Aug 15, 2025

Lakefront Living, Thoughtfully Designed: A Tour of the Johnson Family's Cisco A in Navarro County

When a homesite offers sweeping water views and room to gather, the right floor plan should make every moment feel easy. That was the vision for Jack and his family when they chose Tilson's Cisco A and customized it to maximize lakefront living in Navarro County. Watch as Jack Johnson and his builder, Eli Heugatter, walk through the key design choices that make this four-bedroom, three-bath home feel spacious, welcoming, and tailor-made for their lifestyle.

Built for the View

Finding the right lot was the first milestone. The Johnsons searched for a drivable lakefront property with open-water views close to DFW, and when they found this site, they set out to make the most of it. They chose the Cisco A for its one-story layout, indoor-outdoor connection, and ability to customize their home without overcomplicating it.

The exterior pairs deep, dramatic siding with Austin stone, a nod to the couple's time in Central Texas. The contrast softens the darker facade and adds natural texture that will age gracefully. A side-entry garage was flipped to face toward the front for better curb appeal and traffic flow. This modification also preserved the clean lines of the front elevation.

The covered back patio was extended to create an expansive outdoor living space with a direct line of sight to the lake. Window placement became a guiding principle throughout the home, ensuring that your eye is pulled to the water from the moment you step inside.

The result is a balanced exterior that frames the home's star feature: the view.

Open, Light-Filled Spaces Made for Gathering

From the front door, the main living area unfolds effortlessly. The layout keeps the kitchen, dining, and family room connected so conversations and sightlines flow uninterrupted. To keep the home feeling current without chasing trends, the homeowners chose a crisp black-and-white palette in the kitchen. Gold hardware adds a warm accent and ties in with wood tones used elsewhere. An oversized bar top faces the water, doubling as a prep zone and a favorite spot to linger with coffee or gather with friends. Because the kitchen opens to the dining area and living room, you can enjoy the view whether you're cooking, setting the table, or relaxing on the sofa.

One of the most impactful upgrades is the cathedral ceiling in the living room, extended to the back patio. This single change adds volume without adding square footage, making the room feel larger and airier, creates more wall height for larger windows and natural light, and visually draws the eye out to the patio and the lake

Another custom detail that elevates the space is a wood-wrapped opening between the kitchen and living room. Inspired by a piece the homeowners saw in Tilson's Weatherford showroom, it frames the transition and adds warmth without closing off the rooms.

Across the main areas, luxury vinyl plank flooring supports lake life (think wet feet, dogs, and kids) with durable materials that keep a polished look.

Flexible, Comfortable, and Guest-Ready

Cisco's four-bedroom layout makes hosting easy. Guest bedrooms are grouped on one side of the home, while the primary suite enjoys privacy on the opposite side. Each guest bedroom is designed to maximize sleeping space without feeling crowded. Front and middle guest rooms comfortably fit a queen bed plus a bunk bed, which is ideal for extended family or friends with kids. The back guest bedroom has the best lake view and a king bed. A standout feature is the expanded guest bathroom, which includes an exterior door. Guests can come in from the water and head straight to the shower, leaving no sandy footprints through the living room.

To keep mornings running smoothly, the owners also converted the original powder room at the front of the home into a full bath by reworking a coat closet and some pantry space. The payoff? Another shower is available to guests without adding square footage to the house.

Dining with a View

The dining area is in front of large windows, framing the water at mealtime. It provides generous seating for a crowd without feeling separate from the kitchen's activity. Because the space is open concept, the view and conversation stay connected, whether serving, eating, or clearing the table.

A Private Retreat - The Master Suite

Set apart on the opposite side of the home, the master suite is oriented to the lake and has large windows that fill the room with natural light. The Johnsons added two additional windows flanking the bed and a door to the patio for direct morning access. The patio extends along the bedroom, creating a private outdoor nook for coffee at sunrise or a quiet end-of-day unwind.

In the master bathroom, they created a retreat by expanding the shower with a second shower head for comfort and convenience, reallocating space from the original oversize closet to add a jetted tub, removing the separate water closet, and adding custom mirrors.

Why the Cisco A—and Why Tilson

The homeowners chose the Cisco A for its one-story simplicity, open-concept core, and ability to place key rooms toward the water. From there, they partnered with Tilson to make targeted changes that delivered significant benefits without ballooning the budget or timeline. The Johnsons appreciated Tilson's flexibility, standard features paired with customizations, and smooth process throughout the build experience.

Ready to shape a plan around your land and your vision? Tilson offers the flexibility and experience to make your home truly yours. Call us today to see how we can build your custom dream home.

Exterior