Jacksonville Magazine's Home-Fall 2022 issue

by The Pineapple Corporation

Community Amenities

• Intimate gated luxury home neighborhood

• Homes built exclusively by The Pineapple Corporation

• Easy access to Nocatee’s amenities and beaches

Special Features

• Fully customizable floor plans

• European-inspired architectural style

• Sophisticated finishes and features

The Pineapple Corporation builds magnificent homes at Twenty Mile in St. Johns County. Located within the master-planned community of Nocatee, The Vista at Twenty Mile is an intimate gated luxury home neighborhood with homes built exclusively by The Pineapple Corporation.

“Our luxury homes at The Vista at Twenty Mile present a fresh Europeaninspired style with thoughtful architectural design and attention to detail,” said Spencer Calvert, president of The Pineapple Corporation. “In all of our homes, timeless design complements today’s modern family lifestyle.”

The Pineapple Corporation’s floor plans can be fully customized to meet the needs of today’s modern family. Each design features unique exterior elevations and an expansive portfolio of interior selections and options. All homes are designed with sophisticated finishes and features including Sub Zero and Wolf Kitchen appliances, custom cabinetry, solid surface countertops, hardwood flooring and more. Homes at The Vista at Twenty Mile are priced starting from $1.5 million.

Residents enjoy easy access to Nocatee’s amazing amenities, Ponte Vedra beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway, Jacksonville business centers, the St. Johns Town Center, St. Augustine’s attractions and more. It is also zoned for the top-ranked public schools in the St. Johns County School District.

Limited opportunities remain. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (904) 638-6072, email vista@thepineapplecorp.com or visit www.ThePineappleCorp.com/vista.

sleep

your chimney maintenance.

the Chimney

CONTENTS

18 Odds & Ends

Amelia Island Holiday Home Tour, Market Update, On With the Show and more!

22 Take the Plunge

So, you want to install a pool?

There are things to consider before diving right in.

26 Serenity Now

Does opening your closet doors make you cringe?

It’s time for a change.

28 Beaches Tour of Homes Guide

Nearly a dozen gorgeous homes welcome guests inside for a fundraising event this fall. Get a sneak peek inside right here.

62 Best of Homes, Gardens & Real Estate

Jacksonville Magazine readers name the city’s leading home services providers in more than 40 categories, from interior design to plumbing and everything in between. Meet this year’s winners.

COVER:

by Laurey Glenn, Beaches Tour featured

READER SERVICES

Subscriptions

Your one-year subscription includes 10 issues of Jacksonville Magazine. If you have questions about your subscription, call us at (904) 389-3622; write to Jacksonville Magazine, Circulation Dept., 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204; or reach us via email at mail@jacksonvillemag.com.

Our subscribers are valued customers and vital to our success. To provide you with the best personal service, we handle all subscriptions and billing in-house. Please contact us if you experience any difficulties with your subscription, and we will work to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Change of Address

When calling, e-mailing, or mailing your change of address, please provide us with both the old and new address and, if possible, the order number found on the mailing label of your subscription. The post office only forwards publications for 60 days, so please send us your change of address as soon as you know it.

Letters

We welcome your letters and comments. Send letters to Jacksonville Magazine, 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204, or reach us via email at mail@ jacksonvillemag.com.

Writing Opportunities

We are always willing to consider freelance writers and article suggestions, both for our print publications and our website. Please send queries to Editor, Jacksonville Magazine, 1650 Margaret St., PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204 or by e-mail at mail@jacksonvillemag.com.

Calendar, Guides & Community Updates

Want something included in our calendar or guides, please e-mail at mail@jacksonvillemag.com. Information should be submitted no later than four weeks prior to the magazine cover date. Details may be edited or deleted for space.

publisher/editor-in-chief Joseph White creative director Amy Klinedinst sales director Jessica Lindsay accounting/office manager Wendy Castro proofreader Kathy Weedon history editor Tim Gilmore contributing photographers Corinna Hoffman, Joshua Kirshner, Laurey Glenn contributing graphic designer Jefferson Rall editorial interns Fabrizio Gowdy, Aneliese Rall subscription requests/inquiries circulation@jacksonvillemag. com. JACKSONVILLE (ISSN 1070-5163), (USPS 749870), Volume 38 Issue 8. Published ten times per year with three supplements annually for $19.90 per year by White Publishing Co., 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204. All editorial contents ©2022 by White Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Periodical postage paid at Jacksonville, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to JACKSONVILLE, 1650 Margaret St., Suite 302, PMB #379, Jacksonville, FL 32204. Printed in the USA.

Happy Holidays

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOME TOURS.

A HANDFUL OF FERNANDINA BEACH RESIDENTS OPEN THEIR DOORS TO VISITORS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. And you are welcome inside. The 16th annual Amelia Island Museum of History Holiday Home Tour is set for December 2 and 3. Five historic house are decorated by local florists and interior designers and docents at each location provide histor ical notes and details about the architectural elements. Stops along the fundraising tour include the Smith Home at 414 Broome Street (pictured), said to be the first home finished in Fernandina following the Civil War. Built in 1866 for Major Wil liam Duryee, the house features 13-foot ceilings. Tour hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of event.

GOLF COURSES ARE FAIRLY COMMON PLACE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA. Howev er, it wasn’t until August of this year that the first 18-hole course completed in the region in 20 years officially opened. Designed by Bobby Weed, the course is located inside the 549-home adult gated community of Stillwa ter Golf & Country Club. In addition to the

course, the Lennar community in St. Johns County features a 16-acre practice facility with lighted driving range, three putting and chipping greens and an enormous, undulated Himalayan-style putting course. “Stillwater delivers terrific shot values with ample playing areas that encourage the old-style game of low, running approach shots,” says architect Weed.

Bay Watch

One area of local real estate that remains relatively hot is active adult communities. PulteGroup, one of the na tion’s largest home builders, recently announced sales are underway at its newest 55-plus communities, Summer Bay at Grand Oaks. The new neighborhood con sists of 40-, 50- and 65-foot wide home sites located inside the Grand Oaks master-planned community, not far from downtown St. Augustine. Pulte offers 15, sin gle-family home designs for active adults with upgrades starting in the low $300s. Highlighting the property will be the Summer Bay Amenity Center with a resort-style pool and a spa, pickleball and bocce ball courts, fitness center, outdoor fireplace and a community garden.

On With the Show

The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s an nual Art & Antiques Show was a First Coast tradition for many years. Just like many other annual happenings, the pandemic poured cold water on plans and the event was put on pause. This winter, however, the fundraiser returns and has been reimagined as the Winter Design Show, taking place December 2-4 at the Prime Osborn Conven tion Center. Three days of special events include a black-tie gala, lectures by renowned designers, a kids’ fashion show and a showcase of fine art and antique dealers. Regional ly acclaimed interior designers and artists such as Caitlin Flynn, Ginny Stine, Kathy Stark and John Beard are joined by other out-of-state vendors including Whitehall Antiques from Chapel Hill North Carolina and Atlanta’s McDonough Fine Art. Headlining the lecture series is HGTV star Ty Pen nington, who speaks on Friday, December 2, 10 AM-noon. Tickets range from $3,000 for a pair of Grand Benefactor passes to $15 for admission into the antiques market.

