Home tour: A mid-century desert home with earth tones in California’s Rancho Mirage

The homely pied-à-terre designed by Josh Greene features light references to the 1970s and 1980s in sun-faded hues

Just east of Palm Springs amidst the desert landscape of California, Rancho Mirage is a star-studded desert community where many mid-20th century celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr, Lucille Ball, and more once called home.

With its history of mid-century designed desert homes that were less ornate than those in Palm Springs, the low-density city is also nicknamed “Playground of the Presidents,” with US Presidents past and present residing in or visiting the favourite watering hole over the decades.

The façade of Echo at Rancho Mirage of natural stone Calabor Free Form Walling

Above The natural stone façade of Echo at Rancho Mirage

Completed in 2020 by Californian firm Studio AR&D Architects, the residential cluster of Echo at Rancho Mirage was designed and named as such to “echo something previous in a more contemporary architectural style through a raw and simple, zen-like approach.”

The five-acre property features a monotone palette of raw-integral colour stucco upon its linear structures, using organic yet refined materials showcasing the raw beauty of the materials.

Simple-toned concrete walls and surfaces were furnished with regimented patterns of wood formwork, whereas black steel juxtapose the statement Calabor freeform walling façade at the entrance.

Above Interior designer Josh Greene

Owned by Paul and Michal Davis who have two young children, the 4,700 sq ft one-storey home is one of the nine residential houses along the quiet cul-de-sac. It is their vacation home about two hours’ drive from Los Angeles where their primary residence is located.

“The house is very close to where my parents live, so I know the area well and love working on projects in the desert. I have been visiting the Coachella Valley my entire life, and find it one of the most relaxing parts of the world,” elaborates interior designer Josh Greene, who has been friends with Michal since first grade. “There is something so calming about the low slung buildings contrasted by the jagged mountains, all set amidst the dry desert heat.”

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Echo at Rancho Mirage amidst the mountainous expanse of the California desert

Above The central pool and garden amidst the mountainous expanse of the California desert

Playing off the simple and honest exterior of Echo at Rancho Mirage, such as the natural stone walls that run inside and outside of the house, the Davis family aimed for earthy tones that radiate comfort for the four-bedroom house.

“Both the client and I were drawn to sun-faded earth tones, such as terracotta, rust and sky blue,” he adds. “We also wanted patterns and textures that felt appropriate to the warm weather and arid climate of California.”

Alongside the desert-themed palette were light references to the 1970s and 1980s that instilled personalised appeal to the space.

Above Custom made sofas modelled after a sofa from the client's childhood home

This began with the custom made sofas in the living room, modelled after a sofa the client had in her childhood home.

The team had meticulously studied old photos of the house to replicate the unusual textile pattern to the T, pairing the furniture pieces seamlessly with the natural stone wall and the sleek built-in fireplace.

Above The sleek yet warm kitchen area

Above Character and depth in the dining area

Above The pink-hued family room that doubles as a guest room

An open-plan layout connects the living room with the dining and kitchen spaces, where each feels like its own zone rather than on top of the other.

The wooden cabinets and dining chairs reminiscent of the neutral-coloured surrounds lend warmth to the dark toned surfaces and veined backsplashes and backdrop.

The pink-hued family room, which the client dubbed the Nintendo Room, features a large built-in sectional of indoor-outdoor chenille fabric, which can be rearranged into two twin beds for when guests come to stay or the kids have sleepovers with friends.

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Above The warm primary bedroom

Colours were imbued into the separate rooms, each of varying hues of the thematic shade as if viewing them during different times of the day under the desert sun.

The dawn-like secondary bedroom was decorated with streaks of sky blue and violet, while the children’s bedroom came with sand-toned furnishings mixed with comfortable blues in midday vibrance.

Finally, the warm primary retreat was bathed in dusk-tinted desert neutrals.

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Above The vibrant children's bedroom

Above The secondary bedroom with a dawn-like palette

Due to the U-shaped layout of the residence all rooms and communal spaces open up to the swimming pool and garden in the backyard, and beyond that, the distant vista of the mountainous surroundings.

“This house is one I feel so personally attached to; I could definitely live there myself with its sun-faded colour palette and comfy sofa fabrics,” Greene chimes in. “It exudes a chill atmosphere where the family could spend a weekend by themselves, or load up with guests for a party weekend.”

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Credits

Photography

Yoshihiro Makino

Topics

mid-century rancho mirage california desert

Tatler Asia

Home tour: A mid-century desert home with earth tones in California’s Rancho Mirage