If you could have unlimited room, resources and time to do anything you wanted with your living space, what would you do?
Beach house? Mountain cabin? Maybe a shack somewhere tropical or a pied-a-terre in a fun city you love to visit?
Aspirations are great, but most of us have to confront reality. So maybe, instead of scrolling wistfully on Zillow (I can’t be the only one), we can transform where we are now into something that brings us closer to our wildest dreams.
Sheriane and Brad Mattocks were living in 1,600 square feet in Newbury Park (Profile). But they realized that it wasn’t really “them.” Sheriane, of Chinese-American descent, and Brad, a talented and enthusiastic cook, both wanted something that was easier to navigate, made better use of their space and reflected their personalities. Enter Ronni Fryman of Kitchen Places, who found the right balance of Scandinavian simplicity, contemporary style and Asian influence to give them a home that served all their needs. Today, the Mattockses say that, “It is not only beautiful to look at but incredibly functional and usable. We still can’t believe this is our home that we get to live in every day.”
In truth, Albert Marrero (Nesting) has the energy, skill and resources to create any home he wants. But after living on three gorgeous acres in Ojai, he realized that what he truly desired was simplicity. So he moved into a modest manufactured home near the ocean in Ventura…and unleashed his creativity. With a diverse collection of art and decor from international travels, an exceptionally green thumb and an enviable eye for design, Marrero turned his compact space into an impressively chic and exceptionally comfortable abode that feels bigger than the sum of its parts.
In About Town, we take a look at community gardens. These communal spaces provide everyone the opportunity to grow their own fruit, vegetables and herbs even if they don’t have a yard. They offer resources, classes and guidance to help all their participants thrive. And gardening in the presence of others is a wonderful way to foster connections. Whether it’s sharing compost, soil, tools, excess produce, seeds or just everyday questions and concerns, community gardens have a way of bringing people closer…to the earth, and each other.
For the record, I am all in favor of dreams — even the most outlandish ones can help us find a path to happiness. But flourishing in the soil where we’ve already laid down some roots can be gratifying and even freeing. Take a look around…and think about what dreams can be realized right where you are now.
– Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
nshaffer@timeslocalmedia.com
