Hey Cowboy

Hey Cowboy: California

Fancy yourself a green warrior, then you'll love this completely off-grid desert homestead; it's powered by solar. Switch off from modern-day living when you stay at this home. Originally built in 1954, it has been remodelled with a rustic design that pays homage to the Old West. Large windows allow natural light to fill the open-plan kitchen and living area. Wood finishings add a characterful feel with vintage furnishings and colourful art thoughtfully scattered throughout. The exterior is just as pleasing – stylish rusted walls enclose a private garden, where you'll find an outdoor bathtub and cowboy steel pool. Keep cool in the water or laze in a hammock under the shade of the tree. With the location being just a short drive from Joshua Tree & Palm Springs, this retreat doesn't just offer panoramic views of the desert, it gives you the chance to explore this otherworldly landscape for yourself.

Home truths:
*Even though there are beds for eight guests, Kelly only recommends it for six guests – unless some of them are children
*This home is entirely off-grid – electric runs on solar, the water comes from a well, and all heating is from propane
*There is a swamp cooler instead of air conditioning, which is effective in the desert but does not get super cool – there are ceiling fans in every room to help move more air
*When we visited, we noticed that the swamp cooler blowing into the rooms can be a little noisy at times