Inspiration in Every Corner at the Merchant House High Desert
My favorite way to clear my mind and unwind is to take a trip, not too far, but somewhere far enough away from the bustling sounds of LA.
Morongo Valley is a short drive away, about 2 hours or so, and this rental property is the oasis everyone needs. Merchant House High Desert was created by a mother-daughter duo, who also run Merchant Modern, a vintage furniture store located in Santa Monica. KSOLE and I stayed for two nights in this house, surrounded by nothing but the sounds of nature and occasional rabbits hopping by. There was also a black cat roaming the backyard at one point, which I tried to befriend but unfortunately, the cat did not care.
With most stays, I always go off the vibe above everything else, and when I stepped through the bright yellow doors leading into the front porch, I felt a huge sense of calmness. I’ve seen all the photos of the front porch on social media and didn’t expect to actually be impressed still. You know how you’ve seen the Effiel Tower all over the Internet but then when you stand in front of it, you still can’t get over how beautiful it really is? Yeah, that’s pretty much how I felt. It is even more gorgeous in person than in photos. But that’s just the beginning.
The living room greets you with a vinyl player, couch, cozy floor pillows, and lounge chair that you can just sink yourself into all day. The old fireplace in the corner of the living room isn’t just a prop either, it works and kept us toasty throughout the rain we received during our stay. Although, I have to admit that it took us 45-minutes to figure out how to keep the fire lit, hah. Thankfully, our host was super communicative and helpful in assisting via Instagram DM’s! Actually, the host always checked in and made sure everything was fine during our stay, which I truly appreciate.
For people who do not cook very often, we utilized the kitchen and dining area throughout our entire stay. It also helps that it was fully stocked with all the necessities (including great cookware and Japanese knives that were a dream to cut veggies with). Things like this really make your stay so much more comfortable.
The house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, allowing a maximum of 6 people to stay at one time. So grab your closest friends and book a stay ASAP or just go away with your S.O. for a couples retreat. Nothing tests your love better than a desert and no TV. Yes, no TV but there is Wifi, so you don’t entirely kill one another.
Every detail, each corner of the Merchant House is beautifully curated with unique pieces. It was hard to take a bad photograph here, honestly. Even the bathroom was aesthetically pleasing! If the house isn’t enough for you, the backyard features an outdoor shower, tub, and jacuzzi. In addition to an outdoor dining area, perfect for summer dinners. Basically, this is a house I would live in. Just good vibes all over and the attention to detail is spot on.
I plan on staying again in the future, maybe with friends in the summer or fall, but I have a feeling I’ll be fighting for availability. This place is a dream and if you haven’t clicked to book yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to book now — before they get booked up.
Thank you Merchant House for having us and for a wonderful stay!
