LIVE BOZEMAN STYLE

As someone whose profession revolves around selling houses, I often find myself immersed in thoughts about how homes are appointed, discussing (and posting about) design, and exploring various finish styles. Style does more than shape a house; it defines its character and reflects the unique personality of the person living there. A home is a unique opportunity to express yourself completely, without considering the opinion of the outside world.

Montana’s Design Landscape

In Montana, development trends tend to favor a handful of styles: Mountain Contemporary, Contemporary, and Traditional. While it may seem necessary when trying to select a home to buy for you to fit into one of these categories, the reality is that today’s design possibilities are far more extensive. Home creators—be they owners or renters—now, more than ever, have the opportunity to curate spaces that reflect their individuality, not just reproduce the finishes seen on popular TV, or replicate the minimalist style (which evolved out of backlash to cluttered traditional interiors) or the repetition of familiar neighborhood facades like the intro to Weeds: "Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky, Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes all the same" 

If you didn’t consider resale value, what would your home truly look like? 

Design trends ebb and flow, often as reactions to previous styles. The current popularity of “cottage core”—rich, colorful, and intentionally styled—stands in stark contrast to the subdued “millennial grey” that dominated the past decade. Millennial grey itself was a response to “builder beige” from the early 2000s, which was itself a departure from the quirky, carpet-filled styles of the 1990s.

I’ve found deep satisfaction in the adoption of the “cottage core” aesthetic. These homes are lavishly detailed, from color-drenched corners to artful flourishes and intentional design choices. While reminiscent of a grandmother’s house at first glance, cottage core is distinctly different—vivid, patterned, and a true reflection of its creator, with far fewer doilies!

Embracing Individuality

Cottage core celebrates personal expression, encouraging homeowners to make their spaces unmistakably their own, without fretting over future buyers. 

This marks a shift: homes are no longer viewed solely as financial assets or milestones, but as retreats from the world, places to rest and be oneself.

This new direction in design dovetails with the philosophy at HōM 406, where we help clients discover what makes a house a true home. It starts by asking questions that go beyond the basics—bedroom counts or countertop preferences—and dives into how you want to live, what you need and love, and what an ideal home means for you.

Home as a Creative Outlet

Owning a home is about more than financial stability—it’s an opportunity for creative expression. 

When I bought my current house in 2015, I embraced millennial grey as a refreshing change from the builder brown of my previous condo. Today, I’m transitioning to cottage core, painting over the grey with sage and blue, adding velvet curtains for depth, and adapting my style to suit my family’s needs. 

The freedom to evolve my space, without landlord approval or fear of sudden sales, is a definitive characteristic of homeownership. Make the property uniquely you!

By taking the opportunity to design a home that balances personal style and intentional design, what comes next?

• You’ll enjoy your home through every stage of life, which is most important.

• When it’s time to sell, we’ll work together to position your property for the trends of the market at that time. 

Likely, (no matter whether you left the home absolutely "as is" from when you bought it, or personalized every corner, we will likely recommend some updates, regardless of your previous design choices. So paint the wall, and hang that removable wallpaper. 

Paint is cheap, but the joy of truly living in a space you love is invaluable. Your home should be an authentic reflection of you.