This Mountain Home Embraces a Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle

A family-friendly home in Whitefish is playfully modern yet sophisticated.

11 hours ago

Laura Beausire,

With a family-friendly Lovesac sectional sofa, Kalaty rug, Phillips Collection coffee table and whimsical deer light fixture from Qeeboo, the lofty living room is a cozy gathering place with gorgeous wilderness views. | Photo: Gibeon Photography

When a Whitefish, Montana, family envisioned their new house, they focused on fun as well as function. With teenagers and dogs running around, they needed a big kitchen, friendly furniture and plenty of space for entertaining guests. “We wanted it to be a home where all the kids can come,” the homeowner says. “We wanted to be the cool house.”

To make that dream come true, they enlisted the help of Travis Denman, president of Denman Construction; Kevin Richardson, owner and primary designer of Timber Forge Design; and interior designer Colton Martini, owner and lead designer at Camp Martini. The team paid tribute to the site’s natural beauty, creating a modern home that embraces an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The exterior’s wire-brushed cedar cladding was installed both vertically and horizontally, with steel panel accents. And a tall porte cochere marks the entry, where an oversize door welcomes guests.

The roomy kitchen was designed for entertaining with two islands providing plenty of kitchen storage and counter space. Custom stools are by Camp Martini. | Photo: Gibeon Photography

Inside, steel beams, white walls and oak flooring combine with huge windows that allow natural light to shine in. “The steel created a stark contrast and modern feel, while the timbers brought back some Montana feel and warmth,” says Richardson. The homeowner adds, “Montana can be very gray in the winter, so I just wanted a lot of light.” Martini and lead design associate Claire Christensen collaborated with the homeowners to create spaces that are sophisticated yet playful, with colorful artwork, whimsical wallcoverings and statement lighting.

“They definitely were willing to push boundaries and do something that was more unique,” says Martini. Stylish surprises, including a full-size deer lamp in the great room and palm-leaf wallpaper in a powder bath, provide unexpected sparks of joy. “It was really important for everything to feel comfortable and welcoming, but also kind of lean into that edited sort of Hollywood Regency meets Montana meets the mountains idea,” Martini says.

Accessed through sliding doors in the great room and dining areas, the large heated covered deck provides year round indoor outdoor living. | Photo: Gibeon Photography

The primary suite features a resort-worthy bathroom with a large shower enclosure and a serene freestanding tub surrounded by forest views. But the showstopper is through another door. “The closet was the main thing for me,” the homeowner confesses. And Martini agrees.“We designed the house around her closet, basically,” he says. Intended to resemble an upscale clothing boutique, with custom backlit display cases for handbags and an island with drawers to store smaller items, “It’s more than a closet, it’s a showpiece,” says Denman.

A spacious kitchen with two islands makes gatherings a breeze, while a hidden pantry stocked like a grocery store is designed to delight kids and adults alike. An accordion window allows the host to serve guests on a large, covered outdoor deck that’s also accessible through sliding doors in the great room and dining areas.

In the light, bright primary bathroom, the design team created a serene bathing retreat. Surrounded by windows overlooking the forest, a simply elegant freestanding tub offers a luxurious soaking spot that almost feels like it’s outdoors. | Photo: Gibeon Photography

“This really helps expand the entire interior living space because of the roof system and screens that were implemented,” says Richardson. With a fire pit, barbecue grill, bar and TV, it’s a popular spot. “We have heaters on the patio, so we can literally be outside in the winter, watching football,” the homeowner says. Downstairs, a sleepover-friendly TV and game room is a casual zone for teenage hangouts.

Denman explains, “We built it for family, and we built it for fun.” And what could be cooler than that? “Last weekend, I had nine children at my house,” says the homeowner. “So yes, for sure, we achieved that goal.”