Lourd's own real estate history provides an interesting contrast to the MCM aesthetic. In the past, Lourd owned a distinctive property in Santa Monica, California, that was often described in real estate listings.

This home, which she later sold, was noted for its bold, electric-blue exterior and was sometimes categorized as a radically renovated farmhouse or a pristine luxury Cape Cod home, not explicitly mid-century modern.

The Santa Monica house featured built-ins, heated bathroom floors, and a charming, artistic architectural design that made it stand out, but its style was distinct from the streamlined, post-and-beam construction of Palm Springs MCM.

This distinction underscores why the connection to the Hulu series is the most relevant and powerful link between Billie Lourd and the mid-century modern design movement today. The set of Mid-Century Modern is a deliberate, highly detailed homage to the style, making it the definitive source of the current buzz around Lourd and this iconic architectural era.

For design enthusiasts, the show offers a rare, accessible look inside a perfectly curated MCM environment, showcasing the timeless appeal of clean lines, vibrant colors, and seamless indoor-outdoor living that continues to influence contemporary design.