- Interior
You'll find one chalet after another and also luxury isn’t hard to find here in Gstaad, the Swiss hotspot for winter sport enthusiasts. Nevertheless, we have found one that will undoubtedly blow your (ski) socks off: this beautiful 600m2 large chalet that was recently redesigned by the internationally renowned design duo Humbert & Poyet.
Gstaad, in the Swiss Alps, is known as an extremely exclusive and high-end destination for winter sports. Not only is this one of the largest ski resorts in the Alps, but the idyllic village – with nearly all houses built in chalet-style – also attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world. Besides the many art galleries, cosmopolitan restaurants and luxurious hotels, you will also find many designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chopard, Prada and Cartier. All this provides the ideal setting for a large-scale interior project where an everyday chalet is transformed into a modern residence in which spaciousness and warmth are the key elements.
No more clichés
The traditional Swiss three-storey chalet was in need of thorough refurbishment for which the owner turned to Humbert & Poyet. The agency describes their style as 'low-key luxury' and finds it extremely important that a project reflects the personality of the client, as well as the so-called soul of the site. In the case of this chalet, the designers were given carte blanche, with the only specification that the end result had to be unique down to the smallest details. Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet set to work with natural materials and created exceptional elements and a structure of monumental spaces that are a far cry from the average alpine clichés. We see this in the presence of the fully-equipped fitness and sauna, which now make the chalet the ultimate retreat for those who need a break from (cross-country) skiing or snowboarding.
The traditional Swiss chaletis is unique down to the smallest details.
The use of wood is self-evident when building a chalet, but thanks to the update of Humbert and Poyet, the rooms were transformed into a contemporary and at the same time timeless holiday home. Respecting the identity of the building, the wood was combined with noble metals for a clean, graphic contrast. The traditional architecture of the chalet has been preserved, but also responds to a more modern interpretation of design. The connecting element – or ‘chief orchestrator’ as the designers call it – between the various rooms is the staircase, reimagined as a vertical cage made of wood and bronze. It gently lets the light shine through, creating depth and movement, but also typifies the simple cosiness of a wintery chalet.
Warm contrasts
In the main living room we find a fireplace – open on both sides – made of natural blue stone from Hainaut and larch wood, which symbolises for the designers the harmony between tradition and modernity. The dark stained oak floors contrast with the white snowy landscape outside and extra warmth is created by combining colourful velvet and cashmere with beautiful furs. Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet also went in search of antique furniture to create a rich diversity within the project. Another indispensable aspect for the interiors was the extensive art collection of the owner. With its mainly dark colours, it adds a kind of intensity to the rooms. And did you spot the Belgian design elements? We quite proudly mention that, because completely in the style of the chalet and adding another warm touch, several rooms were decorated with the vases produced by Flemish designer Michaël Verheyden. These are made of a combination of materials such as marble, black leather, bronze and brass.
The cosiest place for an après-ski in Gstaad? Look no further than this chalet, because with a custom bar made of Breccia Capraia marble by Humbert & Poyet this is where you want to be to relax after a long day on the slats. The mosaic mirror wall behind the bar also reflects the various exclusive materials, textures and styles that complement each other wonderfully, which also contributes to the creation of a cosy, relaxing atmosphere. Low-key luxury at its best, you van be sure of that!
Images © Francis Amiand