Inside JTH Tucson: One of the World’s Most Stylish Vacation Rentals
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling and decoration for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ll be sharing practical styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture. I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I am going to take you on a tour of the JTH Tucson, which has a beautiful blend of old and new, in a stunning interior style inspired by the owners’ travels.
Described by Architectural Digest as "an enchanting five-suite retreat surrounded by nature, desert, and plenty of charm” - the JTH Tucson is an absolute styling dream. Around every corner you’ll find beautifully styled vignettes with the kind of transportive interiors that take you away from the everyday and embrace the essence of far-flung climes. JTH Tucson, also known as the Posada, is a seven-suite inn bordering the west side of Saguaro National Park in Tucson, set across 40 acres of desert landscape rich in wildlife and desert flora, such as palm trees and the iconic native Saguaro cacti.
Sara, pictured here by the main doorway, and her husband Rich first discovered the property back in 2014 during a road trip when, lost and searching for directions to a trail in the Saguaro National Park, they stumbled across the abandoned inn just a little further down the road. What they found was a series of dilapidated buildings and, although missing walls and roofs, beneath were great bones from the skilful craftsmanship of the original builder. The couple believe the inn had previously been used to house staff from the nearby Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Despite its condition, they could see its potential and, in 2018, they transformed it into the beautifully designed retreat it is today, with effortlessly stylish interiors that every magazine wants to feature. Since opening, the JTH Tucson has been featured in Architectural Digest, Dwell, Domino and several more.
Sara wanted the space to be a place to reflect, reset, and create. “We started out with a desire to slow down and reconnect with nature on a personal level, but have since grown that desire to offer the same for our guests,” she says. “Inspired by our travels through Europe, Morocco, Mexico and Southeast Asia, we imagined an oasis that offered both privacy and connection and we dreamt of creating more than just a place to stay, but an immersive experience. Our goal was to offer our guests the time and space to slow down and reconnect with nature, two things that are often pushed aside by busy work schedules. We’re all about unplanned days, so we can take in what’s around us - maybe it’s an incredible sunset, or an owl sitting above us in a palm tree.”
Before I take you on a tour of this special retreat, here are the key design and styling elements Sara and Rich focused on to achieve the interior scheme they envisioned.
The JTH Tucson key design and styling elements
If you love the relaxed, earthy interior style of JTH Tucson and want to create a similar look in your own home or vacation rental, Sara and Rich have their own ShopMy page store. You can click through at the end of this article to explore their curated shop. Here are their design and styling elements.
Blending old with new: It was important for Sara and Rich to retain some of the building’s charm and character, so wherever possible, they preserved original features like tiles, light fixtures and architectural details. Along with pieces such as vintage Moroccan rugs, they blended old with new in a carefully considered way, adding a sense of history to the inn.
Incorporating natural materials: One of the design mantras Sara and Rich truly swear by is decorating with natural materials. These materials have a tendency to improve with age and develop even more character. The couple implemented this philosophy, bringing it to life through rustic woods, natural fibres and earthenware.
Visual reminders of rest: Throughout the property, you will find what Sara calls her ‘visual reminders of rest’ in the shape of hammocks, hanging chairs, stacks of blankets, cushions, yoga mats and board games to encourage guests to slow down.
Choosing the right furniture: The couple spent time finding the right pieces, like the sofa in the living room pictured below, which needed to be spacious and stylish but practical too.
Spending time sourcing: When designing and styling their spaces, Sara and Rich spent countless hours sourcing pieces, from vintage finds to kitchen essentials, that were not only visually attractive but also functional.
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Joshua Tree House
Each room at the JTH Tucson is beautifully decorated, like the living room pictured here, which blends Moroccan influences with Southwestern style. Defined by whitewashed walls, soft furnishings in warm earthy hues, and plenty of natural materials, the room feels relaxed yet thoughtfully styled. There’s an organic aesthetic throughout, with rattan light fixtures, warm-toned timber, and displays of oversized dried leaves. A favourite piece of Sara and Rich’s is the painting above the fireplace created by a friend, Julia Rosenthal. The artist incorporated both colours and shapes from the landscape as a constant reminder of the warm desert surroundings.
