The Chic And Underrated Design Style That Combines Rustic Decor With A Ski Resort Vibe

If you've ever vacationed in Mammoth Lake or experienced skiing in Aspen during the cold winter months, you're probably familiar with the country charm of luxury chalets and ski cabins. Large sloping roofs, beautiful wood-drenched rooms, and snug fireplaces accommodate frosty weather and snowfall, creating a relaxing indoor atmosphere perfect for braving frigid temperatures. But you don't have to visit a winter cottage or even live in an icy region to enjoy the homestyle comforts that ski resorts have to offer. Decking out your home in alpine chic can help you achieve a cozy winter home aesthetic all year long, no matter where you live.

It's all in the name: Alpine chic, sometimes referred to as Swiss chalet interior design, is a rustic design style that captures the warmth and coziness synonymous with the ski chalet-style aesthetics of the French Alps and other famous alpine regions. It embraces minimalist sophistication and fuses traditional and modern details, combining classic rustic motifs with contemporary pieces. Think wood-clad walls and ceilings paired with modern furniture and a cool, neutral, or earthy color scheme. Not only is embracing elements of alpine chic a trick to make your home feel more warm and cozy, but the underrated design style can easily make your home stand out.

In many ways, alpine chic sings to the tune of minimalist and hygge decor in that it emphasizes comfort through design details, furnishing, and color palettes — but with a sophisticated twist. To do that, the style embodies a stunning blend of traditional and contemporary styles, like pairing a classic stone fireplace and old-world chandeliers with modern sofas and other sleek silhouetted furniture. For built-ins and fixtures, combine vintage decor with modern hardware. In the kitchen, for example, you might pair a rustic farmhouse sink and classic raw wood cabinetry with modern appliances (like column refrigerators).

Natural elements are central to this design aesthetic — for example, stone cabinetry, floors finished with reclaimed wood, and timber beams supporting vaulted ceilings. Wood-clad ceilings and hardwood floors paired with elegant quartzite countertops are common. Layering is also a major component of embracing mountain living; the trick is to draw inspiration from both old and new design styles. Soft textiles like plush fur rugs, comfy throw blankets, soft ambient lighting, and custom-made appliances and cabinetry help achieve the necessary balance of rustic charm and contemporary sophistication.