How to Design a Mountain Retreat
As the winter season closes in on us, we’ve got our eyes and design focused on the ultimate ski retreat. We’re so excited to be currently working on a ski house design project in both New Hampshire and Maine. And although still in the early stages of the presentation process, we’ve already learned so much about what goes into designing a winter home that is durable, functional and sophisticated. In this month’s blog, we’re sharing a few ways to create that winter feel in our client’s mountain retreat.
We spend a lot of time thinking of and working on summer vacation homes, reimagining ways to create a design that truly captures a second home’s sense of place. Creating this connection in our client’s winter homes is equally exciting. And because ski and mountain retreats are often more of an escape to create memories and experiences, we put a lot more focus on aspects of the design that invoke a cozy and relaxing feel. Keeping the overall design in the forefront of our approach, we lean in heavily on functionality and durability to ensure the home can “weather” the harsh elements of the winter season and provide the family with all the storage necessary for whatever a day in the mountains will bring.
With so much to think about when approaching the design of a winter home, we’ve narrowed down our top 3 ways to create that winter ready design: projects.
Functional and eye-catching mudrooms
We all can agree, mudrooms are invaluable, but in a ski house, they’re essential. From the boots to all the many layers that are tossed around after a long day on the slopes, there is a lot of detail that needs to be considered when creating a mudroom that is both functional and design friendly. Ski storage is always the priority. Custom cabinets can do the work of hiding all the gear while creating a clean design throughout the space. When it comes to flooring, we recommend installing a porcelain tile in a large format. It is more durable than wood when it comes to standing up against the incoming snow, sand and salt. Tile will also give you a lot more flexibility when it comes to the overall aesthetics of your mudroom design.
Cozy Gathering Spots
In winter home design there tends to be a heavy emphasis on creating completed gathering spots. Cozy, warm and inviting spaces where friends and family can catch-up, play games or celebrate a well deserved apres ski. Consider locations throughout that home away from high traffic areas where there’s a lot of noise and distractions. Chairs paired with side tables and ottomans can create distinct spots set away from the rest of the home. For a touch of coziness, layer rustic textures and plush elements with natural materials to help to create a touch of luxury to the design while offering a welcoming vibe for conversations throughout the day.
A Roaring Fireplace
No ski retreat would be complete without a roaring fireplace. Pulling in family and friends from out of the cold, a fireplace offers a functional warmth while providing a design focal point for any space. In our Field Guide hotel project, we incorporated custom fireplaces throughout the guest rooms and common space to create a cozy connection from room to room. We love the opportunity to think outside the box when it comes to fireplace design in our ski house design. Adding unexpected details like ribbed wood and hammered metal helps to create a ton of visual interest. So whether it's a s’mores party or sharing family stories with the kids, a cozy fireplace adds so much comfort to a home and just might become the favorite spot in the house.
