Houzz Tours
A Rustic Luxe Family Retreat in Montana
This compound on a cattle and bison ranch has plenty of room for 3 generations to gather for adventure in the West
This rustic bench perches just outside the fishing cabin, providing expansive views of the Ruby River. The property also has views of the Snowcrest Range and Tobacco Root Mountains.
Fishing Cabin
Moving this early 1900s schoolhouse to a site next to a lake on the property wasn’t anything new. Interior designer Bill Peace says that during the gold rush, these schoolhouses were put on rails so they could be moved to follow the population. This one now serves as a welcoming fishing cabin and workspace. The original building is a true hewn log cabin with notched logs at the corners. The team added the front porch and a dormer to create a sleeping loft.
Moving this early 1900s schoolhouse to a site next to a lake on the property wasn’t anything new. Interior designer Bill Peace says that during the gold rush, these schoolhouses were put on rails so they could be moved to follow the population. This one now serves as a welcoming fishing cabin and workspace. The original building is a true hewn log cabin with notched logs at the corners. The team added the front porch and a dormer to create a sleeping loft.
Living room. A cozy Montana stone fireplace warms the quaint cabin, while an antique French cabinet full of vintage creels nods to the long history of fly fishing on the Ruby River. On the right is a photograph of nearby Yellowstone’s famous Old Faithful.
Workspace. This space is a working office, and this particular desk is a fly-tying station, complete with a cabinet for feathers and other fly-tying materials.
The fishing cabin’s bathroom is simple and rustic, with a horse-feeding trough fashioned as a shower pan and a tree trunk serving as a towel rack. The curtains are cowhide and the shower curtain is linen.
Sink: Kohler
Sink: Kohler
The Guest Cabin
This guest cabin is located across the lake from the main lodge.
This guest cabin is located across the lake from the main lodge.
Architecture. The Western log cabin architecture creates strong connections between indoors and out. While the architecture of the other buildings was inspired by the log cabin schoolhouse, it is more modernized. It is composed of a mix of hand-hewn reclaimed fir and oak logs. While it looks like an original stacked log cabin, the construction is tricking the eye. The logs were split in half vertically, with one stack going on the outside, the space behind it housing wiring, plumbing and insulation and the other half of the logs stacked on the other side on the interior. This gives them the illusion of fully intact round stacked logs. “Also, it was built this way because it is more stable. A two-story log cabin can sag over time,” Peace says. The plaster between the logs is made by American Clay.
Porch. The front porch is a wonderful spot to perch on a vintage hickory rocking chair and take in the majestic views across the property and beyond.
Porch. The front porch is a wonderful spot to perch on a vintage hickory rocking chair and take in the majestic views across the property and beyond.
Style. The style came from a combination of the local vernacular and function, and it was inspired by the location along the Ruby River and the majestic views of the mountains. “Getting to know the lifestyle, the unique gear and natural flow of time was key in creating functional yet sophisticated spaces,” Peace says. The interiors can be described as rustic luxe. Much of the comfort the ranch provides comes from the way the design feels like it’s been there for 100 years. “This home is also a testament to how we strive to create timeless interiors,” he says.
Entry. The entry hall, seen here and in the previous photo, invites visitors to sit a spell on the leather and velvet sofa and take off their boots. “While it’s not technically a mudroom, it is very casual,” Peace says. He used vintage Navajo rugs like this one throughout the house. The sconces are antiques.
In the previous photo, you can see how the contractor used real trees and branches found on the property to craft the newel post, stair railing and unique coat rack. Peace commissioned the deer painting on the stair landing from Atlanta artist Todd Murphy. The cutout log basket is a vintage Asian piece.
In the previous photo, you can see how the contractor used real trees and branches found on the property to craft the newel post, stair railing and unique coat rack. Peace commissioned the deer painting on the stair landing from Atlanta artist Todd Murphy. The cutout log basket is a vintage Asian piece.
Living room. The home provides rustic comfort. “This home was furnished with a collection of antiques and custom pieces,” Peace says. Tables and accessories bring in the rustic look while sofas and chairs were custom-sized for the family and add textures like leather, velvet and wool. The distressed leather chairs are French antiques. The house is also full of character brought in via thoughtful and playful details, like the row of vintage cowboy hats hung above the windows.
Window treatments. Simple window treatments soften the architecture while blending in with the design. Peace used materials including burlap linen (seen here), brushed cotton and leather hides. “These are all materials that can stand up to the visual weight and texture of the reclaimed wood walls,” Peace says. The grandfather clock is a Swedish antique and the framed piece on the side table is a vintage photograph of a cowgirl.
Window treatments: Glass House Atelier
Window treatments: Glass House Atelier
Fireplace. A large stone fireplace serves as the focal point in the great room. It is dry-stacked, and the Harlowton moss rock is indigenous to the area.
On the cocktail table there is an antique curiosity box covered in shells.
On the cocktail table there is an antique curiosity box covered in shells.
Kitchen. The rustic, modest kitchen has reclaimed fir cabinets. The bar is live-edge reclaimed white oak and the rest of the work surfaces are fir.
Bathrooms. Whimsical rustic touches continue throughout all of the bathrooms. In this powder room, a rusted metal bucket serves as a vessel sink. The faucets are outdoor faucets and the countertop is made of hewn logs. The walls are covered in reclaimed metal from a barn roof; it has been pressed and flattened. The sconces are repurposed vintage lights from a New York City subway.
