Now that the nights are drawing in and I’m hibernating in the house with no chance of going skiing (I am not overly fond of going running in the rain), I’ve noticed that all my Teams and Zoom meeting backgrounds are starting to look remarkably chalet-like. So here are some cosy rooms with fireplaces that my colleagues almost started envying…
The white tulips make you think of spring, but the open fireplace says Christmas stockings to me. From OneKinDesign.com
Isn’t that leather chaiselongue just made for reading? From cabinlife.com
In summer I like it bright and airy, but there’s nothing like some glowing fire and candlelight in the dark in winter. From BrotherTedd.com
This rustic one is for rent on location-france.fr, with or without guitars.
The grandest and least cosy, but I’m sure there is a fireplace in there somewhere – and the view! From OneKinDesign.com
As we start to retreat into our cocoons, here are some rooms where all our bookish goodness (and greed) can come to the fore.
Backlighting and ladders – what’s not to look about this? From theurbaninterior.coPerfect reading nook, although I still prefer the Brasilia chaise. From homedit.comMore of a lived-in look, from vintagenook.comFor those of us who have high ceilings, from Pinterest.Even if you have long, narrow rooms, you can still create a welcoming library. From kwnyc.comI could be so organised if only I had those millions of little drawers, from Pinterest.All that’s missing is the whisky, from the Mayflower Inn.Perfect for book clubs, from Pinterest.
Now that Christmas is over, our thoughts naturally turn to partying with friends at a chalet high up in the mountains after a great day of skiing. Well, mine do anyway, if I had all the time and money in the world. Of course, my kind of partying involves a cosy fire, great views, delicious food and pleasant discussions about books, art, music and theatre.
Having had a stove in our house in France, I can vouch it is a wonderful way to warm up the room. No fireplace is complete without a pet, of course. From Home Building and Renovating magazine.
Ah, even better with a cat… From Bill’s TN Paradise.
A more minimalist Scandinavian feel to this one, from songbirdblog.com
Great Christmas atmosphere at this property in Northern Ireland, from Property Pal.
This picture seems to have been taken in summer, which is just wrong. Tom Cruise’s former property in Colorado, from Adelto.co.uk
Ah, this one allows everyone to sit around the fire! French chalet from Design Mag.
The typical wood-heavy chalet look in Megeve, from Chalet Chatel.
We can’t see the fireplace in this picture, but I’m sure it matches the view. Chalet in Zermatt, from Luxury Ski Chalets.
It appears that the Danish were not even aware that their concept of ‘hygge’ (comfort) is such a big idea until the British started marketing it. And yet the English have a perfectly good word for it as well ‘cosy’. Whatever we choose to call it, the appeal of curling up with candles, fireplaces, blankets and fleeces, books, a view and perhaps a pet or two… well, it’s undeniable. We need this comfort even more in these uncertain times.
Books, views and a stove appear to be indispensable items, from dezeen.com
Wood is a key ingredient. It doesn’t always have to be winter – here is a cosy conservatory in spring/summer. From workdon.com
Stones and bricks also add to the appeal, while bedcovers and pets perfect the look, from Pinterest.
It didn’t originate in Denmark and it’s not a recent phenomenon, as Vita Sackville-West’s study shows. From National Trust website.
Lots of seating for the many friends that you’ll have visiting you, from Country Living.
Cushions, coffee and cakes – the three Cs – are always a good idea, from Pinterest.
The problem is, with such a cosy home, you might never want to get up until spring has well and truly sprung… From Huffington Post.
Nothing beats a cosy chalet at the foot of the ski pistes, with an open fireplace, good food, old friends and excellent books to surround you! The snow is not quite enough for skiing yet, the chalet remains to be booked (or paid for) but I do feel I have friends and books, so thank you all so much.
A photo shoot by photographer Andrew Borthwick of Chalet Solaise in Villars, Switzerland. Suisse Art of Bespoke website.
It’s always about the views! From chaletstyle.com
For lovers of traditional, wood-heavy decor. From digsdigschalet.com
A more modern take on wooden interiors. From Decoist.com
Chalet in Courchevel. Can be yours for a week for an exorbitant price, from ultimateluxurychalets.com
Or you could rent this one facing Mont Blanc, from homedit.com
I am captivated by the central stove in this one, also for rent. From ultimateluxurychalets.com
Or what about this chalet in Aspen? Featured in Architectural Digest.
So indulge me… Allow me to curl up in a well-travelled vintage room, with lots of books, armchairs, plaid blankets and plenty of cushions. An open fire and a mulled wine would be optional, but deliciously thoughtful.
But, for the ultimate retreat, while there is still snow in the mountains, I would like to hide up in this Swiss eco-pod hut in Flims and do nothing but read and write.
It’s a dull, cloudy day and I know I should be going up above the clouds to see the sun and some skiing action. But it is so much more tempting to curl up with a book, especially if you happen to be in one of the places below…