​At the heart of Closet Factory Jacksonville is a family whose work is deeply rooted in connection, craftsmanship, and care. Jill Flores, alongside her daughter Sierra, husband Marty and son Logan, have built the business not simply as a design company, but as a reflection of how thoughtful spaces can transform everyday life. What began as a shared vision has grown into a family-run operation known throughout St. Johns for its warmth, integrity, and intuitive approach to home organization.

When most people imagine the holidays, they picture roaring fireplaces and snowflakes. But here in Ponte Vedra Beach, we do things a little differently. Our “white Christmas” is made of sandy beaches, our decorations sparkle under palm trees, and our celebrations are just as merry—only with a lot more sunshine and in my case, a pink Christmas tree!


Holiday Entertaining Under the Stars
​
I am personally one to seriously take advantage of our warm winter evenings by moving the party outdoors. String twinkling café lights across your patio or backyard, set the table under a canopy of stars, and let nature provide the atmosphere. A mix of candles and lanterns will add a cozy glow without the need for a fireplace. Bonus: kids can roast s’mores over the fire pit while adults sip festive cocktails al fresco.

Incorporate Local Flair
​
This season, trade in traditional evergreens for something a little more Florida. Think bowls of bright citrus fruits, magnolia leaves, palm fronds, and fresh greenery. Or use whole or sliced oranges and grapefruits as part of your tablescape—they not only look gorgeous but smell amazing too. Add a few sprigs of rosemary for a natural, fragrant touch that feels both coastal and holiday-ready. At the end of your party, provide gift bags for your guests to load up on fresh fruit to take home with them and enjoy.

Serve a Sunshine-Inspired Menu
Instead of heavy, wintry dishes, serve light, fresh foods that reflect our coastal lifestyle. A chilled shrimp platter, citrus-glazed salmon, or a signature “Florida Fizz” cocktail made with sparkling wine and fresh grapefruit are all crowd-pleasers. Finish the night with key lime tartlets or coconut cake for a sweet tropical twist.


Add Playful, Personalized Touches
When hosting a sit down dinner for the holidays I always set out place cards so everyone feels welcome and is not anxious about where to sit. We have the sweetest set in the shop right now for easy handwriting.

Mix in hints of nostalgia and fun—Trivia cards at each place setting or at the bar if you’re hosting a cocktail party, holiday tunes with a beachy twist, colorful ornaments in bowls of sand, or napkin rings made of starfish and ribbon. The key is to create a space that feels festive yet relaxed—where your guests feel right at home, whether they’re in flip-flops or sequins.


Here in Florida, we have the unique gift of celebrating the holidays surrounded by sunshine, friends, and the beauty of the outdoors. So this year, open your doors (and your backyards), embrace the coastal charm, and make memories that sparkle as brightly as the lights on your palm trees.

Local business owners and mother-daughter team Jill and Sierra Flores talked for years about starting a family business. They were looking for one they could be passionate about that would also incorporate their talents and most importantly create a legacy for Sierra to carry on in the future. After doing a lot of research they discovered the ideal company in the Closet Factory. It was unique because it was a franchise with a reputation for excellence nationally and many of its local owners were legacies made up of families running the business together and passing it down. 

“There is something special about multi-generational family-owned businesses where parents work side-by-side with their children to create a legacy for future generations,” says Jill.

This mother-daughter team brings friendly enthusiasm and warmth to everything they do. With a long career in real estate and property management, Jill oversees the business side, while Sierra is the Lead Designer overseeing a team of eight. The business is rounded out by an in-house team of carpenters who custom-make all the wood pieces in their shop and installers who complete projects.

On Being a Woman-Owned Business
Jill and Sierra love owning a business, working together, and creating a legacy for their family. They are passionate about being a woman-owned enterprise. As a way to celebrate this, they are getting ready to launch a podcast called Closets and Cocktails where they will discuss what it is like to own a business as well as interior design tips and trends.


Giving Back
Jill and Sierra both agree giving back to the community is an essential part of their business and they were excited to share the news that the Closet Factory’s national non-profit called Closet Factory Cares is initiating a new program called Bags for Kids.  At no cost to clients, with each new project, they will donate a special bag for foster children in Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay County. The high-quality travel bag is filled with items they can use to go to a new home. 

