Coming home to your own alpine refuge after a
day on the slopes is a luxury any skier covets. But the real trick is figuring
out how to decorate it to feel timeless no matter the season.
All
About the Architecture
“The natural elements of the outdoors become
the focal point of each room,” says William Peace, owner and principal of Peace
Design in Atlanta and Bozeman, Montana. He suggests using expansive windows
throughout the main gathering areas along with perfectly framed views from each
bedroom.
Sarah Tiedeken
O’Brien, an interior designer with Vertical Arts Architecture, which has
offices in Colorado, in Denver, Steamboat Springs, and Vail, considers how
foliage will look in winter versus summer, and allows for an open view to let
in sun in winter and create shade and privacy in the summer.
A house by William Peace at Moonlight Basin in Montana, uses large windows to frame incredible views.
Gibeon Photography
“Make sure your roofs
can properly divert snow piles and melting snow throughout the year to avoid
icy spots at entryways and driveways,” she says.
And Rachael Celinski,
director of interior design at Gallatin Valley Design Group in Bozeman,
recommends considering natural light.
“We look at sun angles for glare and opt for motorized window treatments to prevent discoloration of flooring and furniture,” she says. She also prefers corner windows to enhance views, as well as accordion or pocket doors to accentuate as much of the view as possible.
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Materials
Matter
A design by Sari Mina Ross uses layered textures to feel cozy.
Gibeon Photography
The key is combining the right materials,
adding texture, and layering.
“Think textured
wallcoverings, faux-fur pillows mixed with leathers, linens, and cashmere
throws,” says Sari Mina Ross of Sari Mina Ross Interior Design in Denver.
Hearty and natural
materials are best, Mr. Peace says. “Reclaimed wood that has lasted generations
has already proven it can hold up.”
You can get the look
of wood with porcelain tile that will be impervious to moisture and scratching,
says Joe Berkowitz, founder and designer at JAB Design Group in Philadelphia.
When it comes to upholstery, he goes for a mix of leather and fabric; “We try not to get too heavy, so it feels hot or scratchy in the warmer seasons.”
More: How to Do Holiday Lights Right
Storage
Is Essential
Storage space is key in a mudroom at Moonlight Basin in Montana, designed by William Peace.
Gibeon Photography
“We love to create an entire sports storage
room when the space allows,” Mr. Berkowitz says.
Otherwise, Mr.
Berkowitz finds clever storage under a staircase, builds closets in nooks, or
cuts into the dead space behind eaves.
And building a mudroom to store skis and boots as well as mountain bikes and fly-fishing equipment can be one of the best investments.
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Timeless
Touches
With a mountain home, it can be tempting to go
for expected touches, such as ski-themed decor, hanging antlers, or hide rugs,
but try to mix in modern accents.
Ms. Celinski aims to
balance mountain features such as wood timbers, tongue-and-groove ceilings,
reclaimed corral-board siding, or decorative metals with lighting, cabinetry,
slabs, fireplace features, wallpaper or murals, and fine art. “We love a
consistent blend of neutrals, textures, and clean lines mixed with ‘wow’
moments like stair treads waterfalling down the wall, rounded edges of
furnishings, and bold fabric, textiles, and art,” she says.
She suggests using ski-themed decor in unique ways, such as a vintage chairlift as outdoor seating, or hanging a vintage ski poster or map.
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Keep It
Cozy
Think large comfy couches, soft blankets,
tufted ottomans, fireplaces, big kitchen islands, and fire pits for après-ski,
says Robin Strickler, founder and principal of Design Works, an interior-design
firm based in Irvine, California. “These design elements are what make a ski
home so sought after.”
She also loves
incorporating beautiful stonework, large wood beams, vaulted ceilings, wool
rugs, and textural throws as well as a color palette with neutrals, blacks,
grays, and dark greens for a cozy, comfortable, and chic vibe.
Including some substantial pieces that can hold their own alongside dramatic views helps further the warm feel, says Alex Casey, senior designer with Abby Hetherington Interiors in Bozeman.“Fabric has so much to do with it, too—you can make any piece feel warm and cozy with alpaca, fur, or bouclé.”
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Bring
the Indoors Out
With views for days, designing the outdoor space for year-round use is all but a prerequisite. Ms. Casey likes to create different smaller spaces within a larger outdoor space, making it more flexible for year-round living. “A fire element can make any space feel more usable in winter but also create a great aesthetic near a dining table in summer,” she says.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Mansion Global Experience Luxury.
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