May 2024 Treasure Coast Home & Living

Angie Schepers Publisher & Sales

Valencia Tillery Content Director & Contributor

Dear Readers,

As the warmth of May graces our beloved Treasure Coast, we find ourselves immersed in the beauty of coastal living once again. It’s a time of renewal, a season that invites us to refresh our homes and embrace the effortless elegance that defines our coastal lifestyle.

In this month’s issue of Treasure Coast Home and Living, we’re delighted to bring you a wealth of inspiration and ideas to help you infuse your home with the spirit of the coast. From vibrant color palettes inspired by the ocean to tips for creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, we’re here to guide you on your journey to creating a home that reflects your unique style and celebrates the natural beauty of our region.

GailMcCallum@gate.net

STUART

Furnished & ready for YOU! 2/2 condo, 2nd floor,end unit. Glass enclosed porch. Overlooks water. Quiet location. $175,000. Wonderful River Club condo! 2/2 end unit w/ peaks of river.1220 sq. ft. Full size washer/ dryer.Impact windows. Docks are avail. buy or rent $310,000.

Boater’s Paradise! East of RR-no waiting! 2/2 furn. condo w/ lovely creek view! Updated kit. Docks are avail. Lifts are allowed. Any age OK. $289,900.

Like to Golf every day? Included in condo fee! 2/2, 2nd floor, corner unit. Furnished. Golf & water views. Cheerful & ready for you! $149,900.

July

For advertising info please contact:

Angie Schepers

772.633.3777 / salestchl@gmail.com

Austin Schepers

772.766.2744 / salestchl@gmail.com

As we continue to navigate the joys and challenges of homeownership, we’re also mindful of the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship. In this issue, you’ll find practical tips and insights on how to incorporate eco-friendly practices into your daily life, from energy-efficient upgrades to embracing sustainable decor choices.

As we embark on this journey together, let’s celebrate the beauty of our homes and the communities we call home. May this issue inspire you to create a space that brings you joy, comfort, and a sense of connection to the natural wonders that surround us.

Thank you for inviting Treasure Coast Home and Living into your lives. We’re grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your home and look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Warm regards,

Angie Schepers Editor-in-Chief Treasure Coast Home & Living

STUART

JENSEN BEACH

Austin Schepers Sales

Anna

1556

Niemeyer

Port St. Lucie

Homes On The Water

Specializing in Martin & St Lucie Waterfront

StuartHomesForSale.com PalmCityHomesForSale.com

Your own private beach access just steps away! Gated Community of only 12 homes. Key West style home with multiple French doors that open to a lovely courtyard, pool, and poolside cabana/guest suite/ bath. Enjoy sunrises on the beach & sunsets from the community intracoastal dock, both just steps away! The interior offers high ceilings & a freestanding double-sided, coral stone fireplace. Lush tropical landscaping provides privacy. Metal roof, cement siding, impact glass & accordion shutters provide protection. Exterior workshop/gardening room. Conveniently located to downtown Stuart just 10 minutes. Coastal living at its finest! Enjoy Island living & uncrowded beaches! $1,599,000

Twin Lakes / Stuart Whispering Sound / Palm City

Brian Sullivan 772-530-3388 Vanessa Palma 772-302-0888

Intracoastal waterfront 7.4 acre property! Estate & guest house with spectacular picturesque intracoastal views and a private 450-foot, high-quality newer dock. This 4-bedroom 4.5 bath home offers a large theater/ media room, gym, 5 car garage, wood burning fireplace on the second floor, and a third-floor spiral staircase that leads to a perfect private space for an office/loft.

Resort quality 60,000 gal. saltwater pool includes a 6 ft. walk out jacuzzi & water slide. Combined Impact glass, accordion & electric shutters, a 2022 Aluminum roof and 22KW generator protect the house. The home has a base elevation of 30 +feet above sea level too!

Horses are allowed, 1 per acre. At low tide there is a beach along the Intracoastal frontage. $5,200,000

Direct riverfront CBS home with dockage for a 40-foot boat and a 12,000 # boatlift! 3 bedrooms & loft with balcony offering sweeping views of the St Lucie River. 5 minutes to downtown Stuart by boat and 25 minutes to world class fishing offshore! Screened pool for outdoor enjoyment any time of day. Community launching ramp, park & playground too! Bring your RV, trailer, truck, etc. High rated Martin County Schools plus a convenient commuting location to the Palm Beaches. Located on a quiet street with multi- million-dollar waterfront homes in the neighborhood. $1,950,000

