We’re calling this our final update before the big reveal. We're still waiting for the floors (yes, still). Otherwise, all the furniture (except one f…
April 28, 2026
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Step into a contemporary 2026 home and you’ll feel it immediately: personality, depth, and a sense of story. Spaces are designed to impress, yes, but …
April 15, 2026
If you’ve been dreaming about building a custom home, you’re probably also wondering whether now is the right time or if you should just wait it out a…
April 1, 2026
We’re officially so done with the mess.Dust and dirt still seem to appear everywhere, no matter how much we clean, but we’re hopeful that relief is fi…
March 19, 2026
When I think about when we started John Merrill Homes, I don’t only think about the first contract or the first project, but, as a family business, I …
March 16, 2026
On March 7, 2016, John Merrill Homes officially became a corporation. I actually pulled up the paperwork recently to double-check the date. It says, “…
March 4, 2026
Details, details, details. That’s the phase we’re firmly in right now.Trim work continues, and we’ve met several times to walk through the plan in rea…
March 4, 2026
If you live along the coast in Northeast Florida, you already know the deal. It’s beautiful, but it’s tough on houses, with salt air, wind, heat, and …
February 18, 2026
Details, details, details. That’s the phase we’re firmly in right now.Trim work continues, and we’ve met several times to walk through the plan in rea…
February 6, 2026
Finding the right lot is the most underestimated part of building a custom home. We’ve seen smart buyers fall in love with a design that never truly f…
February 3, 2026
Trades are officially everywhere, and this week felt like a major turning point. Cabinets went in, tile work continued, and suddenly the house looks l…
January 27, 2026
A good addition should feel like it’s always been there. When people ask us how to match a new addition with an existing home style, they’re usually w…
January 22, 2026
Painting has begun, and the prep work alone deserves a round of applause. The painting crew masked off everything, including fully tarping the windows…
January 9, 2026
A home addition can solve a lot of daily frustrations, but only if the planning is solid. People often ask us: What are the mistakes to avoid with an …
January 7, 2026
Down came the Very Merry Temp Wall—right on cue for another cold snap. With that barrier gone, the house temperature dropped fast. Out came the space …
December 18, 2025
If you’re staring at your home and thinking, “Where do I even start?”, we get you. Renovations can feel overwhelming, especially in homes that have se…
December 17, 2025
This week didn’t bring a lot of big visual changes, but behind the walls, everything is happening.Electrical, low voltage, plumbing, and HVAC have all…
December 12, 2025
The windows are officially in—installed by our incredible staff carpenters, with Adam jumping in himself. As luck would have it, a cold snap arrived r…
December 6, 2025
If you’re reading this, you might be thinking about making a move or just want to get smarter about how you invest in your home. As a custom-home desi…
December 3, 2025
Moira Rose remains deeply, spiritually offended by the noise. She’s getting through life on calming treats and bacon. Annie continues to be mostly unb…
December 1, 2025
Framing continued this week, and more materials are arriving by the minute—so many, in fact, that we’ve basically claimed the entire cul-de-sac. Our n…
November 25, 2025
The hot water is holding strong, which feels like a luxury reserved for royalty.The slab is poured, and framing is underway, which means we can offici…
November 20, 2025
When you’re planning a home addition, one of the first questions that pops up (right after “how much will it cost?”), is “how long will it take?” The …
November 19, 2025
Outside, slab prep continued, and we built a sturdier temp wall to keep dogs in and workers out of the backyard.https://youtube.com/shorts/Vvq4V0yxRBo…
November 17, 2025
Outside, the columns came off.https://youtube.com/shorts/r0TRIonJLDI?feature=shareInside, the fireplace wall grew, the temporary fence got beefier, an…
November 12, 2025
We kicked things off by clearing the front corner—trees and landscaping out, paver path carefully pulled up and stacked like giant Legos for later.All…
November 5, 2025
Adding on to your home can be one of the smartest investments you make—if you plan it right. Maybe you’re thinking about a new primary suite, a bigger…
November 5, 2025
When people ask, how much per square foot to build a custom luxury home?, the short answer is: it depends. For us, most projects in the Jacksonville a…
October 22, 2025
Expanding your home is super exciting. But it can also get costly, messy, and frustrating if you skip certain steps. The last thing you need is a blow…
October 1, 2025
“We love this house, but we’re out of room,” is a remark we often hear from our clients. There’s no quiet corner for work, the kids’ toys have overtak…
September 17, 2025