A magical chalet perched on a mountaintop overlooking Gatlinburg is a fairytale setting come to life. It is also where Dennis Bolze, a character in his own right, works to fulfill the needs and wishes of others.

Written by Kathryn Gage
Photography By Gary Heatherly

Google the name Dennis Bolze, and you’ll learn two things: one, he won the lottery (to the tune of $100,000,000) and two, even though he’s a wealthy man, he continues to work everyday. If you talk to Dennis Bolze, you’ll learn that the elaborate story of his mega win was a hoax orchestrated by a friend, and that his real story is every bit as compelling as if he had won the lottery. It brings to my mind the question most everyone has asked, “What would I do if I won the lottery? Would I pay off debt? Travel the world? Or give it all away?” Dennis Bolze would most assuredly do the latter. Because even though he wasn’t given $100,000,000, he gives to others as though he had been. And this principal of giving back is at the core of the man whom I feel fortunate to have met.

Finding Success
Dennis, who grew up in Pennsylvania, attended Georgia Tech with plans of becoming an attorney. However, he quickly determined that law wasn’t for him, and took a summer job as a runner at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. One quiet morning on the floor, Dennis doodled. An executive scolded him, but Dennis replied, “In about 15 minutes, the market is going to go crazy; I’m just waiting.” Sure enough, the market exploded just as he had predicted. The next day the same executive came to him to ask how he’d foreseen the day’s events. Dennis, it turns out, had been studying the trades, reading trade materials, and creating charts to calculate fluctuations in the market. He had also been studying the work of W.D. Gann, a financial advisor/trader in the stock markets during the early 20th century. Made famous for forecasting the Great Crash of 1929 and subsequent depression, his methods are still widely used. Dennis had discovered his true passion. Hired immediately to work in the research library in White Plains, NY with the challenge of “finding something” that would give traders an edge in the market, Dennis set to work. Soon he did in fact find something. “I can’t say exactly what it was,” chuckles Dennis, “but it was quite interesting.” Later, he would take what he’d learned and share it with others.

“I love people and sharing ideas. I wanted to help others understand the markets, develop trading plans, and learn money management disciplines.” And so he did for a time. But, not content to stay on the same path for long, his career eventually veered in an entirely new direction. The couple opened a retail store, which grew into a chain spanning three states. After ten years, they sold it all and Dennis returned to his love. By now, online trading was booming, as was his business. It was time, the couple decided, to build their dream home.

Having visited Gatlinburg on a retail-buying trip, the couple, whose three children were nearly grown, loved the area so much that they decided to relocate. They even bought out a subdivision to obtain the 11-acre mountaintop parcel on which they had set their sights. The project was no small feat; 294 truckloads of stone were hauled in to build a retaining wall 1,966 feet in elevation, so a garage could be included in the plan. The family worked together to build piers for a bridge to cross the ravine near the site. Dennis describes various technical challenges involved in building the 16,512 square-foot house that were tackled with carefully planned precision. “It was designed so that the view for morning activities -- rising, eating breakfast and exercising -- would face the eastern sunrise, and that rooms not requiring much light, such as the theatre, would face west or north.

A drive lined with maple trees leads to the house, an idyllic setting with mountain views and clear uncut forest. A mere glimpse of the house draws a smile. The green roof is set off by cheerful red trim that surrounds the windows, and flowers dot the landscape. Bushes are shaped as whimsical characters: a teddy bear here, and a deer there. The house sits atop a plush carpet of green grass. Copper awnings shimmer against cedar shakes, and fencing set on an arched path casts the perfect shadow across the lawn. A pair of American flags hang from the front porch against a vivid blue sky, and stair railings are crafted of Rhododendron. On the back porch, red rockers are positioned beside stone fire pits.  A wooden motorcycle sits here, purchased from a craft fair in Arizona, and I am smiling again; I’m certain this is the intended response to such artistic punctuation. An arbor behind the house mimics the shape of a butterfly, a reference to nearby Dollywood’s theme. In the driveway are two shiny red cars:  a ‘56 Thunderbird and a ’32 Ford, occasionally driven on weekend jaunts to car shows in town.

