This newly built chalet in the heart of Verbier Switzerland is conceived of and made like a timeless chalet from the past with walls and ceilings clad in old wood on the interior and exterior. Floors in the main rooms are made from local slate which echoes the traditionally crafted roof of the chalet. The vernacular architecture of the Alps, humble materials and design flourishes all contribute to a strong sense of the coarse simplicity of life in the mountains.
Locally sourced antique pieces made by unknown craftsmen are juxtaposed with Bauhaus pieces like a Mies van der Rohe leather ottoman.
Questioning the relationship between the past (local traditional culture) and the present (an international ski resort), we envisioned a set of contemporary pendants which both resemble the 50s designs and an ethnic inspiration. The antique Chinese dining chairs gets us closer to the origins of Zen, where each element contributes to the whole.
Primitive peasant pieces and alpine wools blend with refined fabrics of the cashmere curtains, a faded antique Aubusson rug, and century-old re-claimed linens, resulting in a neutral and seasonal winter palette of creams and browns. Earthy tones and touches of rust color and copper brings all the essential elements together.