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Our Home Addition Diaries
A behind-the-scenes look at the professionals doing their own reno.

Update 2: Cold showers and cozy chaos

Outside, the columns came off.

Inside, the fireplace wall grew, the temporary fence got beefier, and we took on the glamorous task of pulling and scrubbing pool pavers caked in mud.

We also shifted what remained of the living room furniture into the old dining room, our home base for the next few months. The current vibe is “open-concept survival mode,” and we do hope the kids make it.

In the spirit of adventure:

  • The hot water heater went on a 48-hour rollercoaster thanks to a temporary gas hookup
  • Cold showers for everyone!
  • The dining table got packed up to be refinished
  • The dining chairs went to consignment
  • Figgingsworth, the fiddle leaf fig, refused to move and is holding his window seat hostage
  • Moira Rose tested every chair in the new living area
  • Annie eventually located her bed
  • And yes… Christmas décor has already entered the chat
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. Modern two-story house under construction with white siding, large windows, and a backyard patio, featuring ongoing landscaping work.
1. Modern living room with neutral-toned furniture, wooden flooring, stylish decor, and an open-plan design, part of a custom-built home 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.
Cozy living room with a beige leather tufted sofa, featuring brown and neutral pillows and a blanket, under construction with exposed wooden wall studs and a modern black chandelier, natural light coming in.
1. Large fiddle leaf fig tree in a modern home with natural light, white walls, hardwood flooring, and a small air purifier, creating a bright and airy interior space.
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@JohnMerrillHomes

Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 6

Windows have officially taken over the entire front porch.

Framing is wrapping up, the roof is going on, the fireplace is being installed, and half the house is living in moody darkness thanks to the power being partially shut off.

Moira is living on calming treats and bacon. Annie is doing just fine.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife

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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 6 Windows have officially taken over the entire front porch. Framing is wrapping up, the roof is going on, the fireplace is being installed, and half the house is living in moody darkness thanks to the power being partially shut off. Moira is living on calming treats and bacon. Annie is doing just fine. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife
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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 5

Framing is flying, materials are stacking up, and we’ve temporarily taken over the entire cul-de-sac.

Hot water is back, thankfully—but the noise has the dogs in full meltdown mode, and we`re carrying them outside like royalty.

The new rooms are already taking shape and blending in beautifully.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife

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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 5 Framing is flying, materials are stacking up, and we’ve temporarily taken over the entire cul-de-sac. Hot water is back, thankfully—but the noise has the dogs in full meltdown mode, and we're carrying them outside like royalty. The new rooms are already taking shape and blending in beautifully. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife
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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 4

The slab is poured, framing is underway, and our temporary construction wall turned into a full-blown Christmas mural. 🎄✨

We sealed off the demo zone, laid down floor protection, created an upstairs walkway for the kids, and watched our dog Moira have a dramatic reaction while Annie stayed completely unfazed.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife

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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 4 The slab is poured, framing is underway, and our temporary construction wall turned into a full-blown Christmas mural. 🎄✨ We sealed off the demo zone, laid down floor protection, created an upstairs walkway for the kids, and watched our dog Moira have a dramatic reaction while Annie stayed completely unfazed. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife
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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 3

The temporary wall went up… so naturally, we wrapped it in Christmas paper. 🎁

Slab prep continued outside while we created a festive-but-chaotic temporary living zone inside.

Even Figgingsworth, the fiddle leaf fig, expressed his displeasure with a single dramatic leaf drop
.
#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife

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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 3 The temporary wall went up… so naturally, we wrapped it in Christmas paper. 🎁 Slab prep continued outside while we created a festive-but-chaotic temporary living zone inside. Even Figgingsworth, the fiddle leaf fig, expressed his displeasure with a single dramatic leaf drop . #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife
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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 2

Cold showers, cozy chaos, and the official move into “Temporary Living Zone 1.”

The columns came off outside, the fireplace wall grew inside, and we’re now living out of the dining room.

Bonus: Christmas décor has already arrived because… we needed joy. Survival mode, but make it festive.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife

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Our Home Addition Diaries: Update 2 Cold showers, cozy chaos, and the official move into “Temporary Living Zone 1.” The columns came off outside, the fireplace wall grew inside, and we’re now living out of the dining room. Bonus: Christmas décor has already arrived because… we needed joy. Survival mode, but make it festive. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #JohnMerrillHomes #RenoLife
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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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