By Gina Teichert
Feel the vintage vibe of the desert, like the artist couple behind Joshua Tree House.
When Sara and Rich Combs renovated their first home in Joshua Tree, their goals were simple. Get out of the city and design a creative space in nature, where they could recharge their batteries. For the two Maryland art school graduates, Joshua's "wacky" trees and sculptural rock formations were an immediate inspiration.
"Joshua Tree is a surreal landscape with very open views that encourage you to take a long, deep breath," Sara explains. For her, the desert light is the most important thing. "Since we've been living in Joshua Tree, we're much more in tune with the cycles of the sun and moon. The open horizon allows us to see the light in a way we've never seen before," she says. "Watching the moon rise is a cherished event now, which, honestly, never occurred to us before we moved here."
Photo by Sara and Rich Combs
Joshua Tree is both a plant and a place, about an hour from Palm Springs, the Mecca of modernism. Popular with artists, musicians and eclectics of all stripes, this small desert community has long been an escape for city dwellers looking to reconnect with reality.
"When we opened it up to others, we found that we weren't the only ones who craved a place like this," says Sara of their first vacation rental, The Joshua Tree House. "JTH is a place to reflect, recharge and create in natural and inspiring surroundings. We realized that when traveling, we often had to sacrifice design or nature in our accommodations," notes Sara. "So we set out to create spaces that celebrate both."
Photo by Sara and Rich Combs
Building a brand: How one rental became an Airbnb icon
After the success of their first vacation rental in Joshua Tree, Sara and Rich began to see opportunities for growth. "There were so many bookings that we didn't have time to go ourselves," she recalls, "and that got us thinking about opening new sites."
Today, they manage a five-suite inn near Arizona's Saguaro National Park, and two properties in Joshua Tree. As demand for unique experiences continues to grow, they attribute much of their success to excellent design and an authentic digital presence.
"When we created the account(@thejoshuatreehouse), it was simply to share our first renovation project," Sara explains. "The growth and excitement it generated eventually led us down the path of turning The JTH into a business."
Photo by Sara and Rich Combs
For Rich and Sara, Instagram was a way to share their progress on the restoration and design project, champion their artist friends and give a glimpse into their world.
"If it's genuine, people can feel it. I truly believe that's why our account has grown so much, simply because we love what we do," says Sara. Having beautifully designed spaces next to national parks has also helped.
La Recette Magique: Light, art and unique interior design
"The surrounding landscape of each site is the source of our inspiration," Sara explains. "Our goal is to blur interior and exterior space by drawing textures and colors from the outdoors and bringing them indoors. We like to work with natural materials such as wood, plaster, stone and natural fibers to further harmonize indoor and outdoor spaces."
Photo by Sara and Rich Combs
When asked how to define her personal style, Sara refers to authenticity. "Personal style is what you naturally gravitate towards. We try not to think about it too much," she says. Whether it's your wardrobe, your safety pins or a pile of items from a thrift store, there are probably recurring characteristics among them. "These elements come together to create a personal style," she says. "What patterns do you see?"
Rich and Sara love vintage pieces and old buildings for the history and life they convey. And when it comes to buying new, they're all about the support of other artists. "One of our best friends, Heather Day, who we studied with at MICA, has become a go-to artist for all our projects. It's so special to see her original work incorporated into the space," says Sara.
Photo by Tim Melideo
A work by another MICA alumna, Julia Kostreva, hangs above the fireplace in the Arizona space. And Tucson native Ishi Glinsky presented an exhibition at the JTH Inn to celebrate its opening. "We found Ishi's work while searching for artists with Tucson roots, as it's important to us to include the work of local artists in every venue," says Sara.
If you need a little primer on how to marry art, retro design and nature, Rich and Sara have put it on paper. Their book, At Home in Joshua Tree: A Field Guide to Desert Living, covers everything from decorating and lighting to cooking and entertaining.
So, what's next for the couple? "Lately, we've been dreaming of new places," says Sara. "Our goal is to create a road trip of places, and maybe even build something from scratch." Since the pandemic, they've noticed a growing interest in intimate accommodations with a connection to nature.
"I can see that this type of travel is becoming increasingly popular, and it seems more important than ever to offer this kind of experience to our guests."