The Stuff of Fairytales
My mouth is agape as we step into the foyer and I take in what I see. There stands a 42 -foot tall tree weighing 11,000 pounds; a man’s features (the Spirit of the Woods) carved onto its face. Iron stair railings created by artist Jeff Staltz have a wildlife motif, the main floor featuring water creatures, turtles, cranes and other small animals found in the region. On the next floor are rabbits and fox; the third floor features deer and bear, and finally, the topmost floor displays an eagle preparing for flight. It has the feel of a secret stairway ascending skyward from the forest floor. Dennis, ever the storyteller, describes how this tree, along with others used in the hybrid timber frame construction of the house, came to rest here. “I happened across a site where cedar trees were being cleared and would later be burned. I bet the guy who was operating the saw that he couldn’t lift one of the trees onto a rollback. He said, ‘Sure, I can do that,’ so I asked if he’d do it ten times.” The man agreed, chainsaws and rollbacks were brought in and the trees were hauled to the site. After being inspected by engineers, the trees were incorporated into the construction.

The bar area, part of what is described as “the entertainment floor,” feels like a tree house; the ceiling is supported by knotty tree trunks, some still sporting branches. The bar itself is a massive plank, planed to a smooth finish on top, with bark remaining on the edges. An assortment of bottles glitter behind the bar, and a mosaic of tiny colored tiles are additional eye candy. Though neither grew up in Tennessee, they share an affinity for Lady Vols basketball. A bubbling tank is filled with orange fish, and orange and white pebbles line its floor. Funky bar chairs are bright orange, vaguely resembling chubby hands—a nod to Dennis’s sense of humor. The “Vols” room adjacent to the bar is filled with wall-to-wall memorabilia, most of it signed by the athletes. One wall is devoted to a team photo, another to countless jerseys, even a pair of shoes worn by Candace Parker in the Final Four. Pom poms line shelves filled with basketballs and trophies. Bar stools are emblazoned with the “Power T,” and a giant guitar propped nearby was obtained from above the scoreboard at the NCAA tournament in Cleveland Cavalier Arena. Just about anything “Vols” that can be acquired, short of the team itself, is represented here.

A home theatre has an elaborate Disney theme. Life sized characters beg the question, “Why?”  Laughs Dennis, “Our family has always loved Disney. When they closed their stores, we purchased these.” There is also a Jack Daniels themed poolroom, a fitness room and a wine cellar complete with a wine country tile mosaic from Mallorca, Spain, where the couple often visits. The kitchen showcases overhead lighting encased in a “Power T,” mirroring the same “T” on the island below. Commercial appliances are used for hosting charity events: “We do all-you-can-eat, family-style parties.”

While Dennis was chief decorator for these fantastical spaces and the collector of the many one-of-a-kind finds, not all of the rooms reflect his whimsy. His wife, Kathleen, had a decidedly more conventional point of view for the remaining spaces. The great room, though, took little effort, as a flawless view of the mountains from a massive window is the focal point. The space is inviting, with plenty of cushy leather seating and a huge stone fireplace. A knotty tree trunk carries on the woodsy theme, serving as a mantle, and lime and red accessories add color to the room. The red glass chandelier hanging from the vaulted 34-foot ceiling has a western appeal, enhancing unique arched trusses. Gesturing upward, Dennis says, “We wanted this room to be spectacular.”

Bedrooms are traditional, with paint colors in subtle shades of gold or sage. The dining room has a Southwestern feel; the wooden table, made from recycled materials like copper and reclaimed lumber, seats twelve and is set with painted pottery. Bare wood floors complement buttery-toned stucco walls, a sage green ceiling and one rusty-hued accent wall. Heavy ceiling beams and simple candle lighting give the room a quiet, rustic simplicity.

Giving Back
As we sit for a visit, Dennis describes his courtship with Kathleen in typical Dennis fashion, his tales engaging anyone within earshot. He tells how, as a teen, he frequented a local truck stop known for its pie. A young waitress there caught his eye but kept him guessing -- one day friendly, the next, standoffish. Finally he learned why: she had a twin. And more than a few pies later, Kathleen, or “the friendlier twin,” would become his wife. Of the 18-year marriage, Dennis says, “No matter what we are doing, we do it side by side.” When asked how Kathleen deals with his offbeat humor and decorating preferences, he laughs, “She puts up with me.”

