Color, Contrast, and Comfort in the Desert: Designing Our Marfa Stay

When we first imagined what this home could be, we weren’t just thinking about four walls and a roof — we were imagining a feeling. Something artful, warm, and welcoming. A contrast to the stark beauty of the West Texas desert. A place you’d want to slow down in, sink into, and maybe stay a little longer than planned.

The home was originally a concrete box. Bare bones. But that clean slate gave us the perfect canvas to layer in texture, intention, and story.

Inspired by Marfa, Built with Heart

Our design roots go back to our first visits to Marfa in 2011. Over the years, we stayed in all kinds of places, but we always left with a sense of inspiration. The art legacy — from Donald Judd’s clean, minimalist lines to the cinematic feel of There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men — gave us a mood to build on. But the landscape? That’s what made us want to add color.

The desert is beautiful, but it can be muted — so we brought in bold, complementary colors on purpose. Earthy tones greet you when you first walk in: warm, grounding, and inviting. But the bedrooms? That’s where we let loose — more color, more play. It’s our way of making the space fun to stay in, not just functional.

When Color Theory Meets Comfort

With a background in hair and color theory, Becca naturally leans toward visual balance. In both hair and interior design, you work with opposites: contrasting tones, textures, and shapes that somehow click when done right. Think greens and pinks — technically complementary, but a tricky combo if you’re not careful. That’s the kind of creative risk we leaned into.

One of her favorite moments of color is actually outside: a bold red bench sitting out front, a pop of energy against the white stucco and desert ground. It’s simple, but striking — and maybe that’s the whole point.

Built for Guests, Styled for Discovery

We designed every inch with guests in mind — but we didn’t want to sacrifice soul. We leaned on durable materials and cleanable surfaces (this is a rental, after all), but didn’t compromise on character. You’ll find local art (minus the cactus clichés — no saguaros in the Chihuahuan desert, thank you very much), textured tile-work, and unexpected touches like mixed metal finishes or handpicked glassware.

The bathrooms? Absolute game changers thanks to bold tile choices. And in the kitchen, we filled open shelving with mismatched dishes and colored glassware for a lived-in, welcoming feel. Even the wall behind our beach cruiser bikes got a custom wood treatment — design meets function, always.

Space to Be Together (or Not)

The layout encourages connection — with each other and with the space. The living room, kitchen, and island are intentionally arranged for gathering, conversation, late-night snacks, and quiet morning coffee. We wanted it to feel like a place to hang out, not just a place to sleep.

And if you're craving fresh air? The outdoor amenities are a little slice of Marfa magic:

• Beach cruiser bikes for exploring town the analog way

• A four-hole putt-putt course for friendly competition

• A fire pit and big sectional for stargazing

• A spring rider toy and cattle roping dummies (because why not tap into your inner cowboy or cowgirl?)

It’s playful, thoughtful, and made to be used — not just looked at.

More Than a Pretty Space

We hope guests feel a sense of discovery the moment they walk in — that there’s a lot to take in, but nothing overwhelming. Just layers of intention, creativity, and comfort. We designed the space for travelers, yes, but also for ourselves — the kind of place we’d want to escape to, linger in, and maybe even live in.

One guest said it best:

"This is one of those Airbnbs that causes you an existential crisis — like, maybe I should be living in this house all the time..."

We’ll take that as a compliment.

You've now read all about the design philosophy, now go check it out, and our amazing pics!

http://airbnb.com/h/milkywayfarer

Becca & Rob