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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. Modern two-story house under construction with white siding, large windows, and a backyard patio, featuring ongoing landscaping work.
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.
1. Beautiful backyard with potted plants, a lawn, stone pathway, and outdoor seating area, perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
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.
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 constructed white modern house with multiple stories under construction, featuring large windows and a sloped roof, surrounded by a landscaped yard and construction materials.
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.
Merrill Renovation Mood Boards 02
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.

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.
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@JohnMerrillHomes

Our Home Addition Diaries – Week 1 & 2

We thought about moving… but we love our neighborhood, schools, and house too much. So we’re expanding instead!

The plan:

🛠️ Dedicated office with natural light
🛠️ Guest room + private bath
🛠️ Redesigned living spaces for better flow
🛠️ Fireplace wall & cozy zones

Here are the latest updates:

Trees gone, pavers stacked, furniture moved, first temporary fence went up.
Rainstorm = muddy pool river.
Fireplace wall started.
Temp fence upgraded, pool pavers cleaned, furniture shuffled (pray for the kids).
Cold showers for everyone.
Dining table refinished, chairs consigned, and Christmas decor snuck in.

Dogs? Surprisingly chill.

Follow weekly for behind-the-scenes updates, messy moments, and the journey of turning our house into the perfect family home.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #WeeklyUpdate #BeforeAndAfter #RenovationJourney #CustomHomeAddition

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18047602748456368
Our Home Addition Diaries – Week 1 & 2 We thought about moving… but we love our neighborhood, schools, and house too much. So we’re expanding instead! The plan: 🛠️ Dedicated office with natural light 🛠️ Guest room + private bath 🛠️ Redesigned living spaces for better flow 🛠️ Fireplace wall & cozy zones Here are the latest updates: Trees gone, pavers stacked, furniture moved, first temporary fence went up. Rainstorm = muddy pool river. Fireplace wall started. Temp fence upgraded, pool pavers cleaned, furniture shuffled (pray for the kids). Cold showers for everyone. Dining table refinished, chairs consigned, and Christmas decor snuck in. Dogs? Surprisingly chill. Follow weekly for behind-the-scenes updates, messy moments, and the journey of turning our house into the perfect family home. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #WeeklyUpdate #BeforeAndAfter #RenovationJourney #CustomHomeAddition
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Even builders outgrow their homes.

When we realized our family needed more space, we asked ourselves the same question many of our clients face:

➡️ Do we move… or improve?

We looked at the market.
We explored new land.
But we kept coming back to one thing: we love where we live.

So we’re doing what we help our clients do—creating a home addition that lets us stay in the place that feels like us, with a design that works for the way we live now.

Follow along as the walls go up, ideas take shape, and this space becomes part of our story.

💛 The Merrills

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18542874805004299
Even builders outgrow their homes. When we realized our family needed more space, we asked ourselves the same question many of our clients face: ➡️ Do we move… or improve? We looked at the market. We explored new land. But we kept coming back to one thing: we love where we live. So we’re doing what we help our clients do—creating a home addition that lets us stay in the place that feels like us, with a design that works for the way we live now. Follow along as the walls go up, ideas take shape, and this space becomes part of our story. 💛 The Merrills
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Wake up to waterfront views...

Imagine coffee on your deck, kayaking at sunrise, or walking straight onto the sand from your backyard. That’s the lifestyle of Northeast Florida’s waterfront homes.

Thinking of building, renovating, or investing? We can help you make it happen.

#JohnMerrillHomes #WaterfrontLiving #PonteVedra #JacksonvilleBeach #VilanoBeach #WatermanBluff #CustomHomes #DreamHome #FloridaLifestyle

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18087664373507982
Wake up to waterfront views... Imagine coffee on your deck, kayaking at sunrise, or walking straight onto the sand from your backyard. That’s the lifestyle of Northeast Florida’s waterfront homes. Thinking of building, renovating, or investing? We can help you make it happen. #JohnMerrillHomes #WaterfrontLiving #PonteVedra #JacksonvilleBeach #VilanoBeach #WatermanBluff #CustomHomes #DreamHome #FloridaLifestyle
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Where small-town charm meets big-city convenience:

Welcome to St. Johns, one of Northeast Florida’s most desirable places to live — and one of its fastest-growing.

From top-rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods to river trails, beaches, and boutique shopping, St. Johns truly has it all.

Dreaming of your forever home here?

Whether you’re building new or renovating, John Merrill Homes can help you create your ideal space in the heart of St. Johns.

