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Our home addition diaries

A behind-the-scenes look at the professionals doing their own reno.

Welcome to Our Home Addition Diaries, where we open the doors (…and walls… and floors…) to our own renovation journey.

Like many families, we hit that familiar crossroads: move or improve?

After walking through the exact process we take our customers through—checking the market, comparing build vs. buy, looking at available land—we landed right back where we started: home.

We love our neighborhood. We love our schools. We love the bones, quirks, and charms of our house. And with a smart plan, we found an affordable way to stay here longer and get the space we need. Rather than relocating, we decided to expand and reconfigure our current space, including:

  • Adding a dedicated office with natural light
  • Creating a guest room with a private bathroom
  • Modifying the floor plan for better flow and cozy zones
  • Installing a new fireplace wall

So, here we are: inviting you along for the dust, the design decisions, the muddy mishaps, and the dog drama.

Jump to the latest update (or settle in and binge the whole saga.)
1. Beautiful backyard with potted plants, a lawn, stone pathway, and outdoor seating area, perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
1. Bright open-concept dining and living area with hardwood flooring, modern chandelier, and elegant decor, showcasing stylish furniture and natural light from large windows.
Cozy living room with a decorative fireplace, large wall-mounted flat-screen behind a patterned wallpaper accent wall, beige sofas, and a small dog lounging. Bright natural light from windows adds warmth to the space.
Newly constructed white modern house with multiple stories under construction, featuring large windows and a sloped roof, surrounded by a landscaped yard and construction materials.
Modern living room with unfinished wall framing, featuring a beige sofa, floral armchairs, a round side chair, a square coffee table, and a black chandelier, highlighting a home renovation or construction project.
Newly landscaped backyard under construction at a modern white house with lush green grass, potted plants, and a clear blue sky, showcasing custom home exterior features and garden preparation.
Merrill Renovation Mood Boards 02
A luxurious backyard with a swimming pool, white lounge chairs, an umbrella, and lush greenery, showcasing modern outdoor living space designed by John Merrill Homes.
1. Modern two-story house under construction with white siding, large windows, and a backyard patio, featuring ongoing landscaping work.

pictures

Before Work Begins
1. Modern white two-story house with front porch, surrounded by lush landscaping and a brick paver driveway, in a sunny setting.
1. Beautiful backyard with potted plants, a lawn, stone pathway, and outdoor seating area, perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
Bright white modern two-story house with large windows, surrounded by lush greenery, a well-maintained lawn, and stylish outdoor seating in a cozy backyard oasis.
A luxurious backyard with a swimming pool, white lounge chairs, an umbrella, and lush greenery, showcasing modern outdoor living space designed by John Merrill Homes.
1. Modern backyard with in-ground swimming pool, white lounge chairs, large patio umbrella, and lush greenery surrounding a stylish two-story home.
1. Bright open-concept dining and living area with hardwood flooring, modern chandelier, and elegant decor, showcasing stylish furniture and natural light from large windows.
1. A cozy modern dining room with wooden table, eight chairs, large plants, and a black chandelier, featuring large windows and sliding glass door for natural light.
1. Bright open-concept kitchen and dining area with rustic wood flooring, modern appliances, and elegant lighting fixtures in a stylish home by John Merrill Homes.
Bright open-concept living and dining area with large windows, neutral-toned furniture, and a modern kitchen featuring dark wood cabinets and pendant lighting. Perfect for family gatherings and entertaining guests.
Cozy modern living room with beige sofas, armchairs, large windows, and greenery outside, featuring a ceiling fan, decorative pillows, and a stylish coffee table for family gatherings.
Bright and inviting living room featuring large windows, lush indoor plants, modern furniture, and a cozy, elegant décor design perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
Follow Us for the Latest Updates

@JohnMerrillHomes

Your home may not be too small.

It may just not function the way you live anymore.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make with additions is adding square footage without fixing the flow.

Before planning an addition, ask:

Where does daily life feel frustrating?
Which spaces do you avoid or outgrow most often?

Because the best additions don’t just add space; they make everyday life feel easier.

#HomeAddition #HomeRenovation #CustomHomes #FloridaLiving #InteriorDesign #JacksonvilleHomes #JohnMerrillHomes

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18051183020589659
Your home may not be too small. It may just not function the way you live anymore. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make with additions is adding square footage without fixing the flow. Before planning an addition, ask: Where does daily life feel frustrating? Which spaces do you avoid or outgrow most often? Because the best additions don’t just add space; they make everyday life feel easier. #HomeAddition #HomeRenovation #CustomHomes #FloridaLiving #InteriorDesign #JacksonvilleHomes #JohnMerrillHomes
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🛠️ Under construction:

A little coastal Connecticut inspiration in Fernandina Beach.

This custom home is bringing a fresh architectural perspective to the area, blending classic East Coast coastal style with the craftsmanship and livability John Merrill Homes is known for.

Watch this space as we head into the finishing touches.