MARKET UPDATE

“Moving into fall 2022 we continue to see the residential real east market, which includes single-family homes, condos, and townhouses, continue to moderate and normalize,” says Mark Rosener, president of the Northeast Florida Associa tion of Realtors (NEFAR). “While still an 18% increase year over year, the median price in our six-county market has shown mild fluctuations month to month of between $350,000 and $365,000 since March. This indicates that the dramatic increases that were seen during the pandemic are coming to an end.”

According to NEFAR, in Duval County, the August median price of single-family housing was $349,995, a slight drop from the previous month. The median days on the market was 28, more than twice as long as it was a year ago. Down in St. Johns County, prices fell slightly to a median price of $555,000 for a single-fam ily home. Active inventory of homes for sale rose to 1,312 and the affordability index inched up to 49, demonstrating that St. Johns remains the least affordable county in which to live in Northeast Florida. In Clay County, inventory rose as well, rising to 776 homes, or a 2.6-month supply. Here, the median price of a single-family home was $366,250. *

Take the Plunge

SO, YOU WANT TO INSTALL A POOL?

THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE RELAXING THAN SPENDING A SUNNY AFTERNOON NEXT TO A POOL.

When that pool is located in one’s own backyard… well, all the better. Before you dive into pool ownership, there are a few questions you ought to ask and have answered. We asked Ryan Wells, co-owner of Oak Wells Aquatics and a 2022 winner of our Best in Homes, Gardens & Real Estate readers poll, a few questions commonly posed by prospective pool owners. Here’s what he said.

What size pool do I need?

The short answer is it depends on the size of your yard.

You’ll want to build a pool that compliments the size of the house and lot. Also, there may be size restrictions de pending on your municipality, HOA and location. A home survey should indicate restrictions you may not be aware of, such as property easements and BRL’s (Building Re striction Lines).

What kind of design should I select?

First, you want to think about how you are going to use it. Will there be small children in the pool often? If so, adding water features is a good idea. If the pool is going to be used for swimming laps, a longer pool and step

placement are important. Or maybe the pool is going to be used for entertaining adults. Large sun shelves and underwater sitting areas are sure to be enjoyed.

What will it cost to build a pool today?

There are a variety of factors that play into the cost of a pool, including size and depth. Other factors are the in stallation of various kinds of water features such as bub blers, waterfalls, and specialty lighting. Backyard access space and the slope of the property also play important roles in determining expenses. Building on flat, open property is usually relatively easy. If a yard has sharp el evation changes, lots of mature trees, is close to water— variations like these can make installation more difficult and more expensive.

Should one expect to pay at all once or over a period of time?

Typically, buyers will make a deposit in order for the construction agreement to become a binding contract. A deposit equaling 10% of the total cost of the project is a general rule. Following the deposit, payments should be made as the work on the project progresses. A total of four to six payments is a good rule of thumb.

Are there financing options available?

Many customers use home equity lines of credit for a new pool. In some cases, the financing is provided by home

improvement sources such as credit unions or a lend er who specializes in pool loans. Most will offer on-line applications that can be quickly filled out and submitted for approval. With an approved loan, you can ask the de signer to create a pool that stays within your budget.

What value does a pool add to a home?

Quality of life is probably the biggest value added. Spending quality time at your home with family, friends and neighbors is priceless. As far as monetary value, it depends on the housing market and the home’s loca tion. In some locations, a pool can match dollar for dol lar invested. A home on the market with a pool will typ ically sell at a higher value and sell faster than a home without a pool.

How much maintenance does a pool require?

Like any home maintenance, a little maintenance often goes a long way. Maintaining a pool can be relatively easy if you educate yourself and keep a routine. There is an abundance of “Pool Service” options available with costs ranging from $100 per month and up, depending on the service options. There are specialty pool supply stores that can test your pool’s water and advise you on what chemicals you need to maintain proper water chemistry. It is very important to keep records of your water chemistry for your warranties, as well as help you know how to adjust your chemicals per season. *

Serenity Now

DOES OPENING YOUR CLOSET DOORS MAKE YOU CRINGE? IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

IS YOUR CLOSET LIVING IN THE PAST AND YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO MOVE FOR WARD? In the new podcast, “Uncluttered and Unfiltered,” professional organizer Christine Stone and 99.9 Gator Country radio personality Eden Kendall discuss how making simple and inexpensive changes to your closet can bring a sense of calm and create a closet that works with one’s everyday life.

Eden and Christine’s launched their podcast with the idea of helping woman over 50 find their community, as well as share tips on a variety of topics—including how to declut ter, get organized and enjoy a more efficient life. So, when it comes to organizing a home closet, Christine offers the following suggestions.

• Keep like items and colors together. Doing so prevents over-buying, so you can see what you already own.

• Let go of the “what if” and “use to be” clothes. These items take up valuable space in a closet and prevent you from living in the present.

• Make a list of new items you need to rebuild your wardrobe. Create a closet with clothes that represent  who you are and your current lifestyle.

• Change your hangers. Slimline hangers in the same color give your closet a uniform look. Plus, they are inexpensive and this change doesn’t take a lot of time to achieve.

• Keep a bag in your closet and, if you put something on that you don’t love or feel good in when you wear it, put it in the bag. Don’t wait until the next big wardrobe purge. If you don’t like it, don’t hang it back up. *

ANNUAL

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches

NEPTUNE & ATLANTIC BEACH

On Saturday, November 5, the Beaches Town Center Agency (BTCA) hosts the 5th Annual Beaches Tour of Homes. BTCA works for the improvement of the Atlantic and Neptune Beach central business district, pro tecting its unique character as a traditional neighborhood and enhancing its presence as an economic and cultural town center.

Select residents of Neptune and Atlantic Beach have volun teered to open their homes to showcase the historical and architectural elements that make their properties unique. All proceeds from the tour go directly back to Beaches Town Center community improvement projects.

From a 1930’s cedar-shake beach house to award-winning new construction and historic renovations, the Beaches

Tour of Homes has something to inspire everyone. Doors open at 9 AM for the one-day, self-guided tour rain or shine. Homes can be toured between 9 AM and 5 PM. Volunteers will be on site—as well as some homeowners—to answer questions about the homes’ history and design.

Tour-goers can experience the Beaches Tour of Homes by way of driving from home to home via their vehicle or bicycle. Area businesses will provide a complimentary “hop on; hop off” shuttle and Jax Surf & Paddle is offering bike tours. VIP ticket holders will receive a guided golf cart tour of the homes sponsored by Beach Buggy and Atlantic Beach Country Club. In addition, VIP ticket hold ers have exclusive access to an historic Atlantic Beach oceanfront residence during the VIP After-Party from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches FIFTH ANNUAL

Tickets:

General Admission $30

(Provides Home Tour Admission)

VIP Tickets $100

(Provides Home Tour Admission, golf cart guided tour, and VIP After-Party access inside an historic Atlantic Beach residence)

At check-in, guests will receive a program, tour map, and event passport which will be required for entry at each location. Tickets may be purchased at 904TIX. com Tour-goers may also purchase tickets at three check-in loca tions the day of the event.

