Case Study: Chalet Sapphire
We caught up with Kyles Garrett, Interior Designer at Shep & Kyles, to find out more about luxury ski chalet interior design and discuss why our Tom Raffield furniture pieces are the perfect fit for Chalet Sapphire.
TR: Tell us a bit about your project?
S&K: Chalet Sapphire is a ski chalet in the French Alpine ski resort of Morzine - part of the vast Portes de Soleil ski area. Our client gave us the brief of creating a world class ski chalet for the luxury rental market, and together with architect Hervé Marullaz we spent three years undertaking the design, construction and furnishings of this exceptional ski lodge.
TR: You’ve got quite the collection of Tom Raffield furniture - why did you choose to include our pieces in your project?
S&K: Although contemporary, we designed this project to embrace and use local architectural styles and materials. The aim was for the Chalet Sapphire to sit sympathetically within its environment, whilst offering all of the amenities one could wish from a high-end ski chalet.
It was our desire to harness regional alpine materials (reclaimed pine, locally sourced slate) and team these with an organic, cosy, yet contemporary interior. This approach led us to discover Tom Raffield and the steam bent designs became the key furnishings throughout the chalet.
The sinuous forms, inspirational designs, natural materials and exceptional craftsmanship meant that products such as the Crib Console Table, Crib Stool, Harlyn Mirror, Beeble Pouffe, Amble Hanging Seat and the Arbor Armchair have been specified liberally throughout the project. Using a combination of the furniture pieces has given a sense of a uniformity across the six levels of the chalet.
TR: We love how you’ve styled our Beeble Pouffe in the living room – how did you decide on a scheme for the social, communal areas of the property?
S&K:Thank you! We chose the Beeble Pouffe, upholstered in a tactile pale grey wool fabric (matching the Arbor Armchairs) due to its beautiful yet practical design. The sumptuous steam bent band that encircles the pouffe is fabulous and the leather strap really complements the overall aesthetic.
Small enough to be an accent piece in an intimate salon, it is also useful when a large group want to sit together. It is a frequent dilemma when furnishing a ski lodge to provide adequate seating for all guests in a salon, without cluttering a room with a dozen chairs, and the Beeble Pouffe has given us the perfect occasional seating solution!
TR: You also have our Amble Hanging Seat on one of the bedroom balconies which looks like the perfect spot for a morning coffee – tell us about your favourite place to relax at Chalet Sapphire.
S&K: The Amble Hanging Seat is the most talked-about piece and is our personal favourite, it's just gorgeous. The Amble features in one of the master bedroom suites and on the covered terrace outside the dining room; both of these serene settings give spectacular views across the village to the pistes. It's circular steam bent shape means you can see through it, uninterrupted, to the mountains beyond, a feature a lot of hanging seats fall short on.
TR: What has been the highlight of the project for you?
S&K: We've really enjoyed working on the Chalet Sapphire project. It's a chalet packed full of facilities (swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam, ice-room, sauna, gym, cinema etc) and we have been delighted to collaborate and work with so many exceptional designers.
We have achieved what we set out to do - we've created a project that has furnishings of exemplary craftsmanship and materials, but also oozes cosy charm and contemporary artistry without ostentation.
Photography credits: sharpography.co.uk / shepandkyles.com
Posted: 16.08.19
Updated: 05.06.23