Expert Recs: Lorien Stern’s Mojave Desert Home Is a Colorful & Cozy Playhouse

"I love stuff and I hate feeling crowded so it's this constant battle," says artist Lorien Stern, of the renovated single-wide trailer that she lives in with her partner, Dave (of Dave’s Clubhouse), located on her family’s salvage yard in a little town called Inyokern in the Mojave Desert. "I don't have one more square foot on my wall where I could fit another painting. If I want to put something else up, I have to take something down," she says of her current small-space dilemma. 

Stern’s ouevre is impressive, especially given the space where she creates her extremely varied art: She and her partner "converted old dilapidated trailers and shipping containers into our studio spaces." It’s from these redone spaces where Stern’s cartoonish mirrored ghosts, ceramic shark heads revealing all their teeth, bath mats shaped like seals and sloths, cotton tees collaged with fantastical beasts and fruits, and more emerge. 

"It’s a fun way to explore something you are afraid of, by making them colorful and approachable and goofy," Stern says of the recurring themes in her work, like death or sinister creatures. "It’s kind of exciting to face your fear." And soon, the duo will be expanding their tiny corner of the Mojave once they get the "permitting for a giant space that we're gonna convert into our living space, a metal steel shop, and a business warehouse. A place where I can make a 10-foot snake and have a place to display it if I need to," Stern says of how she plans to design and utilize the property she bought next door to her home.

When it comes to the home products that Stern and her partner have outfitted their converted trailer with, the aesthetic throughline is that everything is wildly vibrant, hilarious to look at, made with artistic care (and flair!), and also highly functional—just like the stuff Stern makes. You’ll find plenty of gems inside their home made by fellow makers and close artist friends like Katie Kimmel, Dusen Dusen, and India Jacobs. "I like to surround myself with certain colors and things that make me happy. Nothing makes me feel better than to see a rainbow, as cheesy and cliche as that is, and there are a lot of good rainbows in the desert. It’s very beautiful and still," says Stern of her vast, quiet, and natural surroundings that juxtapose well with her playhouse-like wares. "I'm able to explode with my weird colors and characters here. There are a lot of snakes and lizards and great sunsets that inspire me."

"We got this during a sale to give us a little extra morale during the small business holiday season. It's something to look forward to in the morning and it is so easy to use! My favorite thing to make on it is a cappuccino."

"These are two of my favorite things in the shop right now that I also have in my house. The Seal bathmat is very welcoming when you are stepping into or out of the shower. The Duck Pillow Case celebrates my pet ducks that I love so much and brings their presence inside, which makes me happy."

"We have many of Dave's wall hanging lamps all over the house and they bring me so much joy. I especially love the duck one because it's a standing runner duck, like our duck daughter, Slim."

"I love everything Baggu and these have been life-changing for me to organize all of my toiletries when I travel. They have the cutest design and everything is so durable."

"I love that these glasses are great for a fancy cocktail or a cup of water. They don’t knock over easy, which is great for me. Also a HOT deal."

"Did I get a dog just so I could get this dog bed? Maybe not, but definitely helped make it easier. My cat loves it too." 

"Probably the cutest vase on the market. I have a thing for dalmatians and flowers, so I simply could not live without this vase."

"This is my dream desk. Perfect size, white background, easy to clean, and easy adjustable height!"

"I have a custom food bowl for my dog and cat that we all love. I recently got India Jacobs Honey Dew Arm as a toilet paper roll holder. I love that I no longer have to deal with a spring-loaded rod when changing out the TP and the rolls now slip on this little alien arm like a gorgeous bracelet."

"This is my favorite mug in the world. I am a thirsty person and no glass is ever big enough for me except for this one. I love the technique Helen uses to make every mug have a unique design. I have since bought many more as presents for my friends and family."

"I have several Kindah Khalidy pieces in my home and they can brighten any room. Since her artwork is in such high demand, I love that she offers a wide variety of prints now, so you can have a better chance of getting the piece you want at a lower price."

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