For more information regarding the Beaches Tour of Homes, please visit beachestowncenter.com

Tour Stops:

ATLANTIC BEACH

390 Plaza

174 15th Street

89 Dewees Avenue

133 Beach Avenue

(VIP After-Party Location)

135 Beach Avenue

1373 Beach Avenue

1648 Atlantic Beach Drive

1799 Atlantic Beach Drive

1707 Beach Avenue

1778 Park Terrace West

NEPTUNE BEACH

312 Oceanfront 205 Bowles Street

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches FIFTH ANNUAL

The owners of this gorgeous oceanfront property wished to re main anonymous for the story and Home Tour. Yet, they take such pride and joy living in the neighborhood that they volunteered to open their house to visitors to help raise money for the community. The couple, who owns the house and garage apartment, are recent empty-nesters, with the youngest of their three sons recently leaving for college. But they are not alone, as a Oliver, a Jack Russel rescue pup, joined the family this year.

“We have always loved the quaintness and diversity of Atlantic Beach. There are many residents who have lived their lifetimes here,” say the homeowners. “There are many surfers and water sport enthusiasts who live here for their love of the ocean. We immensely enjoy the sunrises, along with the sounds and smell of the Atlantic Ocean.”

The couple has been married some 30 years and both are Jax na tives. He graduated from Sandalwood High, she Fletcher High. Both have lived at the Beaches for most of their lives. Despite both at tending the University of Florida, they never met until one night they both were enjoying a night out at a local watering hole, Ragtime Tavern in Atlantic Beach.

According to the homeowners, Ira and Nancy Koger previously owned the property, which was originally a two-story, cedar shake beach house. Ira Koger was a well-known Jacksonville businessman and philanthropist. In fact, Koger is often credited with creating the concept for the suburban office park. He was widely respected as a patron of the arts and was deeply involved in collecting American Impressionist paintings, Chinese Dynastic Ceramics, American and English furniture.  When the current homeowners toured the house while it was on the market, they recall the interior looked like a museum housing beautiful artwork and furnishings.

The Kogers decided to tear down the original house in the early 2000s.  They first designed, constructed and lived in the carriage house while the build of the main house was underway. Ira loved modern architecture and hired a student of Frank Lloyd Wright to design the carriage house. Nancy loved Southern plantation-style homes. So, while on trip visiting Charles ton, she saw an historic design that she wanted to replicate on their

PHOTOS

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches

Beaches Beaches

TOUR OF HOMES

oceanfront property in Atlantic Beach. The 6,667-squarefoot main house was completed in 2004.  Sadly, Ira passed away the same year and never got to live in it.

“We were especially interested in the property because of its extra wide dimensions. We have very adequate parking which can be hard to find oceanfront in Atlantic Beach,” say the homeowners.  “We love how the interior

came together to establish a very comfortable, casual atmosphere in quite a large space.”

Among the renovations the current homeowners undertook was relocating the kitchen to the ocean front portion of the house, which meant eliminating a downstairs bedroom. “I love to cook and entertain, so I especially enjoy my custom designed Lacanche

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches

range, made in Burgundy, France,” says an owner. "We also eliminated the living room to expand the master suite to encompass the entire lower north wing of the house. The master bathroom features a wet room en closure with a Bain Ultra freestanding tub including hydro-thermo therapy and chromatherapy.”

Upstairs, a bedroom was converted into a fitness and wellness space. The area is complete with a dry sauna, steam shower, jetted Japanese soaking tub, along with exercise equipment used for virtual home workouts. The second-floor library was converted into a game room

with billiards, air hockey,  shuffleboard, and an electronic dart board.

“The best decision we made was to broaden the ocean view both upstairs and downstairs. There were small win dows and double doors on the ocean side of the home. So, we installed retractable, sliding doors, which also provide a wide opening when desired,” say the home owners. “We chose to renovate to make the house suit our lifestyle. We are casual, family-oriented people who utilize all of the spaces as needed. We would mostly do it the same way again.” *

Beaches Beaches

This family of five has lived in Atlantic Beach since 1995. Mac and the kids love to surf, a passion that originally attracted the family to the area. “We lived in an adorable duplex on the corner of 1st and Myrtle, but as our family grew, we ventured north to Atlantic Beach,” say the homeowners. “When our neighbor approached us about purchasing the home next door, we knew we had to do it! How could we not preserve the old 1920s beach house? Mac loves salvaging old heart pine beams, so we were able to have them milled and even added more heart pine details to the house.”

In fact, wood from a Downtown Jacksonville furniture store that was destroyed in a fire was salvaged and used in the kitchen cabinets, walls and beams. Some of the burn marks are still visible. The house was originally built in 1932 by The McQuaid Family. The Eastons’ purchased it in 2021. With the help of contractor Bob Leinenweber, designer Jen Langston and landscape designer Ben Dinkins, the Eastons were able to update the home, but keep the old beach house feel. Notes written by the original construction work ers were found in the walls during the remodel.

"We love the Beaches Town Center for eating, shopping and running into friends," say the homeowners. "Where else can we go to the beach all day and hop on bikes for an evening out? Atlantic Beach is exactly what we dreamed of when we were picking a place to live back in the early ’90s." z

Beaches Beaches

Robert and Lara Leinenweber have been married for 27 years and have 2 children, Nicholas and Ol ivia. Robert was born and raised in Neptune Beach and attended Fletcher High School, Jacksonville Uni versity and graduate school at University of North Flor ida. Lara is originally from Atlanta but moved to Atlantic Beach in 1978 and also attended Fletcher High School and graduated from University of North Florida.

Robert’s father Mike was the third owner of the home. He purchased it in 1968. Over the years it has been updated multiple times, but major renovations came in 2001 when Robert, Lara and Nicholas moved in. Nicholas and Olivia are the third generation to live in this home and second to be raised in it.

The home has its original heart pine flooring and the cof fered ceiling in the main living space was from original paneled walls of a porch that had been enclosed. The structure was resided in 2002 and a pool was added in 2005. The kitchen was renovated last year, as were the TV room, downstairs bathroom and laundry.

“We enjoy outdoor living and have loved that we can walk, ride bikes and surf without having to load up a car and drive,” say the homeowners. “Living within walking dis tance to the Atlantic/Neptune Beach Town Center area has been a bonus for years and we are able to enjoy and support all the locally owned shops and restaurants. The small-town community feel is nice knowing you’ll almost always run into friends while out and about.” *

Beaches Beaches

Fran, a certified yoga instructor and health coach, is originally from New York City and moved to South Florida about 30 years ago for a career opportunity. She has three amazing children—Ava, 23, lives in Char lotte; Ford will be 21 years old this month and attends Vanderbilt University; Davis, 17, is a senior at The Prov idence School here in Jacksonville. “I’ve lived in Atlan tic Beach for 25 years and feel very fortunate to call this home,” says Fran. “Prior to living here, I spent time in Pompano Beach and Longwood, Florida, which are both wonderful areas but did not have the sense of communi ty of Atlantic Beach.”

