Named for its undulating roof that echoes the mountain range in the distance, the historic "Wave House" stands as a striking statement in the heart of Palm Desert. Now, it's the site of our first-ever DWR rental home in collaboration with Boutique, a curated collection of vacation homes for design enthusiasts.
In 1954, artist Miles C. Bates commissioned architect Walter S. White to design a home that could match the rhythm of his life: part creative sanctuary, part social hub. White delivered with what’s known today as the Wave House.
Over the years, the home lost its essence. When Stayner Architects acquired the long-neglected property in 2018, they approached it with a sensitive touch – the goal was to revive an experience. “We really focused on the atmospheric qualities,” says Christian Stayner.
That started with peeling back the layers, removing years of paint, drywall, and remodels to faithfully restore the house to its original character. We’ve now outfitted the home in our exclusive Paul Smith Collection, adding a new layer of personality. It’s a space that opens the doors for creativity, conversation, and connection – just as it was originally designed to do.
“We wanted the moments of the home’s history to still remain visible rather than airbrushing them away.”
– Christian Stayner
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Soak it in
A pool was part of White’s original design for the property but never made it to fruition until Stayner’s renovations.
Break the fourth wall
“The walls are never purely inside or outside of a building,” Christian says. “These big pieces of glass break down the separation between inside and outside – it’s very much part of the Southern California lifestyle.”
Pattern recognition
Years of neglect and ill-advised remodels masked the home’s true character. Meticulous renovations revealed terrazzo, white American ash paneling, Douglas fir ceilings, and concrete masonry walls.
Let’s cook
“Back in that time, you could buy premade kitchen units,” Christian says. This new version stays true to the original but with modern updates, like a sleeker stovetop.
Desert daze
When it came to redesigning the outdoors, they found inspiration in native plants. “It's not replicating the landscape that was there,” Stayner says. “It’s producing an environment immersive of the desert.”
The Paul Smith
Collection
Icons of design, all dressed up. This special-edition series brings the British designer’s bold patterns to Herman Miller® and Knoll® classics, as well as DWR bestsellers.
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