Like so many others during the pandemic, creative director Catalina Monsalve found herself at a turning point when it came to her living situation. “I had been living in New York for 17 years, and it had started to feel stagnant there for me,” recalls Catalina. “I gave up my place, and when I came to visit Kelly in California, she showed me this house. It just felt right.”

Catalina’s partner, interior designer Kelly Kai, spent years traveling between her home in Los Angeles and the desert around Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, where she transformed run-down properties into charming Airbnbs. “I felt drawn to build and design out there because I find the area so grounding and healing, and I wanted others to experience it,” says Kelly. She convinced Catalina to see the potential in the 1970s track house they visited together in 2022.

Before: Front Exterior

“The house was in budget and off market,” recalls Kelly. “It really felt like it just fell into Catalina’s pocket at the time she was interested in buying her first home.”

After: Front Exterior

Even before the sale went through, Catalina knew that she would enlist Kelly’s help for the home’s transformation. “I’m always gravitating toward projects where I can make something beautiful, and I wanted to make the home an extension of who I am as a creative person, while partnering with the right people to bring it to life,” says Catalina. “It became a project that Kelly and I built together.”

Before: Living Room

Although the duo initially thought they could get away with minor fixes, they soon discovered the home needed some major repairs, like a new roof and new floors. They decided to take the renovation further to fully express Catalina’s personality and the California lifestyle she was craving. “Once I knew I was doing the investment, I decided to make the space represent who I am as a person, which turned out to be so much more enjoyable and beautiful,” Catalina reflects.

After: Living Room

“For the interiors, we landed on South American modernism and 1970s Brazilian modernism,” says Kelly. Removing the drop ceiling immediately transformed the space, as did the addition of new flagstone floors. “We loved that the flagstone looks minimal, but introduces organic shapes to balance the space,” explains Catalina. “I love walking on stone,” says Kelly. “It really grounds you, and it feels appropriate for a house in the desert.”

Before: Kitchen

Since Catalina likes to entertain and host, the duo decided to open up the house and create more connection between the living room and kitchen. The home also had to accommodate Catalina’s new work-from-home lifestyle. “Catalina appreciates a home with multiple areas for her to hop around on her laptop and work from,” says Kelly.

After: Kitchen

As a self-proclaimed minimalist, Catalina struggled to land on the style for her first home. “We looked for shapes that were as minimal and geometric as possible, but that didn’t make the space feel dead,” says Catalina. “We strived to keep it airy, open and accessible,” adds Kelly. “We are both Virgos and insanely clean and organized, so we gravitate toward keeping things minimal and clutter free.”

Before: Garage

Ultimately, Catalina gravitated toward a pared-back aesthetic, with special pieces that add a bit of personality and flavor. “I realized I had an expectation of meeting some aesthetic in my head, but when I removed myself from that and just looked at things visually, that’s when I landed on a palette where everything is balanced and not too heavy,” she says.

Kelly sourced all the home’s furnishings, many of which are vintage. “I look everywhere for pieces: lots of flea markets like Rose Bowl and Long Beach, and I have a lot of vintage dealers I know, many just through Instagram,” says Kelly.

After: Bonus Room

Catalina’s favorite space in the house is the bonus room, an office space that doubles as a dining room and lounge, converted from the garage. “Catalina’s preferred workspace is a giant table,” says Kelly. “She’s just out here on the table with her laptop and a notepad, but then it also doubles as a dining room if you want to have friends over for a big dinner.” Catalina agrees. “It’s the ideal work space, but also the perfect table to play cards and have dinner,” she says. A picture window at the end of the room perfectly frames a view of the mountain range, where the couple will often watch the moon rise in the evenings.

Before: Bedrooms

After: Bedrooms

In the bedrooms, Catalina and Kelly continued the emphasis on brightening up the space and bringing in personal touches. They relocated a sliding glass door from its original location off the kitchen to one of the bedrooms to connect the space to a patio. White engineered hardwood floors bring a light, bright look and feel to the sleeping areas.

Before: Backyard

When it came to the outdoor space, Kelly and Catalina had their work cut out for them. “The outdoor areas were so exposed,” says Kelly. “We added a trellis and more landscaping, which helps cut the sun.” New areas for outdoor dining, nighttime bonfires, and lounging make the backyard one of the couple’s favorite places to be. “The desert is very grounding,” says Catalina. “Even when I’m at my busiest with work, I’m still able to find peace here.”

After: Backyard

While buying a house in the California desert wasn’t always part of Catalina’s plan, she’s grateful for the lifestyle change it has inspired. “The space is a dream, especially when it comes to entertaining and working,” says Catalina. “I’m a city girl, but I was looking for a new beginning—and the desert just called to me.”

More Before & After stories:

A Joshua Tree Midcentury Serves Up Moroccan Vibes

The Yucca Valley Rancher That Changed This Designer’s Life

A Palm Springs Midcentury Is Reimagined With Fresh Finishes and Etsy Finds

Project Credits:

Interior Design: Kelly Kai, Rancho Morongo / @ranchomorongo

Builder: Tesse Graham

Landscape Design: GDNC Nursery Desert Hot Springs and Whitewater Rock Supply

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Before & After: They Turned a ’70s Tract House Into a Quirky Desert Dream Home