Enduring Design - Livingston, Montana

"The more you overdesign something, the quicker it dates. 

When you're dealing with high-value assets, they can't afford to be fashion projects."

 - Ian Dryburgh

(And isn't the definition of 'high-value asset' all a matter of perspective? To some viewpoints, this obviously refers to a private jet or superyacht. But in rural ranchland, the assumption could right fully be made that we're talking about miles and miles of fencing - definitely an asset AND high-value!)

Rustic History, Fort Missoula, Montana

Split rail fences are an adaptable barrier, and early settlers in Montana’s west were all about adaptability.

Historically built where hardware was a scarce commodity, they can also be dismantled - in part or whole - if rails are later needed for other purposes.

Barnyard Blue Sky, Missoula, Montana

The farm that hosted my childhood didn't include a huge haybarn like this one, but did include a smaller log barn with a hayloft, most notable in my memory for being the default location for our mouser cat to stash a new litter of kittens. I've long been enamoured of barns restored to living quarters - click here to peruse a beautifully done example.