Fine & Country Interior Design teamed up with Rime Architecture to turn a 1970s chalet in Rougemont, Switzerland, into a family holiday home with one key direction from the owners; avoid the Swiss ‘twee’ style so many chalet renovations have fallen victim to.
“Cosy, yet contemporary, this is an exciting balance to achieve in any project,” says Josie Lywood from Fine & Country Interior Design, “but for a chalet, you have to keep challenging yourself to push the boundaries of mixing in contemporary pieces without losing the feel of the mountains or the desire to wrap up by the fireplace after a day of skiing.”
A stunning 360-degree fireplace was installed to re-orientate the main living area, making it the focal point and maximising the stunning views of the mountains and the valley below. A separate snug room was designed, with sliding doors so that young family members could be nearby, but with their own space, ensuring the adults get their holiday time when they retreat to the Alps.
An indoor staircase, replacing one which previously had to be cleared every time it snowed, forms a dramatic ascent into the chalet, with lighting carefully placed to ensure a warm ambience throughout the home. This feeling of elegance extends to the stunning en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, large bathtub and glass-fronted sauna which has been spectacularly transformed out of a nuclear bunker, compulsory in Switzerland for chalets built in the 1970s.
Integrate hidden LED lighting into dark spaces, such as within bookshelves, alcoves and on staircases. Accompany this with low-level lighting like wall lights, floor lamps and pendant lights.
Incorporate various textures, particularly into the soft furnishings. We used a combination of rich velvets, thick wools, faux furs, sheepskins, cashmeres and boucle fabrics on the sofas, cushions, curtains and rugs.
Set the scene: We love to reference the location and surrounding areas in our projects. We included vintage ski posters and in the dining area we installed a chandelier made from milk bottles – a subtle nod to the cow bells which can be heard across the valley in the summer months.
To hear more about our services, or to receive a free staging and styling quote, please contact us on 0208 251 8813 or via email at interiordesign@fineandcountry.com.
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