Decorating & Design
February 10, 2020
A Cherished Family Ski Chalet Gets The Grown-Up Treatment
Nestled in the mountains of Whistler, British Columbia, this townhouse saw plenty of action as a weekend family retreat for 27 years. But over time, the children grew up and the home fell idle. The homeowners still valued their mountain time, but the space just didn’t work for their lifestyle anymore. Now, they need a more sophisticated adult retreat with roomier private spaces and a generous media room. They turned to interior designer Alda Pereira to help rekindle their love of this 2,400-square-foot escape and transform it into a cozy spot for après-ski cocktails.
“They wanted to create an environment that was warm, inviting and rustic, but also elevated — one that acts as a place of refuge but will also serve them well in entertaining large numbers of people,” says Alda. “For me, that meant spaces that are understated and timeless, and that embrace the natural beauty of the landscape outside.”
Scroll down to see more of this modern mountain retreat!
Alda (pictured) revamped the fireplace in the living room. “The old fireplace was heavy, and we wanted to streamline everything,” she says. “Now it’s a porous brick that’s a bit more modern.”
Quiet but comfortable furnishings update the main living area, and dark beams creates drama. “The trend, especially in Whistler, is for blond woods, but my clients really love dark wood,” says Alda.
In the dining area, two large cupboards hold essential dishware for large gatherings. “They have a lot of stuff and people coming over; now that space works extra hard,” she says.
In the kitchen, custom alderwood cabinets are stained a smoky brown. Silvery countertops add edge to the dark space.
A leather headboard adds rich color in one of the two new bedrooms on the lower level. The beds can be pushed together to form a king, and a slim bookshelf holds favorite weekend reads.
The vanity area in the renovated principal ensuite offers a spot for primping by the double-sided fireplace, which also opens into the principal bedroom.
In this bedroom, Alda disguised the foundation of this new basement level with dark millwork, which incorporates a desk and storage on one wall.
Ema Peter
House & Home February 2020
Alda Pereira