I also learn that items from his many collections were purchased through charity auctions. “I like to collect unique things, but if I can give at the same time, it’s a win-win for everyone.” He continues: “The Bible tells us, ‘Of those given much, much is expected.’” It’s clear he has taken this to heart, as he describes the specific needs of others, which he strives to meet. The couple hosts bi-annual parties for the Boys & Girls Club, supports the local animal shelter, and much more. His children share his values: “They give in their own ways; one gave her hair to Locks of Love, another volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. And Kathleen does her part as well. We took in a young mother years ago (a friend of daughter Angela). We welcomed her as our own and helped her finish college. Now, she’s married, is a college graduate, and has a good job and a brand new baby. Kathleen helps to care for her children during the day.”

Dennis continues his work as an index trader, while also lending his expertise to 10-15 speaking engagements each year. “I do it because I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned. I believe in working hard and giving back. You know, we built this home to live in. We are a family: three kids, three dogs, and young children running throughout. It isn’t a show place, it’s our home.” It is also a retreat where others can gather, and another opportunity for the Bolze family to share their blessings.

STORY BY KATHRYN GAGE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUCE COLE, JOHN HALL AND AMANDA SMYTHE

Brad and Jody Spivey are about as unpretentious as any couple could be. Brad greets me from his front steps in blue jeans and tennis shoes with a friendly, “Come on in” and a gesture for me to follow him.  He calls for Jody, and her reply is “Oh no, I’m cleaning and I’m a mess!”  When she appears, she’s tanned to a golden brown, clad in shorts, a tee and flip-flops, and apologizing profusely for an unmade bed somewhere downstairs.

Sounds like regular folks, right?  Yes they are, just as friendly as can be, but there is nothing “regular” about the home in which I’m standing.  As I traveled to Morristown to visit them, the countryside became more rural, quiet, open, green and lush: beautiful East Tennessee farmland.  Then there was the house, grand in scale, behind a stonewall with an iron gate.  Pink petunias in the hot summer sun made the scene welcoming and comfortable, while the circular fountain spraying lofty plumes of water and mist rendered it cool and inviting.

This is a unique home. Architect Stephen Davis has artfully merged scrolling staircases, art niches, bull-nosed corners and seemingly miles of white Botticino marble inlaid with chocolaty brown Emperador accents. Even with immense open areas and vaulting ceilings, the home feels comfortably cozy; the light flooding in gives amazing warmth.  And Brad and Jody, standing there smiling amid it all, make me feel at home at once. This beautiful 15000 square-foot home, sitting on a 26-acre estate, is faced with limestone, brick and stucco, with stunning leaded glass doors.  Its gas lanterns are aged brushed gold, in a subtle floral detail. The home is new, but feels as though it has been part of the land for years.

Brad guides me through the spacious six-bedroom home (with six full baths, three half-baths, and a six car garage) that took five years to complete.  He describes each detail and the thought processes behind it as we walk.  Jody tells me that somewhere during the fourth year she threw up her hands and said, “Brad, take the wheel, I’m done!”  She had only one main request: a GRAND entrance.” And its clear that she got what she wanted.  She also found herself somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of furnishing and decorating such a large home, and was grateful for the assistance of her long time designer Sharon Blair. “Sharon worked with us on three of the homes we’ve lived in previously, as well as our lake house.  She knows me, she knows what I like, and I trust her completely.”

