He is the Horatio Alger of the beauty business -- the son of immigrants who bankrolled $700, most of it borrowed, into Paul Mitchell Systems, a beauty empire with annual retail sales of approximately $800 million. She is the strikingly beautiful company spokes model who has returned to her Texas roots. Together they run one of the most successful, family owned conglomerates. John Paul and Eloise DeJoria graciously opened their home to Your Address Magazine to give an inspiring glimpse into their home, lifestyle and plans for the holidays.

“My home is my zen center,” says John Paul, “Since my life is a continuation of my home, I am able to bring my Zen Center with me wherever I go.” Eloise ads, “We are very centered at the home. A serene environment helps as we prepare for entertaining, for work, for life.” The DeJoria’s home is very serene. Neutral walls, high ceilings and plenty of windows give the house a feeling of refined softness. The decor of romantic-shabby-chic-meets modern-influence is beautifully displayed by the overstuffed furniture with pastel pink chintz accents and white marble and glass details. The dining room, where the DeJoria family have a sit down dinner every night, features a white ceramic table covered in pink ceramic and crystal candle holders, delicate, floral English China and crystal and glass pieces that were a gift from Candy Williams, Eloise’s favorite junior high teacher and current family friend.

They put on no airs. Eloise is in sweats, note pad in hand, having prepared for the interview, asking if she is giving us everything we need. John Paul, or JP as he is called by loved ones, wants to make us espresso before we get started. “We have an espresso machine,” he insists. Having toured their gourmet kitchen, complete with marble countertops, custom cabinetry and stainless steel Viking appliances, we have no doubt that he has an espresso machine.

Their home reflects their love of Austin and the Austin lifestyle, from their musical instrument collection, to the one-of-kind wall sculpture of Stevie Ray Vaughn. They work with local designers and prefer to buy their furniture on 6th Street in the heart of the city. They support the Austin art scene by hanging local artists on their walls next to watercolors done by Eloise’s mother, who happens to be an artist. They love the live music scene and have brought it into their home. Their lake front backyard features a full-sized bandstand and is put to good use during the DeJoria’s parties. Neighbors and guests have been known to park their boats on the river and listen to the sounds of local blues and rock musicians playing the night away. It is no wonder that even though the DeJoria’s have a 20,000 square-foot home in Malibu, as well as homes in Maui, Las Vegas and Manhattan, that their roots are firmly planted in Austin soil. “There is a sweetness to the people in Austin that you just don’t find anywhere else,” says Eloise, “People look you in the eye. They truly connect with you as neighbor, friend, family.” John Paul adds, “We have houses elsewhere, but the entire city of Austin feels like home. It is much more than the house we live in.”

When asked about family holiday traditions, the conversation inevitably turns to how they regularly go all out to entertain employees and their families. The line between the two are blurred as JP says, “We take it with us.” The blending of home life starts from the most basic level. The company’s main office is a small room minimally decorated with a desk smaller than the oversized, pink floral chairs. The “Zen center” of the Dejoria’s multi-million dollar, international business is filled with remote control airplanes and Xbox games, and since the only visible office equipment is a fax machine, the space is more high-traffic than high-tech.

Their holiday parties are legendary. The DeJoria’s largest bash hosts the staff and families of both Paul Mitchell Systems and The Patron Spirits companies at their estate in Malibu. More than 60 tons of snow is brought down from the mountains in trucks, providing the more than 400 attendees the wondrous opportunity to sled while gazing at the beaches along Pacific Coast Highway. The party also boasts a nativity scene, to-die-for food and a visit from Santa Claus himself, of course. Live music keeps the crowd full of holiday cheer well into the night. The actual DeJoria family celebration takes place in their Austin home, before jet setting off to California. The décor is a mix of the traditional with modern touches. A linear Christmas tree to fill a room with ceilings more than 30 feet high is decorated with flowers and sentimental family ornaments. A simple family gathering to open presents, reflect on the year and delight in the comforts of children and grandchildren is that moment of Zen-centeredness before their flashier events of the season.

The DeJoria’s are caring humanitarians who believe that it is everyone’s responsibility every day to make the world a better place in which to live. Their motto of “Success unshared is failure,” combined with the pair’s larger-than-life magnetism, makes them perfectly suited to raising awareness on such diverse causes as education, environmental protection, medical research and the arts. Paul Mitchell Systems has made multi-million dollar contributions to such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Waterkeeper Alliance, Mineseeker Foundation, Young Musicians Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs and many others. Further bringing philanthropy home, the DeJoria’s rejected many profitable offers on 400 acres of prime property in Malibu that borders national parklands, preferring instead to donate the land as a wilderness refuge, “to all the children and adults of the world to enjoy forever.”

Perhaps what is most appealing about the DeJoria’s home is its many layers – a bit of soul mixed with a bit of patina and some wear and tear thrown in for good measure. Their home is well lived in and well loved. They epitomize stylish people living well in a home that mirrors their seamless blend of work, family, community and philanthropy.