For the Kirklen family, the decision to build a custom Tilson home was an easy one. The Kirklen's had owned their Grayson County land for over 12 years and wanted to take their time to find the perfect floor plan to maximize the views of their large pond. After carefully studying every plan on the Tilson website, they decided on the Live Oak D. They chose the D elevation to maximize the amount of masonry on the exterior, and after looking at the options at the design center, they selected Prairie Cream Chop as their stone. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the Kirklens' customizations and how they turned their Tilson home into their dream home.

From the exterior, the Kirklens' Live Oak D model is both efficient and beautiful. The stone exterior adds warmth and character to the home, and the front-load garage extends the house horizontally. The views out of the rear of the home were the most important factor, and they accomplished it. Windows were added in the family room and master bedroom, allowing stunning views of the pond from nearly every room in the home.  

In the kitchen, the Kirklens opted for lightly stained cabinets with dark, warm-toned hardware, and customized only a few things by moving the microwave to their coffee-bar area. They love that the large island is perfect for both preparing meals and gathering around with family and friends. The open-concept design flows seamlessly into the dining area, which features large windows as well as easy access to the outdoor living space. 

The family room features a cozy fireplace, a cathedral ceiling with wood trim and a rough-sawn beam, and lots of windows that allow natural light to flood the room. The cathedral ceiling extends outside to the rear covered porch, which they extended after closing with an uncovered deck for additional outdoor living space. Off the family room is a study that was added by removing some of the square footage from the front porch and walling it in. Two windows were added, as well as a door for privacy, though when the door is open, you can easily enjoy views of the front, side, and back of the home. 

The master bedroom offers a serene retreat after a long day. Customized by moving a closet into the hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom, and adding casement windows and a stepped ceiling, the Kirklens can truly relax in their private oasis. The master bathroom boasts ample storage space and a large walk-in shower with two bench seats. On the opposite side of the home are the secondary bedrooms, which also feature large windows and plenty of storage space. The secondary bedrooms share a hall with a spacious secondary bathroom and utility room.

Through the utility room, you enter the spacious garage. After spending so much time on their property before building, they knew they would need a drop zone to ditch the wet and muddy shoes before coming inside. They decided to add a drop zone inside their garage next to the utility room door. They extended the garage slightly to allow an additional parking space and garage door on the side of the home for their UTV. 

Tilson floor plans offer endless customizations and the Kirklens took full advantage of that fact. From the kitchen and dining area to the family room and master suite, every detail of their Live Oak D was carefully planned and executed. The Kirklens have truly made their dream home, customized to fit their unique style and needs.

Color Selections Shown in this Home