“In Their Words” with Brandon Liberati

Heading to Palm Springs for Pride 2019

Brandon Liberati | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

If you’re reading this, chances are you already know that Acme vacation homes provide the perfect setting for folks to connect, re-connect, relax, and celebrate life’s special moments.

What you may not know is that Acme has had the repeat honor of hosting some of the most influential, respected, and colorful characters in the who’s who of fashion, beauty, and entertainment. 

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Our A-list guests from the fashion and beauty world love the luxe style and comfort of Acme’s vacation homes so much that they return again and again to celebrate the magic moments in their lives in signature Acme style. Over time, these frequent guests start to feel like a part of our Acme family.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Old Blue Eyes| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

It always feels like a family affair when hairstylist to the stars Brandon Liberati comes for a stay at one of our fab fab vacation homes with his husband Craig Ramsay and their circle of equally fabulous tribe of show biz peeps. Brandon recently celebrated his birthday with a group of close friends who sprawled out across two of Acme’s most gorgeous properties, Hidden Haven and Old Blue Eyes.

You may recognize Brandon and Craig from a few years back when their hit show Newlyweds: The First Year aired on Bravo TV. But if you’ve been limiting your screen time, let us catch you up on this trailblazing couple.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Jagger House | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Named 2019 Beauty Influencer of the Season by Locale Magazine, Brandon’s style and beauty expertise have been featured in magazines including InStyle, Essence, and Women's Health. His client list includes talent on Will and Grace, The Real Housewives, and Orange Is The New Black, as well as celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Rose McGowan.

Brandon has earned the respect of his industry, appearing at some of the most prominent educational shows worldwide such as Redken's Symposium and Behind The Chair, while also making a name for himself in front of the camera. In addition to Bravo’s reality show, Newlyweds, Brandon has appeared on Shahs of Sunset, Watch What Happens Live, Buzzfeed, and RuPaul's Drag U.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Boho Rhapsody| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

One of the sweetest aspects of Brandon’s success is sharing it with his husband, fitness expert, author, and Broadway star Craig Ramsay. Their star-turn on Bravo’s Newlyweds made Brandon and Craig the first federally married couple to appear on US television.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Brandon and Craig split their time between Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, but the Palm Springs area holds a special place in their hearts. Over the years, Acme vacation homes including Dive-In, Lemon Twist, Beverly Modern, The High Road, and Midcentury Deluxe have been home base for their adventures, and in 2017 Brandon and Craig were asked to serve as Celebrity Grand Marshals of Palm Springs Pride Parade, following in the footsteps of icons such as Eartha Kitt.

We caught up with Brandon between trips to Paris and Milan’s fashion weeks to get the inside scoop on his latest birthday bash and to check in with this sought-after globetrotting style guru.

Brandon Liberati | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

I know that you and Craig are true friends of Acme. It sounds like you both totally understand and resonate with the Acme vibe. What do you love about the Acme homes you and your guests have stayed in?

What I love about Acme is that there is a certain commonality with all of their homes that makes the stay so comfortable and easy, while they each also have their own theme and energy.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Boho Rhapsody| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

For example, we trust that each property has those small but important essentials like a coffee maker and filters. We know that the kitchen is loaded with necessities to cook and host. We know how the fire-pits and fireplaces work. Checking in and checking out is so easy and organized. Because of all of this, we don’t waste any time jumping right into the vacation. In fact, I can honestly say I was in the Hidden Haven pool within 1 minute of checking in for my birthday weekend.

Brandon Liberati at The High Road at Warm Sands| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Now, even though the stay experience and quality is similar between houses, the homes each have their own style. There isn’t a house we haven’t enjoyed immensely and we have experienced a lot of them including The High Road at Warm Sands, Lions Gate Estate, Jagger House, Lemon Twist, West Elm Pool House 2018, Bubble Gum Modern, Modern Monte Vista, Tranquility Palms, Boho Rhapsody, and Mid-Century Deluxe.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Would you say your visits to the area end up being generally for business, pleasure, or a little of both?

It’s impossible to visit Palm Springs and have it not be pleasurable. I’d say most opportunities start out as business but end up being both. 

Brandon Liberati with friends at Old Blue Eyes| Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Can you give us a quick rundown of your recent Palm Springs birthday celebration?

Yes, I had 12 guests in total and most guests were from out of state, so thank goodness the Palm Springs airport is so convenient. Half stayed with me at Hidden Haven and the others at Old Blue Eyes.