The waterfront home you have been waiting for! Comfortably sized .39/acre lot perched high above The Hidden River waterway (NO Flood Insurance Required!!) & eastern exposure. A large, screened Lanai and spacious open pool deck offer plenty of room for family and friends to enjoy. Plenty of protected dockage with a newer 16,000# and a 6,000# boatlift. Minutes by boat to downtown Stuart and the St Lucie Inlet offering world class fishing! Impact glass, accordion shutters metal roof & cement-Hardi-board siding protect the home. Upon entering, the home offers an inviting warm wood-themed setting with a wood burning fireplace and an expanded & updated primary suite with a spacious bathroom and expanded closet space also. Many other home upgrades available on the feature sheet. Bring your RV, trailer, boats, etc., No HOA here! Fenced yard protects your pets. Highly rated Palm City Schools and a very convenient location for commuting are added benefits to this location. $1,150,000

This lakefront 2BR, 2BA, 2nd floor condo has been maintained in top notch condition with an upgraded island kitchen and a fully renovated guest bathroom. The property has newer air conditioner, water heater and ceiling fans and features all impact windows except for the “Florida Room” patio. Detached carport for one vehicle. Living room couch, main bedroom dresser and guest bedroom queen bed with linens convey. Twin Lakes is a vibrant 55+ community with a very active event calendar with various activities and many amenities including a community pool, library, pickleball, weight room, ping pong, shuffleboard, and more! Plus, a low monthly maintenance fee. MLS#M20043250 $249,000

Welcome to Whispering Sound, a vibrant 55+ gated community. Nestled in a serene setting with a view of the clubhouse & pool, this “Grande” villa is the largest 3 BR model at 1577 sf with 3 BR, 2 BA & 2-car garage. Vaulted ceilings, freshly painted interior, all tile floors & open floor plan. Spacious main BR suite with large walk-in closet. Large Pantry & tons of cabinets in Kitchen. Whispering Sound boasts a community pool & clubhouse, pickleball, tennis, shuffleboard and other recreational activities, including a monthly pancake breakfast. 2 pets under 35 lb ok. Close to shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. MLS#M20043843 $380,000

775 SW Alton Circle / Port St. Lucie

Welcome to this stunning two-story home on Alton Circle in Port St. Lucie, with no Homeowners Association. Enjoy a custom granite kitchen with ample cabinet and counter space, tile floors on the ground floor and hardwood floors on the second level. The home boasts 4 bedrooms, with room for a 5th, and 3 full bathrooms. The downstairs bathroom conveniently connects to the laundry room with extra storage. You can work from the in-home office, entertain family and friends in either of the two living rooms, and relax and unwind on the beautiful screened patio. Centrally located near the Florida Turnpike, I-95 and Tradition Parkway, with great shopping and restaurants nearby, your dream home awaits! MLS# RX-10962022 $499,999

Indulge in a Late-Night Oasis:

Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge Transforms Vero Beach Nights

Vero Beach has long been a serene enclave for beachside relaxation, but late-night options have been notoriously scarce—until now. Local entrepreneur, Brandy Buckner, is shaking up the scene with the launch of Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge on Royal Palm Point. This sultry, swanky venue is making waves as the go-to destination for intimate dates and group gatherings looking for an after dark adventure. As we chatted with Brandy, who now boasts four hospitality-driven locations in Indian River County, she shared the inspiration and vision behind her latest venture.

“What can say? like dessert first!” Brandy’s enthusiasm is infectious as she describes her luxurious new lounge. Decked out in colors reminiscent of velvety wines and rich chocolate, Sweet Desires (as she affectionately calls it) lives up to its name from the moment you step inside. Attentive and elegantly dressed staff provide a first-class experience that emphasizes both dessert and hospitality.

both refreshing and exotic. These cocktails are poised to become your go-to favorites, adding an extra layer of magic to your night out.

The venue is a visual feast, from the luxurious purple custom decor throughout to the intimate back room hidden behind a mirrored door. Each corner is a photo-worthy backdrop, some even offering water views. But it’s the culinary creativity that keeps patrons coming back.

Open from Wednesday to Sunday, Sweet Desires was always part of Brandy’s grand plan. But before it could come to fruition, she launched Sweet Desires Espresso Bar on Miracle Mile. “The dessert boutique was always the goal,” Brandy explains referencing her trip to London in early 2022 for inspiration. “But the Royal Palm Point kitchen was too small, so we were fortunate to find the Miracle Mile location.” The espresso bar, now in its first year, offers patrons an early morning haven for gourmet coffee from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brandy’s husband played a crucial role in shaping the espresso bar and the lounge, using his carpentry skills to create modern and functional spaces. But it’s the dessert lounge that holds a special place in Brandy’s heart. From the leather-wrapped, builtin bench in the private party room to the stunning flower wall designed by her best friend, Ruthie Ross, every detail exudes charm.

