Bruce and Betty Smith
The Smith Home

With their appreciation of the warmth and integrity of a log home, Bruce and Betty had exacting plans for its interior features. White pine floors complement the curved log walls and overhead beams. For the cupboards and cabinets in the handsome kitchen, the Smiths found their best source back in Indiana. A custom cabinetmaker was given exact dimensions and the finished products were shipped to the house site.

The master bedroom suite also came in for some individualized treatment. In crisp weather, a gas fireplace can quickly take off the chill. The cathedral ceiling with its two skylights adds enormous airiness and illumination to the solid log interior. Two doors lead to the master bathroom, which boasts separate his-and-hers facilities. Each has its own sink, toilet stall, and walk-in closet.

For dining, Betty and Bruce placed a combined island and table (10-by-41/2feet) in the open kitchen area. Fitted with upholstered chairs, it conveniently serves daily meals as well as party dinners. Extensive track lighting and a decorative overhead lamp brighten the scene. Under the kitchen cabinets, task lighting makes for easier food preparation.

The main level also includes a laundry room, half bathroom, and good-sized pantry. But the favorite main-level space is probably the sunroom, with its daylong light and striking views. In one windowed corner, a teak table and chairs are ready for snacks or games. Upstairs, the loft affords a grand view of the space below. There’s also a library (added after floor plans were finished) that sits above the master bathroom.

A third bedroom has its own full bathroom.  Heating for this unusual house was well thought out. Hot-water radiant heat is piped through the floors on the main and lower levels. For the upstairs bedroom there’s electric heat. The wood-burning fireplace in the great room is matched by another in the family room below. With winter temperatures occasionally hitting single digits, the fireplaces are well used. A local mason constructed the massive great room hearth from moss stone.

Because summer heat is rarely a problem in this mountain area—“maybe three weeks”—air-conditioning was not installed, but most rooms have ceiling fans. An asphalt roof, less costly than the metal one first considered, adds insulation.

Outdoor life on 20 acres offers many possibilities, but the front porch and wide rear deck afford their own introduction to nature. To the east a plateau of sagebrush stretches far off, while a steep slope at the back descends to the Yellowstone River valley. There’s no need for any landscaping, though Bruce says he keeps the grasses mowed close to the house to discourage unwelcome wildlife. He cleans the redwood deck with power washing and re-stains it every two or three years to keep it in top condition.

And did this custom design require any special construction considerations? One in particular has worked very well. Bruce wanted a proper wine cellar for his extensive collection of vintage and other bottles. The ideal place turned out to be a basement area under the front porch, where a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained year round. One minor change occurred while construction was under way. Because the stairway from the main to the upper level came too close to the hearth wall, a niche was cut into the stone to accommodate the stairway more easily. The result is a pleasingly angled ledge in the great room.

In this spectacular Montana setting, Bruce and Betty have built a home that combines the warmth of solid log construction with their own personal design style. It’s an achievement they can enjoy for years to come.