Chalet style interior

The historical birthplace of the chalet style is the southeast of France, near the Alps. These are cozy, warm houses with characteristic design features in the form of a sloping roof, open terraces, from which it is so convenient to admire the surrounding beauty. The atmosphere of the interior space can amaze a modern person with its majestic simplicity, expressiveness, and harsh romance.

The dominance of wood, stone, the obligatory presence of a fireplace, the rejection of artificial materials and acidic colors is not suitable for everyone. But it will definitely find a response among people who know how and love to enjoy life, creative individuals and romantic people who dream of finding peace. After all, it is possible to create your own unique piece of the Alps not only in a country house, but also in an ordinary apartment.

Reasons for popularity and distinctive features

Today, chalets in a geographical sense are gaining more and more popularity and have long since left their historical region: Germany, the USA, Canada, Italy, Spain and, of course, Russia.

There are several reasons for the popularity of chalet-style interiors:

The style is out of fashion: designers only try to introduce modern objects into it without disturbing the significant, natural atmosphere of an Alpine house with history;
The historical location in picturesque places gave rise to the fact that it began to be associated with romance and pastoral landscapes - chosen by people inclined to coziness;
The desire of modern man to become closer to nature, to use environmentally friendly materials;
The development of such a type of recreation as skiing gives chalets associations with prestigious tourism.

Recognizable features:

Spaciousness, open space: all interior items, which are few and unique in their kind, take on the main roles;
Predominance of natural materials. Wood, stone, brick - mostly raw, rustic textures, specially aged for maximum authenticity. The use of ceramic tiles, metal elements, and solid glass is not excluded;
Characteristic wooden beams that perform not a constructive (especially in the interior of an apartment) but a decorative function, zoning the space;

For large rooms of country houses, with open layouts of apartments, thematic design is suitable, which has its fans: “Hunting Lodge”, “Natural Splendor of Wood”, “Fireplace for a Family Nest”;
The historical nature of the chalet design demonstrates the symbiosis of eternally youthful nature and things made by human hands that are subject to aging processes: cracked ceramics, aged wood, antique furniture, tapestries.

Finishing and color scheme

Alpine style requires predominantly natural materials, which affects the price aspect. But the result is worth it. Only the ceiling, usually decorated with dark, unbleached beams, amazes the imagination. The continuation is wooden wall panels, bars that imitate supports, giving a unique atmosphere to the entire room.

The walls can be decorated with gray stone, making the room more sophisticated. Plastered surfaces, mostly in light shades, look great against the background of wood. Combinations of different types of wood are applicable: oak, pine, larch. Floor coverings with imitation aging give a special rustic charm: the solid boards should remain matte, semi-matte after treatment. The necessary areas (kitchen, bathroom) are finished with tiles, also from special, “village” collections.

The rather calm colors of the chalet interior reflect the latest color trends:

Natural shades of wood, mostly warm tones;
Terracotta, beige, yellow;
Natural colors: natural linen, lime, tobacco, moss;
Gray color is a shade of stone characteristic of mountainous areas;
Bright colors are only small shades of red.

Light in the window

Modern ideas have changed the appearance of chalet style windows. They have become much larger, more often panoramic, but other aspects have remained unchanged:

The location of the main facade is to the east - sunlight penetrates during the day;
Window frames are made strictly of wood;
A binding with numerous sashes, several imposts or layout elements - glass separator strips, called “decorative bars”.

For any variant of natural intensity, there are certain rules for artificial light that do not violate the overall harmony of the chalet style:

The lighting is extremely natural: no halogens, no diodes, only soft, diffused light that does not destroy the charm of the interior;
The design and appearance of the lighting fixtures are not in dissonance with the general direction. Preference is given to authentic lamps: chandeliers-candelabra, light bulbs-candles for simple sconces;
Comfort comes first: designers advise highlighting the necessary area (usually a working or dining area) with an additional light source.

The final result will directly depend on the decoration of the windows. Light, natural materials are preferable: linen, cotton. The colors are calm, the prints are as simple as possible (light checkered) or with recognizable alpine motifs. An alternative to curtains are wooden shutters from the inside.

Lighting

The chalet is characterized by good lighting. It should not be bright; any light is designed to slightly soften the harsh environment.

Natural light coming through large windows with wooden frames is not enough to create a cozy atmosphere, so it is supplemented by artificially created lamps.

The multi-tiered nature of such a system will help illuminate entire rooms or create small cozy islands of light. But you shouldn’t get too carried away with a pile of lamps.

For any room it will be enough:

central chandelier with massive forged support;
simple sconces that complement the main light source;
elegant floor lamps made of wood and fabric.

The following are used as lampshades:

imitation of antique kerosene lamps;
candle lights;
candelabra.

The fiery heart of the chalet

No chalet interior is conceivable without a hearth, stove or fireplace, conveying all the warmth and comfort of a country house. If there is enough space, designers offer unusual projects where the key element is located in the center of the lower floor room. For decoration, it is better to use materials that can convey an alpine aura. Sometimes they use wood embossing and artificial aging - cracks, patina; ceramic cladding. The techniques are widely used for decorating other surfaces.

