Built in 2022, Stepping Stone Rest was thoughtfully designed to let you spend less time maintaining your home and more time enjoying it.

Low-maintenance landscaping, durable LVT flooring, generous storage, and quartz countertops make everyday upkeep simple, while high ceilings, crown molding, and stamped concrete porches add a refined touch to indoor and outdoor living.

A patinaed privacy wall creates a serene courtyard atmosphere, inviting you to close the gated entrance, exhale, and leave the world behind. Inside, unwind on the spacious front porch, gather with friends around the island breakfast bar, or retreat to the backyard studio—an ideal space for reading, writing, yoga, meditation, art, or working from home.

If you’re seeking a home that feels like a true sanctuary—set in a walkable neighborhood with everything at your fingertips, from a hardware store, gym, and walking trails to boutiques, restaurants, and a local coffee shop—Stepping Stone Rest may be your next dream home.

Visit the property information page to learn more about this Ojai home for sale in Meiners Oaks. 

My partner and I just got back from visiting her parents in Atlanta where I was reminded that folks in other parts of the country commonly have a usable attic, basement, or both. Her parents have both. Their basement is the same size as the other floors of their home, and their attic is a whole additional floor with real stairs. Can you imagine having so much extra usable space? If more Californians had basements or full attics, we might actually park our cars in our garages. 

Since this is not the case, storage space continues to be a challenge for most of us. I am always looking for ways to increase storage in my home, so I thought I would share some of the ideas that have worked for me or that I have seen work in clients’ homes. 

Create an attic storage area with pull-down stairs. 
Check your attic space to see if it is possible to create a storage area. We discovered that there was enough space in the attic over our garage to install shelves with a walkway. We are now working on finishing a portion of the attic over our house and garage with plywood flooring, shelves, and a pull-down ladder. The finished project will create about 400 square feet of storage for holiday décor, camping gear, and other items we would like to get out of the garage. 

Install overhead storage racks. 
If you have a garage, consider installing overhead storage racks. I easily added 32 square feet of storage by adding one storage rack over a spot where I have a refrigerator and shelves in the garage. Next, I plan on installing one over the washer and dryer to get another 32 square feet of storage. 

Consider other ways to better use vertical space. 
Bookshelves over doorways, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are great for maximizing vertical space in almost any room. 

Add a storage shed to your backyard. 
If you have space for a storage shed, this is an easy way to add more storage for yard care tools, patio cushions, pool toys, or storage bins. This one is not very creative, but it works.

Maximize the storage space you already have. 
Maximize the space in your closets by installing closet systems with adjustable shelves, double hanging rods, or built-in drawers or baskets. To maximize the space in smaller linen closets or coat closets, consider adding a set of shelves at the back of the closet and a rolling shelving unit that can be stored in front of the installed shelves and rolled out when you need to access the back shelves. I use this system in one of my hall closets, which allows me to have gifts and gift-wrapping supplies on the back shelves and games and puzzles on the wheeled shelving unit. 

You can maximize cabinet space by installing pull-out shelves that allow you to easily access items stored in the back of the cabinets. When I did this for my lower cabinets in my kitchen, it was life changing.  

Look for furniture with integrated storage. 
For patio storage, look for a storage bench that serves as both a deck box and seating option.  For storing throw blankets in the living room, consider a coffee table with a removable lid. I know storage furniture is not always the most attractive option, but I have a round, hammered metal coffee table that is perfect for storing blankets and throw pillows, and I love the look of it.

Install toe-kick drawers. 
I don’t have these in my kitchen – yet – but I have seen this ingenious way to reclaim wasted space used in clients’ homes, and it is amazing. 

Finding more storage without sacrificing living space can be challenging, but if we get a bit creative, we can come up with workable solutions that can maximize the space we have.

According to Statista (statista.com), the most popular resolutions this year will be exercising more, saving more money, eating healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and losing weight. Though saving more money approached the top of the list for 2025 and 2026, these other top-ranking resolutions are essentially the same every year. 

A recent Forbes Health survey (forbes.com/health) found that most resolutions are abandoned sometime in March or April. According to research published in PLOS One (journals.plos.org), we are more likely to abandon our resolutions when they focus on subtracting things from our lives and more likely to be successful when our resolutions focus on adding things to our lives. 

With this in mind, here are six resolutions to consider that focus on abundance and bring positives into your life. 

1. Get to know Ojai and Oak View better. 
No matter how long you have lived here or how long ago you were born here, there are always new things to learn about and try around the valley. Maybe this is the year when you try a new hiking trail, go camping in Rose Valley, decide to try every restaurant in town, check out a different park, take the historic walking tour offered on Saturday mornings, or explore the Ojai Valley Museum to get to know your hometown better. For example, did you know that Cluff Vista Park has six different gardens? I didn’t, and I was born in the Ojai hospital 51 years ago this month. There is always more to learn and explore!