As I look about, I am drawn to the floor-to-ceiling bay windows that grace the far wall, noticing how the light the provide influences the feeling of the rest of the home. The custom designed curving stair, with its exotic Brazilian Kumaro wood treads and ornate ironwork railings, carries the eye upward, and I find myself eager to explore.  To the right is the dining room.  While the couple awaits its furnishings, the custom built-in china hutch with its dark marble surfaces is already a major focal point.  The tray style drawers for sterling are a special addition, and at its center, framed with handsome millwork is a massive built-in mirror.  With the white finish and oversized mirror the feel is almost contemporary, yet still remaining classic and unquestionably elegant. The Bottocino marble flooring, carried through much of the main floor, gives the room a sense of grandeur not often seen.  Says Brad, ”It wasn’t my original intent to use so much marble, but there was no natural break in the flow between spaces, so we carried it through.”  The result is nearly a museum-like quality, yet still warm and comfortable.  A glossy white frieze molding complements the living room trims. Here rectangular moldings are artfully and symmetrically arranged to add visual interest to the soaring space, and to carry the eye upward to the coffered ceiling.  The chandeliers are masterpieces; each selected by Sharon to captivate the eye with light refracted through delicate crystal teardrops.  And most of them can be view close-up from the second level of the home.  The inverted domed acanthus medallions from which they hang are reminiscent of the Renaissance – intricately embossed, patterned and perfectly antiqued with a shimmering copper and bronze glaze.  Artist Regan Hunt, who created all the faux finishes throughout the home, has created a feel that is truly stunning.

Opposite the dining room is the library, a resplendent space awash in a sea of natural cherry wood.  Floor to ceiling cabinetry showcases a handsome collection of leather bound books that the couple has collected, many of them from an old library in Chattanooga, where Jody grew up.  A stately desk and a pedestal globe are the only items in the clean expanse of Kumaro wood flooring.  A winding staircase, matching the one in the foyer, appears to lead to an upstairs nook, but in fact leads to another space containing still more shelving, with interior lighting highlighting the bright white finish.  It also connects with the rest of the second level, where the couple’s 16-year-old son Jake has his room.   Three staircases all converge in the center of the open space, with curves and filigree illuminated by crystal chandeliers: truly a work of architectural mastery. Brad admits to one regret. “We’d planned to build a secret bookcase here, but it didn’t happen. Our son was a little disappointed, he thought it would be cool!”  Still the room is one of Brad’s favorites.

Horse Country
    Brad and Jody originally purchased the property here to raise Tennessee Walking horses.  Brad’s father, an avid horseman, had been in he business for many years and they planned the venture together: to build a barn, buy and train horses, including brood mares, and to raise foals.  Brad, who is employed by a pharmaceutical company, still owns two of the original eight horses, but doesn’t plan to continue the business except to dabble on occasion. “”We have so many memories here already.  My dad loved carpentry so he really enjoyed watching the house come together.”  I asked Brad if he also took a hands-on approach to building the home.  He laughed. “I like to supervise!”

If you’d seen this land before, you wouldn’t have believed it,” says Brad. There were a few falling-down farmhouses and trees, banks and brush that had to be cleared and leveled. But if you can find property to purchase here in Hamblin County, it’s a great investment. It’s very small, land-wise, so availability is limited.”  The county boasts proximity to Panther Creek State Park, Cherokee lake, Cumberland Gap National Park and the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Gracious living
The sunlit living room is spacious and airy. Jody is quick to point out that the furnishing s will soon be changing. “I found exactly what I want in a magazine, and Sharon is helping me pull it together.”  She points out a display cabinet, which houses her collection of biblical statuettes, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus.  It blends beautifully with the stone hearth with dark marble accents that houses the Isokern Fireplace System.  The fireplace is designed with gas logs, but is still able to burn wood if desired.)  And decorative wall panels with shimmering faux copper inlays add depth and warmth.  Above the fireplace is a large, retractable oil painting, which disguises the 50-inch plasma television.

The kitchen, family room and breakfast room all flow together seamlessly. The kitchen’s custom stained woodwork and maple cabinetry blend beautifully with the coffee glazed wall colors.  The stained cherry wood island and range hood are a rich complement. Hardware and fixtures are finished in brushed and antiqued nickel, and the triple bowl sink features a pot-filler faucet.  The countertops are Delicatus granite, and the backsplashes are tumbled travertine marble with pewter tile inlays.  Asked about her cooking prowess, Jody answers wryly, “ Sure, I’m a great cook!  I just haven’t learned to work the stove yet, but I microwave things all the time.  I do enjoy baking though, I guess I bake more than I cook.”