The ultimate goal for these ladies is to make life better for clients. When a project is complete, instead of a jumbled mess or a bland wall, the new space feels structured, stylish, and truly special with the power to replace stress with peace and function. Closet Factory Jacksonville has been in business since May of 2022. With Jill and Sierra Flores at the helm, they are well on the way to reaching their long-term goal of becoming the number-one name in quality custom closet design in North Florida. Both Sierra and Jill agree the sky is the limit when it comes to the future.

Phill and Rafaela Raposo, owners of River Stonework believe spending as much time as possible outside, enjoying the fresh air, cooking, entertaining, and being together with friends epitomizes the good life in northern St. Johns.  
     Their locally-owned company seeks to provide homeowners with the chance to create their own dream backyard oasis using a combination of paver patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, screen enclosures, and pergolas. They have also added concrete coating to their repertoire of services.
     Exquisite craftsmanship is visible in every aspect of a design by River Stonework. But what exactly goes into each project? In this issue, River Stonework offers our readers a birds-eye view of a project and the transformation of one backyard.
​

Phases of a Project


     They begin each project by visiting the home to see the space and listening closely to the client to learn their ideas. Phill and Rafaela then work with their team of certified outdoor living designers to create a 3d design to help the client envision what the space will look like when completed.  
     
     Once the client is satisfied with the design, installation begins. Everything is incorporated by River Stonework; design, installation, equipment, and materials including appliances, granite countertops, marble, and pavers. They have three in-house crews, each made up of one manager and three supervisors, and their installers. Throughout this process, the team is available to answer any questions and deal with unexpected issues.
​

Country Club Vibe


     The family wanted a stunning outdoor space makeover to complement a new pool installed by Breakwater Pools. The backyard is roughly sixteen-hundred square feet of living space.     
     The concept was country club meets outdoor living room, combined with an existing exterior kitchen and dining space. They wanted a place where the kids could congregate with friends, and they could enjoy cookouts, swimming, and entertaining with neighbors and family.
     The vibe they were going for was high-end, streamlined, light, and bright.  For their color scheme, they chose a lot of greenery, coupled with whites and pale silvery grays, 
     A full overhaul of the ground-level space was key to the project. Large gray-white Italian marble with seamless square edges and coping in the same stone was used for the decking. A beautiful stone fireplace anchors one corner with a backdrop of tall graceful palms. A turf grass accent surrounds the pool, underneath which is a drainage system. The brilliant blue tilework along the edge of the pool was also designed and installed by River Stonework. Plans are in place to add an aluminum pergola later.
     The project timeframe was two months to install the pool and a mere two weeks to install the decking.

​Seeing is Believing


     River Stonework’s artistry speaks for itself as reflected by this amazing project.  Homeowners who wish to upgrade their backyard for their own enjoyment and to increase their home’s value should consider choosing a company like River Stonework with an impeccable reputation for excellence, and a quality guarantee. They have received numerous accolades, including being chosen twice as the favorite hardscape company by Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorites, and have been nominated as one of the best outdoor living companies in Florida. 
     Phill says River Stonework has built everything on its craftsmanship and its reputation. “We do not subcontract our workers. We are 100% reliable and accountable for any project that holds our signature. We are one of the only companies in this industry that gives a 5-year warranty on paver installation and 3 years on screen enclosure installation as well as pergolas and gazebos.”
     As the saying goes, ‘Seeing is Believing’. To learn more about River Stonework and to view additional projects visit www.riverstonework.com or visit their Facebook or Instagram.
​

As Spring begins and people return to the open air, many St. Johns Homeowners are inspired to spruce up their outdoor space with more than flowers. A paver project offers that one-of-a-kind wow factor that transforms a property, increasing its beauty and adding value at the same time.


Jeff Salch, owner of Atlas Pavers enjoys seeing how his designs and installations benefit homeowners. Atlas Pavers is a family-owned Northern St. Johns small business specializing in helping people create inspired outdoor sanctuaries and remodels with stunning, lasting paving projects. 

Jeff started the business in 2005 but his knowledge and experience extend even further, having been in the industry since he was sixteen years old. Jeff grew up in Vernon, NJ, and at age sixteen he started working for a Landscape company. He moved to Boca Raton, Florida at eighteen and started working for a marble company setting tile and pavers. He worked his way up and got an opportunity in Jacksonville to oversee operations at a paver company. He eventually branched off in 2005 and started Atlas Pavers in St. Johns. Today, Jeff and his wife Andrea, and their three children live in St. Johns. They love raising their children here and running the business together. 


