Colin & Justin: Give Style to Your Chalet

Year-Round is Best

It’s well worth adding proper insulation, installing properly sealed windows and doors, and attending to any draught problems to make your home away from home a windproof, watertight, relaxing retreat 365 days a year. Do this before thinking about decor; it’s always worth investing money on structure and services before you think of finishing touches.

Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

Think of a design plan and add accordingly, using things that are standout and special rather than all of your old junk from home.  Ceiling mounted ‘floating’ wood burning stoves look ultra elegant, especially with modern furnishings; after all, chalets don’t always have to be traditional. Or, use painted antique-style furnishings for a more romantic escape. Dream up your look and make it a reality!

Call of the Wild

When it comes to buying accessories, use the wonderful Canadian landscape as your inspiration.  Horn fixtures like faux antler chandeliers and wall lights can look wonderful, while gnarled timber installed as modern sculpture, birch branches as wall art and even a wall-mounted canoe can really bring the outside in.

Use Accessories to Add Colour

Most chalets and cottages tend to be made of wood, so try to use artwork or wall hangings to add colour and break up wood floors with area rugs and runners. Mix old and new to create a lived-in and well-loved look.

Add Other Natural Elements

Install a river stone feature wall around your fireplace or on any wall where a dramatic finish will really pop, and use spotlights to highlight it at night. Organically-shaped, unfinished timber looks great as a counter or tabletop, or it can be used as shapely door columns or beams.  Etched glass echoes the look of water and can be used in doors to allow light to pass through while creating privacy.

Embrace the Great Outdoors

Install double doors (if the bugs aren’t too bad) to bring the outside in, build a wraparound covered deck to create an outdoor dining and entertainment area, and install large picture windows to make the most of the natural light and incredible views.