Tour a Charming Ski Chalet in the Mountains of Montana

For clients in need of a winter vacation home, it was important to craft a personalized space that reflects the surrounding Montana landscape yet also feels fresh and glamourous. Designer Kylee Shintaffer wanted to curate a space that went beyond the “typical mountain house vernacular,” so she combined the home’s rustic architectural elements with bold colors and an eclectic mix of furnishings. From room to room, reclaimed woods, locally sourced stone, and a neutral color palette weave throughout the European-inspired ski chalet. Although there’s space to fit up to 24 people, the charming home was designed to feel intimate and comfortable with a blend of warm colors, textures, and patterns. Tour the stylish ski chalet with Shintaffer to see how she strikes the delicate balance between rustic and contemporary.

From the moment you enter the home, you are greeted by reclaimed wood walls and ceilings — which are present in much of the ski chalet's interior. A great place for storing ski gear and a winter wardrobe, the entryway is full of custom, built-in cabinetry. After a long day on the mountain, the family can rest their scarves or gloves on the sleek, bronze bench near the door. The bench is upholstered in Townsend leather, and decorated with a pillow in Schumacher fabric. To complete the design of the space, Shintaffer uses a surface mount from Circa Lighting, a vintage poster from Antikbar, and a wool tweed rug from Stacy Logan.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Throughout the home, Shintaffer chose to include warm red tones — like the custom sectional covered in a Gastón y Daniela raspberry-colored wool in the living room. “Deep berry tones were a great way to marry the wife’s love of cool neutrals with the husband’s interest in color,” explains Shintaffer.

