The Boy and I took a little trip out to the high desert this weekend to meet up with Jill and T.K. Smith to check out their a-to the-mazing home as well as wander around Joshua Tree. We haven’t spent a ton of time that far up into the Southern California desert, but with each trip I’m falling a little more in love with the great modern architecture, Mad Max vibe and spectacular craggy desert landscape.

Jill and T.K. have been DIYing the crap out of their mid century pad for the past six years and while it’s still a work in progress (isn’t everything, always) this place takes getting crafty on a budget to a whole other level. I must say that I was floored by the care and craftsmanship (and maybe a little ashamed of our own little Brick House’s amateur status) that went into the many, many, MANY handmade touches throughout their home. Luckily for Jill, T.K. is good with his hands and spends his days fabricating a whole gamut of items ranging from cutting boards to credenzas to entire kitchens. See that rad shade screen? Yeah – he totally made it along with tons of custom cabinetry, furniture and other tasty bits throughout.

Less talk, more pictures.

Love this little woven screen.

T.K. built all the cabinetry and counter tops in their kitchen. Seriously beautiful.

We had a great time hanging out with Jill and T.K. and I even learned a new skill to apply around our own place. I’ve caught the fabricating bug after T.K. gave me my first ever lesson in welding so that I can DIY all those fancy hot rolled steel planters and landscaping edging I keep obsessing about. I totally (seriously, for reals) welded stuff and nothing horrible happened. It was really fun and easier than I imagined. The Brick House is going to get some major steel treatment in the near future…

If you want to get a hold of T.K. to fabricate something amazing or just to see some of the other inspiring projects check out T.K. Smith Design here.

The Boy and I had so much fun, learned something new, hit some sales, ate great BLT’s and got to snoop around a fabu home taking way too many pictures. The problem is, now I am in love with Joshua Tree and all I want to do is build a little modern house out in the rocky hills from scratch…