“French shoe designer Christian Louboutin lives between two worlds. One is the realm of fashion and star-studded events—the signature red-soled stilettos he creates make regular appearances on international red carpets. The other is a private retreat nestled in the desert near the Egyptian city of Aswân, not far from the banks of the Nile. (The ruins of an ancient temple stand within walking distance of his house.), Louboutin comes here throughout the year to design new collections, rest, and practice yoga.

Once a craftsman’s workshop, the building is made of earthen bricks, employing a technique that has been used in Egypt for thousands of years. Louboutin added an additional floor and a rooftop belvedere with views of the surrounding desert. Construction wasn’t easy: In this area, temperatures can fluctuate rapidly, and building materials are often scarce. “A thousand times I thought I was going out of my mind,” he jokes.

The rooms are decorated with pieces Louboutin has collected on his travels: Uzbek embroidered fabrics, Moroccan rugs, handmade furniture from Cameroon. The waxed terra-cotta floors invite barefoot living. Still, the heart of the home is the open-air courtyard, with a fireplace that blazes through the cool desert evenings.

Among so many traditional furnishings, one piece is a reminder that we’re in the 21st century: the ultramodern telescope on the roof, trained on the stars.” – ELLE Decor

Holy moly. Leave the gun, take the oasis.

Photos: Ivan Terestchenko for ELLE Decor