This Desert Retreat Finds Harmony With Its Striking Natural Surroundings

For architectural designer Mila Morris, trips to the desert of Joshua Tree, California, initially began as casual visits—brief getaways to see a close friend who lived in nearby Yucca Valley. Finding herself spending more and more time in the area, Mila was quickly mesmerized by the beauty and magic of the desert. "I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this place is kind of amazing,’" she recalls.

Giving in to the desert’s pull, a property search soon ensued, with Mila eager to create her own retreat in Yucca Valley—about 10 minutes outside of Joshua Tree. Looking for space, views, and privacy, Mila’s property hunt eventually—after two years of searching—led her to a peculiar home on a sprawling piece of desert land.

While the home, a yellow stucco remnant of the 1980s, was uninspiring, the surrounding land was immediately captivating. With mountains in the distance, the five-acre parcel was set on a mesa, with the canyon below brimming with thousands of Joshua trees. Perhaps the biggest draw was that the home bordered public land—protecting views, and ensuring no future development could taint the unspoiled landscape. "You can make something really special here," Morris recalls of her first impression.

Totally revamping the unappealing 1980s abode from the ground up, Mila kept little more than the concrete floor. The entirely reconfigured layout includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms in the main home, a new tiny home overlooking the canyon, and a garage-turned-studio for extra space. In addition to being a getaway for Mila, the reimagined mesa complex (dubbed Le Chacuel) would be used as a vacation rental and events space—hosting visitors and wedding parties—when not otherwise occupied.

Solving for a previous pain point as a property host, Mila turned to Level Home to streamline and simplify access to the Yucca Valley getaway. Previously using a low-tech lockbox, Mila was forced to search for other options when it became functionally unreliable. "In Joshua Tree, we get a lot of sandstorms, and the sand would get into the lockbox, and jam up the keys," she shares. After cycling through other less-than-ideal options—like a hide-a-key—she discovered and implemented a more cutting-edge access solution, integrating the Level Lock - Touch Edition and Level Keypad. The compact and understated Level Lock hides the technology on the inside of the door, making it exceptionally small and nearly indistinguishable from a standard deadbolt. The touch option allows it to be locked and unlocked with the simple touch of a finger, while complementary key cards are provided for secondary access. 

With a sleek interface and soft backlighting, the Level Keypad aligned with Mila’s vision for the home’s redesign. "I love how the keypad lights up to touch, and it's a really subtle light," shares Mila. With the Level app, up to 50 unique keycodes can be created and stored for each Level Keypad, streamlining and centralizing access for guests. 

In the redesign of the main residence, Mila embraced her minimalist sensibilities, favoring clean lines and strong, symmetric forms. In the living room, she exposed the trusses, creating a feeling of openness while working within the existing footprint. "I wasn't trying to add square footage, but I felt if you could open up more of the ceiling, then it would create more of a spacious atmosphere," Mila explains of the living room focal point. A perfectly square fireplace on the living room wall typifies the carefully considered proportions Morris integrated into the space. All new windows and doors frame exacting views of the sublime desert landscape.

Counterbalancing the rigidity of the home’s design, relief is found in both form and texture. Straight angles are interrupted by gentle curves of ceilings and archways, along with circular bedroom windows that act as a portal to the landscape. While cool grey and white tones predominate, natural wood and earthy terrazzo add warmth to the home’s kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

All of the home’s furniture pieces are custom designs from Jøna Maaryn’s Cast + Crew line, and include delicate mixes of metal, wood, leather, and textiles. In addition to sourcing and displaying one-of-a-kind objects and antiques, Mila strategically layered in sheepskin rugs and ceramic cups—"stuff that’s nice to touch," she says—to add tactile comfort. By mixing hard and soft, straight and contoured, old and new, Mila brings warmth and livability to the minimalist space.

Honoring the design intent, the integrations from Level Home complement Mila’s carefully-curated finish selections throughout the home. "We chose to integrate the Level Home keypad and lock for two reasons," she explains. "One, it didn't compromise the design aspect of the home, and also, it was just easy to use for guests." With brass and black door hardware favored throughout the home, the matte black Level Lock - Touch Edition fits in seamlessly. The Level Keypad’s elegant interface and soft white hue blend in effortlessly with the stucco exterior of the main residence and tiny home.

From weekend guests to wedding guests, streamlining access to the Yucca Valley property brings ease and simplicity to the experience, fostering an elevated sense of serenity for visitors and residents alike. Eliminating logistical hassles and integrating understated access solutions, the splendor of the landscape takes center stage, encouraging guests to marvel in simple moments. "Every evening, every sunset, feels like its own movie. You're just watching something so magical," muses Mila. "It's just a feeling I haven't gotten anywhere else."

Learn more at level.co.

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