The home is a mere four years old. Fran purchased the

house in June 2021 to downsize, as her previous home was a three-story in Atlantic Beach. “I love the fact that this home has an open concept all on one floor, yet still has areas that allow for quiet time, if you choose” she says.

The outdoor fireplace and grill on my back patio were added just recently. “I sit outside every morning to med itate and am excited to be able to continue this on those colder days during the winter. It also creates another space to gather with friends and family, which is import ant to me,” says the homeowner. “When I moved into the house, I only had to paint the inside and made changes in the front and back yard. I personally love the soft look and feel of grass and colorful flowers.” *

Beaches Beaches

The James House was designed by William Morgan in 1960 and built in 1961. The primary residence in cludes two bedrooms and two baths spread across 1,960 square feet and made with concrete block-bearing walls supporting wood-plank and beam roof. Total cost to build it? Would you believe $15,867? Also, would you be lieve the original owners used to keep horses corralled in the backyard? It’s true.

The house stayed in the James family until Maryann bought it in 2020. A complete top-to-bottom renovation was undertaken in 2021. “It was important to me to keep the integrity of the house, but modernize to make it more functional,” says the owner. “The front part of the house has

become a one-bedroom apartment for friends and fam ily when visiting. The main house keeps the Mid-century Modern vibe with art, furniture and the original fireplace.”

“I raised my two daughters here and I can’t think of a better place to do that,” Maryann recalls. And she would know. She’s lived in eight different houses during her 26 years in Atlantic Beach. “I was always comfortable letting them ride their bikes to Al’s Pizza for a slice knowing most peo ple knew them and would look out for them.”

Both daughters are away at school pursuing their degrees. Maryanne enjoys spending free time playing tennis, read ing and cuddling with her dog, Posey. *

TOUR OF HOMES Beaches Beaches

CARL DREW & JENNIE MALLOY

Jennie Malloy and Carl Drew dove right into life in At lantic Beach in 2012 when they bought the neigh borhood’s famed “Dune Houses,” designed by local architectural legend William Morgan. Carl, who was born in Jacksonville and attended high school at Sandalwood, was aware of the unique residence Morgan was building in the 1970s, but left Jacksonville to attend the University of South Florida. Little did he know that one day he would own the property.

The couple, who divide their time between Atlantic Beach and Miami, were looking for a vacation home ten years ago when they learned that the “Dune Houses,” owned by William and Bunny Morgan at the time, was for sale. They fell in love with the unique dwelling and, within a year or two, began a thoughtful renovation, modernizing all of the mechanical systems while retaining the original inte rior designed by Morgan. The vacation home (which they sold in 2020) became the gateway to admiring the coastal community, so that when an older beach house came on the market, Jennie and Carl knew it was an opportunity to make Atlantic Beach their forever home.

The house was originally built in 1936 by the Townsend family as a summer retreat. Jennie and Carl, as just the fourth owners, bought it from the Grant family, long-time residents of Atlantic Beach. The property had been loving

ly cared for and additions to the downstairs kitchen and upstairs master bath were completed in the 1980s. The quality of the original craftsmanship and woodwork would become truly apparent over the course of renovations that began last year.

The 100-year-old pine floors, nickel board walls and tongue-in-groove ceilings were in such good shape that demolishing them would have been a opportunity lost. The original exterior walls were built with such craftsman ship that it would be hard to replicate with today’s build ing practices and the wood had hardened and aged to an ideal level of solidity and security that is needed for the extreme environment of the beach. *

Beaches Beaches

“O

ur first family home was in Windsor Park. We moved to Atlantic Beach in July of 2015. It was a home we bought as a bank foreclosure and renovated com pletely before moving in,” recall Jack and Christine. “We were drawn to the beach, as we both grew up near the water and enjoy the costal lifestyle. We liked the com munity as place to raise children with all the activities the beach brings. We outgrew that home and were fortunate enough to be in a position to build a new house.”

T he Crevelings moved into their new home in Febru ary of this year. It’s a more modern design than most of its neighbors, but the family believes it fits in well and may even inspire others to buck traditional house designs. Being so close to the ocean, it’s only natural

blues and greens are used throughout the interior.

The couple has two kids—Avery and Cole—who attend St. Paul’s Catholic School. Mother-in-law Debbie lives in the attached guest suite. Eleven-year-old dog Drake com pletes the family portrait.

“We love that this is a family neighborhood,” say the couple. “We have so many friends and places to go that we visit by riding bikes or taking the golf cart. We consider Atlantic Beach the perfect balance of seclu sion—with A1A turning west and not running through the community, so there’s no through traffic—and cul ture with all the events put on throughout the year, the restaurants and country club so close.” *

Beaches Beaches

& TOM

We built our home in 2019. We like to call it a ‘mod ern dogtrot,’” say Julie and Tom. “Dogtrot homes were common across the South prior to air condi tioning. A “dogtrot” is, in essence, a large breezeway that takes advantage of airflow to keep the house cool and separate the kitchen from the remaining living quarters. Our home is essentially three separate structures con nected under one roof and wide porches. This design al lows for privacy and affords a number of separate spaces that can be used for entertaining and work. We like to be outdoors as much as possible and the style of our home and placement on our lot allows us to enjoy nature and maintain a great deal of privacy.”

Tom attended Wolfson High School and has lived in the Beaches area since college. Julie’s brother was one of the

original founders of Sliders Oyster Bar and she started coming to the Beaches in the early ‘80s to work during the summer. “We built our first home in Atlantic Beach in 1997,” the couple recalls. “We love the neighborhood for its ca sual lifestyle, the people in our community and the envi ronment—the tree canopy, bike- and pedestrian-friendly and, of course, the beach.”

The home was designed by architect Nitin Jayaswal. It sits on the lot that was the home of Adele Grage, for whom the current Atlantic Beach community center is named. Julie even has a knocker that used to be on a door of the Grage family home. Presently, it’s just Tom and Julie who live here, as their two grown daughters, Leila and Wren, have flown the coop for New Orleans and Hawaii. Tom and Julie say the look forward to visiting them often. *

Beaches Beaches

Jenna is a recent Northeast Florida transplant, hav ing previously worked and lived in the Washington, D.C. area for nearly 40 years. Today, she is a single mom to two adult children and grandmother of two. In fact, it was her sons, Jon and Ben, who lured her to the First Coast. Grandsons Jack and Fritz, and their mothers Meghan and Olivia, also had a part in convincing Jen na to move south. In addition, her sister, Lori, relocated here this past summer.

“It was such a fortunate stroke of serendipity that I landed my new home. I’m not only referring to the dwelling (which I love), but as important, my close-knit neighborhood of four ‘cottages’ that share a circular drive,” says Jenna. “In the very early morning hours at the beginning of the pan demic in June of 2020, when I was still in the D.C. area, I

was scrolling through internet’s real estate sites for homes in Atlantic Beach. I saw what I thought would be the per fect house for me—Southern style with a welcoming front porch, a first-floor master suite and an extra master suite for visitors. The house was listed at midnight. I saw the list ing four hours later, and by 8 pm that evening, I had a con tract for the house of my dreams, sight unseen.”

