Beach Combing Great shopping on Amelia Island

Notable Necklace

Gevole Jewelry is designed and hand-made in France. Crafted from porcelain and natural leather, this unique and original jewelry is pure and simple in style, like this beautiful necklace ($55) and earrings ($39) set. Available at Shoe Visions, Th e Shops at Amelia Market (near Harris Teeter), 4802 First Coast Hwy., Ste. 440. (904) 277-0909.

Magnifi cent Mugs

At Hudson & Perry, in addition to well-curated vintage, retro, and eclectic gifts, you’ll fi nd these gorgeous ecology mugs! Classic camp mug style in tin to last for years. Perfect for the bird lover, gardener, fi sherman, or aspiring astronomer in your life! $14. Available at Hudson & Perry, 319 Centre Street. (904) 844-2442.

Glamorous Garb

Refresh your wardrobe for spring and summer with musthave items like this Lilly Pulitzer dress, $34; Izzy and Ali purse, $18; necklace, $20; and Classon Walk sandals, $14. Available at Fifi ’s Fine Resale Apparel, Th e Shops at Amelia Market (near Harris Teeter), 4802 First Coast Highway. (904) 310-3773.

Spectacular Sandollar

If you’re ready to add a little island style to your home, don’t miss Amelia’s Attic’s coastal wall art selection, including this Sandollar/Starfi sh Aqua Wood piece that measures 50 in. x 24 in. $159. (A variety of Sea Life Wall Art pieces are available.) Amelia’s Attic Furniture, 2164 Sadler Road. (904) 277-2095.

Right: Oyster Reef greets visitors with a warm welcome in Blue Heron hues as a nod to the abundant wildlife around the property. Below: Th e white-on-white living space is exquisite, with its elegant décor and original wood-burning fi replace. Th e oyster signage is an antique Alexis found on the eastern shore of Maryland.

oysterreef

BY JULIE SIMMONS PHOTOS BY NEAL SMITH, ECVT PHOTOGRAPHY

Alexis Reynolds fi rst visited Amelia Island 45 years ago. Now, just 44 short years later, she is here, and here to stay!

“When my realtor, Sandy Moser, and I pulled up to this house, the view sold me,” says Alexis. Positioned under a canopy of oaks and surrounded by indigenous landscaping and citrus trees sits the beautiful home that Alexis has named “Oyster Reef,” after the 7-foot tidal creek abounding with oyster beds in her backyard.

Th e property came with loads of character and a very unique beginning. “Th e original owner was an architect and craftsman, who designed and hand-built this house in 1977. He put exceptional care into every detail, and the build and fi nishes are as solid as they come. Sometimes even too solid, like when I wanted to move cabinets that just won’t come out!” she laughs. “Th e only problem was that it also came in fi fty shades of brown.”

But that was no obstacle for Alexis, who is an artist, botanist, high school educator, and designer. With her own two hands

and just a little help, she has given Oyster Reef a complete makeover. “First, I painted everything white! Sea Pearl, to be exact.” And she’s not kidding. From ceiling to walls to trim, it is bright and gorgeous, especially paired with the French oak plank fl ooring.

From there, her talent for design is evident in the custom, upholstered, and refi nished antique pieces. “I’ve been planning for a home in Florida for many years, and I have been saving special pieces that came through my studio over the years, along with Nantucket antiques and treasures I inherited from my grandparents.” Th e result is exquisite, all with Alexis’s special touches.

“Th ere are certain themes I wanted to carry through the design,” says Alexis. “One was to include odes to the wildlife around me, another to leverage Gustavian Swedish infl uence as a nod to my dad’s family, and a third was to optimize my blue antique glass collection.”

Top: Oyster Reef’s kitchen features an antique oven coated in blue, along with an antique carved wooden shell from Black Rock, Connecticut. Middle: Th e dining space, with its antique Nantucket ribbon-back Chippendale chairs, off er a front seat to Oyster Reef’s abundant natural beauty. In the afternoons, Alexis loves to see the sun rays glisten through the crystal. Above: Th e kitchen cabinetry and countertops are original, and the abundance of open shelving are accented perfectly with Alexis’s collectibles.

Top: Th e master suite is a favorite indoor space. Th e suite has stunning views that “feel brand-new every single day.” It also features a gorgeous, original stained-glass window. Middle: Th e guest room named Ocean Room features Fallow Deer and Eland Antelope, inspired by Sagamore Hill, Th eodore Roosevelt’s home on Oyster Bay, Long Island. Above: Th e second guest suite is named Coral Room and features a gorgeous vertical ceiling. Alexis paid homage to her heritage with the Scandinavian girl on the bedside table.

Alexis accomplished her goals with artwork, blue heron paint, beautiful carved-wood furniture like her Swedish Mora clock, and her aqua glass bottle collections, which subtly glitter throughout the design. A cherished touch is her antique oven, coated in blue by Ocean Air Coating, which sits under the original brick backsplash.

