In 2013, photographer Jaime Kowal came across a vacant multi-family apartment complex in her hometown of Palm Springs, California. And after some thought, she decided to purchase it and take on a new title as the property's head designer.
This decision came with its challenges, of course, but none were as large as not having the input of a professional team. Nevertheless, Kowal took to the site with determination, and sought to create a space that reflected her own interior tastes and love of the surrounding desert.
"It was all very innocent," she said.
What came of her project was an intimate five-unit hotel named the Amado, which is inspired by the city's famed midcentury architecture and modern penchant for colorful minimalism. It's a getaway that almost feels like a home — open living spaces and a cozy outdoor sitting area help to spark that feeling — but guests aren't supposed to get too comfortable. Kowal explains that visitors are encouraged to "use the Amado as a launchpad for their own desert adventure," which may be easier said than done. Once you take a step into her personal oasis, you'll see why it's a tough place to leave.
