Story & Philosophy
Passionate about interior design and dedicated to
bringing your vision to life.
Montana Expressions is a retail furniture store and interior design team based in Southwest Montana. For over twenty years, we have proudly served Bozeman, Big Sky, and beyond.
Our work has always been driven by a passion for interior design. Like the iconic designs and antiques we showcase, the Montana Expressions story has come to life over the years in unique offerings and varied locations under the leadership of owner and lead designer Ralph McHenry. Our retail and design team offers you the insights and advantages of our combined decades of dedicated expertise. The Montana Expressions furniture and accessory offerings range from timelessly classic, to modern-day practical, to elegant luxury, each a unique expression of current trends and unique inspirations. We are proud to offer a taste of the eclectic, with something for every aesthetic. It’s impossible to walk through our 10,000-square-foot showroom and not be inspired — we invite you to visit our “idea gallery” and let your imagination wander as you envision the design possibilities.
As a boutique retail location, we carry a curated collection of high-quality home furnishings and one-of-a-kind antiques. As an interior design team, we are devoted to bringing your design vision to life.
Our Team
Ralph McHenry
September 14, 1946- June 11, 2022
We will all miss Ralph more than words can express. His passing not only represents a professional loss to the store, to the community but is an enormous personal loss to each and every one of us. Ralph touched us all. His infectious personality paired with a great sense of humor was a welcomed presence. He had a remarkable gift to connect with people, his clients and to all of us individually, his legacy will have a lasting impact for years to come.
Former Owner of Montana Expressions
Ralph McHenry is the master collector and owner of Montana Expressions. Born and raised in Bozeman, his family has lived in Montana for more than 100 years. Ralph spent 28 years as an antique dealer, before he opened the Montana Expressions showroom.
Ralph personally hand picks Montana Expressions’ diverse pieces from all over the world—with accessories from antique shops in small Americana towns to handcrafted wood furniture pieces from other continents. He specializes in blending contemporary furnishings with timeless antiques and worldly crafts. Together with his Interior DesignTeam, Ralph has designed homes throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
Kathy Koelzer
Lead Interior Designer
Kathy is an interior designer who has spent 26 years creating comfortable, livable and serene spaces for her clients, with homes ranging from 5,000-square-foot ski lodges to 500-square-foot hunting cabins. Experienced, creative and an outstanding listener, she strives to create spaces that are beautiful enough to draw smiles from all who walk through the door.
Kathy finds inspiration everywhere—from fabulous fabrics, captivating architecture, books and magazines, travel, and nature. On the design front, she is a true artist who connects with clients on a personal level and creates environments carefully tailored to suit their needs, lifestyles, personalities, and passions. Rather than simply creating an impressive showcase, Kathy believes in filling a home environment with objects that hold meaning for the inhabitants, and she loves the sense of character and rustic sophistication that timeworn, well-loved pieces lend to a home.
Kathy’s work was the front cover of Veranda Magazine in the July/Aug. 2000 edition, featuring design work on a home in Montana’s Gallatin Canyon. She was also part of the design team that did the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida and, separately from that, worked on the completion of the Snow Lodge in Yellowstone Park. Her work has also been featured in the book Mountain Cabin, and in Big Sky Journal and Mountain Living magazines.
When not occupied with design, Kathy indulges her love for nature and the outdoors. She enjoys spending time hiking, camping, skiing with her family.
Barbara Diekman
Interior Designer
Interior designer Barbara Diekman started her career in the log home construction business, where she worked side-by-side in the field with her husband for many years. Barbara joined the Montana Expressions team 12 years ago, when her experience in construction inspired her to start working with interiors. As a designer, Barb brings her deep knowledge of the full building and production process to a wide variety of styles, from rustic to contemporary to transitional. She has a gift for thinking ahead and considering details during the building process that impacts design decisions and allows for a greater attention to details. Barb begins every project by identifying items her clients love, whether old, treasured or new. She is passionate about finding the right elements to make a homeowner’s vision a reality, never settling for anything less than the perfect piece of furniture or finest combination of accessories.
Barb continues to work in construction with her family. She lives in Bozeman with her husband and two sons. Together they love to travel, backpack and spend time in the great Montana outdoors.