Craig Ramsay, Brandon Liberati, Mercedes Javid and Vicki Casciola at Old Blue Eyes| Photo: Nathan Cox

Craig and I planned to be at our home base at Hidden Haven early to get the necessary food and drinks. Believe it or not, we all stayed the entire time at our Acme homes – we actually didn’t go into town, except for the drive for Bill’s Pizza pickup, which was fabulous as always, and to pick up my birthday cake from our favorite sweet spot Over the Rainbow Cupcakes.  

Cake by Over The Rainbow Desserts | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

The whole weekend was “Mid-Century Modern” themed, including my cake made by Over the Rainbow’s pastry chef, Roman Blas. We even had Palm Springs photographer Nathan Cox, who is well known to fans of Acme, come over for a themed photoshoot based on the famous photographs of socialites and jet-setters by Slim Aarons.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Bubble Gum Modern: Mid-Century Alexander| Photo: Nathan Cox

How do Acme vacation homes help you work or play during your stays in the Palm Springs area? 

Acme homes always deliver a memorable experience from the welcoming feel an acme property gives you when you first step into luxury with music playing to the smaller details like quick and easy wifi and fully-loaded kitchens.

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Most properties have pools, hot tubs, and fire pits making it a perfect and special getaway for our family. My nephews and nieces LOVE the pools and the outdoor areas provide lots of entertainment. 

I also just love how many bathrooms are in each home, so I have privacy getting ready! 

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at Jagger House | Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Any favorite places or things to do - or eat - in the area? 

We love Lulu’s happy hour, breakfast at the Ace Hotel and Cheeky’s, Over the Rainbow’s cupcakes, and the incredible charcuterie boards from On the Mark Palm Springs.

Do you ever draw inspiration from Palm Springs for your work as a hairstylist and style influencer? 

You can see a taste of Palm Springs in everything I create. I love all things mid-century. That period really inspires me and gets my creativity flowing.

Photo: Nathan Cox courtesy of Acme House Company

Everyone has their own magical Palm Springs moment – can you tell us about one of yours?   

On May 11^th 2010 I married my husband in Palm Springs with some of our closest friends and family in a weekend celebration filmed for our Bravo TV show that I will cherish forever. 

Brandon Liberati and Craig Ramsay at The High Road at Warm Sands | Photo: Nathan Cox

If a movie was made about your birthday celebration, what would it would it be called? 

Poolside, Slim Style! 

When will you return to Palm Springs for your next visit?

We will be back in town for Palm Springs Pride 2019. We will be hosting the
Trina Turk / Mr Turk kick off Pride Party on Friday, Novemeber 1st with an evening of sipping, shopping, and giving back in the Palm Springs boutique! Jardesca will be pouring as guests shop the latest collections and enter to win a $500 shopping spree! A portion of event proceeds benefit Palm Springs Pride. This free event is an Official 2019 Palm Springs Pride Event! FREE to attend, however, RSVP requested: [email protected] #pspride2019 #ilovegaypalmsprings #palmspringspride

Which Palm Springs Vacation Rental will you be staying at for Pride?

We are working with Acme's magic man John-Patrick to choose just the right property. Right now we are looking at one of their newer additions to the portfolio named Good Morning Sunshine or possibly Modern Grand in Deepwell Estates. We have also been looking at Movie Colony Sun and Shade - which we have tried to stay at so many times but it is always booked. We do know that for Pride 2019 we are staying at an Acme House Company pool home and we are bringing a few friends.

Keep up with Brandon on Instagram or at brandonliberati.com

ABOUT THE WRITER:  Modern Mary is a traveling gadabout who adores everything Palm Springs – from the architecture and design to the art, fashion and lifestyle.  A social butterfly in the most modern sense – Mary enjoys swanky cocktail parties, gallery openings, music festivals, shopping and anything pink or yellow. She is a frequent contributor to the Acme Blog –  keeping our readers up to speed on who is staying at our fab fab vacation rental homes and what’s going on in Greater Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities of the Coachella Valley.  Modern Mary loves big floppy hats, Jackie O sunglasses and prefers sensible shoes over back-breaking high heels.

ABOUT ACME HOUSE COMPANY:  Acme manages Luxury Vacation Rental Homes & Condos in Greater Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities, catering to those looking to travel to the world-renowned destination for the season, week-long stays and extended weekends. Fabulous pool homes for when you and your peeps want some together time. Visit Acme’s Website to explore more Palm Springs Vacation Rental Homes.

Read the Condé Nast Traveler article that included Acme House Company on their list of Top 10 Vacation Rental Managers to Trust Worldwide.  Palm Springs Life Magazine’s Reader Survey named Acme House Company the Best of the Best in Vacation Home Rentals. We manage our Palm Springs Vacation Home Rentals like 5-Star Resorts. Just like home but way better.

Published on Thursday, October 24, 2019