Arro Dunes

Wabi Sabi and Eco-Friendly Living in the High Desert

Tucked into acres of sandy dunes at the end of a dirt road near Joshua Tree National Park, this rustic, slow-living cabin was originally a 1950s desert homestead with wrap-around desert and mountain views. It has been thoughtfully restored, mostly at the hands of its new owners, who hand-built additions to the home, and revitalized the original spaces taking cues from Japanese wabi sabi philosophy and the latest eco-conscious styling.

A tranquil and remote desert retreat, this updated homestead in the vast sandscape of Twentynine Palms offers minimalist, rustic décor, eclectic global and foraged treasures on display, and the creature comforts of modern, eco-luxury furnishings. Walls are lime washed; countertops are Moroccan tadelakt plaster, and the steel fence and cactus-filled planters outdoors were handmade by the owners. 

A wide brick fireplace with a massive steel hood anchors the living area and dates from the home’s original construction in 1957, as does the rectangular, multi-paned landscape window in the living room that offers panoramic views across the Mojave Desert and beyond, to the mountains on the distant horizon.

This fully renovated vacation home for rent in California sleeps four comfortably and features two bedrooms and a shared bathroom with a deep soaking tub next to its own picture window. The larger bedroom features a Japanese-inspired floating bookshelf that separates the queen bedroom zone from a cozy reading nook and tearoom. French doors open outdoors from here onto the wooden deck and landscaped outdoor dining and entertainment area (hot tub, stock tank pool and firepit). The home’s second bedroom also features a queen bed and is furnished thoughtfully with minimalist, found and vintage décor.

The home’s kitchen was updated and is fully equipped for staying in and cooking. And cozy dining areas are available both indoors and out, the outdoor area next to a wide wooden deck and barbecue. The hot tub and firepit are wood fired and intimate, perfect perches for stargazing or lounging after a game of bocce or horseshoes, or a dip in the 10-foot round cowboy pool.

AROUND

Remote but within easy driving distance of Joshua Tree National Park and downtown Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms, this vacation home for rent in California is a quick walk away from the Mojave Land Trust trailhead for close-by hiking and exploring. 

Desert fauna and flora are abundant, and the nighttime stargazing is truly amazing. Created to be an oasis for slow living, the home is actually set in a scenic, relatively unpopulated residential area, so it’s accessible to restaurants, groceries, nature guides, galleries and boutiques by car. Tamarisk trees offer some shade from the daily desert sun, but most of the environment around the structure is low-lying cactus and native shrub growing from sandy, dune like soil. 

Mindfully collected foraged materials are part of the home’s décor, and desert magic unfolds safely just outside the cabin’s picture windows.

LOCATION

Twentynine Palms, California. Nearest airport: Palm Springs (52 miles).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: March to May and October to November.