Thankful.

With Thanksgiving a day away we wanted to take a moment and reflect on what we are all truly thankful for this holiday season. 

I'm thankful for...

MaryAnne-  Two of the three that make every hard day worth it

Annie- my incredible little family + our new home!

Anna- My niece and nephew (even though it’s impossible to get a pic where they both look genuinely happy). And I’m thankful for another niece on the way and due in Febuary!

Katie-An amazing husband who's always up for an adventure!

Amanda-A world of diversity and the curiosity to explore it

Erica- My favorite person • My everything • My mom

Heather- my family!

Emily- the ones that make me believe in magic, kindness, and all things good.

Featured Listing: 15799 Bainebridge Drive

Jacksonville's Northside is on fire!  With close proximity to the airport, Amazon's fulfillment center, and the ever expanding River City Marketplace, this area of Jacksonville is the perfect place to call home.  

If you're looking to be in an area close to restaurants, shops, and a quick ride to hop on a plane to your next vacation then this home is for you!  This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home was built in 2014 and with 2,139 square feet it has plenty of room for easy, everyday living.  Freshly painted interior, new ceiling fans, beautiful crown molding, closet organizers, and a 3 car garage that is extra deep are just a few of the wonderful things to love about this home. When you walk in you will notice the office with french doors on the right and the entryway that leads into the open kitchen and spacious living room. The master bedroom offers privacy in the back, while the other bedrooms share a common space perfect for lounging, a second office, or a play room. This home has it all in a rapidly developing and desirable area of Jacksonville.  See it for yourself!

MLS #:  905332

Photos by Residential Photography Solutions

Client Spotlight: Lori and Warren's Mid-Century Modern Bungalow

Lori and Warren purchased their home in Jacksonville last year and and have carefully curated a beautiful space of mid-century modern design. They kindly let us take a look and shared a bit about the individual pieces, upcoming projects, and their neighborhood. 

What drew you to mid-century design?
We became interested in mid-century design when we purchased our first home in St Petersburg.  The house is very small and we had to make the most of our space.  Before we purchased the house, we really didn't have a style, just a lot of our old furniture from our single days.  This was our first chance to combine our styles and get items that we picked out together.  Mid-century fits well in a small space and we really fell in love with the clean lines and bright colors.    

Which is your favorite room in your house? 
The living room is our favorite room.  We spend the most time there and it feels very bright and happy.  It is also a very comfortable space for us to spend time with our dog.   

You have done a fantastic job of curating every piece in your home. Which are your favorite items? How did you acquire them? 
The teak china cabinet from my grandmother is the most special piece to me.  It is filled with memories from my childhood as it was in her home, in the same spot until she passed.  I suppose that very piece might have been what drew me to mid-century from the beginning.  It's such a classic MCM piece and I'm lucky to have so many memories attached to it.  The dining room table is also one of our favorite pieces.  It is a double drop leaf table with 8 legs, very unique.  Again, it has the very classic MCM style that we love.  My grandmother owned and operated a thrift store for years and continued to operate it until she became sick in early October last year.  She was 91 and still opened the store almost every day and dining table came from her store. The bottoms of the dining chairs have the furniture store name, a date of 1961 and a price of $45 per chair in pencil, cursive writing.  All we had to do was give the table a good cleaning and reupholster the seats.  

What will your next home project be?
We are very excited to create a living space in the back yard.  We have a good size yard that really gives us a blank slate to work from.  We know that we want an outdoor dining area and a fire pit but not sure what else yet.  

What do you appreciate most about you’re your neighborhood, Glynlea? 
The neighbors are the absolute best part of this area.  Most have lived here for 20+ years and were so welcoming from day one.  It is a very safe, clean and friendly community.

Where is your favorite place to spend time in Jacksonville?
We have only lived in the area for a little over a year now so we still enjoy exploring Jacksonville.  So far, we really like San Marco and Riverside as it reminds us a little bit of St Petersburg.  We are big on breakfast dates and love Metro Diner and Beach Diner but our favorite dinner spot so far is Black Sheep.  

Thank you Lori and Warren for opening your home to us!

-Heather De Laurentis

Murrary Hill Gem

Murray Hill has recently taken off as one of the hottest neighborhoods in Jacksonville! Over the past couple of years, amazing restaurants, successful small businesses, and newly renovated homes have brought historic Murray Hill into the spotlight. One family-owned business, Faith Jewelers, has called Murray Hill home for over a decade, and paved the way for local entrepreneurs in this unique area.

I met with John Strickland, manager of Faith Jewelers, to learn more about the jewelry store and his family!

How did you decide to get into that business?
I’m not sure that there was a conscious decision on my part to become a jeweler. I’ve been around the jewelry business for most of my life! When I was a kid, my mom worked at her best friend’s jewelry store in downtown Jacksonville. I would go there after school and clean and polish jewelry for customers.  Years ago, just after her friend passed away, Mom decided to open her own jewelry store in Murray Hill. So I’ve been here in some capacity since the beginning, except for the time that I was a student at Florida State.

When did your business first open?
Mom opened Faith Jewelers on November 2, 2004. It’s easy for me to remember because November 2nd is election day. We’ve been here for almost 13 years now.

Is there a story behind the name of your business?
8 out of 10 small businesses fail within their first year, so opening any business can be a risky endeavor. That’s especially true when opening a fine jewelry store, because it costs so much money to stock the merchandise that people expect—gold chains, diamond engagement rings, birthstone jewelry, etc. My grandfather put the idea in my mother’s head about starting the business, but she was scared to death about finding the capital to open. My family isn’t rich, and at the time my dad (who was a K9 officer for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office) was the only source of income for our family. She put a lot of thought and prayer into the decision, and in the end, she decided to “step out on faith” and open the store. They mortgaged the house, and trusted the Lord, and that’s why she named it Faith Jewelers.

