On the Mesa

Architectural designer Mila Morris had been searching for a desert abode for two years when she came across an awe-inspiring piece of property in Yucca Valley, California—about 10 minutes outside Joshua Tree. For Mila, the land—not the home—was the big draw.

On a mesa overlooking thousands of Joshua trees, the five-acre parcel bordered public land, ensuring no future development could obstruct the spectacular view. Looking past the unappealing yellow stucco dwelling that originally existed, Mila was immediately drawn to the site’s privacy and "wow factor" views. "You can make something really special here," Mila recalls of her first impression.

Largely gutting the 1980s home, Mila was eager to bring her own design sensibilities to the residence. Planned as a personal retreat, the getaway (named Le Chacuel) would be used as a vacation rental when not otherwise occupied. Adding utility to Mila’s role as a property host, the integration of smart locks from Level Home lets the design—and landscape—take center stage. "I chose to integrate the Level Home keypad and lock for two reasons," explains Mila. "One, it didn’t compromise the design aspect of the home, and two, it was just easy to use for guests." Thanks to streamlined security and access, visitors can fully soak in the magnificence of the landscape with a unique key code to unlock the retreat.

The goal for the residence was to create a feeling of serenity—for both Mila and guests. While structured forms and clean lines predominate, softness is introduced through gentle curves of interior archways, natural wood and concrete finishes, and globally sourced antiques that accent the space. The matte black Level Home locks conveniently matched hardware already in the home, while the white touch pad blends in seamlessly with the exterior stucco.

Framed by the vastness of the desert, the home becomes something of an art piece against the stark backdrop. "It’s definitely magic," says Mila. 

Learn more and take a tour of Le Chacuel at dwell.com/level.

—

Head back to the November/December 2022 issue homepage