Modernism Week: Miles Bates 'Wave' House
Outside of Palm Springs proper, and into the neighbouring City of Palm Desert, lies the beautifully restored Miles C. Bates House, or known more familiarly as ‘The Wave House’ — for it’s roof that slopes from one side to other like a flowing wave, intended to mimic the curves of the San Jacinto mountains that sit behind it. Designed in 1955 by architect and industrial designer Walter S. White, the wave house was the epitome of a bachelor pad for artist Miles C. Bates (described as a playboy heir to a cement fortune, and also a very keen bongo drum player). Go figure. Bates entertained at the house often, including the likes of James Dean.
Many years ago the house was bought by the City of Palm Desert, intended to be used for the land - and not knowing the history behind the property. A local committee petitioned and rallied to save the house from demolition, and it went on to be designated as a Palm Desert Historic Landmark (the first Palm Desert place ever listed). The house went to auction, eventually selling for $360,000 to a father and son from Los Angeles, Gil and Christian Stayner of Stayner Architects. A full restoration has since taken place (including the removal of additional bedrooms during the 70s) to restore the wave house to its full bachelor-pad glory, and as close to the original designs by Walter White as possible.
The house has the most amazing light, and feels exceptionally open, but also incredibly private. The en-suite shower looks onto a unique cactus garden, but is surrounded by wooden louvres that form an arc that prevents anyone from being able to see into the shower from the outside. A small total footprint (bedroom, en-suite, bathroom, kitchen and living area) but like all mid-century homes that are faithful to their original designs, it feels like the perfect amount of space. The star of the show is the kitchen - pastel pegboard panels always make my heart beat faster! Peach tiles, mint cabinetry, and the sliding upper cabinets in yellow, beige and cobalt. It’s hard to explain how that combination would work, but looking at the kitchen completed, it makes perfect sense!