The original owner, Jody Sommers, did a great job in se lecting finishes and appointments, says Jenna. The only thing she chose to changed was the interior paint color throughout the house. “My biggest investment in terms of furnishings was the outdoor porch,” she says. “I wanted to make the sidewalk-facing venue inviting to the many dog-walkers and passersby. It has been a great way to get to know many fabulous neighbors.” *

Beaches Beaches

Leah and Jason Ulm know more than a little about the home building industry. Leah is a showroom consul tant for Ferguson and Jason is a custom home build er and part-owner at Heritage Homes Jacksonville.  “After completing a big renovation a few years ago, we decided to build new this time,” the couple recalls. “The previous owners used it as a rental property, so we knew there was no emotional attactment to the house. Last time we kept the structure and layout of the house and realized it wasn’t ideal for our family. This time, we created a place that was perfect for our life—a busy toddler (2-year-old

Barrett), our love for entertaining, and lots of time outside in our pool (a favorite of dogs Koa and Bunk).”

Just like all of the other homeowners who volunteered to open their front doors to be a part of the fundraising tour, the Ulm’s fondness for Jacksonville’s coastal com munities runs deep. “We love the versatility of Neptune Beach,” they admit. “We can bike to a playground with our son and get ice cream afterwards. We can also do a date-night at a nice restaurant only walking distance away. We love it here!” *

TOUR

HOMES Beaches Beaches

Allison and Michael Marco have a great fondness for the natural beauty of the Florida coast. Michael was born and raised in Atlantic Beach; Allison grew up in Central Florida. The couple’s favorite evening activity is biking with their two dogs for dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. Both have a love for the outdoors and the na tive landscape of the Sunshine State, which they exhibit throughout their home, which was completed just last year.

“When designing our home, we took inspiration from the many places in the Southeast to which we have traveled,” say the owners. “Our main influences were of Central Florida ranch/cracker houses and clean coastal elements (notice the heart pine walls, oyster shell-imbedded counter tops

and 1800s glass doors). We wanted a fresh white canvas with warm woods throughout so that we could decorate with a style that suited our love for the outdoors. We specif ically included large doors to enjoy the fresh air and inviting patios to spend lots of time outside.” Plus, they have a pair of rambunctious dogs who need room to run and roam.

Completed in the spring of 2021, the couple’s favorite things about the 15th Street house, just a short walk from the beach, are the memories they see in our decor. For example, most of the furniture, keepsakes and art were purchased during their travels or commissioned to remind them of a specific adventure. Much of the art was painted by Allison, her mother or grandfather. *

BEST OF HOMES, GARDENS & REAL ESTATE Readers Poll

Second annual celebration of the best in Northeast Florida living and design services

hen the refrigerator needs repair or the guest room could use a fresh coat of paint, it’s not uncommon to seek the advice of friends, family and neighbors. Trusted personal referrals are always help ful when seeking assistance, particularly when involving what could be expensive services such as landscaping, contracting and home renovation. Knowing this, Jack sonville Magazine routinely seeks the input of our many readers, Northeast Florida residents who know a thing or two about

W

getting the best our of living in our region.

For two months we hosted an online read ers poll at our website, JacksonvilleMag. com. Readers were invited to offer their recommendations for the city’s best home services professionals. Thousands of votes were cast, and the results—ranging from appliance sellers to chimney repair, elec trical contractor to interior design pro, and just about everything in between—are recognized on the following pages.

WINNERS

Plumbing Contractor

Duck Duck Rooter Plumbing & Septic

Few things are more concerning to a homeowner than when a plumbing is sue arises. After all, fresh water coming into the house and dirty water leaving is downright essential for everyday living. So, leaking pipes, broken garbage dis posal, drain cleaning and similar condi tions will ruin anyone’s day. After more than a quarter-century in the industry, there’s little that Duck Duck Rooter of Jacksonville hasn’t seen. From septic tank installation to sewer line replace ment, it’s all in a day’s work for the crews at Duck Duck. Services include new construction plumbing, slab leak repairs, leak and line detection, water heater repair and fixture replacement. And they’re ducks. They don’t mind getting a little wet in the process.

Pool Designer/Builder

Oak Wells Aquatics

There are two things that limit the

type of pool one can have install in the backyard these days. First is your imagination, followed by your budget. Waterfalls and vanishing edges are nearly commonplace. How about cus tom-colored tiles and lights that blink Gator orange and blue? Easy enough for this year’s winner for best Pool De signer, Oak Wells Aquatics. The Beach Boulevard-based firm was literally swamped with requests for new back yard oases during the pandemic. Hav ing a resort just steps from the door is an idea many desired—even if the desire included dual fountains and a real fire feature built into one end. And don’t forget the built-in hot tub!

Appliance Store

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Looking for an eight-burner, free stand ing natural gas range from Viking for your recently rehabbed chef’s kitchen or a triple tap kegerator from EdgeStar

for your Jags game TV room? Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery has you covered. With a huge showroom off of Philips Highway, you can find everything you need in the appliance realm for your new home or ongoing renovation. From Bosch Benchmark and Maytag to Whirlpool and GE Mono gram, Ferguson’s showroom displays the latest styles and even has profes sional consultants on-hand to help you find the right dishwasher, refrigerator, stovetop, washing machine, dryer, ice maker or whatever else you need to complete that home makeover.

Kitchen Design Company

Kitchen Envy

An award-winning design firm spe cializing in custom cabinetry, design solutions and installation services for the entire home, Kitchen Envy in Jacksonville Beach is our reader’s top choice for “Best Kitchen Design Com pany.” With Natalie Beach at the helm,

Kitchen Envy creates one-of-a-kind kitchens in Northeast Florida whether you’re looking for Scandinavian Mid century, Contemporary, Boho Bunga low or anything in between. If you’ve been dreaming of a new kitchen for a decade or recently won the lottery and don’t know what to do with the cash, the team at Kitchen Envy will walk you through the process from an initial face-to-face meeting all the way through renovation completion.

Kitchen Supply Showroom

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

There are literally dozens of decisions that have to be made when it comes to designing a new kitchen or just put ting some updated touches on your existing one. From kitchen faucets and sinks to appliances, lighting, hardware, range hoods, beverage coolers and water filtration, Ferguson Bath, Kitch en & Lighting Gallery has it all. Locat ed on Philips Highway, the Ferguson showroom has hundreds of kitchen items on display as well as one-on-one consultation by appointment and a helpful staff to help answer all kitch en-related questions.

Place to Buy Artwork/Gallery

Village Arts & Framing

American author and cartoonist Scott Adams once said, “Creativity is allow ing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” When it comes to adorning your wall space with art, our readers have spoken and its Village Arts & Framing where they prefer to shop. Featuring original art work by award-winning local and re gional artists like Eve Albrecht, Keri Keene, Razvan Balotescu, Pamela Kee gan and Cindy Zeigler, Village Arts is located in the Sawgrass Village Shop ping Center in Ponte Vedra Beach. It also offers total framing services, so when you find the perfect piece of art, you can choose the ideal frame in which to showcase it.