2. Increase your community involvement. 
This might include volunteering with a community organization, joining community groups, becoming more active in groups you are already part of, or supporting the local economy by shopping local and hiring local contractors.

3. Set up a monthly donation for a local organization. 
Monthly donors help sustain non-profit organizations so they can continue their important work of providing services, resources, and assistance locally. Even with a regular donation of just $5.00 each month, you can help make a difference in the lives of people and animals with whom we share the valley. So, if your budget allows, look for a local organization with a mission that is in line with your values. Some local examples include HELP of Ojai, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Turtle Conservancy, Secure Beginnings, and FoodShare.

4. Donate clothing and household items to a local organization. 
If decluttering your garage or closets to give yourself more space is on your list of resolutions for 2026, you can clear your clutter and help your neighbors by donating clothing, tools, and household goods locally. For example, if you donate items to 2nd Helpings Thrift Store, you are helping increase access to lower-cost necessities while supporting the work of HELP of Ojai. 

5. Expand your idea of self-care. 
Making more time for self-care is standard fare for new year’s resolutions, but if you are already pretty good about scheduling massages and remembering to meditate, it might be time to expand on the concept. Think outside of the spa and consider other self-care activities that could significantly improve your life. Examples include protecting your peace and your time by spending more time doing things you want to do and less time doing things you just feel obligated to do, lowering your inbox stress by unsubscribing from all of those email lists, or starting a new tradition that brings you joy. 

6. Improve natural disaster preparedness. 
Depending on where you live in the valley, you may be affected by fires, earthquakes, floods, or the occasional hurriquake. Improve the defensible space around your home to reduce the risk of wildfire damage, take steps to prepare your home for an earthquake, and get your go bags ready for you, your family members, and your pets. Thinking about the potential for a natural disaster is never fun, but, as the adage goes, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Happy New Year, everyone! May 2026 be filled with love, good health, joy, and adventure for you and your loved ones

It may not be possible to completely earthquake proof your home, but those of us who have lived in California for any length of time know the importance of doing all we can to be prepared for this type of natural disaster. 

The sudden nature of earthquakes is what makes them so dangerous and, while earthquake predictions have saved thousands of lives around the world, this imperfect science has not yet yielded a warning system on which we can rely.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance, Californians are facing a 99.7% chance of experiencing an earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude (or larger) at some point in the next 30 years. That statistic, alone, is probably enough to turn some folks into hardcore preppers, but it should concern all of us at least enough to spend a couple of weekends making sure our homes are as prepared as possible. 

Taking these steps is particularly important when you consider that most injuries are not caused by the shaking; it is falling objects, crumbling chimneys and other debris falling from buildings that cause the most harm.

Here are 15 things you can do to limit property damage and help ensure your family's safety:

1. Learn how to shut off your utilities, including electricity, water and gas.

2. Move heavy items to low shelves to avoid damage or injuries from falling objects.

3. Secure televisions and tall or heavy furniture to the wall. 

4. If you have an older home with a crawl space, make sure the walls in the crawl space are shear plywood and not older cripple walls. 

5. Store flammable liquids in low, latched cabinets in your shed or garage.

6. Install latches on all cabinets to keep contents safely inside during an earthquake.

7. Make sure your home is properly bolted to the foundation, particularly if it was built before 1935. 

8. Hire a professional to make sure your chimney is stable and in good repair, particularly if your home was constructed prior to 1960.

9. Secure your water heater with an earthquake strap.

10. Make sure you have flexible connections attaching your appliances to your gas lines.

11. Secure knickknacks and picture frames with adhesive tabs or museum putty.

12. Hang mirrors, art and picture frames using adhesive tabs or closed hooks.

13. If your yard slopes, consider installing a retaining wall or landscaping to manage erosion and stabilize the slope.

14. Move beds away from glass doors or windows and place them near interior walls.

15. Hanging plants inside or outside of your home should be on closed hooks to prevent them swinging off and causing damage or injuries.

Since most homeowners' insurance policies do not cover damage from earthquakes, you might also want to consider purchasing earthquake insurance to protect your investment

Twin Palms Cottage is a private oasis offering pleasant surprises around every corner.

Mature, well-manicured landscaping greets you as you pull into the stamped concrete driveway with a two-car garage and guest parking.

As you step inside, you find easy-care, wood-look tiles, crown molding, plantation shutters, an electric fireplace with a stacked stone surround, and an open floor plan that leads into the spacious dining room and remodeled kitchen.

The three bedrooms in the main house have carpet, ceiling fans, large closets, and plantation shutters.

When you step from the mud room to the backyard, this is where the private oasis feeling really begins with low-maintenance landscaping, a covered porch with two ceiling fans and gas fire pit, an outdoor television, a separately fenced pool and spa surrounded by a patio for entertaining, and a separately fenced yard with a workshop or studio, potting area, patio with awning, and the entrance to the one-bedroom ADU. 

