Spotlight on Design: Montana

Courtesy Montana Expressions

Montana is a masterpiece of natural beauty, stretching from the rugged Rocky Mountains in the west to the rolling Great Plains in the east. With snow capped peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes and 17 million acres of national forest—including Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks—the Treasure State is a haven for nature lovers.

Life in Big Sky Country offers more than just breathtaking scenery. It’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, a hub for vibrant year-round festivals and a canvas for a thriving arts scene. With its rich Native American heritage and echoes of the Wild West, Montana’s history adds depth to its allure, drawing newcomers and long-time residents alike to its open spaces and welcoming spirit.

This blend of natural inspiration and cultural richness fuels a community of skilled designers, architects, artists and artisans. Here, we highlight a few of these creative professionals who channel Montana’s beauty and laid-back lifestyle into innovation, shaping the state’s future while honoring its timeless charm.

Deeply Connected

Courtesy Locati Architects

For the experienced team at LOCATI ARCHITECTS, it’s not just where you live, but how you live. For over 30 years they have been delivering a highly personalized approach to architectural design that celebrates each client’s vision while honoring Montana’s unparalleled landscape.

As a longtime resident and design professional, how have you seen Montana’s design style evolve?

The building boom in the last few decades has certainly had a significant impact on both the design industry and Montana as a whole. Architects, designers and builders have had remarkable opportunities to explore new materials, innovations and ideas in the pursuit of the ideal Montana home. And while design trends come and go, one thing holds true: Montana is both a beautiful and challenging place to build. Design work that responds to both realities, while also embracing the lifestyle we enjoy, leads to enduring results.

Are there common themes that unite your work?

Our design approach revolves around using durable, natural materials in innovative ways to shape both interior and exterior spaces. Creating exterior spaces that function seamlessly in the overall design is central to our work in Montana and throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Doing so creates the experience our clients seek and provides an intimate connection to the landscape we treasure. In turn, we work to extend the same natural materials through the interior to create a timeless, unified character across all spaces.

LOCATI ARCHITECTS

Greg Dennee, AIA, Senior Partner
406-587-1139
Bozeman, Montana

Eclectic Curation

Courtesy Montana Expressions

For over 25 years, the creative team at MONTANA EXPRESSIONS has drawn inspiration from their rich history and deep roots in their home state to provide exceptional home furnishings and interior design services to their clientele in Bozeman, Big Sky and beyond.

What is your team’s favorite part of the design process?

What we love most about the design process is getting to know our clients. Interior design is inherently personal—it’s about creating spaces where people will live, relax, and make memories. Our goal is to craft environments that not only reflect each client’s unique style but also work seamlessly with their daily lives. The opportunity to draw inspiration from their stories and preferences is deeply rewarding, and doing it all in the backdrop of such stunning natural surroundings makes it even more special.

How do Montana Expressions’ designs reflect the unique spirit and history of Montana and the American West?

The true spirit of the American West is ever-changing, as is the concept of home and design. In the past, thriving in Montana—and the West as a whole—demanded a resilience and grit commensurate with this rugged region. While our state’s history holds its share of dark chapters, the contributions of diverse groups and cultures is indisputable. Today, as we experience an influx of new residents, Montana’s identity is entering a new chapter. Now more than ever, it’s important to honor the roots that define us while allowing our designs to evolve.

How have your designs evolved over the years?

When our team first began in the late 1990s/early 2000s, we were largely focused on finding antique and one-of-a-kind pieces for both the store and our projects. This culminated in a more Old World, traditional style (with which, honestly, we are still smitten). Over time, our approach has shifted to blending modern pieces with older ones that either hold personal meaning for our clients or carry unique historical significance. This evolution reflects both our growth as designers and our admiration for how interior design has transformed over the years.

MONTANA EXPRESSIONS
Addi Sires, Owner
406-585-5839
Bozeman, Montana

Authentic Vision

Liberty in the Desert | Tracy Stuckey, 2022, oil on canvas, 66 x 84 in. | Courtesy Visions West Contemporary

With galleries in Bozeman, Livingston and Denver, VISIONS WEST CONTEMPORARY exhibits stunning displays, fresh voices and unique perspectives of life in the American West. Read on to learn more about their unique offerings.

What lies at the heart of your gallery’s mission?

At Visions West Contemporary, we aim to push the boundaries of art within our region and beyond by curating a distinctive international roster of artists. These artists bring vital voices to the global art community, reflecting themes of nature, animals, environmental issues and lifestyles connected to the rugged and wild places of the world, such as the American West.

What criteria do you use when choosing which artists/pieces to feature?

We seek out artists with an authentic vision who create work that is unique and exhibits technical diversity, independent thinking, courage, boldness
and passion.

Are there common themes that unite your exhibitions?

Most of our exhibitions explore themes related to the natural world. They often focus on animals, the American West and other rugged regions around the globe, celebrating the wilderness and the magic these landscapes and themes represent.

Visions West Contemporary
Nikki Todd, Gallery Director
406-522-9946
Bozeman & Livingston, Montana | Denver, Colorado

Eco-Friendly Opulence

Courtesy 1889 Wax Lighting

Get to know Big Sky’s 1889 WAX LIGHTING, bespoke candle makers of the Northern Rockies with a passion for creating unique light forms in an inspired and environmentally responsible manner.

What inspires your unique products?

We believe the environment you create in your space is
deeply connected with your well-being and self-image. Our products help create special moments for relaxing or
hosting gatherings.

How do your products stand out from the competition?

We craft 100% soy wax candles with natural, toxin-free fragrances in premium vessels. Each blends ancient scents with modern design, evoking the essence of the American West.

How do you practice environmental sustainability?

Our ceramic and glass vessels are earth-friendly. Our soy wax is a by-product of American agriculture, and we source wicks, oils, labels and packaging domestically to reduce transit impact. We also offset outbound shipping emissions  with UPS.

1889 Wax Lighting
John Berezny, Artisan
406-813-8007
Big Sky, Montana