The Coachella Valley – and particularly Palm Desert – has earned legendary status for its unparalleled collection of mid-century modernist architecture. Originally built as a stylish retreat for Hollywood stars, the area remains a shining beacon of design history.

At the centre of this iconic landscape lies the Miles C. Bates House, also known as the Wave House, easily recognised by its flowing, wave-like roof. Designed in 1955 by visionary architect Walter S. White as a sculptor’s studio, it quickly became a creative hub for local artists in the desert. Today, it’s a protected historic landmark – and the best part? You can stay there.

The American design brand Design Within Reach (DWR) has teamed up with vacation rental platform Boutique to offer the Wave House as a rental property. And they’ve taken it a step further: legendary British fashion designer Paul Smith was invited to furnish the house using pieces from the exclusive DWR Presents: The Paul Smith Collection. The result is a breathtaking fusion of mid-century architecture and contemporary design elegance.

The home’s architecture is nothing short of spectacular. The curved roof echoes the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains and is complemented inside by warm wood slats. Large glass walls slide open to connect the living space with a rock garden and swimming pool – the ultimate in California’s indoor-outdoor modernist lifestyle. Painted brick and plywood walls help shape an intimate, well-defined interior.

Paul Smith’s unmistakable aesthetic is felt in every room. His signature fabrics and stripes, created in collaboration with Maharam, appear on poolside loungers, a sofa and armchair, and even the bed’s headboard, offering colour palettes that reflect the desert tones and the home’s surroundings – a perfect balance between energy and heritage.

Even better, all the pieces used in the Wave House are available for purchase through DWR, which recently opened a new store in Palm Springs during Modernism Week. Staying in the Wave House is more than just a vacation – it’s a design experience, an immersion into architectural beauty and Paul Smith’s creative vision. It’s the ultimate retreat for any lover of modernist design.

Photos Courtesy of DWR