VILLA KURO || Joshua Tree Rental Vacation Home Inspired by the Japanese 'Wabi Sabi' Philosophy
Villa Kuro is inspired by nature and ‘wabi sabi’, the Japanese philosophy about finding beauty in imperfection and embracing it.
Originally built as a single-story mid-century ranch in 1966, the home had sustained various muddled upgrades throughout the years by previous owners, and when Mini Inno team renovated the home, they decided to strip away the entire interior and start fresh.
2 sliding doors opens up the space to connect the indoor and outdoor living experience
Villa Kuro is located in Joshua Tree, California, and is a 2 bed, 2 bath home on 3.6 acres, and after Mini Inno converted the garage into the tea room, the house is now roughly 2000 square feet. Since the property is envisioned to be a vacation home, the team sought to create a serene and unique space that would invite guests to relax right when they walk in.
Large-format windows can be found in various parts of the home, maximizing the outdoor desert views by utilizing a neutral color palette for the interiors, and focusing on texture and subtleties in design, such as how the light plays on the wall at different times of the day.
The garage area that has been converted into the tea room
Converting the original garage space into a spacious tea room immediately made the living space much more approachable and inviting. The old garage had one of the best positions in the house since it backs up against the boulder mountain and faces west to the views. With such an optimal vantage point, the space seemed ideal as a tranquil meditation space where one could relax and open up to nature; open up in a figurative and literal sense, as the area lends itself to the ultimate relaxation experience, and also features two 16-foot sliding doors on both sides of the room, one facing the boulder and cactus garden courtyard, while the other opens up facing west towards the expansive desert views.
To create the feeling of traditional tea ceremonies, the team used a low coffee table and floor cushions, to provide a more grounding feeling as guests enjoy their tea and take in the desert views and sounds of nature.
Door leading out to the cactus garden
The 16-foot slider door leads out to the cactus garden
“Nothing lasts and nothing is perfect; with age you find patina and character, a sort of deep beauty that is lost in shiny new objects.”
Kitchen space with a large kitchen island for cooking and entertaining
Specially designed reading nooks
Considering the vacation activities one would engage in, the team also designed bench window seats, which act as the perfect reading nook for one to enjoy a good book for an entire afternoon while periodically pausing to take in the beautiful desert views.
The bedrooms similarly utilize a subdued color palette and minimalistic furnishings to blend in with the surrounding nature views. Lightweight drapes allow the morning sunshine to gently seep into the room in the morning, and a single hanging bedside lamp allows guests to enjoy a short read in bed before turning in for the night.
The open shower space reminiscent of a Mediterranean resort
The bathroom utilizes an open design with an open shower space reminiscent of those at a Mediterranean vacation resort, perfect for the year-round heat. The texture of the wall is intentionally left to appear unfinished, again tying into the theme of wabi-sabi, where something is perfectly imperfect; this design approach allows the home to age gracefully and embrace the build’s evolution.
Villa Kuro is available as a vacation home rental in the serene desert. To find out more, visit Villa Kuro’s website.
A small patio space to enjoy the afternoon sun
