This Light- and Plant-Filled Condo in San Diego Has a Must-See Meditation Space

Name: Sara Wilczynska and wife
Location: Mission Valley — San Diego, California
Type of home: Condo
Size: 1,800 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My wife and I decided to relocate from NYC to San Diego, California. My wife is Colombian and was done with long, cold New York winters! We were looking for a place with a lot of natural light and spacious. When we saw this apartment, we knew immediately it was it: a corner top-floor unit, facing the San Diego river, with a balcony.

We did a pretty thorough remodeling (changed floors, wall colors, painted cabinet doors, changed faucets and cabinet door handles, etc.) and bought new furniture and a ton of plants — more than 60 at this point! We are very excited about succulents and cacti because we couldn’t have them in our previous house because of the weather. The only piece of furniture we moved from our previous house is the vintage upright piano, which I also renovated. I had someone sand it, stain the wood, and apply a seal.

Our house reflects my wife’s Colombian roots, our interest in meditation, mindfulness, and conscious living, and our reverence and respect for indigenous craft and art.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Boho chic, zen, yoga, light

What is your favorite room and why? I love our relaxation room! The previous owners had a big dining table in this part of the apartment, but we decided to convert it to a meditation and relaxation space. We hung a hammock, added a foldable floor cushion and a hand-woven Peruvian rug, and we built our own altar, with statuettes and other elements collected during our various travels.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? My wife did a woodworking workshop and created a unique, octagonal oak wall shelf. The shelf has a small opening for a planter, and just yesterday we found a perfect size pot and plant for it. We are super excited to hang it on the wall.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time; you don’t have to be done in the first month after moving in! Diversify your sources. Create boards with your inspirations. Set alerts on Craigslist for things you are hunting for but that are not super urgent to get. Etsy is also your big friend!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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