SigMT

DECADENT DESIGN e dream of building a Montana home became reality for avid outdoor enthusiasts William and Angela ompson, who fell in love with the Ranches at Belt Creek area aer they first visited the property for a fundraising auction years ago. e couple, who currently reside in Arkansas and also own a ranch near Winne, ultimately pulled the trigger and purchased their own 18-acre section of grassland at the Ranches at Belt Creek, establishing the birthplace of the stunning luxury home that is now known as the Gunsmoke Ranch. e ompsons worked with a team of skilled artisans to create the 7,100-square-foot abode, which boasts six bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, and spellbinding panoramic views of the Highwood Mountains. "e owners visualized the home as a sporting outpost that merged modern and rustic character. Hence the name: Gunsmoke Ranch," explains James Klippel, artist and designer of architecture at the Georgia-based James Klippel Design Studio. "Both the land and the client influenced the design," says James, who gathered information about the ompson's vision for their home long before he traveled out to Belt Creek to meet with them. "I had studied the topography and developed a home design plan flow based on the client's dreams and how the land spoke to them," he recalls. When he arrived in Montana, he and the couple walked the land for the first time, providing James with the fodder that would inspire his architectural work of art. A 360-degree copper indoor fireplace takes center stage in the main living area. Gunsmoke Ranch was created with the intent of maximizing the natural beauty of the land. Si G MT 28

• Cover