wake up from a dream
The saguaros rise in the desert landscape of Arizona as if trying to claim its leading role, which is threatened by the rosy sunrises, by the hypnotic blush of the sunsets and by the spectacular starry nights that make us dream of returning again and again to the national park to which they give their name.
What they don't know beautiful giant cacti , apart from playing a key role in getting the perfect postcard of the area, is that since September 2019 they have a rival that makes them the competition in photogenicity: Posada, the most recent project of The Joshua Tree House (JTH), located in Tucson, Arizona.
Starry night in Saguaro National Park
“The Joshua Tree House started in 2015 when we purchased a 1949 house in California's Mojave desert. we longed for a place to reflect, reset and create something with our own hands”, comments Sarah Combs , which, apart from the almost recently inaugurated Posada, she runs together with her husband, Rich Combs , three vacation rental houses -The Joshua Tree House, Casita and Hacienda- in Joshua Tree National Park, where they reside.
At the end of 2013, this couple left behind the hectic pace of San Francisco and hit the road with a clear goal: to find a corner to call home.
“Throughout our travels, we have explored many amazing places in the United States and Southeast Asia. One day, returning home, we felt a strong impulse that led us to a very special ranch in Joshua Tree,” recounts the marriage.
Although initially this it was to be his own personal retreat , by posting her rental on Airbnb as a way to finance the project, she became quite a claim.
And so it was that the Combs left the flirtatious space in which she started her new life to settle in Hacienda -whose reservation is only available when the owners are traveling- and definitely take root, along with their two cats , in the Californian desert.
Sara Combs of The Joshua Tree House at the entrance of Posada
Casita is her third property in that location, since last year they decided transfer their savoir faire to Tucson, where Posada stands.
This accommodation, which borders the Saguaro National Park , has five suites -baptized with the name of native plants such as agave or cholla-, capacity for twelve people and more than 460 square meters of outdoor patios.
Each room of this old inn distills a unique essence, in addition to being all located in the heart of a natural landscape deprived of 16 hectares: open your eyes and give your retinas some hypnotic and desert views it's not trivial.
“We fell in love with the place because of the dark and starry nights, because of the the local wildlife passing through the kitchen windows most mornings and, above all, because of the peace that the calm atmosphere gives us”, comments Sara.
Traditional materials dominate interior design
Another reason why they fell in love with this house was its peculiar original structure, which used reclaimed rail ties and telephone poles.
“When we started working on interior design, we focused on natural materials such as organic fibers, clay tiles, wood and rattan, thus reflecting the surrounding environment. On the other hand, we also got many vintage items” she explains.
One of the five suites
The attractive result? A wide space of minimalist decoration and boho style -see the moroccan rugs from the firm Soukie Modern or the hand-woven ones from Pampas-, in which the whitewashed walls and wooden beams combine perfectly with the tones of the rest of the furniture, among which we find everything from leather pieces from the Australian firm Barnaby Lane to outdoor decoration items from Serena & Lily, through SixPenny sofas.
“We have worked with local artisans like Sam Okerlund to create sustainably Wooden furniture to measure”, says the owner.
Beyond the visual spectacle, Posada also offers experiences that leave no room for indifference: a dip in her pool, nestled in a small canyon ; morning meditation on her yoga room; a café with a rooftop view; hiking in magnificent surroundings; movie nights and outdoor popcorn ; or bonfires in the light of the new moon, to which they assiduously dedicate a mystical playlist in your Spotify account.
Plants and natural light in one of the bathrooms.
On the other hand, those who want rest from the stove During your vacation, you can hire a local chef recommended by the owners of this dream retreat.
“Posada is similar to a hostel: is a place to meet other travelers, but in a version much more elegant comment the creators of The Joshua Tree House, a project that, in addition to being an authentic ode to interior design, is also a portal through which guests can connect with nature.
Posada has more than 460 square meters of outdoor patios
The acute sense of aesthetics and the great eye for decoration of Sara and Rich Combs, reason for being of their book At Home in Joshua Tree: A Field Guide to Desert Living , is also more than evident in his Instagram account (@thejoshuatreehouse), through which they share their lifestyle and inspire their 280,000 followers with warm and chromatic photographs that They do not drop below four figures of likes.
And it is not for less: serenity, love for details and a happiness that cannot be broken lies behind every publication and, therefore, behind every property.
Posada is that pleasure for the everyday , that unpretentious luxury and that "I'll stay here" that trapped its owners in the desert and against which you will have to fight. Or maybe not...
"I stay here"
***This report was published in *number 144 of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (Spring 2021) . Subscribe to the printed edition (€18.00, annual subscription, by calling 902 53 55 57 or from our website). The April issue of Condé Nast Traveler is available in its digital version to enjoy on your preferred device