For Jeff, each project goes beyond the nuts and bolts of design and installation.  What he likes most about owning his company is the long-term impact he makes in people’s lives.  “I get to create outdoor living spaces for families to enjoy and make memories for years to come. Creating a space where they can relax, entertain and enjoy being outdoors.” 


Atlas Pavers specializes in paving projects of every size and style. Your existing pool deck or driveway may need re-working; perhaps you want to add a perfectly placed retaining wall with a built-in stone bench and fire pit for enjoying summer evenings; perhaps you wish to replace your concrete walkway or patio with elegant pavers. Choosing a design is sometimes overwhelming but Jeff and his team are there to help explore design options that best fit your project and also stay within your budget.


A key aspect of business ownership Jeff appreciates is making connections. He says he enjoys working and meeting all kinds of people and hearing their stories and where they are from. He loves it when a client gives him their trust and allows him to jump in and do what he is best at - designing a custom-made outdoor sanctuary.


What makes Atlas Pavers unique is that Jeff has always stuck with what he is good at and never added additional trades to his company. Essentially, he has become a trusted expert in his field but remains connected. “I meet with every client myself, I am on every job, I even get dirty and help my crew when needed. I’m all hands in with every job for my customers.”


Jeff and Andrea both feel passionate about giving back to the community. Over the years, they have donated to their church, and children’s preschool/schools, and most recently have been a sponsor for their sports. Jeff says, “I hope we can continue to help families make memories while giving back to our youth even after our children are grown.” 


For a chance to see more high-quality projects and inspired sanctuaries by Atlas Pavers, including before and after images, please look for them online at www.facebook.com/atlasmtpPavers  or www.jacksonvillebrickpavers.com or call Jeff and Andrea Salch at (904) 226-3477.

There is an artistry to well-designed stonework and this is clear when you lay your eyes on a project from River Stonework. Owners Phill and Rafaela Raposo specialize in creating beautiful outdoor spaces where family and friends can relax and enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns. River Stonework will transform your backyard space with a gorgeous paver patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or stunning pergola with harmony, quality, and a unique aesthetic.


The couple brings warmth and passion to their work and is truly living the American dream. Phill and Rafaela are both originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil known for friendly people, beautiful beaches, and a culture of celebration. They met in college in California, fell in love, and started a successful stone business in San Diego in 2007.  In 2015, they relocated to Miami Florida but their love of nature brought them north to St. Johns. Today, the family, including their 10-year-old son, lives in Rivertown in northern St. Johns, where they enjoy the sense of community, natural setting, and great schools.


Phill loves what he does as it incorporates his passion for beauty and his philosophy of enjoying life. He says his own family spends as much time as possible outside enjoying the fresh air, cooking, dining, and entertaining friends.  He believes being outside offers a kind of positive cultural shift, and is a game changer for people, especially if they have come from northern climates.


The couple travels all over the world for inspiration for their work in places like Brazil, Italy, Spain, and France, integrating foreign design trends they find into what they bring to people’s homes here.


Rafaela has a masterful eye for design. Her father was an engineer and she later worked in the stone business for many years, having worked on thousands of diverse projects.

“We begin with an empty space and a dream”, says Phill when describing their process. Then Rafaela comes in to show homeowners the possibilities of what they can do with that space. A 3-D digital model is created to help visualize how the design will look in a particular backyard.


Installation is completed by River Stonework’s own crew, many of whom are bi or tri-lingual immigrants who value what it means to have the opportunity for success here. Many have come from humble beginnings and challenging situations, and as a result, they have a strong passion and determination. This philosophy is the cornerstone of their business model.


“America was built on an immigrant mentality. It is not just a country but an idea. When you embrace the culture, learn the language, respect the values and principles, you become American.”


Each completed project is a unique work of art. Phill says that many factors come into play to please his customers, not only the work itself but the ability to communicate, to pay attention to small details, a sense of morals, high integrity, and hard work.  “If you do that and go above and beyond every day, that is what it takes”.


