This east Louisville home boasts 'Little House on the Prairie' meets unique, eclectic vibe

Carol Shutt describes her east Louisville home as a diamond in the rough.

“We feel so fortunate to have found it,” she told The Courier Journal.

She and her husband, David — who are now officially empty nesters — rightsized from having 10 people in a seven-bedroom house to just the two of them in their three-bedroom home.

“Having a country home but being right by the city is what lured us here,” Carol added, “and my husband and I have always loved log homes. This was the perfect scenario because it was a more contemporary and functional build, but it had the log warmth and appeal.”

Interior design with intention

“We got to decorate (this house) the way my heartbeat goes — and my dad always said I should live in the little house on the prairie,” Carol said with a laugh. She says there isn’t a specific term to describe her personal interior design style, but she’d refer to it as creative and eclectic — a look that lends itself to the home, as well.

At every turn in the space, there’s something colorful and unique to see. Pillows and quilts in a variety of prints are spread across the sofas; rows of framed photos and additional artwork line the walls; and an assortment of vases and other trinkets are collected upon the mantel.

Carol says that since moving in six years ago, she has gradually added to the décor with family items that have been handed down, as well as finds from Peddlers Mall, Fleur De Flea Vintage Market, Reclaimed On Main, and Marietta’s Market.

“Almost everything in here is secondhand,” she said. “It just has new life and a new story.”

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She adds that though all the furniture and accessories came from different places and times, there are different themes in specific areas of the house.

“It was definitely intentional to create … certain spaces, like (with) the fruit trees that are in the hallway in the front room,” she said. “That’s always our biggest prayer — that our family produces good, lasting fruit.”

Upstairs, one of the bedrooms boasts tree wallpaper and a log bunkbed to the give the Shutt grandchildren a treehouse feel; and in the guest room — which is ADA accessible — Carol incorporated wildflowers so that those who can’t make it to the garden can still enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Accessible for all

Creating accessible spaces was important to the Shutts not just for aging parents, but also for family members with disabilities. They built an interior ramp that leads from the side door to the guest suite, which then opens to the porch, pool and backyard.

“We had (family members) who had medical needs, so (we installed) a sport pool,” Carol explained. “We (got) the pool (in) first, (then) we had an architect get all the levels right.”

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She adds that their home will serve them and the rest of the family through all stages of life.

“We feel like we can grow old here, because it’s a split ranch,” she said. “And now we have it … designed (for) disabilities. We want it (to be a space) for everyone. There’s lots of kids that come and use the pool, but we want the aging (and) elderly to feel comfortable, too.”

Residence of refuge

Carol says their home is perfectly positioned for enjoying daily sunrises and sunsets.

“The sun rose on the side and set on the side (in our last home),” she explained. “We never got natural light. We love (that) we have the sunrise beaming (from the back) in the morning, and we get the sunset out (in the front) at night. … We designed our sitting spaces so that you could enjoy the sunrise and sunset. We get the best natural light in this house because of that.”

In addition to all the natural beauty she and David relish — from sunrises and sunsets to numerous trees surrounding the house and a pond down the way — Carol’s favorite aspect of their home is its overall atmosphere.

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“We have always wanted each of our homes to have a super comfortable (and) welcoming feel, (and) just be a place of refuge,” she said. “That’s my favorite part about (this home) — I think it says to people, come sit down and stay a while.”

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

nuts & bolts

Owners: David and Carol Shutt. David is a dentist at Blincoe and Shutt. Carol is a realtor at Covenant Realty and designer at Carol Shutt Home Design.

Home: This is a 4-bed, 5-bath, 4,000-square foot, lodge log-style home in East Louisville that was built in 1997.

Distinctive elements: Vintage décor; cedar columns and log walls throughout; garage converted to second primary suite/ office space, with all elements handicap accessible for both interior and exterior living; European pine/glass doors used for added architectural elements at bath and closet; farmhouse-style kitchen and butler pantry; concrete countertops; farm sink and cabinetry made to look old; lighted 60-inch pot rack with copper pendants, decorated with enamel, copper and old, European bread boards; hand-painted ceiling with tea stain to appear old in the kitchen bayed eating area; handmade window treatments throughout home, made of old quilting pieces and vintage fabrics; different wallpaper incorporated throughout; hand-painted tile and wallpapered ceiling; Island made of two large tables from an old church in Ohio; stained glass from churches built into interior walls and used as decor on porches and interior; covered exterior porch off of added suite; large screen porch with built-in window from Paris church; luxury, waterproof vinyl flooring; vintage rugs throughout home; pieced together vintage runners for unique runners on main staircase and basement entrance; comfortable seating and table that seats 10; wide planked pine flooring throughout; great room with two-story stone fireplace; hand-painted European furniture and old iron windows made into mirrors; large, comfortable sitting area with vaulted, two-story windows overlooking back deck, pond, pool and gardens; old books, hand-painted crocks, bowls, and vintage Italian toile iron floral decor and lighting; vintage stained glass lighting in eating area and sitting room; hand-painted milk glass lamps and enamel lighting used throughout home and porches; Castlecomb pre-finished wood flooring in areas that carpet was replaced; two-story stone fireplace; wood-burning stove on back porch; two-story loft living with stained glass elements; primary suite with room-width windows to view the wooded five acres, koi pond with waterfall element, and country-style gardens; wisteria flowing for pool privacy and sitting area off primary suite; large primary bath using old European pine chests for vanities with vessel bowls; clawfoot tub; large, stained glass window replaced original contemporary window; large rustic pieces from vintage vendors used for decor throughout; romantic vintage feel for primary suite; vaulted ceilings with large stained glass from church in California; vintage mirror wall; vintage iron chandeliers in sitting room, kitchen eating area, main suite and water closet; quilts used throughout; curated collections of vintage stations of the cross; vintage pictures of Jesus and Mary; vintage oil and water color paintings of homes and florals and hand-painted toile trays throughout; upstairs bedrooms featuring rustic log beds for children, grandchildren and guests; tree wallpaper to allow for a treehouse feel of entire upstairs; bathrooms off each bedroom and attic space opened up with two built-in beds, vintage tin ceiling, and unique vanity space that allows for extra privacy and guests; barn doors added using vintage pine doors in primary suite; back hall entrance with ramp and railing to allow for complete privacy for guests; large shutter barn door in front parlor room; barn doors and bath renovations upstairs; painted barnwood walls in attic bedroom; wraparound front porch with perennial gardens around the home; stone front walk, split rail fencing at front, sides and back of home; handmade porch swings on both front and back porches; old iron beds used for railings at gardens.

Applause! Applause! Carol would like to thank her husband David, who is always willing to get her crazy ideas accomplished; Pattie Read, her vintage-loving creative/finishing friend; architect Dan Grimm; contractor Mike Gordon; Andriots paint and flooring; Bryon Roberts creative painting; ceiling artist Jenny Westenhoffer; artist Sarah Riche; Chadwell Electric; Vince Birke painting; Peytons plumbing; Unique Tile; Hikes Point Paint and Paper; Cardinal Closets; Chenoweth Appliances; Architectural Concrete; Alan Minzenberger; Sharon Desensi and Debbie Burton; Stealth Moving; European Splendor; Merridian Home Furnishings; Arhaus; Pottery Barn; Blue Ocean Traders; Vintage by Birth; Marietta’s Market; Fleur De Flea, Middletown Peddlers Mall; Architectural Salvage; Reclaimed on Main; Paisley Pig; The Cottage at Tingles Plants; Digs; The Lampmaker.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: East Louisville home boasts "Little House on the Prairie" vibe