The breakfast area, where the family dines most often, has an old world style table, with high backed leather and brocade chairs.  The table sits in a windowed corner and provides a lovely view of the pool below.  The spacious family room, with stacked stonewalls and a pair of large chandeliers, is warm and comfortable.  The stone hearth sits ready to heat the space on a cold day, and a wall of custom shelving and cabinetry houses a flat panel television.  Wall sconces and luxurious leather seating, along with a large upholstered sectional, give the rooms an old world feel.  Situated in an alcove is a marble-topped bar area with a wine rack, icemaker and wall-to-wall cabinetry.

Even the laundry room puts on a show. Custom maple cabinets with a hand applied coffee glaze, a Swanstone laundry sink, slate flooring and a clever tiled “rug” inlaid near the sink, provide a gorgeous backdrop for mundane chores.

It’s all about compromise
For the master suite, Jody was adamant about plush carpeting.  Brad preferred hardwoods.  No problem. They used both, with an artful curved seam between that adds one more unique touch.  The room balances masculine and feminine touches.  Decorative wall niches flank the entry to the room, and a deeply stained door enhances the beauty of the space.  Delicate lighting beneath the cathedral ceiling adds a restful touch to the space, and a sturdy four-columned bed with silky linens completes the look.  Custom cabinets feature raised panel profiles and French antique glazing. The fireplace (again Isokern) is accented with Bottocino marble in a handcrafted Bombay design. “The craftsman had never done a project like this before,” says Brad. “He meticulously pieced it together at home over a period of weeks before he installed it here on site.”

The adjoining sitting area, separated by French doors, has an octagonal ceiling design with stained woods, custom cabinetry, and exotic hardwood flooring. “We wanted to give the ceilings throughout the house a different look,” says Brad.

The bath is exquisite.  Milky white, with marble, mirrors and light flooding in – it has an ethereal quality.  The floor has an incandescent glow. Tuscan columns flank a dark marble whirlpool tub, which features a chromotherapy option on its handheld remote.  I daydream aloud about an afternoon soak with a good book and a glass of wine.  “Well,” says Brad,” we have never actually used it. But we will.”  He prefers his Bottocino marble shower with Emperador dark marble inlays – less for its beauty than for its steam unit.  Beauty and function.  The cabinets repeat the French antique glaze and are accented with reeded columns and acanthus molding. Countertops are dark marble with antique bronze fixtures.  A multi-level tray ceiling provides options for both task lighting and soft ambient illumination.

The downstairs is really a complete home in itself, and Brad admits. “This is my favorite part of the house.”  I can see why.  It includes a full kitchen with distressed hickory cabinets, a pool table, poker table, and a theater – a haven for the boys.  The stadium style theater smells of new leather and vintage movie posters and film reels decorate the walls. The couple plans to use the area to entertain friends once they are settled, but Jake already makes good use of it. “Jake loves the pool, he loves the theater: We think it’s fantastic that his friends like to hang out here.”  The level also boasts an exercise room, a dry sauna, and soon will have a wine cellar.  “We’re not connoisseurs, but I think it will be neat.”

Accessible by elevator or stairs, there is a mother-in-law suite that is a private, comfortable retreat for Jody’s mother who visits often. This area also has a separate kitchen, with sage toned marble counters.  Multiple bedrooms and baths provide space for guests to kick back and stay awhile.

Soak up the sun
Jody’s golden tan is a testament to the sunbathing potential of the custom pool, designed by local pool gurus, WaterShapers.  The pool and the home are both heated with a combination natural gas/geothermal technology system from Geothermal heating and cooling.  The pool area features a 12-foot waterfall and adjoining hot tub. The organic shaped, saline pool has a slate blue color, making it seem more like a natural pond than a manmade pool. And a nearby outdoors grill and hearthside seating area make for delicious weekends in the sun.  The pool house will doubtless be the site of many parties for Jake and his crew.  It, too, has a full kitchen, a full bath and a delightful outdoor shower.  The pool area is completely as stylish as the rest of the home. Eric Johnson Design designed the stone patio and landscaping.

Taken all together, this home and its surroundings are proof that even the most gracious and stylish space can be comfortably suited to a laidback lifestyle.  As Brad reiterates, “We’re simple people,” and I agree.  The Spivey’s are simply gracious, kind and down-to-earth people, who happen to have incredibly good taste  - reflected in the beauty and ambience of Stone Crest.