A touch of hygge

From the terrace of the chalet, a stunning view of the architecture of Flaine. The "inventors" and patrons of the resort, Éric and Sylvie Boissonnas, entrusted it to Marcel Breuer, master of the Bauhaus and author of the UNESCO chair in Paris. The only ski resort from the 1960s listed in the inventory of historic monuments, Flaine now belongs to the "architectural heritage of the 20th century." Located higher in altitude, at 1,800 meters, the "Norwegian" hamlet dates from the 90s and has nothing in common, either in spirit or style, with the historic resort. Its 80 individual wooden chalets boast white or gray facades and window frames in red, green, blue, or yellow.

Like the one renovated by Hélène Roux, a well-known interior architect and decorator in the region. The owners are English and crazy about skiing. This is no coincidence: Flaine is, along with Les Gets, the favorite resort of Anglo-Saxons in the French Alps. Years have passed, their children have grown up, and soon a third generation will benefit from the family refuge. Therefore, it was necessary to rethink the 180 m2 to accommodate ten people, making them more welcoming and functional. Surprisingly, the chalet had never had a real entrance, absent from the initial plans. Hélène Roux created one, which houses the ski room essential for this sporty family. The first level was reconfigured around the living room, the dining room which now features custom-made furniture, the kitchen reorganized around a central island, and the two lounges, one of which is more intimate and allows for seclusion, as well as a playroom.

The oak staircase serving the upper floor, too heavy for the space, was redesigned to lighten the whole and improve circulation. Transparent glass guardrails reduce its visual impact. The circulation in the sleeping area, on the upper floor, has not been modified but the bedrooms have been redone, storage created, woodwork repainted, and bathrooms rearranged. "Over the years and with previous modifications, the chalet had lost its Scandinavian soul and coherence, explains Hélène Roux. We have restored its unity, particularly through the light woods and the shades of Nordic blues and greens that run from the sofas to the headboards, from the cushions to the rugs, from the seating to the tableware. The tiled floor has been replaced with oak flooring. It is an extremely warm chalet.”

And bright due to its south-facing exposure, which benefits the terrace sheltered by its imposing overhang. In winter, it is never covered by snow; in summer, it is protected from overly direct sunlight. The outdoor furniture echoes the color codes of the interior. Finally, a nod to the Nordic lifestyle, the Swedish bath that stands in front of the chalet is not just for show, assures the decorator, but provides a restorative wellness break after skiing.