Alongside the built-in plaster seating, known as bancos in Southwestern architecture, Sara and Rich spent time sourcing the perfect sofa. It needed to be large enough not to feel dwarfed by the room, while also comfortable and practical to clean. The couple began looking into slipcovered sofas for that reason, and fell completely in love with Sixpenny’s Neva sofa which ticked all the boxes. There is also a woven leather accent chair, which adds a classic Wild West touch and handcrafted feel to the scheme. And as if the interiors weren’t enough, there’s a hidden surprise - a projector screen which can be unfurled over the mantelpiece, transforming the space into the perfect cosy spot for a movie night.
Styling takeaways: To create an interior style like this, blend natural woods with earthy-toned rugs and cushions on a backdrop of white for contrast and that light, airy feel. Another key takeaway is to incorporate meaningful pieces, like the artwork pictured here, that reflect the surrounding area or tell a personal story.
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Joshua Tree House
There’s an interesting mix of modern and retro styles in the dining room, where geometric tiles, retro Wishbone-style chairs and an eye-catching oversized rattan pendant all work together to create a striking interior scheme. The pendant acts as the main statement piece, while beneath it the rustic table, made from raw wood and styled with a textured linen runner, gives the room a tactile, welcoming feel without being overly formal. Adjacent to the dining area, through a softly curved archway, which is an architectural feature in Southwestern-style homes, there is open shelving in a combination of plaster and timber. These shelves are perfect for showcasing Sara and Rich’s curated collection of ceramics, including a mixture of dishes, plates, bowls and cups, which create a stylish display.
Styling takeaways: Open shelves with beautiful earthenware create an eye-catching focal point. Recreate the look by displaying tableware, or use other kitchen essentials, such as glassware, ceramics, bowls and dishes. To create a rich interior scheme, mix modern with vintage and retro, as Sara and Rich have done with the geometric tiles teamed with retro-style chairs.
Photo credit: Margaret Austin Photography
With its adobe-style plaster cabinetry and soft whitewashed walls, the kitchen has that seamless, sculptural feel that makes the whole space feel beautifully put together. Sara and Rich believe that design has the ability to guide us all through each day and they wanted to create a space so guests could slow down and enjoy each process. “We intentionally included products that encourage us to appreciate something as simple as turning on music or making breakfast,” explains Sara. “Therefore we provide a record player instead of streaming, a Chemex in replacement of a coffee machine, and a stove with pots and pans as opposed to a microwave. We wanted the process of creating something to feel beautiful too.”
When the couple began designing JTH Tucson, Café Appliances had just released their gorgeous collection with a focus on design which, with its matt white finish along with brushed bronze hardware, works perfectly with the interior style. Sara and Rich’s favourite feature, which is ideal in the desert, is watching the water screen tell you how many ounces you’re drinking when you fill up a glass!
Styling takeaways: To style your kitchen countertop and shelves like Sara and Rich, you want to layer in natural textures, such as woven and rattan baskets, earthenware, and wood in both light and dark tones against a backdrop of white. The hues are kept neutral, with a touch of greenery, while they have reintroduced earthy tones in the rug.
Photo credit: Margaret Austin Photography
With its sunken bath and abundance of greenery, including plants hanging from the ceiling and larger species placed in pots along the ledge, the bathroom in the Saguaro Suite has an inviting, spa-like feel. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you want to slow down and relax. There is a walk-in shower and also a stunning sunken penny-tile bathtub, separated by a half-height plaster wall that defines each space whilst still allowing for a light, airy feel. Rather than redesigning everything, Sara and Rich kept the original layout as it was but simplified it to bring attention to the bathroom’s key features - the wooden ceiling and sunken bathtub. The original fixtures were poky and didn’t live up to such a stylish bathroom, so they added luxury brass wall-mounted taps and a shower head to elevate the space and give a more refined finish. The overall result is a tranquil bathroom that transforms everyday routines into a restorative, relaxing experience.