Pool Maintenance Company

America’s Swimming Pool Company Jacksonville

Whether you’re looking for pool repairs and renovation or just need to schedule routine maintenance to keep your water crystal clear, America’s Swimming Pool Company Jacksonville is your go-to for Northeast Florida pool needs. With a promise to be “reliable, honest, friendly

and professional,” ASP Jacksonville is a locally owned and operated business that offers free inspections and even financing options. “We have been us ing ASP since we purchased our home a year-and-a-half ago and couldn’t be happier,” said Wendy S. in her five-star Google review. “Our technician Douglas is absolutely amazing. He is very pro fessional, knowledgeable and extreme ly friendly.”

Remodeling Firm

Avid Construction & Consulting

Offering a wide range of services such as design consulting, architec tural drafting, structural engineering, construction planning and scheduling and complete project pricing, Avid Construction & Consulting is the 904’s choice for “Best Remodeling Firm.” Based in St. Augustine, but serving the entire Northeast Florida region, Avid was co-founded in 2008 by Patrick S. Kelly and Dustin C. Frick and special izes in additions, bathroom remodels, kitchen remodels and even new homes. Whether it’s a second-floor addition, bathroom renovation with a modern flair, coastal kitchen update or a new home from the ground up, Avid Con struction knows what’s up.

Storage Compass Self Storage

Have a classic Corvette to store in air conditioning or are trying to hide your Barbie collection from your new boyfriend? Compass Self Storage has space for that for which you don’t. With locations in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, Compass not only offers storage units, they’ll also act as your storage con cierge service by providing packing and moving to your new unit. There’s also climate controlled units, boxes and moving supplies for purchase, digital surveillance and secure entry access among other amenities. And when that pesky HOA comes for your boat or RV in the driveway, you can rest easy that Compass offers parking and indoor units for your favorite toys.

Antique Restoration/Repairs

Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering

Wondering if that antique wood furni ture that’s sitting in the garage badly damaged can be restored? “Almost always, yes!,” explains Josh Kennedy, President of Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering. “Our master crafts men have successfully restored furni ture that has been nearly destroyed, whether it be due to car accidents, floods or pet damage. And they’ve made it nearly impossible to tell that anything ever happened to it.” What about changing the look of a piece of furniture when it’s being restored? “Yes, more or less we can put any kind of color or finish you can dream up on anything that is real wood,” Kennedy says. “We can do all kinds of stains, solids, glazes and white washing. The options are basically limitless.”

Home Accents & Accessories Store ACP Home Interiors

“ACP is my favorite place to shop for fur niture, lighting and decor!,” says Kathy P. in her five-star Google review. “Through out the past 20 years, I have shopped and decorated three different homes with many beautiful pieces purchased

from Shane. Shane has great taste, knowledge and fills the stores with great products at wonderful and fair prices. He is never pushy, but always helpful.”

A longtime purveyor of design, owner Shane Hoddinott offers up everything from ceramic garden stools and French reproduction furniture at ACP Home In teriors, his shop off of Philips Highway. For those of us intimidated by interior decor, this is great news!

Interior Designer Lisa Gielincki

The self-described ‘culture’ at Lisa Gielincki Interior Design is that “Hu man beings are deeply affected by the aesthetics around us. When our surroundings are customized perfectly for us, we thrive. In other words, good design makes life better.” From a light and bright beach house remodel to decorating a RiverTown model home using blues and textures throughout, Gielincki and her team work hand-inhand with their clients to create the perfect space, whether it’s one room or an entire home. The Principal De signer of her own firm since 2001, Giel incki’s work has earned her numerous awards from the American Society of Interior Designers and she has been

featured in Classic Home magazine, as well as multiple regional publications.

Electrical Contractor (Residential)

American Electrical Contracting

With nearly 1,800 positive Google re views, it’s no wonder why American Electrical Contracting is the cat’s meow amongst residential electrical contrac tors. With a motto of “Wired Right at a Fair Price,” American Electrical does everything from installing Tesla char gers and renovating a historic home’s entire electrical system to smart home automation and boat dock power and lighting. They also provide service beyond Duval in St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Just check out what their website has to say, “No matter your electrical problem or project, big or small, we will get it done at a price that’s right.”

Carpet Cleaning Service

First Coast Home Pros

Love getting your carpets cleaned, but hate how long they sit damp? “The key to drying carpets quickly are double ex tracting, air movement and controlling humidity in the home,” says Josh Kenne dy, President of First Coast Home Pros. “We can and do control the first two

things by double extracting every time and by using air movers as we work to speed dry the carpets. Controlling hu midity in the home is more difficult since it's up to you how you have your air con ditioning set, and we have no say over rainy days!” What about moving furni ture when it’s time to clean the carpets? “Yes, moving any standard sized furni ture is complimentary upon request,” explains Kennedy. “Since we charge by the square foot, not by the room, we are happy to clean around your furniture or under it. Either way, you only pay for what we clean.”

Closet Designer/Installer Closets by Design

For those of us who are extremely unor ganized, creating a custom closet seems overwhelming. Are there experts who can help with that? “Of course we can!,” says Mark Hutto, President and Co-Own er of Closets by Design. “It is a free con sultation to have a designer come to your home. Our designers are trained to help with a variety of organization chal lenges and the experience is very worth while. In just a few hours, we can work with you on the best design for your space.” What else can these designers help me with? “For over 40 years we’ve been a leader in the closet industry, but we also do many other things such as entertainment centers, offices, garages, pantries and laundry rooms,” Hutto ex plains. “We do everything in the home except kitchens and baths.”

Furniture Store

Furniture Mart

Without spending tens of thousands of dollars, can I make a piece of furniture more customized to my taste? “We offer special orders for most furniture and upholstery in order to accommo date different fabric color or finish requests,” says Sarah Cantor, Buyer and Senior Design Manager at Furni ture Mart. “We love to custom design furniture for your individual needs. You can place a special order in-per son at a showroom or online. Typi cally, all special-order items require extra production time.” Do you offer design services? “Yes, we understand that interior design can be overwhelm ing,” Cantor explains. “Whether you're working on re-furnishing an old living space, designing a new apartment or constructing a new home, we have designers that can help. Our designers will work with you to create an envi ronment that will suit you personally.”

General Contracting (Residential) Alesch Contracting

Founded in 1995, Alesch Contracting specializes in new construction proj ects, remodeling and renovations and general building maintenance such as siding repair and replacement and sof fits and fascia. Whether it’s a custom home build in Ponte Vedra Beach or a modern kitchen remodel in San Marco, Alesch Contracting is our reader’s goto for residential general contracting.

“The Alesch team did a great job with our remodel,” says Susan J. on her fivestar Google review. “We are thrilled with the outcome. The contractors showed up on time, kept the job site clean and kept us informed on prog ress throughout the entire job.”

Heating/AC Company A/C Designs

“Fast, friendly and high-quality service with the whole team,” says Rene H. in her five-star Google review of A/C De signs, our reader’s top choice for Heat ing/AC Company. With locations in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, the firm offers air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality and commercial HVAC ser vices with their team of NATE-certified staff. They’re even community-minded helping out organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, Dreams Come True, Wish For Our Heroes and Episco pal School of Jacksonville. And, most importantly for those of us living in Florida, A/C Designs offers after-hours emergency service for the nightmare nights when your air conditioning unit goes kaput.