Guests flock to Sweet Desires for its enticing drinks and sophisticated ambiance. Tantalize your taste buds with handcrafted signature drinks, such as Brandy’s Sangria, which arrives at your table smoking for a dramatic touch, or the Burgundy Bliss Elixir, boasting fruity, herbal notes that are

Sweet Desires will delight taste buds with a mix of savory and sweet. From garlic shrimp and a braised beef crostini with caramelized onions to charcuterie bento boxes, guests can savor savory dishes alongside their desserts. Brandy’s top picks include the Royal Velvet Cake with berry compote and the Marry Me Cheesecake, featuring Rumchata and a homemade spiced rum sauce.

For ice cream lovers, Sweet Desires crafts its own unique flavors, such as ginger & cinnamon ice cream served with their warm Spiced Ginger Peach Cobbler and Stracciatella ice cream in the Seductively Sinful Java Affogato espresso drink—a twist on a classic treat.

Conveniently located near Brandy’s original restaurant, The Crab Stop, guests can dine there before or after indulging at Sweet Desires. A complimentary golf cart ride transports them between the two spots, adding a fun touch to the evening. Guests are also encouraged to arrive in style, bringing their golf carts for a fresh-air experience.

LOVE MOM A BRUNCH THIS MOTHER’S DAY!

Mother’s Day brunch is fast approaching, and we teamed up with our friends at TreasureCoast.com to highlight some of their top picks for brunches throughout the Treasure Coast.

Stuart

The Osceola Street Cafe offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a brunch outing, and is well known around town for having fast, friendly service and a traditionally inspired menu including options for gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary frameworks.

Menu includes the J D Grilled Chicken Panini Wrap, Corn Beef Hash, and Eggs Benedict, alongside a selection of pastries, quiches, and muffins for all ranges of brunch cravings. Best part, sit inside or outdoors; enjoy!

Fort Pierce

You will find something different and oh so fun at Pickled Restaurant & Bar where you can enjoy a Fort Pierce brunch four days a week, from Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

One of the local favorites is The Pickled Board, which is a charcuterie-style board featuring a range of artisan meats, and cheeses including the famous house pimento cheese, pickled veggies, and grilled French bread.

If you are looking to share a starter with a friend, the Cast Iron Queso Flambe brings a fresh queso fresco and house pimento-chorizo together with pickled onions and jalapenos, all flambeed tableside with tequila.

Port St. Lucie

Mama Lisa’s Bistro is a family-owned restaurant perfect for diners who want to depart from chain restaurants and have some old-fashioned American food. The menu is full of flavorful dishes prepared by a talented team of chefs. Everything is cooked from scratch.

Mama Lisa’s has all the staple dishes like eggs Benedict, pancakes, and French toast, yet it is easy to find something new and different, like apple stuffed waffles. The restaurant also has the city’s most highly rated corn beef hash.

Mama Lisa’s Bistro is also very family friendly. The restaurant features a free Pac-Man machine, providing extra fun and entertainment for kids and adults. The bistro has a piano, which staff use to play “Happy Birthday” for diners on their special day, making it a fantastic place to have a birthday brunch in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

For those seeking an excuse to dress up and enjoy an exciting evening out, Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge is the perfect destination. With a marvelous atmosphere, delicious food offerings, and desserts that will make your sweet tooth come alive, it’s time to elevate your night and immerse yourself in a world of indulgence.

For a more traditional brunch dish with a unique twist, the Pickled Benedict lets you choose from either steak, smoked salmon, pork belly, crab, or fried green tomato, served benedict-style, with a healthy side of home fries.

To wash it all down visitors can choose brunch drinks like a mimosa, French mimosa, or bloody Mary in a single or bottomless version.

The dining room at Osceola Street Cafe in Stuart. (Source: Osceola Street Cafe)

Pickled Restaurant & Bar Mama Lisa’s Bistro

Bob Bernier Photography of Riverside Cafe

Helping Seniors and Their Families

Navigate Transition

Transition is not easy but we are here to help by talking with everyone involved in your move.

33 Vista Gardens Trail # 207, Vero Beach

One of the best views in Vista Gardens 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath with washer & dryer in utility room so no having to take your clothes out of the condo to laundry. Fully furnished if you like. Purchase now and enjoy for the season. Priced at $190,000 but open to offers.

Libby Wiseman, Broker

Buyer’s Agents Wanted!

3.

2

Tip: Find a mayo without added sugar because you don’t need sugar in your mayonnaise. These amazing salads taste great without the added sugar. Be sure to look at the food labels for added sugars and choose a mayo without those pesky added sugars. The cilantro and lime give this cold salad an amazing taste!