#JohnMerrillHomes #StJohnsFL #FloridaLiving #CustomHomeBuilder #JacksonvilleHomes #PonteVedra #NortheastFlorida #HomeDesign #DreamHome #DesignBuild

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18080798081084985
Where small-town charm meets big-city convenience: Welcome to St. Johns, one of Northeast Florida’s most desirable places to live — and one of its fastest-growing. From top-rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods to river trails, beaches, and boutique shopping, St. Johns truly has it all. Dreaming of your forever home here? Whether you’re building new or renovating, John Merrill Homes can help you create your ideal space in the heart of St. Johns. #JohnMerrillHomes #StJohnsFL #FloridaLiving #CustomHomeBuilder #JacksonvilleHomes #PonteVedra #NortheastFlorida #HomeDesign #DreamHome #DesignBuild
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Out of space at home? You’ve got options.

Your home is perfect… except for the cramped kitchen, the toys in the living room, or the lack of a home office.

Sound familiar?

A home addition can give you the space you need without the stress of moving.

In Jacksonville, most additions fall between $175–$450+ per sq. ft.

Ready to explore what’s possible for your home and budget?

We`d love to hear from you!

#HomeAdditions #CustomHomeAddition #DesignAndBuild #CustomHome #HomeExpansion

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18100590592631745
Out of space at home? You’ve got options. Your home is perfect… except for the cramped kitchen, the toys in the living room, or the lack of a home office. Sound familiar? A home addition can give you the space you need without the stress of moving. In Jacksonville, most additions fall between $175–$450+ per sq. ft. Ready to explore what’s possible for your home and budget? We'd love to hear from you! #HomeAdditions #CustomHomeAddition #DesignAndBuild #CustomHome #HomeExpansion
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Make your home truly yours.

Your home should fit your family, not the other way around. A

At John Merrill Homes, we combine clever design and practical functionality to create spaces that are as unique as the people who live in them.

#FamilyHomes #CustomDesign #FunctionalLiving #JohnMerrillHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHome #CustomHomeDesign

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18036978266493443
Make your home truly yours. Your home should fit your family, not the other way around. A At John Merrill Homes, we combine clever design and practical functionality to create spaces that are as unique as the people who live in them. #FamilyHomes #CustomDesign #FunctionalLiving #JohnMerrillHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHome #CustomHomeDesign
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Shea Karssing · 10 days ago
Remodeling in Florida? Do you really need a permit?

The answer isn’t always obvious—so here’s a quick guide.

✅ Projects that usually need a permit:
• Adding/moving walls
• Converting a garage
• Moving plumbing or wiring
• Replacing HVAC systems
• Adding decks, pools, or new windows

❌ Projects that usually don’t need one:
• Painting or wallpapering
• New flooring or carpet
• Replacing cabinets (same layout)
• Small drywall fixes
• Swapping appliances (no rewiring)

⚡ Pro tip: If it’s structural or behind the walls, permits are a safe bet.

At John Merrill Homes, we design + build with every detail—and permit—handled for you.

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17878592832404998
Shea Karssing · 10 days ago Remodeling in Florida? Do you really need a permit? The answer isn’t always obvious—so here’s a quick guide. ✅ Projects that usually need a permit: • Adding/moving walls • Converting a garage • Moving plumbing or wiring • Replacing HVAC systems • Adding decks, pools, or new windows ❌ Projects that usually don’t need one: • Painting or wallpapering • New flooring or carpet • Replacing cabinets (same layout) • Small drywall fixes • Swapping appliances (no rewiring) ⚡ Pro tip: If it’s structural or behind the walls, permits are a safe bet. At John Merrill Homes, we design + build with every detail—and permit—handled for you.
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The 2025 Jacksonville housing market: 4 things you should know

1️⃣ Older homes needing $100K+ in updates aren’t selling at top dollar.

2️⃣ Well-priced, move-in ready homes still move quickly.

3️⃣ Renovations are about to boom, with more buyers choosing to remodel than build new.

4️⃣ New construction costs aren’t dropping, as materials still rise yearly, regardless of resale trends.

If you’re considering a custom build, a renovation, or trying to sell in this market, our advice is simple: work with professionals who can guide you with real numbers and a steady hand.

That’s what we’re here for, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

#JacksonvilleRealEstate #HousingMarket #HomeBuilding #RenovationTrends #CustomHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHomeDesign #CustomBuild #DesignAndBuild #CustomHomeBuilders #FloridaCustomHome #CustomBuiltHomes

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17934026558964179
The 2025 Jacksonville housing market: 4 things you should know 1️⃣ Older homes needing $100K+ in updates aren’t selling at top dollar. 2️⃣ Well-priced, move-in ready homes still move quickly. 3️⃣ Renovations are about to boom, with more buyers choosing to remodel than build new. 4️⃣ New construction costs aren’t dropping, as materials still rise yearly, regardless of resale trends. If you’re considering a custom build, a renovation, or trying to sell in this market, our advice is simple: work with professionals who can guide you with real numbers and a steady hand. That’s what we’re here for, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. #JacksonvilleRealEstate #HousingMarket #HomeBuilding #RenovationTrends #CustomHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHomeDesign #CustomBuild #DesignAndBuild #CustomHomeBuilders #FloridaCustomHome #CustomBuiltHomes
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