Jun 25, 2025

Touring the Zimmerman Family's Beautiful Custom Angelina Home

Recently, we had the privilege of touring the Zimmerman family's gorgeous Angelina home in San Augustine County. Elevated on a stunning 53-foot hill, this custom home is a testament to thoughtful design and a perfect match for its natural surroundings. From tailored features to charming aesthetics, the Zimmerman home showcases how Tilson Homes helps turn dreams into reality, no matter how rural the location.

A Design Inspired by Nature

The Zimmerman family customized the Angelina plan to perfectly embrace its scenic environment at every turn. Situated on a hilltop surrounded by trees, the neutral-toned exterior colors and cedar accents blend harmoniously with nature. The cedar posts on the front porch and shutters were chosen to enhance this connection to the outdoors. According to Tracy Zimmerman, the cedar shutters added a "bonus" aesthetic that welcomes you as you approach the home.

The couple also made adjustments to accommodate their unique property. With limited space at the hilltop, they reconfigured the garage layout to a 3.5-bay size with a smaller door. Despite these challenges, Tilson's expertise ensured every adjustment worked seamlessly with the home's overall design.

A Kitchen Designed for Entertaining

The kitchen was a priority for Tracy, so much so that she fell in love with it even before deciding on the rest of the house. While attending a Tilson seminar, Tracy visited the San Jacinto model and was captivated by its stone accents, spacious kitchen design, wood cabinets, and expansive counter space. Her passion for cooking and entertaining made the San Jacinto kitchen non-negotiable; she knew this layout would be necessary to make her dream kitchen.

The kitchen boasts three functional islands in earthy tones that tie in with the home's natural theme and plenty of room for cooking and hosting. They also made several thoughtful customizations, such as replacing the wall pantry with additional counter space and cabinets and adding a walk-in pantry connected to the drop zone and garage for maximum convenience.

Functionality meets style in this space, with the standout feature being a granite composite sink, which the Zimmerman's chose for its ability to select a color that would match the color of their countertops closely.

Other practical upgrades included a convection microwave, Frigidaire professional appliances, and an induction cooktop, giving the kitchen a modern feel while staying true to the couple's needs.

Bringing the Outdoors Indoors

The Zimmermans' love of nature and the outdoors carried through the inside of their home with a box beam ceiling in the family room, inspired by the San Jacinto model. Wide windows in the family room also provided stunning views of the natural landscape.

Another highlight is the stained concrete flooring, which Tracy had wanted for years. The flooring adds a unique character to the home and is also incredibly durable and low-maintenance, ideal for rural living and pet owners.

A Backyard Oasis

The Zimmerman family's favorite part of their home? Their extended back porch. They expanded the standard Angelina back porch to create the ideal space for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the breathtaking views. The additional depth and width make it their go-to spot, whether they're hosting guests or simply taking in the tranquility of nature.

They added a personal touch with a custom-built fire pit made from stones gathered on their own property. They also included block and wiring for future ceiling fans, which, along with the outdoor TV, make the porch a perfect spot for relaxing or entertaining, day or night.

Thoughtful Customizations Throughout

The Zimmermans customized the Angelina floorplan to reflect their unique needs and style at every turn. From the spacious master suite with added windows offering sunlight and serene views to their customized bathroom with a walk-in shower, extended vanities, and extra outlets, every detail was tailored to fit their lifestyle.

One particularly clever change was connecting their master closet to the utility room via a sliding pocket door, making laundry day much easier. Their utility room also features ample storage, making it a practical hub for everyday use.

Their home's additional bedrooms function just as efficiently, with one serving as a guest room and another doubling as an office with exterior access to the backyard.

Building Dreams in Rural Areas

The Zimmermans' home is more than a beautiful showcase of Tilson's craftsmanship—it's a testament to our expertise in building custom homes in rural settings, even in the most remote locations. Despite being located in one of the farthest corners of Texas, just a county away from the Louisiana border, the Zimmerman family experienced smooth communication and execution with their Tilson team.

Tracy expressed her gratitude for finding Tilson, noting that building in such a rural location can be challenging. "We're super thankful," she shared, praising the entire process and the Spring Design Center staff who made their dream home a reality.

A Home Full of Heart

The Zimmerman home is much more than its features and design; it's a space where they can live, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Texas. To sum it up, Tracy said, "I can't say that I have a favorite part. I love the entire home, as does my husband."

Whether the Zimmerman family's customizations inspire you or have your own ideas in mind, we make the process simple, seamless, and enjoyable. No matter how rural your property is, you can trust Tilson to bring your vision to life. Reach out to our team today to learn more about bringing your ideas to reality with Tilson Homes. We'd love to welcome you to the family!

Exterior