Hunter & Company Interior Design created a cozy winter retreat in Montana, USA by designing the homeowner’s Ski Chalet around warm and comfortable materials such as the living room’s stepped concrete fireplace and exposed wood ceiling structures. With the natural materials of the hardscape in place the designers then layered in a patchwork “look” area rug and deep comfortable seating. The rug and leather sofa pull out the browns of the woodwork while the upholstered pieces tie into the grey of the fireplace. The large expanses of windows punch up the interior with the greens of summer or the whites of winter, either way the landscape is always front and centre.
The natural elements of the interior zones are prevalent the minute the homeowner’s enter their chalet. The foyer features a concrete floor as well as a rustic built-in cabinetry complete with bench and boot cubbies while the stairwell boasts large wood slabs for treads and an industrial balustrade punctuated with steel newel posts.
On the other side of the foyer a wall niche is outfitted with a chairlift powder coated in a bright orange finish for a fun sculptural place to relax. Framed within the void of the chair, a white skull keeps an eye on things.
The rustic appeal of the foyer continues on into the kitchen. The homeowner preferred not to have an island but rather chose a more contained space with a central access point. Without a bar overhang the two peninsulas instead offer storage and display on the dining side of the zone.
The dining room revolves around a living edge tabletop supported on 4 wood slabs for legs – two on either end. Black ladder back chairs with upholstered seats wrap the table without stealing attention from it, but had the chairs boasted a more solid silhouette this would not have been the case.
With the prevalence of wood throughout the social zones of the ski chalet, the choice of a deep blue/grey finish on the laundry cabinets is surprising – but smart. Since the room is small and does not have the same panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, the only way to bring a light and bright feel to the space is through the choice of colour and material. In this room, dark cabinetry would have felt too imposing.
The Master Bedroom has its own access to the outdoor terrace, allowing the homeowners the ability to enjoy the views both bedside and outside. The four poster bed blends beautifully with the wood trims on the baseboards and window/door trims while the mirrored bedside tables punch it up with a touch of glam. Adding additional personality are the whimsical lamps on each bedside table with their angular profile and tone on tone shades.
The ensuite to the Master Bedroom features a rustic vanity full of storage, undermount sinks and wall-mounted faucets. Across from the vanity is a walk in shower complete with rain shower head.
A kids room features two beds with storage drawers crowned with a long bunk capable of sleeping two more. The space between the two beds features a staggered storage unit with cubbies on either side and the ladder to the double bunk. The rustic wood elements are offset with the multiple shades of blue used in the upholsteries, carpeting and the blue/grey wall colour.
The bathroom for the bunkbed room has a rustic vanity with two below counter sinks. Here, as in the ensuite, glitzy sconces add a touch of sparkle, but unlike the ensuite, guest towels are displayed within baskets on a lower vanity shelf.
The guest bedroom is kept simple but welcoming leaving plenty of room for guests to spread out their suitcases and make themselves at home.
The guest bathroom is another story. This room is stunning. A long metal trough sink features a glass “counter” for incidentals on either side of the wall mounted faucet and then there is the mirror frame. The geometric pattern of patina’d metals is a showstopper. Keeping the vignette even more interesting is the row of pendants in front of the mirror. It is as though they are ice droplets suspended in time. Love it.
Hunter & Company Interior Design
