Country Roads, Take Me Home
Living near the heart and soul of the mountains
Molly and Mike Wiggs took a short walk with friends one day and fell head over heels in love. The couple had married years ago, but this kind of love was different. It was the love of the land, the close proximity of the mountains, and the rolling hum of Whitebird Creek. It sealed the deal on building a new home.
It was time to sell the house in Columbus that they had built a quarter-of-a-century ago and where they raised their four kids. It was time to move closer to the heart and soul of the mountains.
“We were at our friends’ house just across the road,” says Mike, who works at Cenex Refinery, “when we walked over here and saw the creek and the view.”
The 2.2 acres of prime real estate situated in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains happened to be for sale. Molly, who also works in Columbus, recalls the conversation.
“Mike told me, ‘If we buy this land, you can have the home you want,’” she says.
They bought the property and planned to build a home suited for multigenerational living. Jordy, their 36-year-old daughter with Down syndrome shares a home with them.
“We were going to do a barn-dominium for the openness, but Mike wanted more of a shop home,” Molly says. “The shop was the first to go up!”
Mike made good on his word. The 4,300 square-foot home, including the three-car garage, meets every one of Molly’s design dreams.
“I knew we wanted two master suites so Jordy would have her own space,” Molly says. “Jordy could be on one end and us on the other.”
The one-level rancher built by Tige Ekle of Ekle Construction features the two primary bedroom spaces, along with a guest bedroom and bathroom. “I grew up in Columbus on the Beartooth Ranch, so Mike and Molly are great family friends. I’ve known them my entire life,” Tige says. “The home has 10-foot ceilings, 8-foot doors, looks at the mountains up the Stillwater, and has a good view.”
The southern view from the open-design living area spotlights the mountains, but inside this home, it’s the kitchen that knocks your socks off.
Kristy Ferguson, owner of Beyond the Box, calls the project “a really fun one, with a lot of thoughtful coordination.” Leisal Wiggs, the cabinet company’s sales manager and Molly’s sister-in-law, worked closely with Kristy, her boss, and the homeowners on the design plan.
They created the space and the functionality with multiple drawer configurations, cutlery inserts, two dishwashers (one a panel-ready dishwasher), two double waste pull-outs, knife/utensil storage and a spice pullout.
A well-designed walk-in pantry, an efficient, yet classy, laundry room and a practical mudroom round out the amenities situated right off the kitchen.
“I knew exactly what Molly’s tastes were,” Leisal says, “so I would tell Molly, ‘you’re not going to like that.’”
“Which I was so thankful for,” adds Molly.
Molly’s joy of cooking prompted the designers to include a massive rustic alder center island with russet stain. The island takes on a sophisticated vibe with Cambria “Everleigh” quartz countertops from Fabricators Unlimited. This natural stone, with its movement-rich design, serves as the backsplash, as well.
Kristy adds that “to achieve a seamless full-height quartz backsplash, we intentionally recessed the bottom of the cabinetry. This allowed space for a low-profile outlet and lighting strip, keeping outlets fully functional while preventing visual interruptions in the stone.”
Early coordination between cabinetry, electrical, and stone fabrication was key to making this detail work cleanly, she says.
A 60-inch custom hood adds a touch of flair with its shapely coving. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet pulls polish off the look, as do two Flemish glass chandeliers above the island. High-end appliances, like the Frigidaire column refrigerator and the six-burner gas range, help Molly entertain their large family and friends.
“I can’t wait to cook, but I don’t want to get it dirty,” laughs Molly.
The heart of the home is impressive, with shaker-style perimeter cabinetry covered in a warm biscuit color and emphasized with cove molding and clear-glass accents.
Kristy notes that “the stacked cabinetry from the countertop to the ceiling bookends the (vista) wall, providing a gorgeous configuration.”
What’s known as the vista wall features four meticulously positioned windows that frame the rich landscape that surrounds the home.
The open floor plan is further unified by a cultured stone fireplace in the great room. Its creamy beige tones show off the rough-hewn timber mantle the homeowners acquired in Big Timber.
Leisal describes it as “a classic look that will never go out of style. It balances the kitchen.”
The guest quarters and Jordy’s suite sit on this end of the house. The suite allows Jordy her privacy.
“My favorite thing about this house,” says Jordy, matter-of-factly, “is the shower.”
Leisal agrees that Jordy loves her bathroom, adding that “She loves the bathroom and the shower,” agrees Leisal. “She called her Aunt Leisal from the shower!”
Jordy delights in showing off double sink high-top vanity, fashioned of knotty alder with glaze. Each drawer is organized. “I’m a makeup girl,” she says, touching a small cosmetic bag. Her fancy shower features large subway tile and a glass shampoo niche.
Natural light floods into this spacious suite, as Jordy opens the door to the walk-in closet. An apartment-size fridge sits on the floor. Shelves line the walls. “It’s like a shopping mall with all my sweaters,” she says.
The light and airy feel continues in Molly and Mike’s primary suite. They enjoy the spaciousness of the room and a huge walk-in closet. The en suite couldn’t be more chic with its bubble chandelier that hangs over the soaker tub.
An off-set pattern of large tile adorns the walls of the walk-in shower. The decorative accent of Lumia Leaf mosaic fills the niche with exceptional texture. And like Jordy’s shower floor, this one is also covered with vibrant penny-round tile.
The warm tones of luxury vinyl plank flooring from Rich’s Modern Flooring flow throughout the home, integrating the organic elements of this charismatic home.
The orchestration involved in bringing so many ideas and details to culmination worked out for the benefit of everyone involved. Molly sums it up when asked, “What was the one thing you wanted the most in your new home?”
“It was the big kitchen island,” she says. “There’s nothing better than to have your big family in one room, and cooking. It’s a place where we could all be together.”
Molly, Mike and Jordy moved in only a couple of months ago. They look forward to inviting the family over and breaking in the kitchen. Mike is anxious to finish his shop. Jordy cranks up the music, as she loves to dance. Molly can hardly wait to sit on the patio.
“I’ve not been in my home a full day,” she says. “It’s been busy with the baby (the third grandchild was born a month ago). Maybe it’s the last big event for a while!”
Molly sounds like she’s ready for to spend some time at home near the heart and soul of the mountains.
