From BoutiqueHomes
Built in 1952, the classic ranch style home was broadcaster Huell Howser’s dream home. Improving on the existing single story layout without disturbing the original design, Howser sought to create a communal, creative environment with an airy indoor/outdoor flow.
He set about restoring its original period features with a few contemporary updates including concrete floors and accents, industrial paned-glass and an eclectic assortment of collected and repurposed items including quarried stone sculptures, century old millstones, and an otherworldly Corten steel fence by Belzberg Architects.
Set within a vast spread of almost 80 acres, the property is adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, with spectacular uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains.
The gourmet kitchen includes the original 1950s era stove along with gleaming modern amenities, and a breakfast nook, with an adjacent indoor dining room that opens out to the zero-scaped patio.
Each of the two minimalist-inspired bedrooms feature big picture windows and sliding glass doors leading to the pool area. The en-suite master includes a daybed and there is a media room with a sleeper sofa, with room for a total of seven guests. The shared bath still has the cool 50s tile and fixtures.
The outdoor areas have a magical quality, with Howser’s industrial installations remaining decades later, each piece thoughtfully laid in the ground at the same angle as the mountains beyond, creating the feeling of a modern sculpture garden. A Corten steel paneled fence surrounds the perimeter, and the back patio opens to a full-length swimming pool and outdoor spa surrounded by chaise-lounge chairs and a vintage two-seat swing.