Construction Diary: A Couple Build a Moroccan-Inspired Retreat in Joshua Tree

Over a span of 10 months, Louis Litrenta and Natalie Saunders build an airy vacation home in the Californian desert that draws from the local landscape and their travels abroad.

Desert Wild, as the home is called, features a friction-less interior of plaster, microcement, and wood that’s designed to place emphasis on desert views. Read on for Louis’s account of the building process, and how you can book your own stay at this serene hideaway.

Join Dwell+ to Continue

Subscribe to Dwell+ to get everything you already love about Dwell, plus exclusive home tours, video features, how-to guides, access to the Dwell archive, and more. You can cancel at any time.

Try Dwell+ for FREE

Already a Dwell+ subscriber? Sign In