Features include: 

Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Stacked stone, electric fireplace
Remodeled kitchen
Mud room & laundry room
Plantation shutters
Ceiling fans
One-bedroom ADU with separate entrance & yard
Two-car garage
Swimming pool & spa
Mature trees and landscaping
Gas fire pit
Raised garden beds
Covered patio with two ceiling fans
Short drive to downtown Ojai and Meiners Oaks

Visit the property information page for more photos and information, or call your Ojai Realtor, Nora Davis, today to schedule a showing!

Natural stone products -- like travertine, limestone and marble -- are incredibly popular but often get a bit of a bad rap when it comes to caring for them. It is true that they require some special love to ensure long-lasting beauty, but it really is not all that bad once you know what not to do. The most important thing to remember is that you are dealing with natural stone, which means most conventional cleaning products may etch the surface, oils will be absorbed and leave stains, and acidic substances can cause damage quickly.  

First, for the sake of all that is good and holy -- or at least for the sake of your sanity -- seal your travertine. Some folks might tell you this is optional, but if you have ever lived long term with travertine counters or floors, you know this is a must. While polished travertine is pretty stain resistant on its own, most of us are using honed or tumbled travertine in our homes, which can benefit greatly from regular sealing. I had my installer seal my travertine floors twice with an impregnating sealer (to retain the natural appearance of the stone), and after living on them the first year with a Marine, a dog, four cats and regular house guests, I was very happy that I did. Now, 10 years later, I still have it sealed regularly and don’t regret this choice. 

The next step is taking that whole ounce-of-prevention thing to heart and investing in rugs to put near doorways, trays to hold all those oily beauty products on your vanity, and trivets, coasters, and placemats to protect your travertine from food and drink spills.  

Sealing and protecting your travertine makes spills and such less concerning, but cleaning still must happen, so the next step is stocking your cleaning basket with the right supplies for the job. We already know we are not going to use conventional cleaning products on natural stone, but even popular, natural products can be a problem. Abrasive and acidic products of any kind can etch travertine, so that means forgoing all those lovely, natural cleaning products we use in other areas of our homes, such as vinegar, lemon, orange and even mild abrasives. 

Your best bet for daily cleaning is to simply wipe down your travertine surfaces with a soft cloth or a dry mop. You can use a little water, if needed, and when deeper cleaning is necessary, use an eco-friendly, non-toxic, pH balanced cleaner designed specifically for natural stone. 

Blot spills immediately, and try not to use a wiping motion, which can push the substance deeper into the porous surface. If you have an acidic spill, such as coffee, wine, tomato sauce, fruit juice or soda, it is even more important to clean it up quickly. Once you have successfully blotted most of the liquid, bring out your natural stone cleaner to finish the job. 

If it is an oil stain you are dealing with, you will need to apply a poultice-like product to pull the oil out of your travertine. Local hardware and home improvement stores carry this product, or you can order it online. 

Seal your travertine annually and use these everyday cleaning tips to protect your investment and keep your travertine surfaces looking their best for many years to come. 

182 Mountain View Street is in escrow! If you had your eye on this Oak View lot and are interested in finding your own piece of land where you can build your dream home, contact Nora Davis today!

As I write this, I have a holiday movie playing in the background. It is the nineteenth holiday movie I have watched so far this season, and that does not count the ones I watched for Christmas in July or just randomly throughout the year. I love holiday movies. If you are wondering how I know this is the nineteenth one I have watched this year, it is because I keep a spreadsheet with notes so that I can check off which movies I watch each year and can determine which movies are worth watching again in the future. I mean, who doesn’t do that? 

This year, my month-long movie marathon got me thinking about how much fun it would be to host a themed movie night in my backyard complete with a screen, projector, comfy seating, and party favors. Because, as some of you know, I love to host a themed gathering just as much as I love holiday movies and spreadsheets. 

So, I thought I would share my winter backyard movie night party plans with you in case you might also want to create a fun, cozy get-together this winter. 

1. Set up an outdoor movie theater. 

The first step is to set up your backyard movie theater. My setup includes a pull-down movie screen on my covered porch and a portable projector that I bring out for movie nights and store in the garage when not in use. There are lots of options for both screens and projectors, so you could also install a drop-down projector on the ceiling or have a permanent screen that is always ready to go. Test your system before your guests arrive to make sure it is set up correctly and that you know how to use it. Most projectors are easy to use, but some can be a little tricky.

2. Consider seating. 

Next up will be considering seating. If it is a small group, which most of the best get-togethers are, then you might have enough comfortable patio furniture to accommodate your guests. If not, you can bring out furniture from inside, dust off your camping chairs, or invest in comfy, outdoor floor cushions. If you plan on hosting your movie night on your lawn, be sure to turn off your irrigation system that day and check the forecast to make sure it is not going to rain, since mud and wet grass are not going to improve your party. 

