A Montana getaway that proves you can mix cozy cabin vibes with clean farmhouse style
When a Texas couple set out to build a Flathead Lake vacation home for their family, they hit a major roadblock: one wanted a bright white farmhouse, and the other wanted a dark, woodsy lodge. Designer Kylee Shintaffer managed to bridge the gap beautifully by mixing clean, light backdrops with rugged, textured materials.
The heart of the home
You feel the scale of this place the second you walk into the main living room, where massive timber beams overhead meet white-washed wood walls.
Instead of covering the massive fireplace in heavy stone, they used a clean plaster chimney with just a few big stones around the hearth to keep things feeling airy.
An airy kitchen with serious grit
Right off the dining area, the kitchen balances light and dark with blackened window frames and a matching dark oak island.
Those massive dome lights over the island add just the right amount of weight to balance out the high ceilings.
Spaces to pause and watch the water
Tucked away next to the kitchen is a cozy breakfast booth with leather-backed benches that makes you want to linger over coffee all morning.
On the other side of the fireplace, a sunroom with three sides of windows puts you right in the middle of the pine trees.
There is also a screened porch that lets you enjoy the fresh mountain breeze and views of the river without worrying about the elements.
Earth-toned details
Even the smallest rooms get the natural treatment, like this powder room featuring a wall of local Montana moss rock and a wooden trestle vanity.
This clever storage setup keeps kitchen overflow out of sight while showing off pretty ceramics behind vintage glass cabinet doors.
Room for the whole crew
Across the yard, a separate barn serves as a guesthouse, complete with its own wood-paneled dining nook for easy crowd entertaining.
In the main hallway, built-in bunk beds with warm orange-trimmed curtains turn a simple passage into a cozy sleeping corner.
Finally, this whimsical guest bedroom plays up the forest theme with a playful green fox wallpaper and classic iron twin beds.