SleepTrim

SleepTrim features a microencapsulated, extended-release technology that slowly delivers a blend of melatonin, while Capsimax®. Capsicum Extract puts your fat to work providing the benefits of red hot peppers without the burn. If you are not getting the recommended seven-to-eight hours of sleep every night, you may be eating more, exercising less and gaining weight. Quality sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle, and SleepTrim can help you get back on track.

Extended-Release Technology gently delivers melatonin in stages so you can fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed. Relaxation Blend of botanicals (chamomile and passionflower), magnesium and L-theanine help the body relax mentally and physically. Call Angie 772-633-3777 or email at angieschepers@gmail.com.

EXPLORING THE TREASURE COAST & BEYOND

Riverroaminwiththetillerys.com

Making Memories Exploring & Glamping

By Anna Valencia Tillery

SW Everglades for Rivers 97-104

Chokoloskee Island is the end of civilization on Florida’s SW coast it has less than 500 residents. For us River Roamin’ Tillerys, it was our second time coming to the island and the Chokoloskee Island Resort. It is complete with a clubhouse that has a fully operating kitchen and lots of games; all available for use asking folks to simply clean up afterwards and not take anything out.

ramp was a bit steep and beaten, yet it did the job. Once in the water we hit river #97 the Barron, which led us through downtown Everglades City. It was Good Friday so there were more people out and taking air boat tours or sitting outside having lunch, it was warmer and significantly less windy, we were all happy to be outdoors.

Three and half hours, taking all backroads from the Treasure Coast clear to the island, it was super windy that day. Crossing into Chokoloskee the high tide coupled with the strong wind had waves crashing up onto the road as we drove to our weekend retreat. Chris, grounds keeper and host, remembered us, however, as we walked into the office a strong wind and wave combo knocked down the fish cleaning station at the end of their dock right before our very eyes! Though the American flag continued to wave on the corner post of the dock, there was no salvaging the fish cleaning station nor were we able to put our boat in with the rough conditions. We got situated and utilized the common areas to shield ourselves from the high winds. Until that day, we had no idea our son, Charles was such a good ping pong player; he won $15 against mom and dad!

In the evening we met several locals; a communal campfire tends to get people gathering. Boone was a memorable character and gave us most of the run down on the town; glad to have met him even if Michael is not convinced, he caught a 5’ Snook.

That Saturday was a first for our family. We hired a captain. Captain Bruce has a custom boat made to navigate the low and windy waters of the Everglades with ease and was happy to take on our river roaming challenge for the day. He arrived at 7am, drinks and lunches got shuffled into his built-in coolers, loaded with ice and once we were seated, we were off. It was chillier than anticipated, especially when going 30 plus miles per hour, though none of us complained and instead saw the most radiant sunrise. It took nearly a full hour and forty minutes, though we made it to the most southern of our rivers for the day and learned what good tarpon fishing it provided on our 98th river, the Harney. Captain Bruce made quick work of the next rivers and shared stories about each as he meandered us through the wide, shallow waters.

#99 the Broad River had me blown away by how big it was! #100 was a bonus river Captain Bruce know about, the Wood River. Next, was the Rodgers River #101.

Chokoloskee Island Resort

Knowing the tides are extreme that far south, we woke early and prepared to drive a short distance into Everglades City to use the boat ramp at The Rod & Gun Club. Talk about historic! Founded by Barron G. Collier in 1864, Everglades City was home to this prestigious banker and railroad man. He is the area’s first permanent white settler and bought almost all Southwest Florida, running the historic venue as a private club that hosted international dignitaries and several United States presidents. The boat

Located in Everglades National Park 1150 Hamilton Ln, Chokoloskee, FL 34138 (239) 695-2414

We left that river and had a chance to do some fishing. With just a couple jigs, my boys brought in trout one after the other. Then, we went into the chickee course. For those who kayak and enjoy the challenge of primitive camping, this is a journey for you. As for us, it was a delight to do it all by this specially designed boat and visit the chickees as needed for a potty break. Inside the connecting waters, we hit the Lostmans River #102, the Chatham River #103 (here the Watson Place chickee was a visit and came with a history lesson about the outlaw homesteader of the late 1800’s that was a sugar cane plantation owner and serial killer). Our final river of the day was the Huston River for #104. It was worth every penny! Happy river roaming!

ADVERTISING RESERVATION

•

Business

Business

Business Phone: ___________________________________________________

Business

•

PROTECT WHILE ADDING COMFORT WITH WINDOW FILM

Improving Solar & Safety Performance of Door & Window Glass