Located in Polson, Montana, the design of this modern mountain style home by Cushing Terrell was driven by the goal of orienting each of the living spaces toward views of Flathead Lake. The dynamic site is both deep and steep with three tiers of land that transition from the road down to the lake. On the exterior, the character of the design took inspiration from wooden hay storage structures that feature broad overhangs and are found in the region.

Created for a couple who love to entertain, the lakefront property includes the main house with a garage (8,040 square feet), guest house (1,540 square feet), boathouse (2,340 square feet), and a sport vehicle and accessories barn (2,970 sf). A connector link between the main body of the house and another guest space serves as a grand entry that also looks out onto the lake.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Cushing Terrell CONTRACTOR Gallatin Construction, Inc. INTERIOR DESIGNER & LIGHTING Ronda Drivers Interiors LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Cushing Terrell STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Cushing Terrell GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER Slopeside Engineering

With the home situated closest to the water, the design team came up with variations of the floor plan to maximize the width of the building, while ensuring the primary living spaces are at the center facing directly west while the other spaces are rotated around it, pivoted at angles to capitalize on views out toward the different directions.

“It became a study of where the best views are from those different areas on the site and in which tier they should be situated,” says Design Director David Koel. Owners and guests utilize a driveway that bends around a separate two-bedroom guest house and toy barn. A connector link between the main body of the house and another guest space serves as a grand entry that also looks out onto the lake.

The informal flow of the home with guests coming in through the kitchen and living areas and out to a courtyard on the water makes for a welcoming experience. The character of the design took inspiration from wooden hay storage structures that feature broad overhangs and are found in rural Montana.

For this home, overhangs come out eight feet and tie back into the main truss structure. This creates cover and maximizes shade on the west side to enhance outdoor dining and relaxing.

PRODUCTS

Metal Sales – Standing Seam Metal Roof 
Owens Corning – Woodcrest Shingles – Asphalt Shingle Roof System 
Sierra Pacific Windows – Aluminum Clad Wood Windows 
Montana Rockworks – Moose Mountain – Natural Stone Veneer 
Modern Steel Doors – Offset Pivot Door

What We Love: This mountain modern style home features large windows capturing breathtaking lake views throughout. Materials of wood and stone add inviting warmth to this spectacular dwelling that was created for enjoying lakeside entertaining. We especially love the great room with its soaring ceiling, stone-clad fireplace, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a spacious patio overlooking Flathead Lake.

Tell Us: What are your overall thoughts on the design of this lake house retreat? Let us know in the Comments below, we enjoy reading your feedback!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Montana: Tour a warm and inviting ski chalet nestled in Montana’s snowy peaks and Montana ranch retreat boasts gorgeous display of rustic-luxe details.

This beautiful lake house retreat includes seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

PHOTOGRAPHER Rebecca Stumpf

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