Home Cleaning Service

First Coast Home Pros

Is it better to go with an individual cleaner or a cleaning company? “Both have pros and cons,” says Josh Ken nedy, President of First Coast Home Pros. “Individual cleaners can be less expensive, but they can also be less

reliable, in addition to liability and tax concerns. Companies like us offer you reliability, consistency and peace of mind knowing that we have done all the heavy lifting as the employer. Background checks, taxes and insur ance are all taken care of.” What about equipment and supplies? Do I need to have my own? “We bring all the equip ment and supplies,” Kennedy explains. “You don't need to do a thing. Howev er, we do have some customers with special requests to use certain prod ucts for various reasons, and we are happy to use our customer's products upon request . . . most of the time.”

Housewarming & Hostess Gifts

KMH Home

I’m going to a housewarming party, what should I bring as a gift? “When selecting housewarming gifts, choose something that will contribute to the home,” says Sean Dumanal, Sales Asso ciate and Brand Ambassador for KMH Home. “Our Japanese Welcome Soaps are the perfect option for a housewarm ing with a story that symbolizes good luck and good fortune as they begin this

new chapter of life.” My family is impos sible to shop for. What do you buy for the person who has everything? “We understand gifting can be challenging, however, we strive to source the most unique and interesting products from all over the world,” explains Dumanal. “Our experienced sales staff will be happy to assist you with selecting the perfect gift that is unforgettable, for any individual, for any occasion.”

Interior Design Firm Nesting Place Interiors

What are the benefits of using an interi or designer? “Designers begin with the end in mind and can see the whole pic ture,” says Becky Dykstra, Studio Man ager at Nesting Place Interiors. “During the process, we save our client’s money by avoiding costly mistakes. Design ers are to pass on designer discounts where applicable, and often have ac cess to lines that are only open to the trade that general consumers cannot access.” How do you know how much it will cost to design a room? “An analogy we like to use is any vehicle can get you from point A to point B. You can drive

a Kia, or you can drive a Bentley,” Dyk stra explains. “They both function and will serve your purpose, but will pro vide vastly different experiences. We can provide a design for a client with a tighter budget in mind, or an extrava gant budget for a custom splurge-wor thy space.”

Lighting Showroom

Stewart Lighting

I have an open concept home and I’m having trouble putting everything to gether. Can someone help me with lighting? “Yes, our sales staff specializes in helping customers select styles and finishes that coordinate,” explains Josh Longino, General Manager of Stewart Lighting. “Mixing metals and materials help each area look custom and unique. Our sales staff can also help make sure that the scale and size is appropriate.” What about outdoor coach lanterns? How do we know which ones to buy?

“Jacksonville has lots of water and with lots of water comes a harsh climate,” says Longino. “We have a wide variety of sustainable outdoor options avail able and on display in the showroom

including copper, resin and powder coated aluminum. By bringing in pic tures and dimensions, we can help the customer select the appropriate size and style for their home.”

Marble/Granite Company

Florida Design Works

Can I replace my countertops without replacing cabinetry? “The easiest and fastest kitchen or bathroom renovation is replacing your countertops,” says Jennifer Horvat, Sales and Marketing Director for Florida Design Works.

“Your cherry or espresso colored cabi nets take on an entirely new look when you add a modern, quartz countertop in a new color or pattern. “If you have a backsplash that goes to the exist ing countertop, it could get damaged when removing the old countertop. You may need to consider a new back splash as well, if it can’t be repaired.” Why has quartz become so popular over granite? “Granite remains a goto product for many homeowners for their countertop choice,” says Horvat. “However, quartz has taken over the industry because of its durability and low maintenance. Both are excellent choices for your kitchen or bathroom project. It really depends on your per sonal design preferences as granite is more ‘natural looking’ and quartz presents many more color options not found in a natural stone.”

Outdoor Kitchen Designer/Builder

CSS Fireplaces & Outdoor Living

What are some elements that my family can incorporate to make our outdoor kitchen that much better?

“Some add-ons that have become quite popular with families include ice makers, sinks, refrigerators, kegerators and griddles,” explains Mindy Lepp, who handles marketing for CSS Fire places & Outdoor Living. What about fireplaces? I like the ambiance of a fire place, but don’t want one that’s going to make the home too warm since we only need a fireplace for a short time in the winter. “We have several options for fireplaces that do not put off much or any heat,” Lepp says. “Some of our

fireplace models have adjustable set tings where you can determine wheth er you want the heat to stay indoors or funnel it to the outside. These options allow you the aesthetic of a fireplace without overheating your home.”

Chimney Repair

Jacksonville Chimney Pros

You probably don’t give much thought to your chimney until something goes wrong. Get ahead of the game by adding regular chimney sweeping and other cleaning services to your annu al home to-do list. For our readers, Jacksonville Chimney Pros is the go-to for all of your chimney needs. Locally owned and founded by Michael Wood, a Master Hearth Professional with the National Fireplace Institute, a Certi fied Chimney Sweep with the Chimney Safety Institute of America and a State of Florida Certified Home Inspector who has performed over 6,000 in spections to date, the company helps homeowners and business all over the Jacksonville area, including Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, and Fernandina Beach, among other locales.

Painting Contractor

The Painting Craftsmen

Is painting an old, historic home dif ferent then painting a newer, more

modern house? “Yes! There are many considerations when painting a historic home that don't usually come into play with new homes,” says Josh Kennedy, President of The Painting Craftsmen.

“This includes dealing with lead-based paint, dealing with old, hardened oil paints, decorative wood repairs that are often highly custom in nature and, in general, needing a more artisan ap proach to restoring historic homes consistent with the original design, but incorporating modern products and techniques to get better results.” What about things like refinishing cabinets and installing garage floor coatings. Do you guys just paint stuff or are these services different? “These services are very much different!” Kennedy ex plains. “Cabinets aren't painted, they are refinished by specialists in our spray booth with lacquer for factory-like fin ishes. Garage floors are installed using high-tech polyaspartic products, which is far superior in every way to painting concrete with epoxy products.”

Bath Fixtures Supply

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

As the country’s largest distributor of plumbing products, it’s no surprise that Ferguson is our reader’s choice for “Best Bath Fixtures Supply.” Wheth

a Delta two-han

center-set bathroom sink faucet in Venetian Bronze

a TOTO Neorest bi det seat, which will set you back a few grand, Ferguson has you covered. Fer guson’s huge showroom features the latest concepts of quality home fixtures and appliances. They’ve got everything from toilets and bathroom sinks to medicine cabinets, towel bars and toilet tissue holders. You can literally outfit an entire bathroom with one trip to the showroom.

Tile Selection

Florida Design Works

What are the hottest tile trends for 2023? “The top three trends for tile in clude large format porcelain, hexagon patterns with color and pattern and tile that replicates the look of wallpa per,” says Jennifer Horvat. “The wallpa per-look includes swirls, leaves, flowers and many other designer-patterns.” What about a new construction house? Where can we add tile accents to make

the home feel more custom? “We sug gest adding a stacked stone façade to a fireplace or outdoor walls to add depth and interest,” Horvat explains. “In the kitchen, try an interesting tile accent to one wall of the kitchen akin to wallpa per. For the bathroom, add wall tile to the biggest wall in the room and run it all the way to the ceiling. For the laun dry aficionado, a beautiful backsplash in your laundry room is great, and consider bold, fun colors to create a statement in an otherwise boring room.”