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18022262348662867
🛠️ Under construction: A little coastal Connecticut inspiration in Fernandina Beach. This custom home is bringing a fresh architectural perspective to the area, blending classic East Coast coastal style with the craftsmanship and livability John Merrill Homes is known for. Watch this space as we head into the finishing touches.
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Our Home Addition Diaries: Final update before the big reveal

Still waiting on floors.
Furniture is sitting on moving blankets over concrete.
I’m still working from the hallway. 😂

But… we’re finally living in the new spaces, and they already feel incredible.

✨ Guest room ready just in time for company
✨ Wallpaper going into the guest bath this week
✨ Final details coming together

Next update: the full reveal + photo shoot.

We’re SO close.

👉 Read the latest update at the link in bio.

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18003824114920211
Our Home Addition Diaries: Final update before the big reveal Still waiting on floors. Furniture is sitting on moving blankets over concrete. I’m still working from the hallway. 😂 But… we’re finally living in the new spaces, and they already feel incredible. ✨ Guest room ready just in time for company ✨ Wallpaper going into the guest bath this week ✨ Final details coming together Next update: the full reveal + photo shoot. We’re SO close. 👉 Read the latest update at the link in bio.
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Everyone’s waiting.
But what if now is actually the sweet spot?

The market feels quieter right now… and that’s not a bad thing. Because building a custom home was never about chasing the market. It’s about creating a space that fits your life—not just today, but years from now.

Think:
✔️ Multi-generational living
✔️ Spaces designed around your routines
✔️ A home that finally feels like you

If you’re exploring the idea of building a custom home in Northeast Florida, this period may offer a prime opportunity, and we’d love to see how we can finally bring your dream home to life.

#CustomHome #FloridaLiving #DreamHome #HomeDesign #CustomHome

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18090279263520752
Everyone’s waiting. But what if now is actually the sweet spot? The market feels quieter right now… and that’s not a bad thing. Because building a custom home was never about chasing the market. It’s about creating a space that fits your life—not just today, but years from now. Think: ✔️ Multi-generational living ✔️ Spaces designed around your routines ✔️ A home that finally feels like you If you’re exploring the idea of building a custom home in Northeast Florida, this period may offer a prime opportunity, and we’d love to see how we can finally bring your dream home to life. #CustomHome #FloridaLiving #DreamHome #HomeDesign #CustomHome
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10 years ago, our business was just an idea and a belief that we could build something meaningful.

Fast forward 10 years…

And it’s not just the homes that matter:

It’s the people we’ve met along the way.
The families who trusted us.
The moments we got to be part of—big and small.

Because behind every home is a new beginning and a leap of faith.

Being part of that never gets old.

Here’s to 10 years of building homes and being part of the lives that happen inside them.

#10Years #CustomHomes #CustomHomeBuilder

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17947973592135057
10 years ago, our business was just an idea and a belief that we could build something meaningful. Fast forward 10 years… And it’s not just the homes that matter: It’s the people we’ve met along the way. The families who trusted us. The moments we got to be part of—big and small. Because behind every home is a new beginning and a leap of faith. Being part of that never gets old. Here’s to 10 years of building homes and being part of the lives that happen inside them. #10Years #CustomHomes #CustomHomeBuilder
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10 years ago, John Merrill Homes became official.

What followed was new homes, lessons, risks, and a lot of figuring it out along the way.

Swipe through a few projects that shaped our journey along the way.

#10Years #HomeBuilder #BehindTheBuild #CustomHomes #CustomHomeBuilder

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17885829819492640
10 years ago, John Merrill Homes became official. What followed was new homes, lessons, risks, and a lot of figuring it out along the way. Swipe through a few projects that shaped our journey along the way. #10Years #HomeBuilder #BehindTheBuild #CustomHomes #CustomHomeBuilder
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Ten years ago, John Merrill Homes started in a home office behind glass doors. Dana was holding everything together while Adam tried to build a business from that little office.

A decade later, a lot has changed. The business has grown, our family has grown up, and even the area we live in has changed.

But the core values we started with haven’t changed. We still believe:

🔑 Do things the right way
🔑 Sweat the small details
🔑 Remember that building a home is really about building trust

If you’ve followed our journey or are thinking about building in the next season of life, thank you for being part of the story.

Here’s to the next chapter.

#JohnMerrillHomes #10YearAnniversary #FamilyBusiness #CustomHomes

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17979543708004477
Ten years ago, John Merrill Homes started in a home office behind glass doors. Dana was holding everything together while Adam tried to build a business from that little office. A decade later, a lot has changed. The business has grown, our family has grown up, and even the area we live in has changed. But the core values we started with haven’t changed. We still believe: 🔑 Do things the right way 🔑 Sweat the small details 🔑 Remember that building a home is really about building trust If you’ve followed our journey or are thinking about building in the next season of life, thank you for being part of the story. Here’s to the next chapter. #JohnMerrillHomes #10YearAnniversary #FamilyBusiness #CustomHomes
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