For a San Antonio couple building a vacation home in Bigfork, Montana, the location was easy to agree on. The aesthetics were not. One wanted a white farmhouse. The other wanted a woodsy retreat. Designer Kylee Shintaffer had to make both work.
Shintaffer, based in Seattle, specializes in raised rustic style. Alongside Fullerton Architects, a local firm, she built the project from the ground up along a river inlet off Flathead Lake. The home sits on a spot the couple and their four college-aged children already loved visiting.
The design team incorporated natural elements throughout. Montana moss rock and reclaimed timbers for the ceiling helped satisfy the desire for a rustic retreat. A separate “barn” structure acts as a garage and guesthouse, reinforcing that woodsy feel.
For the white farmhouse side of the brief, Shintaffer whitewashed the wood walls. She added contrasting details to keep things from feeling too uniform. “We stained a wood window dark to give it that freshness and graphic pop against the lighter wood walls,” she said.
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The centerpiece of the double-height, open-plan living area is a towering white plaster chimney. Three large stones surround the fireplace. “If we clad that entire thing in stone, it might have felt heavy and dark,” Shintaffer noted. Instead, the chimney acts as a blank canvas, shifting attention to the room’s other features — including the views.
“The way the house is situated, every spot has a different view: of the river, the field, the mountains,” Shintaffer said. That inspired her to create smaller areas within the larger rooms. She described them as “spaces where you pause to enjoy the vistas beyond.” One favorite is the sitting room behind the fireplace, which feels nestled in the trees.
To blend indoors and out, modern farmhouse and woodsy refuge, Shintaffer used a mix of new and midcentury furnishings. “There’s a beautiful handmade quality and patina to vintage pieces that help them anchor in with the rustic elements of the building,” she said.
The great room anchors the home
Vaulted ceilings clad in wood add a rustic touch. The combination living and dining area is outfitted for every aspect of family life. It is the center of the home.
Sitting room and sunroom maximize the scenery
Walls of windows make the most of scenic views. “You feel immersed in nature here,” Shintaffer said of the sunroom, which is encased on three sides by expansive windows.
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Kitchen details balance drama and function
Oversized pendants bring drama to the island. Stools stay tucked away beneath the stained oak island until extra seating is needed. A series of drawers offers additional storage.
Breakfast nook creates a room within a room
Wood paneling defines the space. “This is a magical spot,” Shintaffer said of the restaurant-style breakfast nook. Custom benches have a low back, so they do not block the view.
The barn doubles as a guesthouse and party space
A separate barn is the ideal spot to house guests or host parties. A cozy eat-in area seats a crowd, making it perfect for entertaining.
Powder room keeps things light
A trestle-style table is visually lighter than a traditional vanity. Shintaffer designed the vanity with a brushed bluestone top to lend rustic appeal. Rock-clad walls bring the outdoors in.
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Guest nook adds privacy with curtains
In the second-floor hallway, two beds are tucked into alcoves for visitors. Curtains add necessary privacy and softness.
Mudroom uses an antique piece for storage
Shintaffer split the clients’ antique cupboard into two parts. She painted the interior Sienna by Benjamin Moore.
Guest room above the barn gets playful
Nature-inspired wallpaper adds a rare dose of pattern. Bold paint makes heirloom beds feel new. This is one of two bedrooms above the barn.
Deck offers mountain breezes without bugs
Oversized screens let in major mountain breeze while keeping out bugs. The family loves to hang out here. “The antique wood cladding and rustic stone cobble flooring are a great complement to the rugged setting,” Shintaffer said.
