Vermont Farmhouse Jr. Assembly | Exterior Recap

If you’ve been following along with my Vermont Farmhouse Jr. build, you already know this project has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.

What started as a box of unfinished wood pieces has turned into something that genuinely makes me stop and stare every time I walk past it. It’s hard to believe how much came together, step by step, detail by detail.

This post is a full recap of every phase of the exterior build, all in one place, from the very first coat of paint to the final glow of the coach lights. Whether you’re starting your own build, jumping in midway, or just here to follow along, I hope this gives you everything you need in one easy spot.

The Full Exterior Build Series

Part 1: Assembling the House Body

This is where it all begins. Before a single shingle goes on, there’s prep work to do. I walked through how I organized all the walls and floors, painted in layers (with a little baking soda texture mixed in for that subtle plaster-like finish), and assembled the structure step by step. A slow, steady start that set up everything that came after.

Part 2: Wiring The House

Before any walls go in or details get added, the wiring has to happen first. This was my first time ever working with electricity and honestly, it was way less intimidating than I expected. I covered the full lighting plan, how to run tape wire, and why slowing down to plan before you power anything is the move.

Part 3: Porch Flooring & Porch Assembly

Easily the most confusing section in the original instructions. I broke it down in a way that felt more intuitive and honest, including the “poured cement” technique I used for the porch floor. If you’re building along and hit a wall here, this post is for you.

Part 4: Gable Attachment & Exterior Color Testing

This is where things started to feel real. After attaching the gable, I moved into one of my favorite parts of any build: testing colors. I tried three different shingle stains and landed on Dark Walnut, and I walked through exactly how I chose the palette for the shutters, trim, and porch detailing.

Part 5: Window/Shutter Assembly & Stone Detailing

Small details, big impact. I added custom hinges to the shutters instead of gluing them flat, cut a small piece of trim above each window for added dimension, and laid faux stonework along the foundation and porch steps. This phase is where the exterior really started to feel layered and intentional.

Part 6: Exterior Finishing: Roof Shingles, Windows, Trim & Front Door

Shingling the roof, locking in all the exterior details, and finally gluing in the windows and front door. This is the phase where everything clicked into place visually. Also, wood putty is your best friend and I stand by that.

Part 7: Canned Lights & Coach Lights

Lighting changes everything. I installed canned lights in the porch ceiling and custom coach lights on either side of the front door using a 3D printed fixture I designed myself. The moment I turned these on for the first time… I just sat there. Like, wow. This is the step that makes it feel lived in.

Part 8: Porch Styling: Full Furniture, Fixtures & Accessories

The finishing touches that brought the whole porch together. From the porch swing and chairs to the rain chain, potted plants, and tiny embroidered pillows, this post covers everything I used to style the porch into a complete, cohesive space.

Final Thoughts

I truly can’t believe we’re here.

Looking back at Part 1 and seeing how far this house has come, it’s one of those moments where you just feel so proud of the process. Not just the end result, but every little decision along the way. The texture on the walls. The hinge detail on the shutters. The warm glow of the coach lights at night. It all adds up to something that feels so much bigger than the sum of its parts.

If you’ve been following along, whether from the very beginning or jumping in somewhere along the way, I’m so grateful you’re here. Sharing this step by step has made the whole experience so much more meaningful.

And with that, the exterior chapter is officially closed. Next up: the interior! I cannot wait to show you what’s coming 🙂