A kitchen with white cabinets and a marble island. There are two windows letting in natural light, woven pendant light hanging from the ceiling, and brown leather bar stools at the island. The background features a white wall with decor and a marble backsplash.

The School House

renovation | Manhattan, MT

Sometimes the most meaningful transformations are the ones that feel like they were always meant to be.

This complete renovation was a labor of love—a historic 1906 schoolhouse originally from Three Forks, Montana, was previously relocated to Manhattan and converted into a home. Over time, the house saw a few thoughtful expansions. Our goal was to create a seamless, cohesive renovation that respected the home’s rich character while introducing the comforts and function of modern living, including a new detached garage complete with a man cave and workout spaces.

With a transitional design aesthetic guiding every detail, this project reflects the timeless beauty of original craftsmanship, layered with contemporary elements that are ready for the next chapter of memories.

Wood pile stored on a black metal rack outside a house, with a black wicker outdoor pendant light hanging above, snow on the ground, and a partially visible pumpkin in the bottom left corner.

Services Provided:

Pre-Design & Concept Development

  • Led coordination with the builder and trades to align the renovation process with the overall design vision

  • Established project goals, style direction, budget, and client vision

Design Development

  • Selected materials, finishes, and architectural details for interiors and exteriors

  • Specified lighting plans, including decorative and functional fixtures

  • Created elevations to assist the trades for installation purposes

Construction & Implementation

  • Coordinated with contractors and craftsmen to execute design details

  • Conducted site visits to ensure quality and adherence to the design vision

Furnishing & Styling

  • Curated and sourced furniture, textiles, and accessories

  • Arranged and managed installation and delivery

  • Styled all furniture, artwork, decor, and final touches

A plain light beige or cream-colored paint dollop against a transparent background.
Wood-paneled wall with a red whiskey bar sign, framed photos, a red football helmet, and bottles of bourbon whiskey on a black counter.
White cursive text on black background saying "Design House".
A cozy bedroom with dark walls, sloped ceiling, and a large window. The bed has white and beige pillows, black round accent pillows, and a white textured blanket. There is a wooden nightstand with a lamp, a vintage wardrobe, skis leaning against the wall, and framed art posters. A striped area rug is on the wooden floor.

The best renovations don’t erase the story of a home—they build on it—honoring the past while making space for the next chapter.

Working within the original footprint, we shaped a home that feels more connected, more effortless—a place where a family of five (including two beloved furry friends) can continue creating memories for years to come. We moved the washer and dryer from a dark, forgotten basement to a third-floor space that was otherwise unusable, rewired key areas like the kitchen and dining room to bring new energy into old walls, and reimagined all three bathrooms with floor plans that honored both function and grace.

design Note:s:

Balanced

serene

natural

A kitchen with white marble countertops and backsplash, a white stove with gold knobs, a window showing snow outside, a white shelf with decorative vases and a framed picture, a table lamp, and a decorative bowl.
A white sliding door with a glass panel, partially open, revealing a pantry with wooden shelves, a microwave, and a cake stand with muffins inside. Part of a living room with a white armchair and window is visible to the left.
A white dog standing on a wooden floor in a modern kitchen with white cabinets, two windows, and brown bar stools.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, marble countertops, and large windows, featuring a kitchen island with three brown leather barstools, two woven pendant lights, and a black railing staircase to the right.
Snow-covered sidewalk with trees on either side, some with orange leaves, in a residential neighborhood during winter.
A white cabinet with a picture frame, a potted plant, and lit candles in a clear holder on top, placed in front of a large round mirror with a rustic wooden frame, mounted on a white paneled wall.
A dining room with a round wooden table surrounded by six beige upholstered chairs. A white ceramic bowl with light blue decorative balls is on the table. There are large windows with wooden trim and a view of snow-covered trees outside. A tall potte
Living room with two checkered armchairs and matching ottomans, a small table with a lamp and books, window with snowy view outside, dark wooden furniture on the left, and wall art with botanical prints.
Living room fireplace with a wood stove, logs stored below, framed landscape artwork above, and a basket with extra blankets to the side.
A cozy living room with a beige and white checked armchair and ottomans, a small dog resting on the armchair, a dark wood cabinet with books and decor, a side table with a lamp and a book, and a window with natural light.
A cozy living room corner with a tan leather armchair, a dark wooden side table with a small black container, a framed botanical print on the wall, a window with white framing and light brown blinds, a black side table, and a table lamp with a textur
Carpeted staircase with a black wooden railing and a white wall on the left, with a small round mirror and a lamp on the wall on the right side.
A bedroom with a dark wall, two framed posters about ski Bridger Bowl, and a large wooden wardrobe. Part of a bed with light-colored bedding is visible in the foreground.
A cozy corner with a cushioned armchair, a small round side table with a book on it, and two decorative stone-based tables. The area is softly lit and features a dark wall behind the chair.
Rustic wooden wall decorated with vintage hunting trophies, a stack of books, framed photographs, a red sign that reads "Whiskey Bar," a small helmet with a football logo, a table lamp, bottles of liquor, and decorative items.
Snow-covered backyard with a wooden deck attached to a white house, trees, and fallen leaves on the snow.
Snow-covered backyard deck and patio area of a house, with wooden pergola and a small plant in the snow, snow on the roof and trees in the background.
Snow-covered wooden deck with pumpkins and a small wooden box, overlooking a black shed with a snow-covered roof and white fence, surrounded by snow and trees.

