I have a new hobby, browsing for mid century modern houses on Airbnb, you know…the popular website to rent houses or rooms for your vacations.
I’m a big fan, and customer, of Airbnb and the feature I like the most is definitely the list of categories with eye-catching pics and text; browsing Airbnb feels like flipping an interior decor magazine…but you can actually stay in a house if you like it; love it!
Anyway, I was browsing for houses in the Palm Springs area -full of mid century modern beauties- when I found a really cool desert cabin. I had to contact its owner for an interview! So I did and Drew, the owner, not only answered my questions but also sent me some exclusive stunning pictures of his house never published anywhere else. All this for you guys!
Tell us a bit about you and the story of your house. How long have you been living there, why did you buy this specific house and was it already like this when you moved in?
Built in 1947, “Shangri-La”, as the cabin has become known due to its location on a remote dirt road of the same name in addition to the irony of its found condition, was an abandoned homesteader shack when purchased six years ago. I had been attracted to Joshua Tree for many years as a camper and artist and was thrilled to find this cabin with mid-century modern bone structure and awe-inspiring views.
Despite the lack of electricity, water, and toilet, with holes in the roof and rats in the walls, I moved in immediately to begin the transformation. On a low to non-existent budget with inspiration from modern mid century design, the property has now become a favorite retreat for myself as well as travelers from around the world as a vacation rental. It is also the site of an annual weekend art event called “Shangri-La” featuring indoor and outdoor works by an ever-changing melange of local and international artists.
Which are the 3 biggest challenges and advantages of living in a mid century modern house?
The only challenges of living in this particular mid century house were simply the original maintenance issues due to abandonment. The advantages of living in a mid century house is the wonderful balance of indoor and outdoor space, the equanimity derived from simplicity of design, and the immersion into the history of the structure and its period of origin.
Which architectural elements do you like the most of your house?
The pitch of the cabin roof and the ten foot rectangular front window against the vast scale of the desert vistas sold me on the property immediately. The beautiful exposed beams that I stained via oil lantern one night prior to electricity and the tin can lids covering the knot holes in the wood ceiling are a quirky plus.
Where did you buy the furniture?
Other than a few designer items, most of the furniture was either built by me, re-vamped thrift stores finds, or family hand-me-downs.
Is there a specific designer from the mid century that inspires you?
The desert modernism of architect Albert Frey, with the implementation of the surrounding landscape including seasonal light as well as his use of materials such as corrugated metal, has been the biggest inspiration in the creation of “Shangri-La”.
Last question: if you had an unlimited budget, which design piece of furniture would you buy?
An Eames molded plywood folding screen (along with an Eames bird, desk, and storage unit, please).
As I mentioned at the beginning, this house is available on Airbnb. So if you want to visit California and stay in a really cool desert cabin not far from Palm Springs this would definitely be a good choice!
You can find more info about the cabin and its availability here.
(A part from the second photo, all the pictures in this post were taken by the talented Meghan Webster)
