The Nabu Villa

Desert Starlet

Owned by a movie industry creative, this sweet, spare retreat in Joshua Tree offers a classic desert bohemian environment with a big dose of the handcrafted and cool. Everything here is custom designed and handmade, from molded sinks to hand troweled plasters and maker-crafted furnishings. Our second Joshua Tree property by the same owner, we love its laidback styling and the owner’s knack for designing with nature-palette neutrals for an earthen oasis just outside iconic Joshua Tree National Park.

This photo-ready home is an influencer’s dream, all sleek and spare with that enviable desert modern vibe inside and out. With its hip rock garden-and-cacti landscaping and its softly reflective, natural plastered interior, this villa for rent in California is a study in desert minimal design. It’s an ideal space for slowing down, a spot down a dirt road where relaxing, enjoying the pool, stargazing, or simply curling up with a beverage in a quiet corner or sundrenched nook is all that’s needed.

Clean lines and smooth styling are the rule. Bathroom vanities and sinks are hand-molded, the kitchen and dining areas are open-plan and light-filled, with pristine floors and soothingly uncluttered walls. And the decor favors handturned wooden furnishings, wood cabinet fronts, and natural fiber area rugs, plus some desert mod accents in the lighting fixtures and curiosities. Bedrooms open out to the desert via wide glass sliders or French doors, and furnishings are light, textural, and also handcrafted.

Around

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood about a 5-minute drive from the heart of the community of Joshua Tree and an easy 15-20 minute drive to the Joshua Tree National Park entrance, this villa for rent in California was created to celebrate its desert setting and the serenity of its stark location. 

Joshua Trees and rock formations stand silhouetted against the vivid sunshine, and the region is cactus dotted and prickly, geographically straddling the Colorado and Mojave Deserts and the Coachella Valley, now a favorite haunt of hipsters, creatives, and music fans. 

Stargazers will appreciate the dark night skies, and the home makes a peaceful base from which to explore the rugged park with its world-class rock climbing and bouldering, hiking, and unique photography options. The small desert community of Joshua Tree is artsy and funky, with plenty of boutiques, small galleries, and offbeat art installations, including the scavenged art of Noah Purifoy’s outdoor gallery and the World Famous Crochet Museum. A handful of cafes with a prominent vegetarian and vegan focus are located in the town, and the mid-century modern mecca of Palm Springs is about 40 miles away.

Location

Joshua Tree, California, United States. Nearest airport: Palm Springs, approximately 40 miles.

Best time to visit

Year-round