By Chanda Wahl, Designer Interiors

You can always spot a home that feels right for the West. Sometimes it’s the way the golden light dances on wool and stone. Sometimes it’s in the comfort you sense when you step inside. That’s what I find myself chasing as a designer. I love blending familiar Western roots with fresh ways of living. That’s what makes a place feel truly yours.

I remember the winter I drove up a snowy road near Red Lodge to meet a family ready for change. Their living room had a sage-green velvet sofa with mismatched pillows, sunlight on natural wood, and a chipped ceramic bowl from the county fair. None of these were flashy or trendy. They were honest and personal.

What I’ve learned about western interior design is this: it’s never about following trends for their own sake. It’s about welcoming new ideas into the life you already love.

Experience contemporary mountain living at our Mountain Modern Retreat in Red Lodge, Montana, where modern design meets natural beauty. See more from this project and explore additional inspiration in our *portfolio*.

Here are a few things I’ve seen this year, brought to life with stories from homes and clients who have inspired me.

Color That Connects with the Land

A client in Absarokee picked a wall color almost identical to the dry grass in August. We chose a wool throw in deep blue. It reminded us both of the river after snowmelt. Choices like this, grounded in what we see every day, offer a fresh take on mountain modern interior design. If you lean toward something soft, moody, or a bold splash of art, start by looking out your window.

Texture That Offers a Real Welcome

Families today are moving past the idea of “perfect.” I notice more worn wood floors, tumbled stone hearths, and velvet armchairs that actually invite you to relax. No one stands on ceremony in a room with sheepskin on the sofa or copper that shows fingerprints. In my own home, I style with linen, leather, and sometimes a cheerful old quilt that reminds me of where I started.

Blending Old Soul with New Craft

Rooms I love the most do not scream the latest interior design trends. They tell a layered, evolving story. A coffee table from a friend sits by a market painting picked up decades ago. Authentic western spaces grow with you. They are never finished in a single day.

Design That Works for How You Live

A home’s heart might be a sturdy bench, perfect for muddy boots and snow gear. In another home, a sunny window seat keeps a dog happy beside a stack of letters. Montana home design means making space for these honest, daily moments. I ask about color and flow, but also about where you sort your groceries or rest after a ski day.

When I start a project, I tell clients, “Let’s help your home smile back at you.” For you, maybe that means a vintage saddle above the mantel. For another, it’s clean lines, large windows, and views of the wide world outside. Western interior design represents not just our pride in place, but our celebration of the real lives we lead.

If you’re dreaming of something new or hoping to see how your story might shape the next chapter of your home, let’s talk. I’d be honored to be part of your adventure.