Desert Oasis Luxury Show House

Island Stone Tiles Bring Modern Vibe to Polynesian-Themed Show Home

When the design goals for a home include “Polynesian,” there’s sometimes a worry that the look will come off as kitschy or trite. That wasn’t the case with the Desert Oasis Luxury Show House, a remodeling project in Indian Wells, California, that reimagined a classic 1978 Mid-Century Modern design into a South Pacific paradise, deftly melding the two aesthetics into one harmonious retreat with a crisp, refined aesthetic.

Chris Barrett Pic Chris Barrett, the owner of Chris Barrett Design in Los Angeles, was one of 10 interior designers who worked on the show home. She designed the primary suite, kitchenette, and exterior furnishings.

“The concept for the overall house was Polynesian and Mid-Century,” Barrett says. “So, my goal everywhere I worked was to create something that emulated it without being obvious. In the bathroom, we did two walls with Island Stone’s Dunes dimensional tile—it gave incredible texture to the wall. Everything had to buy into the casual Polynesian concept while still being modern.”

Island Stone's Dunes in Crystal White on bathroom wall

Shown: Island Stone's Dunes-Crystal White & Level Pebble-Java Grey

Dunes dimensional meshed mosaics, which Barrett used in Crystal White with a Tumbled finish, are sculpted with an offset angled surface, forming a flow of connected ridges reminiscent of wind-swept dunes. The tapering triangular relief dances across the wall surface, creating shadows while remaining contemporary and clean.

On the bathroom floor, Island Stone’s Level Pebble in Java Grey Honed finish gives the natural look of beach stones while offering a decidedly modern take since the tiles are sliced to a uniform thickness.

In addition to the tile, natural wood on the vanity and Watermark lavatory faucets add to the beach-like vibe, and all trim pieces are black and wood.

Shown: Island Stone's Crescent-Crystal White

In the kitchenette, Barrett executed the theme by using marble bamboo for the backsplash.

Shown: Island Stone's Palms-Lagoon

The color was critical to achieving the design theme in the primary bedroom. Barrett used Island Stone’s stylized Palms glass mosaic for the fireplace wall. The Lagoon hue is a rich sea green with a matte finish. By mimicking the intricacy of palm fronds while keeping clean, geometric lines, Palms mosaic offers the ideal balance of tropical and contemporary.

Grass cloth on the walls lends a natural feel, and the stylized paisley in the dressing area carries over the color tones from the fireplace. A large dugout canoe adds the most definitive nod to the South Pacific surf aesthetic.

Shown: Island Stone's V-Squares-Temple Lava & Spindrift Marble-Tempest

Outside, Barrett once again turned to Island Stone for the outdoor shower. The shower floor includes Spindrift Marble in Tempest with a honed finish. A sleek and striking interpretation of nature's raw appeal, Spindrift interlocking marble tiles combine the class of a flat mosaic with the organic shapes and feel of stone pebbles. V Squares, wedged in diverging angles to form a thoroughly modern profile, adorn the shower walls.

Because the Desert Oasis Show House involved so many designers, they worked together to ensure a coordinated look from room to room. One of the biggest keys to pulling it off, Barrett says, was committing to a color palette. “This Design House is one of the best I’ve ever seen because it flows so well,” she says. “It doesn’t look like 10 different designs; it looks very cohesive.”

The project was Barrett’s first time using Island Stone. “I’ve since used the unique tile on another project, and I love it,” she says. “The look resonates with me. I’m more subtle, and I like that Island Stone has something special without being in your face.”