KITCHEN VIEWS

Longtime local downsizes and uses the light space for a budding floral business. by Allison Arthur photos by Ashley Merritt

almost 20 years, Bobbi Reyes lived in a large family home in East Jackson. The kitchen at her former residence was decorated with dark green tile and had only one small window. After her two kids grew up and left Wyoming, she realized how much upkeep the home was and decided to downsize.

The Pine Drive home she bought two years ago offers many things her old space did not: an open, light and airy

FOR kitchen and a new, modern space that takes a lot of maintenance off her plate. The townhouse does have one downside — there is no room for an outdoor garden, which she cultivated for many years when she had a big yard. “This home doesn’t have room for a garden, so I bring nature into the home,” she says. Since moving in, Reyes, 50, has developed a growing enthusiasm for a flower business she is calling Freebird

Florals. With it, she offers floral design and hosts flower bar events.

The business, she says, blends her artistic background with the love of gardening she has had her whole life.

“I was an art major in college,” she says. “I have always had an affinity for plants, growing things and a creative sense for design. This business really brings those elements together. I love the natural world and beautifying spaces.”

Reyes’ white kitchen is the perfect backdrop for her colorful creations. When she is not making one of her favorite dishes (mostly salads, curries and enchiladas), she uses the large sink to house flowers. There is plenty of light for the succulents she keeps healthy in one corner, and plenty of space to display colorful flower arrangements.

“Working with the plants is meditative, and this space is my sanctuary,” she says. “White everything provides an easy backdrop. Anything goes!”

OUT OF REYES’ COOKBOOK

collection, Love and Lemons Every Day: More Than 100 Bright, Plant-Forward Recipes for Every Meal is her favorite. She often makes the Sunshine Sweet Potato Curry.

REYES HONED HER FLORAL SKILLS at FlowerSchool Los Angeles and through an apprenticeship at SHEGROWS in Colorado. She learned everything from weeding and irrigation to planting seeds to tagging and harvesting and how to cut a “recipe,” plus design and composition skills.

BOBBI REYES’ ACAI BOWL

FOR THE BOWL: 1 PACKAGE SAMBAZON ACAI SUPERFRUIT 1 CUP COCONUT MILK 1 HANDFUL GREENS 1/2 BANANA

TOPPINGS: BLUEBERRIES GOJI BERRIES NUT BUTTER GRANOLA SLICED BANANA COCOA NIBS FLAX SEED CHIA SEEDS

> BLEND THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE BOWL IN A BLENDER UNTIL SMOOTH. TOP WITH A HANDFUL OF EACH TOPPING.

WHEN REYES MOVED into the smaller home, she curated her collection of dishes down to only four of each thing. There is a small dining bar and bar table, which can seat four, but she ended up expanding her plate collection to eight and uses an outdoor deck table in the summer for slightly larger dinners.