Full Circle Lodge, A family house on Bitterroot - The Munsterman ...

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<strong>Full</strong> <strong>Circle</strong> <strong>Lodge</strong>
There
are few things more elemental than a circle of stones
placed on the ground to cradle a fire. With all that shifts expo-
nentially around us, scattering our attentions and energy, a fire
ringed by lichen-textured chunks of rock remains powerful in
gathering us close, and keeping us together.
In northwestern Montana, nestled in a cove of Little
Bitterroot Lake, is a home that centers on just such a fire circle.
Between the <strong>house</strong> and the lakeshore, at the base of tall pines,
resides a ring that has been rebuilt and strengthened from its
primitive beginnings. Family and friends have gathered for
years at this site, and with the creation of the Engel home at
Crystal Cove, the tradition carries on.
A <strong>family</strong> <strong>house</strong> on Bitterroot Lake
finds the balance between retreat and guest<strong>house</strong>
Story by Alethea Schaus Photography by Heidi Long
“It was very important to us to keep the original fire-pit
in its location that we enjoyed next to the lake while camping,”
explains Helen Engel. We centered our great room off of the pit
to bring in a feeling of everyone who has camped before us.”
From the natural rock balcony entrance of the home
overlooking the great room, a striking view of the lake and tall
pines shines through expansive south-facing windows. You are
drawn outdoors to the lake - an innate feeling of connection to
lakeshore stones, water, and pines. There are birds-- ravens,
eagles, loons, Canada geese. There are smooth beach stones to
palm and a clear expanse of water that settles the mind.
“One of the things that we really wanted to accomplish
Below: The fire pit near the lake remains a central gathering space for the Engels and their loved ones.
Opposite: Uniting the home with its surroundings, designer Dale Munsterman designed a solid structure of timbers and stone. Creating spaces that integrated
indoor-outdoor living was a priority to the Engels; they enjoy the covered patio and fireplace that overlooks the lake until the snow flies.

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Utilizing the skill of Flathead Valley’s R & R Builders, the Engel’s selected comforting
elements for construction materials: post and beam construction, logs
and stone.
with this home is to be living on the lake and bringing the
outdoors in and the indoors out,” says Helen. “We wanted a
building site that would fit into the land and blend in with the
nature that we enjoy. We were very careful to try to preserve
the original ambiance and terrain, while adding in the rest of
our favorite elements.”
According to the Engels, they spent days walking the
property with designer Dale Munsterman, before initiating
construction. They returned to the same place, to the fire circle,
which was then in its primitive state, to chat about things and
to gaze up the hillside. Soon it was evident that they had found
the place, or rather, the place had found them.
There are smooth beach
stones to palm and a clear expanse
of water that settles the mind.
“We felt that while sitting around the fire circle, we had
found the “sweet spot” of the property,” says Munsterman.
“With that in mind, we oriented the great room and entry axis
with the fire circle. This allowed us to situate the home in an
existing saddle, which minimized the soil disturbance and
amount of trees that had to be removed.”
From the stone beach below the home and fire circle, the
view stretches uninterrupted down the lake. An island just
offshore hosts tall ponderosa capped with an enormous eagle’s
nest. The couple’s property extends hundreds of yards down
the shore, all wild trees and open water. Natural landscaping,
by Bruce Boody Landscape Architect, Inc. of Whitefish, weaves
in with rock walkways leading up to the outdoor patio facing
the lake. An enormous Jacuzzi tub sits on one side of a two-
sided outdoor wood fireplace while an outdoor grilling and
dining area, complete with propane heaters mounted above,
occupies the other.
While the Engel home is grand, roughly 4,000-square-
feet, it is unpretentious.
Although David and Helen had spent many years remod-
eling and learning what appealed to them, Crystal Cove was
the first home they’d built together. A principle goal, accord-
ing to the Helen, was “to build a <strong>house</strong> that was comfortable,
grand and unpretentious, but without a lot of wasted space.”
The couple is quick to celebrate one of the best aspects of
the project--- the dynamic team that made it possible. Together
with Montana/California/Idaho Designer Dale Munsterman,
Montana Builders Chuck and Brad Roberts of R&R Builders,
Montana/Idaho Log Homes, and Montana decorator Maureen
Cordoza of Montana Expressions they feel they truly have
achieved a master crafted <strong>house</strong>.
“Spending many years vacationing at Lake Tahoe with
our <strong>family</strong> and children, we had always dreamed of building
a home on a lake to enjoy together and have as a retreat,” says