A soft fireplace group is created around the hearth: it acts as the center of the living room and at the same time the heart of the house - the whole family and loved ones gather here for communication, it can be as large as the area of the zone allows. Nearby you can put a rough wooden table, which serves as a coffee table, but with its appearance it connects the ancient past and some bourgeoisness of modern design.

A few more modernized performances that do not violate tradition:

Glass surface separating the real flame;
Tables with built-in bio-fireplaces;
Electric fireplace with plasma TV placed above it;
Kitchen dome hood imitating parts of a real hearth.

The furnishings of the chalet rooms are distinguished by simplicity, massiveness of basic interior items, closeness to nature, forests in the mountains. The interior of alpine huts involves natural finishing materials and rich, warm colors.

Finishing materials and color palette

The most important finishing material is wood, especially with an antique effect, or stone. The classic option would be a lower floor made of stone and an upper floor made of pine, spruce or cedar.

A few significant details to consider when finishing:

massive beams should be visible on the ceiling - for this, the room must have a sufficient height of the walls;
the walls can be finished with plaster - rough, without frills;
the floor is covered with stone tiles;
you can place a carpet on the floor - wicker or depicting an animal skin;
The wall decor is ethnic: small carved paintings, textiles, patterned embroidery, decorations in the shape of animal heads.

In a modern chalet, it is better to replace all “animal” decor - heads, horns, skins - with high-quality artificial analogues. This will be a sign of civilization, responsibility and a high level of culture of the residents of the house.

The color scheme of the design should preferably be light, discreet, warm, natural shades.

The following options are suitable:

beige;
brown;
olive;
terracotta;
white.

You can try to diversify small details with bright splashes: red, blue, light blue, green.

Furniture

Furniture items should be chosen from wood, from solid wood, with a natural, rough finish; some can be varnished. Vintage and forged elements look great in the design of sofas, cabinets and armchairs; carvings are used in moderation. The design is close to minimalism, so there should be little furniture.

The sofa in the center of the living room is large, uncouth and rough, but soft and comfortable, upholstered in leather or natural fabric. An excellent compromise between tradition and environmental friendliness would be sheepskin - warm, pleasant to the touch wool. You can throw more blankets, bedspreads, pillows on the upholstered furniture - it will become a warm nest on frosty winter evenings.

How to fit household appliances

The chalet is a historical destination; its interior does not like modern technology in prominent places.

How and where you can hide it:

small items will find their place in cabinets and cabinets;
large equipment can be placed in a wall niche, hanging it with a curtain or covering it with a wooden panel;
choose wood-colored equipment and decorate it in an ethnic style.

Decor

Decorative elements in an alpine house have two directions: natural (or hunting) and ethnic (folklore).

The following decorations will best fit into the atmosphere of a mountain home:

carpets and tapestries with national ornaments, images of animals and birds, hunting scenes;
bedspreads and rugs imitating the skins of animals such as bear, deer, elk and others;
wood decor: talismans, log frames, splints, masks;
paintings depicting mountain and forest landscapes, scenes from the life of shepherds;
heavy, large watch;
copper, tin or clay candlesticks;
figurines made of ceramics and clay;
horns and weapons on the walls.

Most of the decorations need to be given an aged look - this technique will perfectly reflect the essence of this historical interior.

Fireplace

The central element of an Alpine house is a large, stone fireplace decorated with wood carvings or forged patterns. Without it, the interior of the mountain refuge will be unfinished.

Fireplace design features:

cladding - stone, granite or their imitation of a natural shade;
the stones in the structure must be uneven, rough, their edges protrude beyond the general contour;
design - built-in or wall-mounted fireplace;
decorations are placed on a brick shelf above the stove or on the baseboard in front of it;
main types of decor: weapons, armor, small paintings, handmade panels, antique watches.

In the fireplace area you can place a sofa, armchairs, throw a knitted or wicker rug in front of the fireplace - you won’t find a better place to relax during the cold season.

Brutal furniture

The furniture in the interior of the chalet is always massive, rough and angular. Deliberate simplicity and uncomplicatedness are enhanced by artificial aging - abrasions, the effect of fading in the sun.

Plastic, transformable furniture are excluded, and there is virtually no forging. Preferences are given to:

Natural wood;
Leather upholstered furniture;
Wicker furniture items.

Mostly plain upholstery of upholstered furniture: bleached linen, beige nubuck. Sometimes striped or patterned upholstery is appropriate, but in any case, decorative pillows and fur bedspreads will be useful. In the chalet bedroom, notes of brutality are less likely to appear - a canopy with a canopy over a wide bed is allowed.

Cabinets, consoles, and cabinets are often made to order, since they are entrusted with an important mission - to hide household appliances, without which the existence of a modern inhabitant of an alpine hut is unthinkable.

Decor: Alpine accents

A distinctive feature of the chalet from many other styles is that hand-made decorative elements are always welcome. No matter what your hobby is - clay modeling or embroidery, there will always be a place and application for your creativity. This interior style touches on many folk crafts.