Dining room. The formal dining room is a mix of antiques and new pieces. The dining chairs are Spanish antiques from the 1800s. The antler chandelier adds another rustic western lodge touch. All of the antlers used for this project were found in old sheds and then fashioned into chandeliers and other pieces by artisans in Montana. Meanwhile, the large walnut mirror over the console table is new. “This piece is simple and brings modern elegance to the rustic house,” Peace says. It’s a strategy he used throughout the living quarters.
The Bunkhouse
Living room. The bunkhouses allow for large family gatherings. The living room in this one has another substantial fireplace composed of local Montana stone. It also has a beautiful Turkoman rug. “Throughout the property we used vintage Navajo rugs in combination with larger antique Turkoman carpets,” Peace says. “The classic vegetable-dyed rugs work well together.”
Living room. The bunkhouses allow for large family gatherings. The living room in this one has another substantial fireplace composed of local Montana stone. It also has a beautiful Turkoman rug. “Throughout the property we used vintage Navajo rugs in combination with larger antique Turkoman carpets,” Peace says. “The classic vegetable-dyed rugs work well together.”
Sun porch. The sun porch offers big views on three sides and a spot for casual dining.
Lighting. “The lighting throughout the project is a combination of antique iron chandeliers and sconces, custom antler pieces and classic barn light fixtures that were in keeping with the authentic materials on the ranch,” Peace says.
Lighting. “The lighting throughout the project is a combination of antique iron chandeliers and sconces, custom antler pieces and classic barn light fixtures that were in keeping with the authentic materials on the ranch,” Peace says.
Bunk room. This room sleeps eight. Just as he did in the guesthouse entry, the contractor fabricated these bunk beds from trees found on the property. Another Navajo rug warms up the floor, and there are storage drawers underneath the beds.
Kids' Bathroom
The rustic feel continues in the bathrooms, where three people can brush their teeth at the same time. The large sink is inset into a hewn log.
Sink: Kohler
The rustic feel continues in the bathrooms, where three people can brush their teeth at the same time. The large sink is inset into a hewn log.
Sink: Kohler
Photo by Gordon Gregory
Main Lodge
Last and certainly not least is the main lodge. While this space has three bedrooms, it is mainly used as a place for the whole posse to gather, swapping stories of their adventures that day, playing games and sharing meals. Like the other new buildings, an exterior of reclaimed logs makes it look like it’s been here for 100 years.
Main Lodge
Last and certainly not least is the main lodge. While this space has three bedrooms, it is mainly used as a place for the whole posse to gather, swapping stories of their adventures that day, playing games and sharing meals. Like the other new buildings, an exterior of reclaimed logs makes it look like it’s been here for 100 years.
Photo by Gordon Gregory
Living room. The main living room has a substantial fireplace made of a local Montana stone and a hewn reclaimed log mantel. The hearth is deep enough to double as seating when family members need to feel toasty on chilly nights. Also worth noting is the tree branch transom detail over the opening on the left.
Living room. The main living room has a substantial fireplace made of a local Montana stone and a hewn reclaimed log mantel. The hearth is deep enough to double as seating when family members need to feel toasty on chilly nights. Also worth noting is the tree branch transom detail over the opening on the left.
Photo by Gordon Gregory
This beautiful game table in the living room brings in a big dose of red. Just as in the other buildings, the furnishings are a mix of antiques and new furnishings. “We chose a lot of French and Italian antiques that work beautifully in this house,” Peace says. The drapes are a simple burlap that keeps things feeling casual.
This beautiful game table in the living room brings in a big dose of red. Just as in the other buildings, the furnishings are a mix of antiques and new furnishings. “We chose a lot of French and Italian antiques that work beautifully in this house,” Peace says. The drapes are a simple burlap that keeps things feeling casual.
Powder room. In the main lodge powder room, the vanity and mirror are custom birch pieces, the sink is copper and the walls are covered in painted ceiling tins. The sconces are metal with white mica shades.
Bedrooms. Even though they are located in the expansive main lodge, the bedrooms were sized for cozy comfort. In this one, Peace had the headboard fashioned from an antique metal gate with vertical logs attached as the posts. Sepia prints of Old Faithful hang overhead. The side table is a primitive French antique. Chenille bedding and polished wool drapes add luxe textiles to the rustic room.
A vintage Navajo rug, antler mirror and leather club chairs are rustic contrasts to the cream-colored bedding in this guest room. The mirror was made by a local artisan and the handsome trunk is an Italian antique. The artworks over the bed are vintage photographs of Montana.
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
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Vacation Homes at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the western retreat for three generations of a family (up to 30 of them at once!)
Location: Along the Ruby River in southwest Montana, near the historic towns of Nevada City and Virginia City
Size: The family’s quarters include a main lodge, a fishing cabin, a guesthouse and two bunkhouses
Designer: Interior design: Peace Design; architecture: Miller-Roodell Architects; contractor for main lodge: On Site Management; contractor for other buildings: Yellowstone Traditions
This spectacular property is a working cattle and bison ranch, and the world-class trout fishing Ruby River runs through it. The owners hired the team to transform their living quarters into a retreat for extended family. The family’s compound on the ranch can sleep 30 people at a time, and they especially enjoy summer activities like fishing, hiking and horseback riding when they are here.
The family’s quarters are composed of several buildings. The space above is the main lodge, but saddle up — we’ll start our tour of the property with the original building on site, the 100-year-old schoolhouse-turned-fishing cabin, then mosey over to the guesthouse, one of the bunkhouses and then get a peek into the main lodge.