In 2017, Mikaela Simila and her husband Andrew left behind their life in New York in pursuit of the beach and a calmer home for their growing family. They found themselves here in Southern California, where their family of five now splits time between their coastal home in Costa Mesa and a newly updated, 1950's ranch house in the quieter desert town of Yucca Valley, aptly called Lazy Land.
Looking to source locally, Mikaela looked to RAD for a dining table that could keep up with a busy family and a rotating cast of Airbnb guests, all while honoring the distinctively Californian feel of their home. Read about her vision, and how the Radius Dining Table brought it to life.
Photos by Kylie Springer
What inspired you to look for a place in the desert?
Although we spend a lot of time outdoors and in nature, where we live is pretty urban. There’s a lot of noise and commotion, and the pace can be pretty fast. Every time we would visit the desert, we felt an ease; the lack of street lights, the lack of cars and noise, the way we could see for miles around us. Life slows down a lot in the desert, and we wanted to be able to step out of the chaos and into the quiet every once in a while.
What did you see in Lazy Land that assured you it was *it*?
We saw Lazy Land on the first day that we went searching for homes out there, and we knew instantly that she was it. We loved the ranch style layout and the midcentury lines throughout the house. The home and the land around it felt super spacious, and it had the most stunning light and views. We really felt drawn and connected to this home.
What drew you to the Radius Dining Table?
The Radius Table was even better than what I had envisioned for the dining room. From the start, I set out to merge modern and vintage wooden pieces throughout the home to give it that mid-century ranch feel. I knew I wanted Shaker-style ladder back chairs and a wood hutch in this room, so I was on the hunt for a dining table that felt unique and modern. The Radius Table is beyond what I had dreamt up; it elevates the space and brings a cool sophistication. It’s easily my favorite piece in the house, and guests comment on the table every time they visit.
You mentioned wanting to source local and vintage. Why was this important to you?
I wanted to honor the home, and for it to feel authentic and warm and lived-in. I knew it would take longer to furnish this way, but it was what mattered the most to me in this process. Every piece in this home has soul and was sourced with intentionality, and every time we go out there I always load the car with more treasures I’ve found. It’s our desire that anyone who spends time at Lazy Land would feel the love poured into this space.
