Calling all Yellowstone fans! As we prepare to step back into the wild world of the Duttons with the May 15 release of Dutton Ranch on Paramount+, I thought it was high time we revisited the sets that made the original series so popular. Late last year, I had the chance to chat with Carla Curry, the Emmy-nominated set decorator behind Yellowstone, 1923, 1883, and Landman, when she was named to our Country Design 100.
Carla’s work shaped the world of the Duttons, bringing their high-spirited, wild lives to our screens with sets that mixed contemporary Western style with all-American heritage. “In the Dutton world, it was a priority to make the sets feel like they had history behind them—a legacy of previous generations,” she says.
Die-hard Yellowstone-universe fans may know that the Duttons’ lodge is actually a real place, not a soundstage. Chief Joseph Ranch, now owned by Shane Libel and located in Darby, Montana, was built in 1917. The existing structure allowed Carla to focus on all the small details that made the lodge itself a character. “I’m a fan of antiques,” she says, and when they’re mixed with new pieces, it “sets the stage for comfort and telling a story.” Below, I’m breaking down all the pieces—new and old—that helped Carla bring the world of Beth, Rip, Kayce, and John Dutton to life, so you can bring the look home.
Choose Classic Log Walls
While fans don’t get an exact date for when the Dutton lodge was built, it’s believed that Jacob and Cara Dutton constructed the home sometime between the events of 1883 and 1923, which aligns with the actual history of the house. A 1993 write-up in the New York Times likened Chief Joseph Ranch to a “log mansion” rather than a cabin. The structure was built using lodgepole pines, many of which were sourced from the property, between 1914 and 1917 by the Ohio-based architectural firm Bates & Gamble. The logs, which are stacked vertically and measure around two feet wide, are key to the lodge’s classic Western feel.
Carla championed the architectural features of the lodge, letting it speak for itself and guide the rest of her decorating decisions. If you want to mimic the look, opt for thick beams with a dark finish. There is very little visible chinking—the mortar-like substance used to insulate and connect log cabins—in the lodge, so you’ll want to discuss that with your builder to ensure you achieve a similar style.
Stick with a Stone Fireplace
The great room’s oversize river rock fireplace has seen generations of Duttons fight, make up, and drink away their sorrows. While rounded river rock is preferable if you want a one-to-one replica of the home’s historic fireplace, there are many other stones and rocks to consider.
While it would be best to consult with your build team to determine which stones are readily available in your area, as Yellowstone’s decorating takes inspiration directly from the wilds of Montana, rounded fieldstone gives the same storied effect if river rock is unavailable. If you want a more contemporary look, opt for a flatter stone, such as flagstone or regular fieldstone. Carla chose to fill the mantel above the fireplace with simple decor. The large European-style taxidermy mount was often only paired with candles and seasonal foliage.
RELATED: Our 50+ Best Fireplace Decorating Ideas
Go All-In on Wood Cabinets
Take a cue from the ranch’s iconic bunkhouse and install take-a-beating wood cabinetry in your kitchen. (We just hope your kitchen looks a little bit cleaner than the one in the bunkhouse!) Pair cabinets with cast-iron hardware and don’t be afraid to add iron strapping across the fronts for a truly rustic ranch look.
Try Luxe Leather Furniture
If there is one phrase to describe the Duttons’ style, it would be “classic Western Americana.” Sometimes known as “rich ranch,” this aesthetic is based on a live-hard, play-hard mentality, meaning the furniture Carla chose needed to stand up to a lot of wear while still feeling appropriate in the home of one of the wealthiest families in the state.
Leather sofas and occasional chairs complete with nailhead trim are a must in any Dutton-inspired space. Not only is leather furniture sturdy, but it can also be incredibly comfortable. If you want a more worn-in look, shop for leather pieces secondhand.
Trot Out Traditional Textiles
Wool blankets are a mainstay in the lodge’s interiors. Often hung high on the banister of the great room’s second floor, these textiles are a nod to the ranch’s connection to the Nez Perce tribe.
The ranch’s real name honors Chief Joseph, a leader of the Nimiipuu—also known as the Nez Perce—who fled the U.S. Army after violence broke out following the forced removal of his tribe from their ancestral lands. Chief Joseph, also known by his given name, Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, quickly became a folk hero in his attempt to outrun American forces. He and his warriors made their final stand before surrendering just miles from the ranch’s borders in 1877.
If you want to decorate your space with traditional tribal textiles, seek out Indigenous-owned brands such as 8th Gen. Vintage Pendleton blankets—which were originally crafted in the early 1900s and used as currency in trade with the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest—can be found at secondhand stores and online antique shops for around $150. You can also opt for other traditional textiles, such as overshot or Welsh blankets, if you want a similar look.
Don’t feel like you need to stick to a blanket’s intended use. They look amazing hung on a wall or laid across a table as a tablecloth. Treat them like the art pieces they are!
RELATED: These Are the Best Sources for Vintage Quilts and Blankets According to Our Editors
Add Character with Western Wares
Give your space a dose of Carla-approved heritage with Western antiques. Secondhand antler mounts bring a layer of rusticity. Rodeo ephemera—think trophies and posters—can often be seen in the bunkhouse and makes for a classic addition to any space. Seek out traditional silhouettes and toleware shades when it comes to lighting. Farm tools can also add a bit of ranch grit to your walls. Hang horseshoes or vintage lassos on the wall in an artful display. Be sure to mix eras to give the space that layered-over-time feel.
RELATED: The Best Places to Shop for Antiques and Vintage Online
And, Don’t Forget the Texas Twist
At the start of Dutton Ranch, we find Beth, Rip, and Carter have set out on a new adventure south of their beloved Montana home, where they’ve encountered a whole new cast of characters, including Academy Award nominees Annette Bening as rancher Beulah Jackson and Ed Harris as local veteran Everett McKinney.
Dutton Ranch is set in Texas, and while their new homestead may not be as storied as the famed lodge, we can guarantee it will be stylish thanks to set decorator Suzanne Stover, who also worked on Yellowstone. We can only hope Beth will bring a bit of her Montana sensibilities to the Lone Star State, so here are some quick style swaps she and Rip can make.
Trade Log Beams for Weathered Wood
Refurbished planked walls feel more Texas than Montana. If you want to channel the look of Dutton Ranch, take a cue from this Texas bungalow by keeping the wood in its natural state and accenting with colors inspired by the Texas countryside.
Pick Brick Over River Stone
The owners of this Texas farmhouse, which was built around the same time as Chief Joseph Lodge, uncovered an original brick fireplace and paired it with a worn wood mantel to play up its charm. Opt for weathered brick over river rock if you want a more humble, salt-of-the-earth look.
Call in the Cowboy Blankets
Beth may be ready to ditch the traditional look and embrace a little more kitsch in her Texas chapter, which is why these classic cowboy blankets are perfect for her new abode. First popular in the 1950s and ’60s, these blankets often depicted cowboy and wrangler motifs in bright, bold colors.
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