Before & Afters

Adjust the sliders on the images below to see The School House transform.

Empty living space with multiple windows, a carpeted area, hardwood flooring, and decorative light fixtures.
Bright living room with wooden beams, white walls, and large windows, furnished with a beige sofa, a blue ottoman, a brown leather chair, and a dining table with white dining chairs, featuring a decorative rug and a fireplace with logs.

Living Room

A cozy bedroom with a large bed, nightstands with lamps, a beige leather armchair with a plaid pillow, a small wooden side table, windows with natural light, and a patterned rug.
Empty room with cream-colored walls, beige carpet, white trim, a window with multiple panes, and ceiling light fixture.

Guest Bedroom

Front entrance of a house with brown siding, white railing, snow-covered steps, and a white door, with snow on the roof and trees in the background.
White house with snow-covered porch and roof, surrounded by snow, trees, and planters in winter.

Exterior Finishes

Modern kitchen with white upper cabinets, brown lower cabinets, granite countertops, a black refrigerator, black oven, and an island with a granite top. There are three windows bringing in natural light, and hanging light fixtures above the island. The floor is tiled with beige tiles.
Modern kitchen with light tan cabinetry, a marble backsplash, and two windows showing a snowy landscape outside. There are pendant lights, a stove, and bar stools at the kitchen island.

Kitchen

A Bit More About The School House

This renovation was about more than just updates. It was about bringing a family’s vision to life with intention and heart.

In the kitchen, we added a full-height quartz backsplash and shelf, the perfect spot to showcase those everyday pieces and mementos, creating a cozy yet elevated space for the family to gather in daily. The living room fireplace is framed by a reclaimed wood beam and surrounded by a mixture of textures and natural materials to create a feeling of warmth and effortless charm.

Downstairs, we reimagined the basement as a retreat for a growing teenager, complete with a statement mural wall featuring sweeping views of the snow-dusted Bridger Mountains.

Outside, we carved out spaces for connection and solitude: A charming fire pit. A private path winding its way to the hot tub on one end and the man cave on the other. A crisp white garden shed affectionately dubbed the she shed now stands ready for herbs, blooms, and Mom’s peaceful moments of retreat. To top it all off, the family driveway found new life as a pickleball court, and you bet there is plenty of friendly competition out there.

The Perfect Retreat

A highlight of The School House was designing a rugged yet cozy oasis for the father and son in their detached garage. Dad asked us to source his perfect armchair, incredibly comfortable but with arms wide enough for his whiskey glass.

testimonial

Watching Kiyomi work is like watching a magician—except with better lighting and way more throw pillows. Our home went from “pretty good” to “never want to leave.” Her eye for detail, her ability to balance style with warmth, and the way every client ends up completely obsessed with their space—it’s all just who Kiyomi is.

-Ryan Bramlette