Window Washing & Pressure Washing Company Krystal Klean

How often should I pressure wash my building? “In order to ensure the lon gevity of your building, we suggest completing an annual exterior cleaning to remove all mold and mildew,” says Taylor Poindexter, Executive Admin istrative Assistant and Marketing for Krystal Klean. “If mold/mildew is left on the building surface for an extend

ed period of time, the waterproofing system begins to breakdown.” What is the minimum distance in which landscape can be from the building façade? “In order to protect the coat ing/waterproofing of your building, we suggest ensuring that all landscaping is at a minimum of three feet away from the building at all times,” Poin dexter explains. “When subject to Flor ida elements, such as wind storms or hurricanes, branches and shrubs close to the building façade can scratch and compromise the coating system.”

Assisted Living (Retirement Community)

Vicar’s Landing at Oak Bridge

An offshoot of the original Vicar’s Land ing, a premier retirement community in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach, Vicar’s Landing at Oak Bridge will offer up flats and cottages with high ceilings and lots of natural light once it is completed this year. The new community will feature a gated entrance off of A1A and is slated

to have 109 independent living units on the property. From endless activities, a brand new clubhouse, fine dining, green space for relaxing walks, a pool for water aerobics and a casual café with a cozy pub, Vicar’s Landing at Oak Bridge is sure to be an ideal place to live and make new friends.

New Home Builder

The Pineapple Corp.

Finished Pineapple Corp. homes can be found in many of the region’s most prestigious new communities—River Landing at Twenty Mile, Pablo Creek Reserve and Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club, among others. In addi tion, some of their designs have been constructed on private lots and gor geous waterfront settings. The team at Pineapple guides clients through the entire process, from initial de sign and land surveying to construc tion planning and final walkthrough. Their team of architects, engineers and building professionals thrive on solving tricky construction problems and live for making the seemingly

impossible, possible. As they like to say, “if you can imagine it, chances are good we can build it.” Pineapple is an award-winning, full-service luxury home builder that has been provid ing custom home design, develop ment and construction services for residents of greater Jacksonville and Northeast Florida since 1995.

Landscape Design Company Cynthia Burns Design

“We hired Cynthia to completely up date the landscaping in the front and back of our home. She was extremely organized and thorough. We received professional drawings of the landscap ing and all plant materials as well as an accurate quote. Cindy was onsite managing the entire demo and install process. She is highly professional and exceeded our expectations!” So reads a glowing recommendation of Cyn thia Burns and her landscape design team. Burns says she considers one of her designs as the road map for the project. A successful landscape is a creative endeavor which takes time,

expertise and collaboration from both the design team and the clients. She has created landscapes for everything from cute-as-a-button Atlantic Beach cottages to a sprawling horse farm.

Planned Development Community Shearwater

It is practically impossible for someone to be bored living in Shearwater, a de veloping community in St. Augustine featuring new residences from David Weekly Homes, Lennar and Dream Finders Homes. The amenities are amazing, including a fitness center, four tennis courts, nature trails, play ground, sports field and a resort-style pool and lap pool. Did we mention the lazy river? Oh, wait about the Kayak Club? Single-family homes start in the 1,800-square-foot range and go up to more than 3,600 with five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths. The build ers’ design studios allow new residents to select preferred appliances and floor, cabinets and fixtures and more. Oh, and don’t forget the three-story slide at the pool. *

BEST OF HOMES, GARDENS & REAL ESTATE WINNERS as

Antique Restoration/Repairs

Jax Furniture Refinishing & Upholstering

Antique Store

Avonlea Antique Mall

Appliance Store

Ferguson Architect (Residential)

DIG Architecture

Assisted Living/Retirement Community

Vicar’s Landing at Oak Bridge

Bath Design Company

Orangerie Home

Bath Fixtures Supply

Ferguson

Bedroom Furniture

Ashley Furniture

Blinds/Shutters Company

All About Blinds

Cabinet Maker River City Custom Cabinets

Carpentry/Trim Work Klein Carpentry

Carpet Cleaning Service

First Coast Home Pros

Carpet Installer

Alpha Carpets

Chimney Repair

Jacksonville Chimney Pros

Closet Designer/Installer

Closets by Design

Countertop Maker

Belmarmi

Custom Art Framer

Chao Framing

Decking & Docks

Vie Home Services

Door Refinishing & Repair

Doors & More Refinishing

Electrical Contractor (Residential)

American Electrical Contracting

Fabric Store

Jo Ann Fabrics

Fence Company

Best Fence and Rail of Florida Foundation Repair Alpha Foundations

Furniture Store Furniture Mart

Garage Door Company

Hurricane Garage Doors & Services

General Contractor (Residential)

Alesch Contracting

Handyman

Mr. Handyman of Jacksonville Hardware Store

Ace Hardware

Hardwood Floor Installer/Company

Jaguar Hardwood Floor Installers

Jacksonville Heating/AC Company

A/C Designs

Historic Renovations/Preservation Firm

Precast and Restoration Services

Home Accents & Accessories Store

ACP Interiors

Home Cleaning Service

First Coast Home Pros

Home Insurance Agent

Daniel Miller Brightway Insurance Home Staging Company Dwell Staging & Design Housewarming & Hostess Gifts KMH Home

Interior Designer

Lisa Gielincki

Interior Design Firm Nesting Place Interiors

Kitchen Design Company Kitchen Envy

Kitchen Supply Showroom Ferguson

Landscape Design Company

Cynthia Burns Design Lawn Care Company

BrightView Landscaping Services

Lighting Showroom

Stewart Lighting

Local Furniture Maker

First Hand Custom Woodwork Man Cave Gear

Billiard Factory

Marble/Granite Company

Florida Design Works

Mattresses

Ashley Furniture

Metal Work & Fabrication

Classic Iron Decor

Mortgage/Lending Institution

Atlantic Trust Mortgage

Mosquito Control Company

Mosquito Hunters

Moving Company (Residential)

B & B Movers

New (to the area) Furniture Store

Baer’s Furniture

New Home Builder Pineapple Corporation

Nursery/Garden Center

Earth Works

Outdoor Furniture Seller Palm Casual Patio Furniture

Outdoor Kitchen Designer/Builder CSS Fireplaces & Outdoor Living Outdoor Lighting Jim Gann, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

Paint Store

Duval Paint

Painting Contractor

The Painting Craftsmen

Pest Control

Peninsular Pest Control Place to Buy Artwork/Gallery Village Arts & Framing

Planned Development Community Shearwater

Plumbing Contractor Duck Duck Rooter

Pool Designer/Builder America’s Swimming Pool Service

Jacksonville

Remodeling Firm

Avid Construction

Roofing Company

All Pro Roofing

Rug Seller Hooshang Rug Gallery

Security Provider (Residential)

ADT

Storage Compass Self Storage

Tile Company

Florida Design Works

Window Retailer

Window World of Northeast Florida Window Washing Company

Krystal Klean