Components of the Alpine style:

A variety of textile designs: soft, cozy blankets, bedspreads. Characteristic motifs with images of mountain landscapes and forests predominate;
The floor covering is complemented by carpets, including those with a rustic flavor - colorful, wicker;
Large paintings, tapestries with nature themes, animals are framed with simple wooden frames;
Large poufs with knitted, knitted, fur covers;
Clay, wooden utensils;
Dried flower compositions.

The popular design in the style of a hunting lodge will be reflected in display cases with weapons. The heads of trophies on the walls are duplicated by a skin-carpet on the floor.

Features of specific solutions

The living room is the center of the entire house or chalet-style apartment. Here its characteristic features should be fully manifested. Adding surfaces made of glass, metal, polished stone, and some glossiness of furniture, for example, varnishing an antique chest of drawers, will help to avoid visual crowding.

But the kitchen can be more cozy due to an entirely wooden space. Specific recommendations from designers:

Stone and brickwork, where necessary (working area), is aesthetically combined with wooden logs, saw cuts, lining;
Replacing chrome and metal with brass: dishes, fittings, faucets;
The solidity of clay and ceramic dishes is softened by touching linen napkins and tablecloths;
Household appliances made of metal (refrigerator, microwave oven) will fit organically into the space.

A bedroom in a characteristic style will turn out to be very cozy, comfortable, and, if desired, romantic. Just don’t overload the space with wooden elements. Calm colors and lighter wood species will convey all the tenderness of natural beauty.

Finishing materials

The materials used must be created from natural materials. Raw wood and natural stone look good here. At the same time, the first floor is finished with heavy stone, while lighter and more elegant wood is used to decorate the second floor.

The only exceptions to the rule of naturalness can be artificial horns, heads or stuffed animals, and skins.

The interior of a chalet-style house, the photo of which makes you look closely at every detail of this unusual design, should give the impression of reliability, massiveness and some roughness of a home designed for living in difficult conditions.

Floor decoration

A solid board is perfect for finishing the floor. In damp rooms, the rather capricious material is replaced with tiles, but they should also be reminiscent of wood or stone.

A good decoration would be a small carpet imitating a wicker path or animal skin, or homespun rugs.

Wall decoration

For wall decoration, the choice will become a little richer. Comfort will be created by:

wood (board, lining, blockhouse, timber);
brick;
stone.

Very often, walls are left without additional cladding, providing enhanced thermal insulation.

Beige, sand, gray and rocky shades of paint and plaster with a matte surface are used as finishing materials.

Spacious rooms are decorated with special supports made of wooden beams, giving the house a special expressiveness.

Ceiling decoration

The ceiling is left wooden, with laid beams and ceilings. At the same time, the height of the room should allow the creation of such decoration. For small rooms, choose fairly light wood colors that slightly increase the space.

Regular whitewash will look good, but even in this case, wooden components must be present.

Subtleties of execution in a city apartment

The design project of a city apartment in the chalet style must necessarily take into account, in addition to the area, the height of the ceilings of the rooms.

How not to turn a cozy mountain house into a gnome's shack:

Strict adherence to proportions, from interior decoration to decorative elements;
Refusal from too rough, massive wooden beams if the ceiling height is less than 3 meters. An alternative is a combination of planed boards with plaster;
Wood finishing takes away precious centimeters - decorating only one wall, with a preference for lighter species;
Adding space will help by covering with boards only up to a third of the wall height;
Replace large cabinets in the living room with open shelves with charismatic accents.

An Alpine-style apartment, just like a country house, is simply created to spend quiet, relaxing evenings, family dinners, and welcoming welcome guests. You'll amaze the latter with luxurious chalet-style interiors with simple spruce planks on the walls and muted carpet on the floor.

And luxury lies in the opportunity to simply rest your soul from the frantic rhythm of everyday life, which for the 21st century is the most significant wealth. For a modern person, a chalet can become little more than an interior style, but a whole way of life.

Chalet style features

To recreate alpine design, a country house or an apartment on two levels is best suited. It requires space, height and a unique, ethnic design.

Character traits

The interior of the chalet is distinguished by the use of exclusively natural materials - wood, leather, fur, stone. The design of the house should correspond to the image of ancient houses, dating back to the 18th century, in which Alpine shepherds lived.

He takes a little from minimalism and country. However, the modern direction of this style does not completely reject new trends if they are in harmony with the overall atmosphere and help maintain comfort.

Some important features of the chalet interior:

minimum finishing of walls, floors and ceilings - wooden or brick walls and board floors remain, if possible, in their original form;
the walls and ceiling can be decorated with carvings or varnished;
a sloping roof with two slopes, the beams of which do not need to be hidden with decor;
massive, simple, rough-shaped furniture;
man-made decorative elements: panels, embroidery, clay and ceramics;
warm, dim light scattered around the room;
large, wide windows with simple frames;
fireplace with stone or brick trim;
a wide, crudely knocked together staircase between the central room and the attic.

A house or cottage in the Alps is a reliable refuge from the cold, the elements and wild animals. It is warm, durable, unpretentious and incredibly cozy. When you come on vacation to such a house, it seems that time has stopped.