River Stonework is also a full-service company, that will take you from design to installation, to the finishing  touches all under one roof so that homeowners do not have to worry about what they may need after the installation such as a screen enclosure or a beautiful pergola.


The company has recently expanded its business model to include offices in Daytona, Palm Coast, St. Petersburg,  and Sarasota where they are helping others to live the American dream.


At the end of a week of work, you can find Phill and Rafaela relaxing with friends in their own backyard  oasis under the stars, visiting the beach, or having drinks and dinner in beautiful St. Augustine.

​by Nikki-Lyn Holm & 
The Coastal Home Group
904-327-2797

St. Johns County - North 
Statistics for January 2020: 

$328
The median sales price year to date is $328,000 which is up 7.4%,
this means homes are selling at a higher price point from last year.

84
Homes are sitting for an average of 84 days.

345
The Northern region of Saint Johns boasted 345 new listings in January,
which was an increase of 12% from last year.

178
Northern Saint Johns closed 178 transactions, which was up 11.9% from last year.
This means more properties are closing in 2020! 



Nocatee Market Statistics 
for January 2020: 

$430
The median sales price for Nocatee is $430,000 which is up 12.9% from last year. 

78
Houses are spending 78 days on the market, which has dropped by 7.8%.
Homes are selling a bit faster than this time last year. 

88
Nocatee had 88 new listings in January, which is up 6%.

53
There were 53 closings as well; homes are selling 26.2% more than a year ago. 

Nocatee is one of the fastest growing communities in Florida
with top rated schools of the Saint Johns school district. 


Whether you are looking to buy or sell in Northern Saint Johns county or Nocatee,
​please reach out to the local experts to get the job done with a five-star experience!

What are your local real estate goals? 

Are you in St. Johns Country or Nocatee and thinking of selling your home?
​Give The Coastal Home Group a call! 904-327-2797

​by George L. Ballou, II
Broker Associate & Private Office Advisor
Menton & Ballou Group
Engel and Voelkers
904.687.6140 / George.Ballou@evusa.com

When my Jamie and I moved to Nocatee over 10+ years ago we moved into the 55+ age restricted Del Webb Ponte Vedra community. The move to Nocatee seemed like a leap of faith in many ways. As midwest transplants, Florida always conjured up images of broken promises made by builders
and developers.

For those of you unfamiliar with Nocatee let me give you the big picture; over 13,000 acres less than 10+ minutes to the ocean and PVBeach shopping and clubs with 65% of the total land mass dedicated to preserve and protected areas! We are between I-95 and A1A and are serviced by the Nocatee Parkway which is also a primary evacuation route during severe storms…we are not in the hurricane zone!

Going back to our arrival in 2009, Nocatee as well as the rest of the country was in the beginning stages of the recession. There were no grocery stores, banks or gas stations and the iconic Splash Water Park was barely off the drawing board. I believe there were only about 500 homes in Nocatee at that time spread out between 5 different developments. Del Webb which was slated to have 1900+ homes when finished only had 117 homes at that point with no owner’s club…we all just hung out in the Discovery Center which was also the sales office.

Today we look back at what has happened since those days and it is shockingly impressive! Promises made turned out to be promises kept! The Parc Group who are the master developers of Nocatee have made sure that our community is constantly evolving.

There are now 44 different “neighborhoods” in Nocatee of which 18 are already totally built out…only resales in those areas. Total occupied homes now approaches 8,500 with a population estimated to be over 25,000. We now have one of the largest Publix in NE Florida which is currently opening their 25,000 sft Greenwise store just across the road. Ben & Jerry’s is opening this summer, Panera Bread just opened, we have banks, gas stations, numerous restaurants like Dick’s Wings, South Kitchen, MShack,
the Loop, Coastal Wine, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Wendy’s and many more coming.

Other enhancements to the Nocatee Life-Style are two gorgeous K-8 schools as well as pre-school facilities like Primrose, the Starling Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities, apartments like the Reserve, new and fun amenities called the Spray Park, our own Amphitheatre, athletic facilities for soccer, tennis and pickleball, fenced dog park with their own pond, a swim club, storage facilities, a county kayak launch into the intracoastal waterway and bike and golf cart trails throughout Nocatee!

We have fitness centers and major commitments to Nocatee’s medical services by Baptist and Flagler Medical Centers including a YMCA, as well as urgent care and emergency response facilities keeping us healthy, active and happy!