Alexis completed her redesign in record time and has been enjoying it ever since. “I just love painting and entertaining on my back patio overlooking the river – especially at sunset,” she smiles. An interesting fact about her patio is that it is paved with original Centre Street bricks, and it is also the place her dog, Auggie, most enjoys – along with the many squirrels who count on peanuts from Alexis for dinner! Th e master suite might be her favorite indoor space. “I removed a wall to open the room and allow for more natural light. Th e entire suite has stunning views that feel brand new every single day.”

Alexis isn’t the only one loving Oyster Reef. Her three adult kids and their friends can’t get enough of it, even when they have to drive from Colorado, North Carolina, and Illinois to visit. “Th e Nantucket Cottage” adjacent to the main home is perfect for guests, especially now that she has fi nished updating the kitchenette.

When Alexis isn’t enjoying Oyster Reef, you can meet her downtown in her newly opened antique furniture shop, Atlantic Coast Design, at 25 S. 3rd Street. “I got started in this business by helping friends refi nish their pieces, and soon I needed a shop, and then a bigger shop, and I am thrilled to have a refreshed studio here on the island to share my work.”

Alexis abounds with creativity and energy and says she loves her redesign at Oyster Reef “so far,” but she promises that it’s never fi nished. “I’m always upgrading to suit what I need,” she says with a smile.

Top: Th e Nantucket Cottage is nestled in natural landscaping and off ers a private bath and kitchenette. Middle: Th e back patio, with its original Centre Street bricks, is the perfect space for entertaining at sunset. Bottom: Alexis loves to welcome family and friends, and her guest suites and cottages are the perfect abodes.

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OOver the past year, most of us have spent more than ample time in our homes experiencing “home life” like we never imagined. As a result of our hours staring at our walls or maybe battling for space to make it through the workday, a signifi cant uptick in home upgrades and redesigns has developed. If you have ventured to our local home stores and experienced the crowds, you know what I am talking about! For 2021, new design trends are one more sign of our times, and local designers are adding their own valuable perspectives. “Life has changed, and if there was ever a time to think about an upgrade, it’s now,” says Robyn Branch of Robyn Branch Design. “I believe that your personality and surroundings dictate your style, not trends. Designers recognize trends before they happen and tire of them quickly. But what we never tire of is ‘you!’ Individuality is paramount in your home.” Th is past year has certainly set us up for a great pandemic chic fl owering of individuality. For example, many homeowners are turning small closets and nooks into offi ces and study spaces to accommodate our “new normal.” Or maybe it’s the opposite! If you are like me, your open home offi ce was no longer suffi cient, so a guest bedroom corner is the new best bet. Following suit is the emergence of “designated spaces” in the Since most of us have been hanging around the house a home. Th e open fl oor plan is very prevalent in modern lot more in this past year of Covid, changes to the living design, but the pandemic is demanding distinct spaces and work areas in our homes have become the norm. as we merge our home, work, and school lives, and families are opting for greater separation between their living and working spaces.BY JULIE SIMMONS While interior changes are in demand, outdoor living upgrades have accelerated to all new levels. “Clients are investing in outdoor spaces, including better quality and comfortable furnishings,” notes Tiff any Hinton, designer and founder of Lola Interiors. Th is development is a testament to our homes evolving as our world changes, meeting our need to reconnect with neighbors and friends. As we think about home upgrades and timing, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows! “I’m not saying you should sink your savings into your home, but defi nitely upgrade, and now is the time. Prices for everything are only going to go up because of high demand. Be prepared to pay more, and be patient!” says Robyn. “Patience is the new shiplap!” echoes Tiff any. “Everything is backordered, from appliances to fl ooring to lighting and windows. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t coming!”

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As you begin to think about your palates, Tiff any shared that the natural elements and hues that were dominant last year are still great choices. “Natural wood tones in cabinetry, as well as for wall and ceiling treatments, are something we are encouraging and that our clients are requesting. We are also seeing these textures in furniture, light fi xtures, and rugs,” she says.

“Ceiling treatments are another way we are adding dimension and texture to our projects with wood cladding and wood beams - both stained and painted, wallpaper, and even contrasting paint,” she adds. For the kitchen, these same organic wood-grain hues are prevalent. To keep the design interesting, Tiff any and team are encouraging clients to invest in custom, statement kitchen hoods. “Mixed metal and plaster are two of our current favorites.”

With so many DIY trends and neighbors upgrading, it’s easy to get emotional and make fast decisions. Robyn cautions against the temptation. “Educate yourself and hire a designer to guide you. No half jobs. Do it right! Th ere are a ton of people wanting a partial ‘update’ right now. Th is is not the way to think about it, since most of us are in our homes for the long term!”

Whether you are contemplating a redesign or not, you’re still winning because life on Amelia Island is always trending!

now life in the

Embrace the possibilities.

Whether it’s quality time with the kids or front porch chats with neighbors, there’s no such thing as a missed opportunity in Wildlight. Every corner of our community is designed for living life to the fullest – connected to nature, wellness, convenience and most importantly, each other.

Stop by the StoryCenter or visit wildlight.com.

New homes from the mid $200s.