How to decorate a chalet
Sequestered among the peaks and valleys of the Alps, or perhaps further afield (the Pyrenees? Wyoming?), for half the year the ideal chalet is a warm cocoon amid wintry chill–a base from which you can head out and make moguls on the slopes, or one in which you can curl up with hot chocolate or fondue. And yet, in the summer months, it’s also a gateway to dramatic high passes and mountain meadows where you can walk for hours without seeing another soul.
In sum, a good chalet needs to be multifaceted, comfortable during both warm and cold weather, with space to host and hideaway alike. Getting the balance right without transforming your chalet into a cookie-cutter resort-style cabin can be difficult as a result, so here are some of the individual design options that will serve you well both in the off season and when it’s time to ski.
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Mark Fox1/19Olly and Lisa’s off-grid cabin in Lapland was built from scratch by Swedish craftspeople off-site and then transported to the spot along a frozen military track in winter. It is constructed from thick hand-hewn pine logs, which were then slotted together like a jigsaw, without a single nail.
Mark Fox2/19Inside, the cabin is simple and functional, with a mezzanine level for sleeping, a large central wood-burning stove, and distinct areas for sitting, eating and cooking. On the wall behind the stove hangs a photograph showing Robert Falcon’s Scott team in 1912 during their unsuccessful South Pole expedition.
Owen Gale3/19In the main living space in Tom and Connie Barton's Scottish cabin, second-hand furniture, including a vintage Heal’s loveseat, is mixed with a few contemporary pieces. These include an Ilse Crawford hammock, which stretches between picture windows offering spectacular views over Loch Sunart.
Owen Gale4/19A Hudson’s Bay blanket brings colour to the bedroom.
5/19Chalet les Cerises, a delightful eviivo Collective property in the French Alps has made the most of every inch in the four-bedroom chalet – adding an extra kids room on the top floor by adding sliding doors to landing at the top of the stairs. All of a sudden you have yourself a cosy and private sleeping space complete with books and and a TV.
6/19In the garden, Chalet les Cerises makes the most of the mountainous view with a traditional sauna complete with glass window facing Mont Blanc (ideal for post-skiing muscle recovery, too).
7/19This Aspen house perfectly balances old-world chalet design sensibility with modern, luxurious comfort. The living room's vaulted, exposed-beam ceilings are a perfect foil to the more colourful sofa and cushions; the fluffy custom rug from Morocco further accents the space.
Fridolin Full8/19Schloss Elmau, one of Europe’s leading wellness retreats (and home to two G7 summits), is a prime example of contemporary chalet style. Designed by architect Carl Sattler in 1914 and updated after a tragic fire in 2007 by Baulmann Leuchten of Sundern in cooperation with DBLB Architects and lighting designers at Kardorff Engineers, the Schloss maximises winter light with floor-to-ceiling windows and soft colours and ensures luxurious comfort with sumptuous, modern furnishings.
9/19Studio Razavi
Studio Razavi has used a limited palette of materials – glass, wood and stone – to create a contemporary feel in this sitting room. A ‘Spanish Chair’ by Børge Mogensen, from Fredericia, and a ‘Shogun’ coffee table by Roger Capron, from Pamono, complement the restrained, minimalist look.
10/19Tino Zervudachi & Associés
Tino Zervudachi & Associés, the Paris arm of Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi, takes on projects across the globe from The Bahamas to Rio. Its style is elegant and polished, whether working on family homes or city penthouses, and has been applied recently to chalets in Gstaad, Rougemont, Klosters and Courchevel.
‘I think a chalet should celebrate the mountains, including natural materials, such as wood, and colours that can be found in your surroundings. Most importantly, it should be comfortable and easy to live in – it doesn’t need to be too smart. These holiday houses are often used in both summer and winter, so bear this in mind when choosing your colour palette and soft furnishings,’ says Tino Zervudachi.
In this chalet in Rougemont, sheepskin covers soften industrial steel chairs from a Paris flea market and tie in with the chalet’s rural setting.
Richard Bloom11/19While just a simple, antique gypsy caravan parked at this gorgeous 16th-century hunting lodge, it is a perfect essence of chalet design. Take inspiration for perfect chalet decoration from the wagon's carved wood dotted with intricate, romantic details and soulful, atmospheric presence.
12/19MHZ London
In this chalet in Rougemont, a combination of rustic style and playful touches creates a distinctive look. Natural materials – knotted pine on the walls and ceilings, hammered black granite for the floor, stones from the local riverbed for the chimneypiece – echo the landscape, while providing a bold backdrop for the contemporary furniture. This includes a ‘L’Oeil’ coffee table by Pierre Chapo, a steel-framed mirror by McCollin Bryan and a bamboo-fibre rug from Tisca in a vibrant shade. ‘It’s like the green of the mountains in summer,’ Tino explains.
13/19Turner Pocock
Headed up by Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock, this London-based design studio is known for its modern interiors and rich colours. The pair have taken on projects in Switzerland and France–Emma lives in Switzerland and has a chalet in France, so she brings brilliant personal experience to these schemes.