White and cream tones ground this space — like the Moroccan Rug from Jan Kath, the custom bleached pendant from Kalmar, and the bleached sycamore stump coffee tables by Sawkille Co. “The bleached sycamore stumps allow for easy movement and flexible use and at the same time create a visual connection to the natural beauty beyond,” notes Shintaffer.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Exuding a casual elegance, the kitchen has custom cabinets and a wood-beamed ceiling made from reclaimed wood. A zellige tile backsplash, white marble countertops, and glass pendants from Mattaliano bring a modern touch to the rustic space. Shintaffer decorates the space with barstools from O&G Studio and a vintage runner rug from Double Knot.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
$Boasting a surge of natural light, the breakfast room features a custom, tufted banquette, an old Swedish refractory table, and Guillerme et Charbonnet dining chairs. "Between the comfort of the banquette and the views that last for days, this is a place that makes you want to stay and linger," says Shintaffer.$
Boasting a surge of natural light, the breakfast room features a custom, tufted banquette, an old Swedish refractory table, and Guillerme et Charbonnet dining chairs. "Between the comfort of the banquette and the views that last for days, this is a place that makes you want to stay and linger," says Shintaffer.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
With a custom dining table that’s 21 feet long, this rustic dining room demands a large lighting fixture. “We needed a fixture that could travel much of the distance of the table yet still feel organic and playful,” says Shintaffer, who loved the conical shape and handmade nature of the Earthenware Pendants by Natalie Page (purchased through BDDW). Designed by Shintaffer, the dining chairs — upholstered in cream and deep red linen from Romo Fabrics — add texture and warmth to the space.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Step outside onto this covered porch, which was inspired by the "sweeping views of the valley below and the mountains beyond,” according to Shintaffer. Blending seamlessly into nature, the space features raw woods and stones and a earth-toned color palette. Jim Thompson’s throw pillows in Perennials and Nomi fabrics and a throw from Pendleton Woolen Mills complement the neutral furnishings. The space is completed with a set of teak lounge chairs, an outdoor rug from Restoration Hardware, and a side table from Mecox Gardens.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Dedicated to a consistent design style, Shintaffer brings the hallway to life with reclaimed wood and bold, red accents. The iron pendant, walnut table, and custom bench (upholstery in Dedar's mohair) were all designed by Shintaffer. Serving as a reminder of the surrounding wildlife, the artwork by Anke Schofield adds a playful touch.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Once upstairs, you’re able to enter this striking, double-height master bedroom. The spacious interior has a sliding glass door that opens to a balcony overlooking the forest beyond. To create balance in the airy interior, Shintaffer uses a blend of cozy textures (such as wool and cashmere fabrics) and pops of soothing colors. The custom bed is decorated with a blanket in Jean de Merry boucle, and the berry-colored table lamps from Christopher Spitzmiller match the bed’s throw pillows. Across the room, you will find custom selenite coffee tables displaying vases from Svend Hammershoi. Overhead, Shintaffer uses the Heracleum II Pendant by Moooi.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
When designing this ski chalet, Shintaffer often gathered design inspiration from the surrounding landscape. The home office is full of natural materials and earth tones — like the custom oak desk, dark wood armchair from Paul McCobb, and table lamp from Arteriors. To ensure comfort and warmth within the space, Shintaffer decorates with a vintage Swedish rug, fur throw, and textured shades and drapes.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Overlooking the mountains below, this charming and cozy loft was designed to take advantage of surrounding views. “This seating area is perfect for curling up with a good book or lounging with friends after a day of skiing,” says Shintaffer. Custom built-in daybeds are upholstered in Fox Linton’s mohair and decorated with pillows in De le Cuona fabrics (Marvic and Fret). The design is completed with custom nesting coffee tables in blackened oak, roman shades from Hartmann&Forbes, and a custom Swedish pile rug from Doris Leslie Blau.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Walk through the well-designed hallway and pass this blackened bench, which is completed with a custom leather seat cushion and decorated with pillows in Loro Piana fabric by Nobilis. The space features a petrified wood side table and a custom, geometric Moroccan rug, which Shintaffer says "references surrounding mountains in abstract forms." Finally, a large piece of artwork from PurePhoto displays a wandering bull against a white background.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Ideal for children or teens, this rustic bunk room is full of plush seating — like the Harvey Probber-inspired sofa covered in Dedar mohair, vintage swivel chairs upholstered in Casamance wool, and custom ottomans covered in Kravet leather. The bunk beds were made custom by Shintaffer and the pendants are from The Urban Electric Co.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Playful yet stylish, this bathroom — complete with a custom, double vanity — is great for children. The vanity, a blend of rustic and modern design, was created using reclaimed wood, and the custom lacquered boxes add a charming pop of color.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Connecting two of the kid’s rooms over the garage to the main house, this space has become more than a hallway. A large table for games and a vintage Wave Chaise (by Adrian Pearsall) for lounging make the area a popular hangout spot for the entire family. The sconces are by Prouve, the rug is from Woven Accents, and a custom bench is upholstered in an Osborne & Little fabric.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Enter the rec room, where a stylish pool table creates another great space for entertaining — as does the plush seating designed by Nickey Kehoe. The geometric rug from Stark brings texture to the space, while the pendant from David Weeks Studio and table lamp from GT Atelier add a modern touch.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
The guest bedroom displays a cozy, contemporary design. The walnut bed from BDDW is decorated with a custom bed cover in Chivasso plaid and pillows in Mariano Fortuny mohair and Jean de Merry wool. The brass swing arm sconce is from Obsolete and the metal desk chair is from Harry Bertoia.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Designed for the family's young girls, this bedroom is sophisticated yet youthful. Deep purple accents complement the raw wood ceiling, while the artwork depicts a playful horse. A skylight and a row of windows allow natural light to enter the room. The custom lounge chair is upholstered in Claremont velvet, the braided stool is from Palecek by Peter Dunham, and the desk chairs are from O&G Studio.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki
Simple and stylish, the guest bath has a custom vanity by Kylee Shintaffer. The Hudson Pendants from Urban Archaeology, metal-framed mirror, and chic countertop update the space.

Design by Kylee Shintaffer | Photo by Eric Piasecki