|
|
Scroll down for the slide show! |
Sierra Sun Times
Building Their Dream by Rochelle Frank with
Photographs by Linda Gast
|
|
Scroll down for the slide show! |
|
The Mullen
family has lived in their unique home near the town of Mariposa for just five years, but the house,
gardens and property looks like it has been there for generations. Flowers, shrubs, vines and trees
surround the house and expansive green lawn . Chickens range freely, scratching about for bugs until they
are shut in the "dove cottage" for the night. Several watchful dogs protect
the garden perimeters from
browsing deer.
John Mullen, owner
of Mullen Construction, specializes in remodels as well as new construction. His recent work includes
remodels of Mariposa Properties at the intersection of 49 and 140. He also refurbished the River Rock
Motel and worked on St. Joseph's Catholic Church during its restoration.
He and his wife,
Charlene, purchased their piece of weed and brush-covered property where someone had once started to build
a house. It had been just a foundation, framing and roof standing unfinished for 20 years when they
bought it. Using new and salvaged materials, John completed the house .
Parts and
pieces that would have otherwise have been discarded gives the home a distinctive character. Pillars,
columns, decorative panels, sconces, chandeliers architectural ornaments, decorative doors and windows
make the residence particularly interesting and unusual. It is a tribute to recycling as well as a work
of art. The interior flooring is 12 inch
wide, knotty pine planks.. Shoes are left outside, to protect the polished surface. The deck is of the
same material painted to look old.
The garden theme
spills over into the interior where bouquets of roses bloom in dozens of paintings, on decorated plates,
and in furniture fabrics. "I just love roses," Charlene explains.
One of the most
unique features in this houseful of surprises, is an octagonal pantry with stained glass windows. (The
doves and chickens also have some stained glass in their' cottage.) A massive granite slab makes a kitchen
table and work space.
Cabinets,
closets, cupboards, sideboards, dressers of diverse design are interspersed with chairs and tables of
various types in a style Charlene describes as "collectic". The Mullen's also like to check out yard sales.
Their sons, Gage 4, and McKay 10 help mom in the vegetable garden. The older boy sometimes assists dad on
construction projects as well. The home has no TV, computer or video games, but the boys keep busy. The
house does have central heat and air, but it isn't used much.
The garden
is gated and enclosed with connected sections of iron fence in various designs interspersed with trellises
and arbors. The garden which is watered by hand daily, came together without any formal plan "one flower
at a time." It would be hard to guess that they had no previous experience or expertise in creating
gardens.
Though Charlene and
the boys do a lot of the gardening, John traps the gophers, and otherwise tries to discourage rodents by
bringing home gopher snakes when he finds them . Rattlers are dispatched.
A small antique shop
on their property, near the highway, echoes the style of the home. It is a repository for the overflow of
the Mullen's collecting hobby. Though she doesn't keep regular hours, she will come up to greet people who
park in front and honk.
The Mullen's built,
decorated and planted their dream where someone else had abandoned one.
Mullen Construction
Co. can be reached at 209-966-5341.
Linda Gast
|
|
All photos and articles - Copyright Linda Gast/Rochelle Frank
Mullen Family: McKay, Charlene, John and
Gage in front of
garden 
