HIGH FLYER This Rocky Mountain home exudes style at every level
The architecture of this Montana chalet incorporates carefully chosen reclaimed materials and vast windows to give panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains
Take a three-storey chalet clad in locally sourced reclaimed wood and fieldstone – complete with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains – and give it a modern-rustic interior and the end result is a perfect mountain hideaway.
Owners Will and Olivia Brown dreamed of building a place they could escape to and that made the most of the stunning landscape. ‘We visited Montana one summer and went back in winter to ski,’ says Will. ‘It’s so raw and beautiful, we knew we could find the right spot to create something amazing.’
Built in 2012 with the help of architects Pearson Design Group, Will and Olivia had a clear idea of how they envisaged their new home. ‘It needed to be fresh, clean and homely, but with structure,’ says Will. The couple were familiar with the work of New York interior designer Shawn Henderson and asked him to join the project. For Shawn, it was an opportunity to work outside New York and a first as he had never worked in Montana before. ‘For me, this was all about space and nature,’ says Shawn.
He was involved with choosing the materials, the bathrooms and kitchen, and he also worked with the architects to give the property its relaxed flow. ‘The architecture of the house is modern with a masculine feel,’ says Shawn, ‘and I wanted to play off that by creating a calm interior. The aim was to soften the experience of living there through the furniture choices and by adding lots of texture.’
Shawn was careful to work with the architectural finishes. ‘The living room has natural aged timbers, so we were selective about choosing the wood for the furniture because of the colour.’ A palette of neutrals and earthy colours is used throughout the main living areas. ‘We deliberately chose subdued hues as we wanted to let the views speak for themselves,’ says Shawn. ‘We also didn’t want the interior to be cold, so all the finishes have warmth. I thought that the interior needed a sense of cosiness to counterbalance the huge windows and snowy vistas.’
As this is a family home, durable materials were a must, and in the family area, orange sofas provide a fun burst of colour. Overall, the key to the finished look is the mix of old and new – custom-made items interspersed with antique and vintage pieces – and furniture that’s been chosen for a purpose. ‘I love shaped chairs, such as the wingbacks,’ says Shawn. ‘It’s such a vast space, so it’s good to have some pieces with interesting lines as it adds character.’