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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. Small brown dog with pointy ears sitting on a wooden table, looking into the distance on a porch with greenery background.
Spacious living room under construction with large windows, neutral walls, and an unfinished fireplace, showcasing modern interior design and upcoming home finishes.
Newly constructed home interior under renovation with workers installing built-in shelves, showcasing modern living space design and construction progress.
Vibrant indoor fig tree in a modern home with decorative lighting, placed next to a glass door leading outside, showcasing lush green leaves and stylish indoor plant decor.
1. Modern two-story house under construction with white siding, large windows, and a backyard patio, featuring ongoing landscaping work.
Newly constructed home with green exterior sheathing, featuring workers installing black-framed windows on a sunny day.
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.
Merrill Renovation Update 12-02
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.
Merrill Renovation Mood Boards 02
Newly constructed two-story white house with a front porch under construction, surrounded by scaffolding and tools, featuring multiple windows, a side garage, and a paved driveway, with trees in the background.

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

The best time to start thinking about your dream home?

Before the plans are drawn.
Before the selections are made.
Before the first shovel hits the ground.

That’s where the right ideas can make a big difference.

Join the John Merrill Homes mailing list for design inspiration, custom-home insights, renovation advice, project stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a home that truly works for the people who live there.

Because the more you know before you build, the better the decisions you can make along the way.

Get on the list → link in bio

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18125310079849263
The best time to start thinking about your dream home? Before the plans are drawn. Before the selections are made. Before the first shovel hits the ground. That’s where the right ideas can make a big difference. Join the John Merrill Homes mailing list for design inspiration, custom-home insights, renovation advice, project stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a home that truly works for the people who live there. Because the more you know before you build, the better the decisions you can make along the way. Get on the list → link in bio
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Found the perfect lot?
Now, what can you actually build on it?

We can build your custom home on land you already own or help you find the right property in Northeast Florida.

Our process includes a complete site analysis to understand what’s possible before plans take shape. We review constructability, establish footprint maximums, and create a draft home plan based on your property.

Schedule a no-charge consultation with our team.

#BuildOnYourLot #CustomHomeBuilder #NortheastFloridaHomes #FloridaCustomHomes #BuildAHome #JohnMerrillHomes

2 0
Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18206622736316832
Found the perfect lot? Now, what can you actually build on it? We can build your custom home on land you already own or help you find the right property in Northeast Florida. Our process includes a complete site analysis to understand what’s possible before plans take shape. We review constructability, establish footprint maximums, and create a draft home plan based on your property. Schedule a no-charge consultation with our team. #BuildOnYourLot #CustomHomeBuilder #NortheastFloridaHomes #FloridaCustomHomes #BuildAHome #JohnMerrillHomes
2 0

The hardest part of a home renovation?
Knowing what you don’t know.

There are dozens of decisions to make before the first wall comes down, and even more once work begins.

What should you budget for?
When should you choose your renovation team?
How do you prepare to live through construction?
What should you check before you consider the project complete?

A little preparation can save you a lot of stress later.

That’s why we created our FREE Printable Home Renovation Checklist, covering what to think about before, during, and after your renovation.

Comment "RENO" to get your free checklist.

2 0
Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18339381916284770
The hardest part of a home renovation? Knowing what you don’t know. There are dozens of decisions to make before the first wall comes down, and even more once work begins. What should you budget for? When should you choose your renovation team? How do you prepare to live through construction? What should you check before you consider the project complete? A little preparation can save you a lot of stress later. That’s why we created our FREE Printable Home Renovation Checklist, covering what to think about before, during, and after your renovation. Comment "RENO" to get your free checklist.
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You saw the months of dust, decisions, construction, and anticipation...

Now COME INSIDE. 👀

Every space was designed around how our family lives now, and how we expect life to change as our kids grow up.

And yes, there are a LOT of details we’ve been waiting to show you.

Check out the full interior reveal!

28 8
Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18075644624704490
You saw the months of dust, decisions, construction, and anticipation... Now COME INSIDE. 👀 Every space was designed around how our family lives now, and how we expect life to change as our kids grow up. And yes, there are a LOT of details we’ve been waiting to show you. Check out the full interior reveal!
28 8

Our home addition added 1,024 square feet AND gave the exterior a whole new look.

Now it`s time to see the result!

#JohnMerrillHomes #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeAddition #ExteriorDesign #BeforeAndAfter #HomeRenovation #DreamHome #DesignBuild

14 1
Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18114633958952033
Our home addition added 1,024 square feet AND gave the exterior a whole new look. Now it's time to see the result! #JohnMerrillHomes #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeAddition #ExteriorDesign #BeforeAndAfter #HomeRenovation #DreamHome #DesignBuild
14 1

T’S FINALLY HERE: THE BIG REVEAL!

Our home addition is DONE, and we love our home more than ever.

Now, after taking you behind the scenes through all the mess, decisions, surprises, and progress…

Come inside. 👀

The full before + after reveal is live at the link in our bio!

#JohnMerrillHomes #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeAddition #HomeRenovation #BeforeAndAfter #DreamHome #InteriorDesign #DesignBuild #JacksonvilleHomes

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17891691228577235
T’S FINALLY HERE: THE BIG REVEAL! Our home addition is DONE, and we love our home more than ever. Now, after taking you behind the scenes through all the mess, decisions, surprises, and progress… Come inside. 👀 The full before + after reveal is live at the link in our bio! #JohnMerrillHomes #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeAddition #HomeRenovation #BeforeAndAfter #DreamHome #InteriorDesign #DesignBuild #JacksonvilleHomes
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Are you building a custom home?

A few smart decisions early on can keep your project running much more smoothly.

Our biggest tip:

👉 Make as many decisions as possible before construction begins.

Changing layouts, finishes or fixtures halfway through a build might seem like a small adjustment, but it can affect engineering, trades, inspections and timelines.

1 0
Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18171981073439133
Are you building a custom home? A few smart decisions early on can keep your project running much more smoothly. Our biggest tip: 👉 Make as many decisions as possible before construction begins. Changing layouts, finishes or fixtures halfway through a build might seem like a small adjustment, but it can affect engineering, trades, inspections and timelines.
1 0