Story by Emily Robertson | Photography by Darren Harris | Harris Visual Media
The holidays are a special time for Ken and Susan Skutnik and this time of year revolves around one main thing: family. So when the Skutniks moved to Bowling Green from Tennessee, and started to plan their new house, they knew they wanted a home that was functional, while still being inviting and relaxing, especially during the holiday season.
“We moved here for an employment opportunity,” Susan says. “I was very engaged in designing the home and we knew we wanted an open concept for family gatherings, as well as entertaining.”
The Skutniks worked with Larry Smith of Windsor Construction to make sure that each part of their 4,800 square foot home would take advantage of the beautiful views surrounding the home, whether overlooking Drakes Creek or four different holes of Olde Stone Golf Course. The couple also included a custom whiskey room in the home that allows for wonderful gatherings and beautiful views, with access to a large deck. “The views and wildlife are beautiful whether you are inside looking out of the large windows or outside enjoying the deck and outdoor kitchen,” Susan says.
The Skutniks focused on a modern farmhouse style for this home, utilizing the warmth of the
wood in the house, while incorporating both stone and brick to both the exterior and interior. The couple also enlisted Providence Homes to create barn doors, living room light fixtures, a range hood and bar to add to the farmhouse feel. Susan says that their general holiday style is a classic look with a farmhouse style twist. Now as the Skutniks prepare for their first holiday season in their home with four bedrooms and four and a half baths, they are excited to host their three grown children, their significant others and their three-year-old grandchild for several days.
“In the past, our home takes well over two weeks to completely decorate in a manner that allows us to enjoy the spirit of the season without over doing the decorations,” Susan says. “Each decoration fills a specific need in the home to ensure you feel the spirit of the holidays. While all our decorations have been acquired over time and lend themselves to very special memories of our family, we will continue to search for just the right decoration for the right spot as our extended family grows. In our new home, the family room adjoins the kitchen and is sure to be the busiest space in the home, particularly with our young grandchild and his need for Christmas cookies while enjoying the large fireplace in the family room.”
The Skutniks believe the very most important element of your home at Christmas, no matter your style preference or budget, is to make it a place where you can make the most memories possible and enjoy the moment. “Our faith and family is most important to us at the holidays,” Susan says. “We love to reminisce over the years we have spent in front of the Christmas tree with family and friends. Christmas morning you can smell the cinnamon rolls and we loved watching the kids when they were young, shaking a present to determine what it was, or simply watching their reaction in their eyes or voices when they opened their presents.”
After moving multiple times throughout their marriage, both Ken and Susan are excited to entertain and enjoy their new home and community. “We have been blessed with many things in our lives through a great deal of hard work and our beliefs,” Susan says. “But, everything leads back to the family and their support that allowed each of us to persevere through challenges so that we could reach our higher potential to support our new community and enjoy our new home.”
THE SKUTNIK HOME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HELP OF THESE WONDERFUL BUSINESSES:
Builder: WINDSOR CONSTRUCTION
Furniture: FACTORY FURNITURE, ESTILL SPRINGS, TN
Appliances: FERGUSON BATH, KITCHEN & LIGHTING GALLERY
Lighting: FERGUSON & RESTORATION HARDWARE
Woodwork: HEARTLAND CONSTRUCTION
Windows and Doors: EH HARRIS LUMBER
Stone: ESCALANTE STONE
Granite: EMPIRE GRANITE
Cabinetry: WOOSLEY CABINETS
Custom items: PROVIDENCE CUSTOM HOMES AND METAL FABRICATION
Brick: LEE BUILDERS
Tile: MARWIN CHANCHAVAC
Electric: FRONTIER ELECTRIC
Holiday Décor: JINGLE LIGHTS