A Mid-Century Gem Reimagined as Experimental Boutique Rental

In the heart of Palm Desert, one of California’s celebrated architectural landmarks has been reborn with renewed vibrancy and purpose. The Miles C. Bates “Wave House,” famed for its signature sweeping roofline and avant-garde design, gives nod to the past while transforming into a dynamic space to be lived in, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between Design Within Reach (DWR) and vacation rental platform Boutique.

Mid-century modern living room with striped sofa, wooden armchair, glass coffee table, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a desert garden.

This isn’t your average rental home. The newly unveiled DWR x Boutique Rental Home invites guests to experience the intersection of architecture, furniture, and fashion in an intimate, immersive setting. It marks the first time that DWR has launched an experiential rental home – an innovative step that brings modern design to life in a tangible, livable way.

A mid-century modern living room with a striped sofa and armchair, wooden coffee table, side tables, beige rug, and floor-to-ceiling windows with patterned curtains.

The Wave House, originally constructed in 1955 by architect Walter S. White, is a striking example of organic modernism. Its curved roof – an architectural gesture mirroring the San Jacinto Mountains – sets it apart from the many mid-century homes scattered across the Coachella Valley. Initially created as both a residence and a creative studio for artist Miles C. Bates, the home quickly became a cultural escape for artists and thinkers of the era.

Mid-century modern interior with a striped sofa, wooden sideboard, record player, maroon lamp, vase with branches, and a textured cream wall with geometric accents.

After a meticulous restoration by Stayner Architects, the house was reopened to the public in 2020, reclaiming its place as a Palm Desert landmark. Today, it stands not only on the National Register of Historic Places but also as a city-designated historical site. With the latest transformation, it enters a new chapter – one where guests can step directly into a curated environment where the lines between home, gallery, and showroom blur.

A close-up view of an upholstered chair with a striped fabric pattern in shades of green, brown, black, and white.

The project coincides with the launch of DWR Presents: The Paul Smith Collection, a vibrant fusion of iconic modern furniture and the renowned British designer’s playfully sophisticated textile designs, created in collaboration with Maharam. This exclusive collection introduces limited-edition versions of mid-century classics – such as Eames Molded Plastic Chairs and Saarinen Womb Chairs – reupholstered in whimsical, richly colored fabrics that celebrate pattern, contrast, and personality.

Close-up of a cushioned chair with vertical multicolored stripes, featuring green, burgundy, yellow, and blue tones, in an indoor setting with blurred background.

From bold plaids and textured stripes to energetic polka dots, Paul Smith’s signature aesthetic is on full display, giving the home a distinctive character that reflects both its heritage and its evolution. The result is a dialogue between two design eras, brought together by a shared commitment to craft, quality, and storytelling.

A green booklet with

A mid-century modern kitchen with green cabinets, a white tulip table, two white chairs, a pendant light, and a large framed photo of a building on a wooden wall.

“Our goal was not just to furnish a space, but to create a complete experience,” says Omar Nobil, Senior Vice President Creative Director at DWR. “The Wave House, with its daring architecture and expressive form, provides the perfect canvas for a collection that’s all about unexpected harmony – between color, material, and design legacy.”

Mid-century modern bedroom with wood paneling, plaid upholstered bed, orange curtains, glass doors to an outdoor area, and two pendant lights above a white bedside table.

A mid-century modern bedroom with a wooden ceiling, an upholstered bed, pendant lights, orange curtains, and an open door, featuring warm, earthy tones and minimalist decor.

By teaming up with Boutique – a vacation rental platform known for its design-centric properties around the globe – DWR ensures that this vision extends beyond aesthetics. Guests are not just observers; they are participants in a fully designed experience. Each room, each piece of furniture, each accent has been chosen not just to look beautiful, but to feel meaningful in use.

A wooden desk with drawers, a modern white chair, a black desk lamp, and orange curtains in a room with a wood ceiling and high windows.

For Boutique, whose global portfolio includes over 1,500 architecturally significant homes, the collaboration is a natural extension of their mission to elevate travel through great design. “We’ve always believed that where you stay should be as inspiring as where you go,” says Marc Blazer, CEO and Co-Founder of Boutique. “Partnering with DWR, who shares our passion for thoughtful, expressive design, allows us to create a space where travelers can connect with creativity on a deeper level.”

A modern room with glass sliding doors, orange walls, and beige curtains, showing a bed, armchair, tulips on a table, and outdoor gravel pathway.

A modern bathroom with glass walls overlooks a small enclosed desert garden featuring various cacti and succulents. A striped towel hangs on the wall beside a small wooden stool.

The interior of the Wave House showcases the synergy between comfort and curation. Outdoors, sleek furnishings are set against the sculptural desert landscape, enhancing the property’s harmony with nature. Inside, bedrooms are wrapped in soft, layered textiles, offering tactile comfort alongside visual delight. Every detail – down to the placement of objects and the integration of color – has been considered to reflect the ethos of both brands.

Glass-walled shower with blue mosaic tiles, modern fixtures, and a view of an outdoor area with rocks and a cactus plant.

A modern house with a wavy roof, glass walls, and a patio featuring outdoor chairs and a table, surrounded by gravel, palm trees, and a red privacy wall.

This initiative signals a shift in how brands like DWR think about customer engagement. Rather than limit interactions to retail environments, they’re offering design lovers a chance to live with the pieces, to understand their proportions, materials, and moods in the context of daily life. It’s about putting modern design within reach – quite literally.

Poolside area with two lounge chairs, a white umbrella, and a modern house with large glass windows in the background. Desert landscaping surrounds the seating area.

A modern outdoor patio with a wooden dining table and four chairs, set against a gray brick wall and next to a house with large glass windows.

A small patio with gravel ground, metal chairs, a wooden hot tub, palm trees, and a green brick wall, partially shaded by a metal roof.

A metal bench sits on gravel under a slatted wooden structure in a modern, enclosed garden with desert plants and a painted brick wall.

Two modern, curved green outdoor chairs are placed on a gravel patio surrounded by desert plants, including cacti and palm trees, against a light-colored wall.

Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a design professional, or simply a traveler looking for inspiration, this one-of-a-kind destination offers a glimpse into the possibilities of modern living – rooted in history, redefined by creativity.

A modern, flat-roofed house with a curved overhang, surrounded by desert plants and palm trees, set against a mountainous backdrop at sunset.

Bookings for the DWR x Boutique rental are now open until August 31, 2025, and all furnishings featured in the space are available for purchase at dwr.com.

Photography courtesy of DWR.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.