A 5,537-Square-Foot Mountain Retreat Embraces Stone, Wood and Natural Elements

After a fire in Montana’s Bridger Valley destroyed everything in its wake, a couple jumped in feet first to build an even better version of their beloved home.

February 17, 2026

Laura Kostelny,

Post tragedy, the homeowners opted to rebuild on a different part of the property. “The new location enhances the overall views more than the original spot,” says architect Kipp Halvorsen. “They were also looking to achieve a style that will transcend time.” | Photo: Whitney Kamman

Nothing tests a homeowner’s loyalty to the land quite like Mother Nature. Back in 2020, after a major fire that destroyed homes throughout the foothills of Montana’s Bridger Mountains, a lot of people cried “uncle.” One couple did not. Although they were left with little more than a flagpole and a metal sculpture by Jim Dolan, they were determined to rebuild.

“We’ve been here for 25 years. Initially, this was our second home, but as the years passed, we spent more and more time here, until we were pretty much full-time,” says the homeowner. “The original house was built in the late 1990s, and it was on an unbelievable piece of ground with an unbelievable view. There is no other property with this kind of view.”

In the great room, a sculptural chandelier by Heirloom Lighting mixes with an overhead mount, a portrait of a bear by Matt Flint and a custom piece by Sergio Furnari depicting steelworkers atop a skyscraper. | Photo: Whitney Kamman

Kipp Halvorsen of Bozeman-based architectural firm Faure Halvorsen was the perfect choice to kick off the rebuilding process. (“He is a Montana cowboy known for his ability to get within individuals’ heads,” explains the homeowner.) When 1,800 badly burned trees had to be removed from the property, Halvorsen was determined to make the most of the newly revealed 360-degree views of the mountain range along with downtown Bozeman’s city lights.

“The fire was a terrible tragedy and a difficult situation that the homeowners handled like generational heroes from our past,” says the architect. “We had the opportunity to place the house in a different location that enhances the overall views more than the original house did. The owners were also looking to achieve a style that will transcend time and not be identified by current mainstream styles.”

Access to plentiful natural light and views of the landscape continues even after friends and family cross the threshold of the front door. | Photo: Whitney Kamman

At the jump, Halvorsen asked the homeowners to rank living spaces in order of importance. That directly informed the design of the 5,537-square-foot residence’s luxurious primary suite—complete with his-and-hers bathrooms and a laundry area—that’s accessible via a glass bridge from the main house, as well as an approximately 3,000-square-foot wide-open living area that features a sitting “room,” dining “room” and kitchen that together maximize the stunning views.

“The way the landscape unfolds through the glass feels intentional and perfectly framed, as if the room was designed around that moment. The light, the depth of the view and the sense of openness all come together in a way that feels effortless,” Halvorsen says. “Those windows don’t just show the valley—they pull it into the room. They create a connection to the land that changes with the seasons and the time of day, giving the space a calm, grounded presence.”

The kitchen is both practical and pretty thanks to a thoughtful layout as well as an abundance of windows, furniture-like walnut cabinets by Shinnoki, blue quartzite countertops and flagstone flooring. | Photo: Whitney Kamman

The homeowners also enlisted builders Wade Duncan and Joe Robb of Duncan Robb Construction, who had remodeled the couple’s previous home, and Robb’s wife, Liz, of Elizabeth Robb Interiors—a friend of more than two decades. They were all uniquely positioned to bring beloved elements from the old property into the new.

“The couple loved the flagstone floor in their previous home, so we brought that to all of the indoor and outdoor living spaces except the primary bedroom,” Liz Robb says. “In some ways, this is their old home bumped up on steroids. It’s stronger and more interesting, with a lot of stone, wood and natural elements that speak to the outside and the views.”

Conversation continues to flow freely as guests make their way from the kitchen to the dining “room,” which is outfitted with a walnut table by Big Timberworks and custom chairs upholstered in a velvet by Romo. | Photo: Whitney Kamman

The designer also collaborated with the homeowners to create a fresh take on Mountain Modern with textural wallpapers, sculptural lighting, artwork from a collection that is in the process of being rebuilt, and luxe textiles. “The setting is very up high in the mountains, so the furnishings needed fabrics that feel soft but also thick and textural,” she says. “Things like white fur and bouclé on the living room chairs or the velvet on the dining area chairs. This can be a bit of a tough, masculine setting, so everything in the house counteracts that.”

Big Picture

The designer and architect share their tips for creating a great room that allows people to take in the majestic views while living large.

Start with loose definition

“Maintaining the focus on the views can be challenging when you’re trying to carve out different seating areas in nearly 3,000 square feet.” Rather than bring in a bunch of different lighting options to signify each area, Liz Robb chose to hang three onyx-and-iron pendant chandeliers throughout the room. “Everyone was like, we’re going to use three giant chandeliers that don’t define anything? But I knew the homeowners didn’t want a lot of clutter,” she says. “There are no walls, no differing ceiling heights and no lighting cues that signal different areas, but it totally works.”

A custom bed frame in Misia Paris fabric sets the tone for a restful retreat, along with a Phillip Jeffries grass cloth wallcovering chandelier from Fish’s Antler Art and a custom chair and ottoman in Holly Hunt Great Plains fabric. | Photo: Whitney Kamman

Keep a low profile

“The kitchen is seamlessly integrated into a spacious open gathering room, designed to celebrate the sweeping views of the Bridger Mountains,” says Kipp Halvorsen. “Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the exterior wall, flooding the space with natural light and framing the mountain peaks like a living landscape painting.” Upper cabinets would have ruined the artful views, so Robb worked with a cabinet maker to create furniture-like pieces that are ultra-functional. “The plates and typical things stored in upper cabinets are stored in the kitchen island,” she says. “We also utilized drawer spaces really well.”

Go with the flow

Without walls, thoughtful furniture arrangements are necessary to create loose boundaries that encourage friends and family to interact between “rooms.” “A large central island anchors the kitchen, offering seating on multiple sides so people can gather to cook, talk or simply linger,” explains Halvorsen. “The dining table sits nearby, positioned to feel connected but not crowded, making it easy for meals to transition into conversation.”

Rest and relaxation is all but assured in the primary bathroom, which is home to a Kallista Argile freestanding bathtub, a Fisher Weisman Collection chandelier and Calacatta Gold marble. | Photo: Whitney Kamman