Steve Milkey and Patricia Sterling
7826 Heather Lake Ct E
The Deercreek home for January 2026 is an excellent example of landscaping that is harmonious with its surroundings, and highlights that environmentally friendly, and Florida Friendly (FLF) can be elegant and subtle.
This property is next to a common property area with lush magnolias and shrubs which frame the landscape. From the street it is easy to see a variety of native plants, as well as popular shrubs (Podocarpus ‘Pringle,’ Viburnum, blue daze, and various azaleas) that are able to withstand the challenges of Florida weather.
The oak tree in a bed of Asiatic Jasmine not only reduces the amount of turf (FLF) but adds visual interest through the creative use of edging. The jasmine also serves as the mulch (FLF), not only reducing the amount of turf, but also keeping the roots from drying out too quickly.
In the summer of 2017, the homeowners, Patricia Sterling and Steve Milkey, had been looking at houses in Jacksonville for several months. One morning their realtor called to say he had spotted a new listing. The minute they saw the home, they knew they had found a gem. And, that it was in Deercreek, where Steve’s brother, Mike Milkey and his family live, was a bonus.
There are many features of the home that Patricia and Steve love, especially the warm gold color of the exterior accented with black iron ornamentation. She describes it as sort of Tuscan Old Florida, with an interior layout that is open and welcoming. They moved to Jacksonville from the New York Metro Area in 2011 and lived in a high-rise downtown. Their five years in a condo helped them transition from a metropolis of 8 million people and 24/7 activity to a very different lifestyle in Jacksonville. Patricia and Steve adore living in Deercreek. Every day they appreciate the mature-growth landscaping that is both beautiful and well maintained. They value the friendly residents, the great amenities, and the enhanced security.
A little about Patricia and Steve:
They were married in 2007. Steve enjoyed a career in sales and sales management. He started as a Sales Associate in Jacksonville, where he was born and raised, and retired as General Manager of Northern Europe. Since moving to Deercreek, he has served on the Deercreek Common Property and Finance Committees of the HOA, and on the Board from 2018 to 2022. Steve is an avid golfer. For many years Patricia trained to become a professional dancer and then established a career as a communication and marketing professional, with stints in corporate, nonprofit, and professional services. Since retiring, she has volunteered at the Cummer Museum and at the nonprofit Girls, Inc. She has led the Deercreek Book Club since 2020, and attends weekly fitness classes, which include bootcamp at Deercreek with Carol Whitmire.
