![A Weekend at the Honu Villa](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/989109ef27b79b9f315066d824841a3be56fe8d3-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
A Weekend at the Honu Villa
Design writer Lily Sullivan and friends check into the Honu Villa, a handcrafted desert hideaway in the wilds of Joshua Tree, California.
- Category
- First Person
- Written by
- Lily Sullivan
- Published
- April 23, 2024
I snuck away to the desert for a little creative retreat with Meghan McNeer and Jake Harrison last week at the Honu Villa. It was the perfect start to April.
On our way into town, we stopped at Black Luck Vintage—it was hard not to be drawn in by their bright sign and eccentric displays outfront. Inside, I found a chic pair of men’s tuxedo pants that came home with me, and my friends bought wares for the home.
![Black Luck Vintage
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/8fe39216a637385185ab55250a2cb35444616706-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
![Roadrunner by Abe Delacerda at Black Luck Vintage
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/76404a334023fa40be8b773e21aa91173c79310f-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
We then popped into Nitty Gritty where we all fell for the marble enamelware. Stop for a good collection of denim + chore jackets.
![Nitty Gritty Antiques
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/54dcab1b3c5e56f5efabc85cebddbb09179d7cd9-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
We made a quick stop at my friend Stephanie Danler’s wine shop Desierto Alto—they have a great selection of natural wines and curated provisions (ie, frozen tamales to make for lunch).
![Desierto Alto
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/4ce85f65529442fcfdad7baa8b5ae4329727c9f0-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
When we got to the house, we were greeted by big terrazzo floors, concrete lines, and soft wood details.
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/73702fdda79f1c3b794fcad3141d8cafdd933893-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/5ebcb30cf586b76264cb735c64884294f86bf553-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
Not to mention... an iconic pool.
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/06320a5a8c2598e7740ed00a4e90aa9b9e969ab5-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/fa6fe6aae7a67b68a80e41e9e6e70a8e0fb50c2a-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
After a dip, there was no other place to eat dinner in town than The Copper Room, where we stumbled into a live jazz performance. Get the spicy martini and the chicken.
![The Copper Room
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/c353dc453f7f96dd217d089b9956fc9717df4486-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
![The Copper Room
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/6d958b6676f1ebd8a3460c2e2080c553e1cd07ff-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
I woke up to the most amazing view from bed, big fluffy clouds and a crisp morning view of the pool.
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/f08dc89c361b2d07c3bd8102fb5d57405726b657-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
In town, we popped to Hey There Projects and saw an incredible collection of ceramics detailing the desert.
![Hey There Projects
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/767ab5408355742287f74a7c6d54adc468413b32-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
Golden hour was just as epic as you could imagine. We made my favorite salad from Altro Paradiso.
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/02381e7b775dd6273414a48ce5813f823c2bcdcb-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
![Dinner at The Honu Villa
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/3825444138537cb3bf4d732ac998d498b6f1bf0b-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Lily Sullivan @lilyksullivan
The next day we said goodbye to our digs, not before taking a quick rinse in this iconic shower… til next time.
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/00a7b52b3eb311fe9d4ace76f53a7cc9c2d513a8-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
![The Honu Villa
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer](https://ik.imagekit.io/boutiquehomes/cms/99dd5c42a3391197a6d565c96456a3a4b6ddafdb-1600x2000.jpg?tr=w-3840)
Photo: Meghan McNeer @meghanmcneer
Lily Sullivan is the creative force behind Love and Other Rugs, a newsletter that centers around the belief that the search for romance and the search for home furnishings are one and the same. Follow her on Instagram at @lilyksullivan.
Photo (top) of Lily Sullivan and Jake Harrison at The Copper Room by Meghan McNeer
STAY: The Honu Villa
SHOP: Black Luck Vintage, Nitty Gritty, Desierto Alto, Hey There Projects
EAT: The Copper Room