Western Design: Gathering Under the Big Sky

ALTHOUGH THE GREAT ROOM AT JANE AND WALTER BLESSEY’S HOME NEAR BIG SKY RESORT IS ULTRA-COMFORTABLE AND BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED, IT IS, IN FACT, THE FAMILY ROOM - ADJACENT TO THE KITCHEN - WHERE MOST OF THE RELAXED GATHERING TAKES PLACE. “Everyone hangs out here while I cook,” says Jane, referring to the cozy room anchored by a massive fireplace with a charmingly rustic irregular log mantelpiece. “In honor of my heritage, I admit that I am prone to making Southern-inspired dishes, such as Charleston-style gumbo with okra and just about anything from TV star chefs, Emeril and Paula Deen,” she says.

Jane’s culinary skills come in handy since one of the primary reasons the Blesseys built their log house was for entertaining. Of course, the couple enjoys their Montana abode when only the two of them are in residence, but when all the bedrooms are full and big pots of gumbo are bubbling on the stove, the house virtually buzzes with festive chatter and the giggling of grandchildren.

No matter how many overnight guests she has, Jane finds that cooking is never a chore. “Just look at this view!” she exclaims, pointing to Lone Peak looming large out of the main kitchen window above the main food prep area. Because it faces west, Jane has a front-row seat to some of the most amazing wildlife sightings and brilliant sunsets imaginable.

“Big rooms with big views. That’s what the Blesseys wanted,” says Chris Bishop, manager of client services at Alpine Log Homes. “Their wish list included plenty of sleeping space and a bathroom for every bedroom so they could accommodate their entire blended family, as well as friends and business associates — all at the same time.” The Blesseys also requested that the house be open and roomy, with space to lounge, just like the naturally sprawling 52 acres on which the house was built.

Needless to say, the Blesseys are thrilled with their new home. “We thoroughly enjoyed working with Alpine Log Homes,” says Walter, who gave Alpine (based in Victor, Mont.) a basic floor plan and a list of priorities, such as grand views and numerous sleeping quarters. The Blesseys were impressed that Alpine’s first draft was pretty close to what they wanted. After a few minor changes, ground breaking began.

“We were thrilled that we didn’t have to hire an outside architect,” says Walter. Additionally, the couple was equally happy that the construction process was virtually flawless. Walter’s business requires that he and Jane travel frequently, so seamless construction was a welcome bonus. Scott Hammond of Hammond Property Management filled in the gaps when the Blesseys were out of town. “He also manages the residence in our absence; Scott and his crew are on top of everything and continue to be an asset for us in terms of maintaining our property,” says Walter.

While their dream house was under construction, Jane and Walter lived nearby in a house they purchased in 1995. But the love affair with Montana and Big Sky started almost a decade earlier. Walter and Jane are passionate about the Treasure State’s innate beauty, and the abundance of outdoor activities. “Before buying our home in ’95, I visited Montana at least twice a year ever since the mid-80s. I loved everything about this magnificent state,” Walter gushes. Once they moved into their first Montana home, Jane and Walter often walked to what is now their back yard. “We’d pack a picnic lunch and hike up the road to enjoy the magnificent views and dream about living right here,” says Walter, pointing — Lewis and Clark style — to his beloved property. So, as soon as the land became available, Walter leapt at the opportunity to purchase the entire 52-acre package of unspoiled alpine land.

The front entrance was strategically planned; there is a stunning view of Lone Peak as one enters the front door. Facing west, the great room is bathed in natural light through the generous windows that mimic the A-shape of the log-frame room. Once a visitor has absorbed the spectacular view, a glance to the right offers up a Remington bronze, one of the Blesseys’ most cherished sculptures. Jane and Walter are passionate art collectors and they search for unusual pieces wherever they travel. As a result, the overall décor — in the great room as well as the rest of the house — is a mix of Western-themed paintings, sculptures and crafts, as well as ethnic and handmade artifacts. Much of the furniture — armoires, end tables and cabinets — are European “Black Forest” pieces, so called because of their carved detailing which nods to the flora and fauna of the woods.

Although made across the pond, the pieces work beautifully in this all-American mountain setting. In addition to a rustic, decorative bowl from Fiji and an Ecuadorian board game displayed on the coffee table, one of the most treasured items in the great room is the player piano. “When we have company, I often tease guests as I sit at the keyboard and pretend to play,” says Jane with a laugh.

Just off the great room lies the dining room, which — compared to the scale of the rest of the house — is cozy and compact, creating a warm sense of camaraderie. “This is where we have our family meals and celebrations as well as intimate dinner parties,” says Jane. Hefty Black Forest cabinets and a stunning moose antler chandelier are but two of the dining room’s visual highlights. For larger parties — such as the Blesseys’ annual summer fête, which boasts a guest list of about 100 — diners indulge outside under the stars.

To the right, the master bedroom — open to the back deck with its wildlife sightings and blazing orange-red sunsets — is cozy and intimate despite its Western magnificence. An eye-catching, twisted juniper bed frame with natural curves is the pièce de resistance. In addition to the handcrafted bed, there’s a matching twisted juniper lamp, leather chairs and a fireplace made with rough-hewn stone slabs, all of which make for a calm and classy respite.

His and Hers master closets adjoin the bedroom. Ironically, Walter’s closet is the larger of the two. “I had to have enough space to store my collection of cowboy boots, belts and bolos,” he says. A roomy master bathroom follows; a square tub hugs the northeast corner, with breathtaking views of the surrounding property. “Recently I was taking a bath and I saw a young bull moose — right there from the tub,” says Jane, a self-professed animal lover.

For overnight guests who may have overindulged, a fully equipped workout room with flat-screen TV and a large hot tub provide a healthy antidote. (In winter, however, Jane and Walter like to get their exercise on the snowy slopes at Spanish Peaks.) Past the fitness room and through the mudroom, one ends up in the spacious garage, and finds a useful addition: A thigh-high dog bath for keeping the couples’ five canines in tip-top shape.

Downstairs, a masculine room for shooting pool is “… a great gathering place after dinner,” says Walter, who is especially fond of the table’s red felt (instead of the usual green), which was custom-made in New Mexico.

The second floor is almost dormlike, with its long, central hallway and numerous sleeping quarters. Jane’s favorite is the “bunk room,” designed for guests of the same sex who want to hang out together, as well as for children and grandchildren — the space calls out for a pajama party. The room has five beds, but some can comfortably sleep two people, to accommodate a total of eight guests. There’s a table for board games, cards and puzzles for the little ones. The bunk room is in the opposite wing from the master bedroom, so a gaggle of girls or a rowdy gang of fly-fishing buddies can stay up late without disturbing anyone. Designed with the practical points of entertaining in mind, when the Blessey house is filled to capacity, Jane is grateful for the laundry chute on the second floor, so that guests can just strip their own beds and toss the sheets and towels right down to the laundry room.

Although the house is grand in size, the Blesseys make everyone feel at home. Their warmth and hospitality is infectious, and their generous attitude toward welcoming family and friends is a model to remember. Anyone for gumbo?

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Sarah Belk King is Big Sky Journal’s Western Design Editor and writes for numerous publications and Web sites including Country Living and Epicurious.com. Although King was weaned on Charleston-style gumbo (her mother was a South Carolinian), King has lived in Bozeman, Mont., for many years, where she takes pride in her elk-and-venison chili.

JK Lawrence is a Bozeman-based architectural and interiors photographer.