If Nocatee sounds exciting, come take a look! Stop by the Nocatee Welcome Center located at the Splash Water Park and Town Center Offices…tell them George sent you!

If you have any questions or you need a Realtor who knows Nocatee new construction, resales or rentals please feel free to give me a call.

​Finding the perfect home comes with plenty of exciting decisions for your family to make. Shearwater, a master-planned community, was meticulously designed for today’s way of life with every family in mind. As one of the fastest-growing communities in St. Johns County, Shearwater continues to meet the needs of current and future residents, while remaining true to its vision of fostering healthy living, community engagement and a connection to the outdoors. So, why make the move?

Premium Location
Just 20 minutes from Florida’s Historic Coast, Shearwater is located in the heart of St. Johns County within close proximity to everyday conveniences such as grocery stores and schools, as well as a variety of cultural, sport and entertainment opportunities in two major cities: Jacksonville and St. Augustine.  

Shearwater is just down the road from Johns Creek Center and another growing retail shopping center, the Pavilion at Durbin Park. Shearwater residents can easily access these commercial retail centers which includes numerous well-known stores such as Walmart, Home Depot and Publix. The area continues to grow even more with lifestyle retailers, restaurants and entertainment options. 

Jacksonville is a metropolis where you can cheer on sports teams like the Jaguars and the Icemen or enjoy world-class entertainment at venues like the Florida Theatre, Daily’s Place, Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Area or the Jacksonville Symphony Hall. And experience the arts at the Cummer Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s a dynamic city with major employment hubs, international transportation and logistics, 22 miles of beaches and a burgeoning culinary scene.

​St. Augustine is a seaside community that blends historic ambiance with thoroughly modern shops, restaurants and more. At this staycation destination, just down the road from Shearwater, residents are able to visit iconic monuments and museums while experiencing recreation at some of Northeast Florida’s favorite culinary spots, attractions and world-class golf courses.

Better Schools,
Better Future
School is back in session and Shearwater’s students will continue to access excellent schools. St. Johns County was recently rated by Niche as the #1 Best School District in Florida according to Niche’s 2020 Best School Districts. Shearwater’s youngest residents are zoned for the following schools: Timberlin Creek Elementary, Switzerland Point Middle School, and Bartram Trail High School. 

Timberlin Creek Elementary, is located within the Shearwater community – just a short walk away for residents and their children. 

Switzerland Point Middle School serves grades 6-8 and seeks to empower all students with a passion for learning and deep empathy for others.
 
Bartram Trail High School offers students the choice between a curriculum or specialized training tailored to each student’s interests and aptitudes.

Resort-Style Amenities
Shearwater is committed to providing its residents with the very best in world-class amenities.  The Kayak Club, Shearwater’s amenities epicenter, includes a large clubhouse, an expansive Fitness Lodge, lap pool, resort-style pool, the longest lazy river in Northeast Florida, “The Perch” 3-story waterslide tower, playground, sports fields and four illuminated Har-Tru tennis courts. 

Residents can begin their days running or jogging the 15 miles of trails throughout Shearwater before heading over to The Hub, a Wi-Fi café within the Kayak Club. The Hub serves grab-n-go food items as well as provides a gathering space for residents to spend time with neighbors. 

The Falls neighborhood recently debuted several new amenities, including Falls Park; the Falls loop trail that enhances the community’s already robust trail network; Shearwater’s first dog park, which includes one fenced park for large dogs and one for smaller dogs; and a community garden for residents to plant flowers, herbs and vegetables year-round. 

Falls Park, Shearwater’s newest and most expansive park, is centrally located in the heart of Shearwater and offers four-acres worth of outdoor opportunities including a lake overlook pavilion, shaded picnic pavilion, a tot lot, an event lawn and multi-purpose paved pathways.

Total Lifestyle 
Experience 
The Shearwater lifestyle is more than just great amenities, it’s about bringing those amenities to life by integrating them with a variety of activities that bring neighbors closer together. As the full-time Lifestyle Director for Shearwater, Dylan Read leads the community’s unique approach to lifestyle programming and activities. From day one, Read works with Shearwater families directly to develop events and activities that fit their interests, ranging from casual coffee dates and specific fitness classes to community concerts and holiday events.