Gwen and JR Strickland- Owners of Faith Jewelers

What is a fun fact about your business?
We are masters of affordable customization. Speaking as a millennial, millennials LOVE having custom jewelry made, because we are all very special snowflakes, and each of us is unique among other snowflakes. So when it comes to a jewelry item that you wear every day—like an engagement ring—you really want it to speak to your own personal style.

The problem with custom design is that it’s typically very expensive, because you’re paying a person to design the jewelry item, then carve a wax model of it, then use the wax model to cast the jewelry item in gold or silver, and then they have to set all of the stones into it by hand—diamonds or whatever gemstones you choose.

We can do that the old-fashioned way, but my favorite thing is customization rather than custom. One of my favorite lines that we carry—Ever & Ever—allows us to take a ring that you like, and change the design online in real time (set different shapes, sizes or colors of stones, add or takeaway design components like halos and filigree, change the finish, you name it…) to make an end product that you absolutely love. The difference in cost is pretty remarkable, too. About $600-$1000 to the customer for a setting that would otherwise cost thousands.

A handful of the incredible custom diamond rings Faith Jewelers has made

What is the most rewarding aspect of your business?
Jewelry is special. If you think about many of the important moments in your life, jewelry is often involved. An engagement ring is probably the most ubiquitous example, but there are others: a mother’s ring or pendant for your wife after the birth of a child, a strand of pearls or a watch for someone who is about to graduate from school, or handing down a special heirloom when a loved one passes away. I think what is most rewarding is that I’m always getting to meet new customers, and they often wind up being friends because I catch them right before or right after some of their more meaningful milestones. It’s a special bond. I’m reminded of a customer that I had at the beginning of the year. It was a 94 year old woman who brought in an inexpensive Star of David pendant in sterling silver, that was set with marcasite stones. Her grandmother wore it when she came to America from Austria to flee the Holocaust. It had already been passed through three generations of women in the family, and she wound up giving it to her granddaughter that weekend when she turned 18.

John showing me the process of buffing, polishing, and rhodium-plating my rings!

What is your favorite local Jax restaurant?
Oh that’s a tough one. Can I pick two? I love the pork chop at Orsay, but the chicken and waffles at Moxie is pretty life changing, too. Okay, three. M Shack.

What is your favorite thing to do on a sunny Saturday?
Well, the jewelry store is open on Saturdays, so my weekend starts on Sunday. I usually roll out of bed, go to church, go eat somewhere, take a nap, wake up got to the Y (maybe), then head to the Dreamette for a birthday cake-dipped ice cream cone. And then it’s Netflix. Right now I’m watching Stranger Things.

What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday?
I’m kind of a nerd, so I usually like sitting on the front porch with a good book. 

How long have you lived in Jax?
Pretty much my whole life. I went to FSU, so except for the few years that I lived in Tallahassee, and my first job after college in Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville has always been home.

What part of town do you live in?
Not quite Riverside, not quite Ortega. I think the official name is “Fairfax Manor?”

I am treated like family every time I walk into Faith Jewelers! The warm smiles, customization, and attention to detail make this gem of a store stand out. Be sure to stop by and say hi next time you’re in Murray Hill!

EVERYDAY I’M SPARKLIN’

Faith Jewelers – 1165 S. Edgewood Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32205 – (904) 388-3340

Local Spotlight: BARK's Jamee Yocum

Tell us a little about yourself and how long you have lived in Jacksonville?

Needless to say I'm an extreme dog lover, I've been in Jacksonville for a decade and have lived in Riverside, Downtown, San Marco and have recently purchased a home in Springfield. I love attending community events, concerts, gardening and dining at some of Jacksonville's amazing restaurants.

What inspired you to start your own business and why did you choose a doggie boutique?

I've always had a dream of owning my own business. I worked at a Dog Boutique during high school in South Florida and LOVED it! I've always been a huge supporter of local business, and couldn't be more proud that I'm part of that community.  

Why did you choose your location in 5 Points and your second location in downtown Jax?

When I opened Bark years ago, Riverside was an up and coming neighborhood and I knew 5-points had great potential, plus lots of dogs!  I knew then, I had to jump at the opportunity to open a store. I see the exact same potential in Downtown, Jacksonville.

What are some services BARK in 5 Points offer and your downtown location? 

Bark in 5-Points specializes in Grooming, Boarding, Daycare and Training. We also have a boutique filled with high quality products, organic food, home made treats and birthday cakes!

Bark Downtown is a dog retail boutique dedicated to the downtown working and living community. This location is designed for a quick grab and go, dog food pickup. We also offer dog food delivery and dog walking to the Downtown and Riverside residents.

What is your favorite part of being in business for yourself and your favorite part of BARK?

In all honestly, my favorite part of being in business for myself is being able to run a business the way I believe it should be ran. It's fun to experiment with new and creative ideas. For almost a decade, I've met some amazing people and have made some great friends by owning this business. My customers mean the world to me. My favorite part of Bark is easy, the dogs!

Rodriguez Renovations

#RodriguezRenovations have come to a close, and now this adorable bungalow is on the market! They made their mark on this home and are now ready to move onto a home with one more bedroom to welcome the newest member of their sweet family.

If you want to see more pictures or schedule a time to get inside check out this link!