Styling takeaways: To give your bathroom more of a retreat feel and soften hard surfaces like tiles, plaster and stone, add plants, these will also bring that connection to nature. In this bathroom there is a large Madagascar palm which adds height and drama, behind a spider plant, as well as two trailing plants in white macramé planters hanging beautifully from the ceiling. Hanging plants are a great solution if floor space is limited.
Photo credit: Margaret Austin Photography
In the Yucca bedroom, as shown above, Sara and Rich have blended modern elements with traditional ones, like a vintage rug and a typical beehive-style fireplace painted in a rich mustard hue. Every part of the room has attention to detail, with tones of the wood and other items, like the yellow headboard and fireplace, in similar tones. Blush tones in the rug are also varied through to the door and cushion. The slim wooden shelf blends with other wooden pieces and looks striking styled with an extra-large dried palm frond, which is often used as natural, architectural wall art to add texture to a space.
Styling takeaways: Instead of hanging artwork above your bed, opt for something different like the large dried palm pictured here, which is a focal point in the room. Bring vintage style in with a rug beneath the bed to bring colour, pattern and softness to the room.
Photo credit: Margaret Austin Photography
The Ocotillo Suite has a beautiful mix of global and local influences, with hexagonal terracotta floor tiles sourced from Mexican Tile & Stone, vintage Moroccan rugs, and side tables made locally by Sam Okerlund. A pair of original glass pendants and the built-in plaster bench with seat cushions made by Sara’s mother add warmth and personality to the space. Architecturally, the suite is full of character, with striking original features such as the beehive fireplace and a ceiling constructed from reclaimed timber power poles. In addition to a mix of accent cushions in warm complementary tones, Sara has styled the room with plants, rustic wood, and woven rattan, like the coffee table in the seating area.
Styling takeaways: For a unique global look, mix pieces with influences from different countries, while also including locally made items where possible, which helps to create a space that feels individual, personal, and full of character.
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Joshua Tree House
The JTH Tucson is completely immersed in nature, with wide-open spaces where the sun - and often the moon - are almost always in view. Because of this, outdoor spaces are as important as indoors and seamlessly integrate with the style of the interior. Tucked away in the front garden is one of the most magical features of the property - the hot springs. For the true immersive experience, guests can relax and unwind under the stars in the hot tub surrounded by nature. Although the springs had been buried, luckily the previous caretaker of the inn shared its history with Sara and Rich so they could bring this special feature back to life.
Photo credit: Auld Souls
Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, the pace at JTH Tucson slows almost immediately. As a way to offer their guests a complete reset, Sara and Rich also host occasional immersive retreats including yoga and wellness. There is a spacious yoga room with a rooftop lounge right outside which is exceptionally beautiful for meditations and a scenic yoga class. To enhance the experience of slowing down, there are options for a sound bath, tarot reading, massage, or yoga In addition, Sara and Rich created the JTH Bath House complete with a sauna, outdoor shower and cold plunge, which bring ancient wellness rituals to the desert. The bath house is a peaceful haven that is both deeply calming for gentle restoration and healing after an enriching day exploring the nearby trails.
Photo credit: Kelly Brown Photography
Sara and Rich, pictured here at the hot springs with their two young daughters, have not only created this magical retreat but have also created two other beautiful stays. Each of their three locations is deeply immersed in nature, all with wide-open spaces for guests in search of rest and reconnection. You can discover more about the JTH Tucson and The Joshua Tree House in California on their website at www.thejoshuatreehouse.com and Instagram @thejoshuatreehouse.
LET’S SUM UP
I hope you have been inspired by this beautiful vacation rental. It really is special. If you’d like to achieve the interior scheme in your own home, you can visit Sara and Rich’s online store here where you will find many of the items found in their interiors. Look out for my forthcoming beautiful vacation rentals feature, where I will be including The Joshua Tree house, which is equally stunning.
For further reading of other style-led vacation rentals, check out the following posts.
Stylish Home Tour: A 17th Century Manor Styled with Quintessential English Charm and a Scandi Twist
Stylish Home Tour: Inside the Vintage-Styled Captain’s Rest by Interior Stylist Sarah Andrews
Vintage-Filled Small Home Tour: Styling with Reclaimed and Repurposed pieces