‘There is a danger that chalet design can be rather clichéd and uncreative,’ says Bunny Turner. ‘We always try to inject a good dose of colour and pattern into the spaces we work on, which avoids this pitfall. Think about form and function – what is needed practically from the space? As many chalets are rented for part of the year, it’s a sensible idea to add extra storage into which you can put personal items when tenants are in residence. After that, you can inject personality and texture to make the interiors feel original and reflect your own taste.’
When designing this six-bedroom chalet in the French Alps, budget was a key consideration. ‘Rather than clad the walls in aged wood,’ Bunny explains, ‘we looked to Scandinavian design for inspiration and used cheaper wood we could paint over.’ The result is a clean, fresh look with dashes of bright colour – a bedcover in red ‘Milano Wool’ by Clementine Oliver.
14/19Turner Pocock
Graphic, monochrome patterns on cushions and the ‘Hippie’ rug, by Snowdrops Copenhagen, in the sitting room. Here, a corner fireplace allows more space for comfortable seating – essential after a day’s skiing – and Garden Trading’s ‘Giant Basket’ with logs adds a rustic touch.
15/19Jonathan Tuckey Design
Architect Jonathan Tuckey is a specialist in remodelling historic buildings for contemporary life, taking their context into consideration while creating fresh, innovative designs. He has worked on several chalets in Switzerland, including his own, and has an office there, as well as one in London.
‘Ideally, the building is a frame that reveals the landscape – the interior spaces should not be in competition with the environment,’ explains Jonathan. ‘To this end, we advise framing specific views so the landscape is revealed in intervals rather than opening the structure completely to glazing. The surfaces used within the chalet should respond to touch and age, changing colour and pattern over time. There is solace in simplicity and restraint – there should be a consciousness of soulfulness and quietude throughout. The narrative of the building should celebrate its history.’
In this 17th-century chalet in the Swiss Alps, Jonathan carved out a double-height space to create a large, open-plan area, with bespoke sofas and cushions made to his design by Pat Giddens and a ‘G1’ stove by Austroflamm. He left the original walls of the first floor in place, adding a coat of plaster above for a subdued backdrop. ‘It provides a unique contrast point to the other rooms. The threshold between the wood and plaster retains a hint of the building’s past,’ he says.
16/19Jonathan Tuckey Design
The restored flooring also has ‘a sense of timelessness; the attention is on the qualities of the space itself, rather than the objects within it’. Nevertheless, a vintage Polish cocktail chair lends texture and character.
17/19Studio Shamshiri
Based in Los Angeles, Studio Shamshiri is focused on sustainable design and traditional building methods. Its first foray into chalet style, seen here, features a house built by the architect Myron Hunt in 1906. Though the project was inspired by Swiss chalets, it is in fact a residence in California.
‘Your first step should be to research the history of the building and its construction,’ says Pamela Shamshiri. ‘Then look for pieces that stay true to its character and original design – never force a design onto it. For example, in this project we kept all the existing wooden details and chalet elements, but layered in furniture that felt as though it had been collected over time, accenting it with soft hues of pink and green. Try to achieve a harmonious balance of new and old – don’t choose anything that feels like a stark contrast to the original bones of the house.’
The rooms in this house are a careful balance between contemporary and a more classic style.
In the sitting room, in which a custom yellow rug by Christopher Farr and electric blue table by Studio Shamshiri lend punchy, modern accents, and a mid-century armchair from Leif in Los Angeles stands out against dark wood walls.
18/19Studio Shamshiri
Pale wood and ‘Teresa’s Green’ by Farrow & Ball on the Shaker-inspired kitchen cupboards create a light, airy feel, while the walnut-topped island is a modern nod to the original wood elsewhere. ‘We wanted a brighter palette without giving up the warmth and softness of the rest of the house,’ Pamela says.
19/19Nicky Dobree
Nicky is an expert in luxury chalet design and her projects grace the slopes of some of Europe’s most desirable spots. She creates timeless, comfortable interiors, which are carefully considered to meet the needs and taste of each client. Though based in London, Nicky travels wherever projects take her.
‘A chalet should be grounded by its location,’ says Nicky. ‘Embrace local ideas, and source local crafts and antiques to give the rooms a sense of place. The atmosphere you create stems from the materials you use: ensure a balance of timber and plaster to let light into the space, as timber absorbs light, and be sure to have good lighting design for that reason. No chalet is complete without a roaring fire, which is instantly welcoming and brings the space alive. Ultimately, a chalet should be open to the landscape, while offering the pleasures of a warm refuge.’
A variety of materials adds texture to this sitting room in St Moritz. Bespoke bronze-trimmed cupboards, which act as a dividing wall from the kitchen beyond, are covered in deerskin in a nod to the hunting heritage of the valley. Long checked curtains frame the space, with custom plaid-upholstered chairs and striking blue sofas arranged around a bronze coffee table by Ingrid Donat. The monolithic stone chimneypiece is the focal point of the seating area. ‘We chose a contemporary design to elevate the otherwise traditional room,’ Nicky says. She filled Paolo Moschino glass lamp bases with pine cones and used leaf-embroidered cushions to bring nature inside.
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