{"id":274876,"date":"2025-06-05T12:08:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T12:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/tour-a-compact-neutral-kitchen-in-a-1950s-mojave-desert-home\/"},"modified":"2025-06-05T12:08:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T12:08:54","slug":"tour-a-compact-neutral-kitchen-in-a-1950s-mojave-desert-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=274876","title":{"rendered":"Tour a Compact, Neutral Kitchen in a 1950s Mojave Desert Home"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Just a few years ago, Kelsey Coppetti<\/a> was producing digital marketing campaigns for companies like Netflix, Uber, and Toyota. But she pivoted her career to interior design when she and her husband Dustyn, who conveniently has a construction background, decided to convert an abandoned 1950s home in the Mojave Desert into a tranquil getaway for short-term renters. The dramatic transformation (which took two years, thanks to pandemic delays) served as a perfect proof of concept for Studio Marrant<\/a>, the duo\u2019s Los Angeles-based design practice. Now, prospective clients have a prime example of the studio\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

More importantly, travelers visiting nearby Joshua Tree National Park can book a stay at the newly remodeled Twentynine Palms, California abode, which sits on 10 acres of mesquite-covered sand dunes. (To book, head to Airbnb<\/a>.) Kelsey and Dustyn completely overhauled the stucco structure for their guests, replacing the (likely) asbestos floor tiles with engineered white oak planks, covering the walls in an earthy greige lime wash by Portola Paints<\/a>, and restoring the original wood beams. They also maintained the historic brick fireplace in the center of the house.<\/p>\n

The couple\u2019s most impressive feat? Building a functional, eye-catching kitchen and dining zone in such a compact area. \u201cIt was a little tricky because when we walked in we were just like, where is the dining room?<\/em> There was nowhere to sit, really,\u201d Kelsey remembers. \u201cWe demoed a pantry and built in this bench in an effort to have more of a sitting space. And the kitchen layout was so small, so we wanted to keep everything as open as possible, so it feels bright and not so squished.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Aesthetically, Kelsey and Dustyn were inspired by the dusty, arid surrounds, so they opted for a neutral color palette of beiges, browns, and terracottas. They also employed natural materials and incorporated vintage objects wherever possible, creating a cookspace that looks like it could have always been there.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a tour.<\/p>\n

Photography by Bethany Nauert<\/a> and Victoria Aguirre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"the
Above: The first item that Kelsey and Dustyn purchased for the kitchen was the huge stone basin sink. It had been posted on Craigslist before they even started the renovation, but they knew they had to have it. \u201cWe found that sink on such a whim and so fast,\u201d recalls Kelsey. \u201cAnd I was just like, okay, the whole kitchen is getting built around the sink, no question.<\/em> And then I found our burnished brass faucet on eBay, so that\u2019s secondhand, too.\u201d Photograph by Bethany Nauert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then, the duo crafted an L-shaped countertop and lower cupboards using tadelakt, an ancient Moroccan plaster that\u2019s known for its waterproof quality. \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit finicky as a surface, but it works for us,\u201d Kelsey says. \u201cWe wanted that molded, organic look in here, with open cabinets, so it just was the perfect substance for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"the
Above: The floating shelves, as well as the cabinet fronts, are made of antique wood that Kelsey and Dustyn found at The Original Round Top Antiques Fair<\/a>, a massive event that occurs four times a year in Texas. \u201cTons of vendors come from around the world, and it\u2019s very dreamy,\u201d Kelsey describes. \u201cThere was this guy selling architectural materials, so we grabbed a bunch of wooden boards, knowing we would use them for something in the house.\u201d Photograph by Victoria Aguirre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"the
Above: The couple nestled a 24-inch Smeg refrigerator next to the space-saving banquette, which they outfitted with weathered chocolate leather cushions that were custom-made by an Etsy artisan. The two little vintage tables, with their iron bases and stone tops, are from Santa Ynez General<\/a>. Photograph by Bethany Nauert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n