Favorites

Designed by Minneapolis firm Lazor/Office, the structure is contemporary but evocative of the past. “We took the classic Montana barn and played around with it to find other geometries within that silhouette,” says firm founder Charlie Lazor.

In Darby, Montana, just steps from the Bitterroot River, John Shoemaker and Greg Case built a home base for their fly-fishing group vacations.

Here are a few questions Smirke recommends asking: When is a permit required? Will you need to submit plans for your renovation project? Were there un-permitted improvements made to the property? If so, what will be required upon inspection? Are there new fire, energy, and safety requirements that will need to be met to meet current building codes?

A fire pit, hot tub, and pool provide tons of space to lounge and entertain at Desert Wild.

"We've found it's best to spend at least a month in each place. That way, you get to know the area and get a real sense of what it's like to actually live there,