Even the kitchen overlooks Little Bitterroot Lake, where the <strong>family</strong> enjoys preparing large meals for visitors and relatives. Deep copper sinks in the central island
and window area are offset by an iron trimmed copper hoot; cabinets were installed by Old World Cabinetry of Whitefish, Whistler Tile and Stone of Kalispell supplied
the granite.
Helen. “We loved the rustic mountain homes rich with logs,
beams, trusses, stone and natural light. The post and beam,
craftsman style and cozy cabin feeling were our allure.”
Chuck Roberts of Flathead Valley based R & R Builders,
has been building custom homes in the west for over 30 years.
After semi-retiring, he returned to the craft with his son Brad
about six years ago forming R & R Builders. Chuck first met
David and Helen while working on a home, for a different
builder at that time, for some of their <strong>family</strong>, also on Little
Bitterroot Lake.
“I’ve really gotten to know David and Helen on a per-
sonal level,” says Roberts. “And that helps so much with the
design.
The Engels are the most <strong>family</strong>-oriented people I’ve
worked with over the years — I’ve met the parents, the sib-
lings — for them, <strong>family</strong> is everything. From the beginning,
David and Helen kept saying that the kitchen had to be big
enough for everyone. And after all of our effort in building,
they are really going to use the home and enjoy it — and that
feels really good.”
After enjoying the lakeshore, a tour of the home begins
with the kitchen. On the way in from the patio, a giant antique
cowbell hangs from a sculpted iron bracket on the dining room
wall. It once hung from the strong neck of a Swiss Brown, its
tone unique to the ears of its herdsman. The couple found it
years ago while traveling in Switzerland.
The dining room is open on one side to the great room,
outfitted on one end with a bar—complete with a refrigerator,
a small wine cooler, and a deep copper sink. A large shining
silver bear sits atop the bar, ready to hold a full magnum of
champagne.
The kitchen is made for entertaining, and in force. Helen
is one of 10 siblings and the couple welcomes gatherings of
<strong>family</strong> and friends often. Centering the space is an enormous
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granite-topped island. Helen and David worked with Whistler
Tile and Stone of Kalispell, handpicking the slabs, both for the
kitchen and dining room. Deep copper sinks made in Mexico,
supplied by Old World Cabinetry of Whitefish, are set into the
granite, matching that in the dining room bar. Drawers pull out
with ample shelf space for pots and pans. All the amenities are
here, ready for a gang of chefs to convene.
In contrast to many large homes that marry the great
room and kitchen/dining room spaces, the Engel home main-
tains a separate kitchen.
“I can be in here with the music turned on and dancing
around while I cook while others are enjoying something else
in the other room,” says Helen.
Wide stairs climb up from the kitchen, flanked by book-
shelves set along the wall for treasures. The entry from the
Clockwise from above: Custom millwork trimming the doors and windows
of the home invoke a sense of old Craftsman style, an iron railing was cast
to resemble tree branches and the parchment faux painting on the walls
throughout the <strong>house</strong> was applied by Eureka Painting, Inc.
The master bathroom is a sanctuary that overlooks the forest above the lake.
The dining room opens on one side to the great room, combining the social
elements of entertaining.

There is a definite feeling of drama here, as one pauses below a massive moose and
elk antler chandelier before descending into the great room and dining room
garage is here, and a bench with peg racks sits ready for coats
and boots in the winter season. Off of the landing is a large
laundry room with open counter space, cupboards, and a fold-
down ironing board against the wall. A window offers views
of larch and pines against a blue sky. The couple enjoys turning
this space over to guests when they stay while they shift their
use to a stackable washer/dryer in their master bathroom.
Another wide flight of stairs leads from the landing up to the
upstairs hallway and guest bedrooms. All of the walls in the
home are painted in warm, earthy, tones and faux style, by
Eureka Painting, Inc. Helen describes the feeling as “being
hugged.” Skylights, which are automatic and will close if they
sense rain, channel natural light into the wide hallway. In this
hallway, the high-set windows and wide, dark wood trim
around the doors and windows strongly invoke the feel of an
older craftsman style home.
Each of the three guest bedrooms have been designed
to welcome <strong>family</strong> and friends in full comfort, with full closet
space and full bathrooms. Each has its own theme — one is the
“Mountain Woods” room, another a cozy “Bunk Room” with
two log bunk beds for kids, and the third is the “Western”
room. Each bathroom is likewise themed to match the room,
down to the drawer pulls. Outlets have been designed into
the drawers for convenience. Each room has its own log-railed
porch offering a view into the pines and to the lake below.
<strong>Circle</strong> 79 On Reader Service Card
Past the bedrooms, a set of stairs leads back down into
the main entryway—a natural rock balcony that looks into the
great room. Above, two-foot diameter double-stacked rough-
hewn log beams run toward the wide south-facing windows.
There is a definite feeling of drama here, as one pauses below
a massive moose and elk antler chandelier before descending
into the great room and dining room, or continuing on to the
master bedroom. Iron railing cast to resemble tree branches
lines the curving rock wall that cradles the great room below.
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The Engel’s master bedroom and bath suite is, like the
rest of the home, outfitted with the amenities the couple
enjoy— “we’re major ambiance people,” Helen says — auto-
mated room-by-room music, modest flat screen televisions,
wireless access, lighting that can be adjusted via remote. While
they enjoy hosting visitors, they enjoy just as much a sense of
retreat.
An immense natural stone fireplace reaches high
to the double-stacked beams above.
Windows that look out to the lake surround a Jacuzzi
tub in the bath. His and her’s sinks and toilet rooms were
important to the couple, and a “do-up” table for Helen was a
must, complete with lights. Consistent throughout the home is
an efficient and creative use of space – this holds true again in
a room just off of the master bath. With a wood floor, speak-
ers, and one wall a huge mirror with a dance barre, Helen can
do yoga or dance. And hidden on the wall behind the mirror
Beautiful, innovative, energy-efficient windows and doors.
<strong>Circle</strong> 80 On Reader Service Card
remains evidence of the creative process — various samples of
paint color from which they chose their final finishes.
Returning to the heart of the home, descending into the
great room. The home has the ease of a smaller cozy cabin. The
curving rock wall of the balcony entry way serves as a partial
wall embracing one side of the room, while the wide south-
facing windows overlooking the lake offer a degree of passive
solar heating in the winter. An immense natural stone fireplace
reaches high to the double-stacked beams above. A flat panel
television is mounted to the right of the fireplace and folds
away into the wall when not in use. The furnishings are well
made, unique and works harmoniously, yet are unpretentious.
But what’s most noticeable about the Engel’s lodge at
Crystal Cove is that it is a home made for <strong>family</strong> and friends,
to use and to enjoy, together.
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