Feel Good Home: How to Bring Some Ski Chalet Style into Your Life
Create a cosy, Alpine-style retreat where you’ll want to curl up and hibernate for the winter
There’s something magical about staying in a ski lodge in the mountains that often lingers long after your holiday is over. That feeling of returning to a cosy retreat after a day on the slopes and being cocooned from the cold weather outside is one of life’s great pleasures. At this time of year, it’s natural to want to re-create a little bit of that Alpine magic at home, so take inspiration from these wonderful winter-ready spaces.
Breakfast at a banquette
Re-create those Alpine ski lodge breakfasts with super-sociable banquette seating. It’s such a great use of space and perfect both for family life and when overnight guests stay. Load up on ham, cheese, yogurt and muesli, and you’re good to go.
Re-create those Alpine ski lodge breakfasts with super-sociable banquette seating. It’s such a great use of space and perfect both for family life and when overnight guests stay. Load up on ham, cheese, yogurt and muesli, and you’re good to go.
Be inspired by nature
Tree trunks make great side tables and will add to the natural, rustic log-cabin feel. They can be left natural, stained or whitewashed to ramp up the winter wonderland effect. Counterbalance with accessories made from twigs and branches elsewhere in the scheme, so your trunk table isn’t the only natural element in the room.
Discover a contemporary barn conversion filled with rustic elements
Tree trunks make great side tables and will add to the natural, rustic log-cabin feel. They can be left natural, stained or whitewashed to ramp up the winter wonderland effect. Counterbalance with accessories made from twigs and branches elsewhere in the scheme, so your trunk table isn’t the only natural element in the room.
Discover a contemporary barn conversion filled with rustic elements
Decorate with skis
Look out for second-hand wooden skis online, at vintage fairs or in antiques shops to create a quirky wall display. Why not paint the wall to contrast with the skis to show them off to best effect? Or try mounting them sideways with metal brackets to make shelves.
Look out for second-hand wooden skis online, at vintage fairs or in antiques shops to create a quirky wall display. Why not paint the wall to contrast with the skis to show them off to best effect? Or try mounting them sideways with metal brackets to make shelves.
Up the antler count
No Alpine lodge would be complete without a set of antlers and there are now heaps of fake versions around, from wooden designs to 3D cardboard or even neon. Whether you want a single giant stag head or a set of three smaller deer heads, or fancy placing antlers among a series of pictures to add variety, there are so many styles to choose from. Team them with an antler chandelier, antler-frame mirror or bench with antler-inspired legs for added impact.
No Alpine lodge would be complete without a set of antlers and there are now heaps of fake versions around, from wooden designs to 3D cardboard or even neon. Whether you want a single giant stag head or a set of three smaller deer heads, or fancy placing antlers among a series of pictures to add variety, there are so many styles to choose from. Team them with an antler chandelier, antler-frame mirror or bench with antler-inspired legs for added impact.
Think rustic
When it comes to furnishings, the chunkier the better. Opt for coffee tables with sturdy square legs and heavy, raw wood tops that can take a few knocks. Comfortable, oversized sofas will increase the luxurious factor. Just add soft faux-fur cushions to channel the Alpine vibe to perfection.
When it comes to furnishings, the chunkier the better. Opt for coffee tables with sturdy square legs and heavy, raw wood tops that can take a few knocks. Comfortable, oversized sofas will increase the luxurious factor. Just add soft faux-fur cushions to channel the Alpine vibe to perfection.
Work that wood panelling
Natural wood cladding is a wonderful way to create a cocoon-like bedroom retreat – especially if it’s used on the walls, floor and ceiling. Make sure you team it with lots of sheepskin rugs, a faux-fur throw, lanterns, fairy lights and candles to soften the effect. Or why not cheat the look with a wood-effect trompe l’oeil wallpaper instead?
Discover the power of wood panelling in the bathroom
Natural wood cladding is a wonderful way to create a cocoon-like bedroom retreat – especially if it’s used on the walls, floor and ceiling. Make sure you team it with lots of sheepskin rugs, a faux-fur throw, lanterns, fairy lights and candles to soften the effect. Or why not cheat the look with a wood-effect trompe l’oeil wallpaper instead?
Discover the power of wood panelling in the bathroom
Re-create the holiday at home
If your favourite part of a skiing holiday is après-ski, perhaps you can continue the partying with an Alpine-inspired, wood-panelled home bar? These fantastic stools made from gnarled branches certainly look the part – or pick a rustic design and top them off with an animal pelt for a similar effect. Gluhwein anyone?
Discover 12 ways to work a bar trolley into your scheme
If your favourite part of a skiing holiday is après-ski, perhaps you can continue the partying with an Alpine-inspired, wood-panelled home bar? These fantastic stools made from gnarled branches certainly look the part – or pick a rustic design and top them off with an animal pelt for a similar effect. Gluhwein anyone?
Discover 12 ways to work a bar trolley into your scheme
Make a focal point
A roaring fire is a must in any open-plan luxury ski lodge, so take inspiration from the glossy brochures with a dual-aspect fire that can rotate 360 degrees, or a double-sided stove. Being able to direct the heat as the party moves from the dining table to the living room gives you so much more flexibility.
Get more ideas for contemporary fireplaces
TELL US…
Do you love the Alpine ski lodge look and have you incorporated similar elements into your own home? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
A roaring fire is a must in any open-plan luxury ski lodge, so take inspiration from the glossy brochures with a dual-aspect fire that can rotate 360 degrees, or a double-sided stove. Being able to direct the heat as the party moves from the dining table to the living room gives you so much more flexibility.
Get more ideas for contemporary fireplaces
TELL US…
Do you love the Alpine ski lodge look and have you incorporated similar elements into your own home? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
If you hanker after a view of snow-capped mountains, just like you had on holiday, why not bring a little piece of your trip home with an Alpine-inspired mural? It’s an idea that could work well in a hallway, dining area or anywhere with a large expanse of wall, like this soothing bedroom.