3. Keep your guests warm. 

Outdoor movie nights need to take place after dark, which means it will likely be cold. Prepare to keep your guests warm with baskets of throw blankets, portable or permanent patio heaters, and setting up seating near fire features. To treat your guests even more, you might consider also setting out cozy slippers and mittens, which could even be party favors. 

4. Set up a hot beverage bar. 

My ideal hot beverage bar for a movie night would be a hot chocolate bar with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows, toffee bits, peppermint chips, and chopped nuts. 

Of course, you could also set up a hot adult beverage bar with hot toddies, mulled wine, mulled cider, or coffee and hot chocolate that can be spiked with vodka, tequila, whiskey, or kahlua. You can set out an assortment of ceramic mugs, travel mugs, or thermoses for your guests to use or to use during the party, and then take home with them, which is my top choice for party favors for this soiree. 

5. Set up a popcorn and candy bar. 

Nothing says movie night like popcorn and movie theater candy. You can either buy the small boxes of candy like those sold at theaters or fill bowls and baskets so that your guests can create their own movie candy mix. Depending on just how committed you are to being the most amazing party host ever, you can buy bags of pre-popped popcorn, pop and bag homemade popcorn before the party, or rent or buy a popcorn machine. 

Winter home maintenance reminder: If you have not yet changed your HVAC filters and cleaned your gutters, now is the time. We can expect lower temperatures and more rain in the coming months. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it is also a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected before you start using it this winter.  

40 Almond Avenue is in escrow!

Located in the Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood, this four-bedroom home is just a walk or bike ride away from dining, shopping, the post office, grocery stores, and more.

It is also just a short drive to the shops, cafes, spas, and galleries in Ojai’s downtown village and the camping, fishing, and water park at Lake Casitas.

This approximately 1,958-square-foot home has an open floor plan with flexible spaces, large closets, ceiling fans, a walk-in pantry, a gas fireplace with a brick hearth, and an extra-large family room with a garden window.

There are also unique touches throughout that make this home stand out, such as the molding around the interior doors, wainscoting, clawfoot bathtub, two bay windows with window seats, a built-in desk and bookshelves, and a vintage O’Keefe & Merritt gas range.

Outside, there is a covered patio, an additional patio, garden area, RV parking, two-car garage, drought-resistant landscaping, and a river rock walkway and borders in the front yard.  

If you had your eye on this four-bedroom Oak View home or are looking for a similar home in Ojai or Oak View, contact Nora Davis today to inquire about other Ojai and Oak View homes for sale!

Chemical pesticides are an easy, quick way to achieve bug-free outdoor living spaces, but is it really worth having your family, pets and guests exposed to toxic chemicals when you can achieve this goal with natural methods?

The exterior space around your home is where your children and pets play, where you grow vegetables to feed your family, where you steal away for a peaceful moment of meditation or yoga, and where you gather with friends to celebrate holidays and milestones. Even if green living or eco-friendly yard care isn't your thing, I'm sure you want your yard to be a safe place where your family and friends will not be exposed to unnecessary, harmful substances -- particularly if almost everything you need for pest-free outdoor living is probably already in your pantry.

If you want to avoid using chemicals where your kids and pets play, try these nine easy, inexpensive, natural methods to rid your yard -- and home -- of unwanted pests. 

1. Salt – Sprinkling salt around the borders of your garden will ward off slugs and snails. Just remember that salt is not good for your soil or desirable plants, so use it with caution. 

2. Garlic – Garlic can deter cockroaches inside and ants outside when hidden under cabinets and in the cracks of decks. 

3. Bay Leaves – Bay leaves tucked into cracks or under chairs will help keep ants, fleas and cockroaches away.

4. Cucumber – Save those cucumber peels and strategically place them in areas where ants are a problem.

5. Rosemary, Sage and Marigolds – Plant one of these insect repellant plants to beautify your yard and keep pests away. Burning a little sage or rosemary on the grill will also help keep mosquitoes away during cookouts.

6. Eucalyptus Oil – Flies tend to steer clear of eucalyptus oil. Place a few drops on pieces of cloth to place around your outdoor living spaces.

7. Birdhouses and Bat Houses – Okay, this one probably isn't in your pantry, but they are easy enough to find at home improvement stores or online. Letting birds and bats know they are welcome in your yard will encourage them to hang around and keep your pest population down.

8. Mint – Mint will take over your entire garden if you let it, but if you keep it confined in containers or behind borders, it can still be an effective insect repellent to ward off ants and other pests.

9.  Lady Bugs – Not all bugs are bad; in fact, beneficial insects – like lady bugs – can help you keep your garden free of aphids. 

AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.