Ride the Wave: The Iconic Wave House, Furnished by Paul Smith for Your Next Palm Desert Getaway

The Coachella Valley, particularly Palm Desert, holds a legendary status for its incredible collection of mid-century modernist architecture, a playground built in the mid-20th century for the Hollywood elite seeking a stylish escape from Los Angeles. Within this celebrated landscape sits the Miles C Bates house, affectionately known as the Wave House, instantly recognisable for its utterly distinctive, undulating roofline. Originally designed in 1955 by the visionary American architect Walter S White as a sculptor’s studio, the house evolved into a communal hub for fellow artists in the California desert and is now rightfully designated a historic landmark. But here’s the seriously cool news: you can now live that modernist dream.

Design Within Reach (DWR), the US brand synonymous with bringing iconic design into homes, has partnered with vacation rental provider Boutique to offer the Wave House as a rental property. And they haven’t stopped there. DWR enlisted none other than iconic British fashion designer Paul Smith to furnish the house with pieces from the rather excellent DWR Presents: The Paul Smith Collection. This is a masterclass in blending architectural heritage with contemporary design sensibility, resulting in a space that feels both reverent to its past and vibrantly alive today.

The architecture itself is a spectacle. The curving roof doesn’t just look cool; it cleverly mimics the forms of the nearby San Jacinto mountains and is beautifully expressed inside with warm wooden slats. The exterior walls, largely glazed, slide open effortlessly to connect the interior with a rocky rear garden and a sparkling swimming pool – the quintessential California modernist indoor/outdoor living experience. Painted brick walls provide privacy from the street and, along with plywood panelling, help define the interior spaces.

Smith’s instantly identifiable aesthetic is woven throughout several rooms, applying his signature fabrics, originally created for textile brand Maharam, to special-edition furniture pieces from design heavyweights like Herman Miller (including the Eames Moulded Plastic Side Chair) and Knoll (featuring Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair). You’ll find his signature stripes adorning cushioned loungers by the pool – perfect for soaking up the desert sun in style – as well as a sofa and armchair in the living area.

In the bedroom, Stepped Plaid upholstery wraps the bed headboard and frame, adding a layer of sophisticated texture. These carefully chosen fabrics are designed to echo the colours of the surrounding desert landscape and those found within the home itself, striking a perfect balance between modern vibrancy and traditional context. While perhaps best known for his fashion, Smith has famously lent his unique eye to everything from outdoor furniture and rugs to classic designs like a Hans J Wegner chair and an Anglepoise lamp, proving his aesthetic translates effortlessly across disciplines.

Adding to the appeal, all the products within the Wave House are available for purchase from DWR, which recently opened a new store in nearby Palm Springs during Modernism Week in February. Being able to rent the Wave House isn’t just a stay; it’s a chance to experience an architectural icon elevated by a design legend, living amidst stylish pieces you could even take home. It’s the ultimate Palm Desert getaway for design aficionados.

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