Eat, drink & BE MERRY - INSPIRING INTERIORS - Michela Curetti
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JANUARY 2019
£4.60
INSPIRING THE
LIBRARY
INTERIORS LOOK
FROM A LONDON SMART
TOWNHOUSE BOOK STORAGE
TO A RESTORED SOLUTIONS
RECTORY
Eat, drink &
BE MERRY
BEAUTIFUL IDEAS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
SWISS CHALET
Moving
MOUNTAINS
This remarkable six-level home is a lesson in how to soften
modern architecture with an intimate and welcoming interior
WORDS JULIET BENNING PHOTOGRAPHS MADS MOGENSEN PRODUCTION & STYLING MARTINA HUNGLINGER
VIEW OF VALLEY while the long, low seating
Built into the side of an complements the architecture.
Alpine mountain, the chalet Interior designer Michela
has far-reaching views of the Curetti used motifs seen in
Engadine valley (opposite). the plasterwork of local
chalets on the cofee table.
SITTING ROOM Interior design, Michela Curetti,
Natural fabrics and curved michelacuretti.com. Chinotto
wood pieces contrast with the chairs by Luigi Caccia
chalet’s horizontal lines, Dominioni.
JANUARY 2019 | H&G | 97
P
erched high above the Engadine valley important as adhering to the owners’ unique vision.
in the Swiss Alps, this chalet is a stunning ‘We managed to use the restrictive building
example of modern architecture at one regulations by turning them into architectural
with its surroundings. Key to the solutions, and the whole project is a creative and
project’s success was ensuring that the contemporary reinterpretation of local traditional
building met with strict private housing regulations architecture,’ explains Carl Pickering.
that permit only a small amount of above-ground The chalet has a substantial underground
construction. These restrictions ultimately dictated footprint and the architects worked hard to create a
the entire character of the property, imbuing it with feeling of intimacy, with masonry vaults and
an extraordinary layout over the incline of the skylights letting as much natural light through as
mountain. Built over six levels, the master bedroom, possible. ‘The idea was to design the spaces below
sitting room and study are above ground, while the ground level so that they would not feel like an
kitchen, dining area, guest rooms, swimming pool underground bunker,’ says Claudio Lazzarini.
and wellness centre are below. Above ground, the typical Swiss chalet timber
construction has been reinterpreted using glass
PROBLEM SOLVING instead of wood for the walls between some
For Rome-based architects, Lazzarini Pickering, structural pillars. The extensive glazing gives the
respecting the local architectural style was as house a connective feel internally, as well as masses
98 | H&G | JANUARY 2019
BALCONY SITTING ROOM
The chalet has several Minimal decoration was
balconies, all designed using needed in this double-height
transparent glass to make the space as the steel beams
most of the stunning views. provide visual interest.
Architecture by Lazzarini Pleasure sofa, Flexform,
Pickering, lazzarinipickering.com. flexform.it; upholstered in
Hodsoll McKenzie fabric.
JANUARY 2019 | H&G | 99
DINING AREA KITCHEN
This informal dining space is The sole embellishment
located underground. Sheets in this sleek space is the
of glass separate the rooms Italian artisan hand-painted
in the subterranean level to concrete tiles. These, together
help maximise light. with the natural warmth of
Zinc-coated Sorgues dining the wood cabinets, soften the
table, £329, Maisons du Monde, rigidity of the scheme.
maisonsdumonde.com. Ghost Similar tiles, from £89.70sq m,
23 chairs by Paola Navone at Fired Earth.
Gervasoni, gervasoni1882.it.
100 | H&G | JANUARY 2019
of exposure to the winter wonderland found in this explains. ‘The aim was to create a welcoming feeling
beautiful area on the southern side of the Swiss Alps. of warmth and comfort. For me, a Swiss chalet in
‘When you live in a place like this with so many the Alps should be a cosy and traditional environment
incredible views, you risk becoming immune to to share with friends and family.
them,’ says Carl, ‘so framing a specific part of a view ‘The architectural materials are what you would
makes it special and avoids this happening.’ An normally find in the mountains, yet less rustic,’
overhanging roof along the triple-glazed glass walls Michela elaborates. ‘The environment, the box, was
protects the living areas from intense sunlight already created by the architects. My idea was to
during the summer, but at the same time allows for make the rigid, hard lines softer, more liveable with
the maximum amount of light to enter the chalet and cosy. The materials and colours for the interior
during the winter months. scheme were chosen to have a local imprint that was
personal to the location.’
OUTSIDE THE BOX Much of the furniture was designed by Michela
Michela Curetti, who had worked with the owners herself, using local wood and craftsmen. The chalet
on three previous properties over the course of 15 combines elements that are both natural and
years, was enlisted to provide the interior design. ‘I intimate: above ground the sense is of living within
wanted to soften the rigours of the contemporary the forest, while the underground space, with its
lines with fabric – tartans, wool and patterns,’ she pool and relaxation areas, provides snug intimacy.
JANUARY 2019 | H&G | 101
MASTER BEDROOM SITTING ROOM The carved motif seen in A variety of intimate seating the woodwork is a traditional areas, including this one by design typical of the area and the fire, were created to zone defines the sleeping area. this large, open-plan space. Bed designed by Michela Fly SC1 lounge chairs by Space Curetti, michelacuretti.com; Copenhagen, from £1,835 each, upholstered in Fyfield Plaid &Tradition, andtradition.com; Woodland by Ralph Lauren, upholstered in Caledonia £116m, Designers Guild, Broom Juniper, £84.50m, Kirkby designersguild.com. Design, kirkbydesign.com. 102 | H&G | JANUARY 2019
JANUARY 2019 | H&G | 103
STAIRCASE BATHROOM
“
Michela designed the steel Engadine sgraito created by
and wood screen around the local artisans embellishes all
staircase, which stretches the bathrooms. Typically used
Picture windows throughout over five floors. ‘The wood on the exterior of houses,
pieces are flexible and they Michela describes the
the chalet give glimpses of the give this architectural feature technique as ‘a sort of
a lovely sense of mobility,’ bas-relief obtained from
beautiful scenery outside” says Michela. the incision of the plaster
with a metal tip’.
Washstand designed by Michela
Curetti, michelacuretti.com,
with base made from local wood
and basin created using local
stone. Taps, Zazzeri,
zazzeristore.com.
104 | H&G | JANUARY 2019GUEST BATHROOM
This is the perfect place for a
long soak after a day on the
slopes, the simple fittings
allow the wood construction
of the chalet to be the focus.
Stone One freestanding bath,
£7,680, CP Hart, cphart.co.uk.
Mirror and washstand
designed by Michela Curetti,
michelacuretti.com.
JANUARY 2019 | H&G | 105You can also read
