Souvenirs

A COURAGEOUS DESIGN TRANSFORMS A 1960S CHALET IN CHAMONIX INTO A HOUSE IN DIALOGUE WITH NATURE.

The starting point for this chalet on the southern slope of Chamonix was the landscape. For Cristina Giordano, who has done the renovation of the building and the interiors, it was love at first sight: «On my first visit I fell in love with Monte Bianco», she says. The original construction from the 1960s paid little attention to the spectacular context, and was even oriented in the opposite direction. So the structure and its layout had to be radically revised. Every space now has a direct view of the mountains. The original building on three levels contains the bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, while the new addition offers a spacious spa on the ground floor, and a large living area above. For the interiors, the walls are clad in salvaged pine planks. The oak floorboards are also vintage. Warm colors, soft forms and atmospheric lighting set the tone. A large fireplace is flanked by two bookcases covered in Alcantara. Decorative objects found in Istanbul, vintage furniture from Indonesia, Thailand and China, English Chesterfield sofas, Persian rugs. A cosmopolitan mixture brings new life to the tradition of the mountains. And there is also a “detox” zone on the ground floor: a spa framed by large windows, with a sauna and a large whirlpool tub in Bisazza mosaic.