The French country estate inspired home of Michael and Lisa Lujan has a secret. Not long ago, it was about half the size it is today.

The intricate stone work of the two-story addition extending around a courtyard seamlessly blends with the original. Trying to figure out where the addition begins is difficult at best.

And that is exactly what custom home builder Jason VanderVorste of Woodland Builders in Tyler was determined would happen. Jason, along with interior designers Stephanie Vasso and Michelle Womack, tackled the task of making the parts fit like a glove – inside and out.

A few years ago, the Lujans moved from Noonday into a gated subdivision in Tyler known for stately homes and deep-in-the forest ambiance.

“I fell in love with this home the minute I opened the front door,” Lisa says. “It was big but it had a cozy feel about it. I loved everything about it.”

So did Michael. However, it wasn’t long before he began thinking that they needed a bigger place: a place where they could host large gatherings; a place with a larger home office; a place that had a cool theater room.

“My husband convinced me to do it,” Lisa says of the decision to expand.

 THE ADDITION

 “It kind of evolved,” Jason says of the plans to build on more and then even more. “It started out Michael wanted a pool house and a large study and he had some different ideas from his previous home. And then it was, ‘If we do this, we will need another bedroom.’”

Michael’s wish list included an area for entertaining.

“Guests can go swimming and then hang out in here,” Stephanie says of a room that opens onto the beautiful backyard pool and yard. Filled with soothing blue and gray tones, the focal point is a sitting area in front of a wide white brick fireplace. The seascape on the fireplace is by Tyler artist Michael Perry.

Guests often gravitate down the hall to the wine room. Cozy and secluded, the wine room opens onto a separate patio with a fire pit, outdoor seating and a water feature.

Among the rooms on the second floor of the addition are a den, bunk room with four built-in beds and a home theater. 

Reflecting the yesteryear glamour of early 1900s’ Art Deco style, the theater has rows of plush black seats facing the large screen and carpeting that looks as it could have graced a classy yesteryear movie house.

“I drew it up based on this,” Stephanie says, noting the stylish golden sconces on the walls. Gail Lassiter, a Tyler artist, painted the mural on the ceiling to mimic the look of the sconces. Stephanie designed the intricate woodwork pattern on the door.

At the end of the hallway is something unexpected – an intimate prayer room measuring 6×10. The room contains a prayer bench, chair and shallow antique cabinet. A beautiful cathedral-like stained glass picture dominates one wall.

Lisa says they retreat to this special space when they want to gather their thoughts.

Much of the addition is devoted to the home office suite. The Lujans own Mentoring Minds, a company that creates educational resources that help people develop critical thinking skills. The suite is used for staff meetings and employee gatherings.

Thick timbering frames a bay window and extends onto the roof. The timbering mimics the framing in the great room in the original portion of the home.

To tie both sides of the home together, Stephanie and Michelle stuck with a comfortable modern style and light color palette. They made careful choices of rugs, light fixtures and furnishings to break up long hallways and give each room a distinct yet complementary feel.

“We created a space that we would want to live in,” Michelle says.

 PHILANTHROPY

 Although Lisa was happy with their old house, she is thrilled with how the addition turned out. She says the best thing about having a larger home is using it to benefit causes dear to their hearts.

On their company’s website is the statement: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

The Lujans support organizations that target hunger, illiteracy and other issues children face and encourage their employees to give and volunteer. Lisa has served on the boards of the Children’s Park of Tyler, East Texas Food Bank, Literacy Council of Tyler, East Texas Human Needs Network, Champions for Children and the Hispanic Business Alliance.

The Lujans have been named as a Champion of Change by the White House and jointly received the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s T.B. Butler Award as Tyler’s Citizen of the Year.

Since the addition was completed, the Lujans have hosted large fundraisers for nonprofit organizations. When crowds come over in support of good causes, the Lujans don’t worry. They know there is plenty of room for all.