House Tours
A Homeowner Creates A Pictureperfect Holiday at Her Vacation Home
Photography, Monic Richard
House Tours
A Homeowner Creates A Pictureperfect Holiday at Her Vacation Home
The contemporary, Scandinavian-inspired exterior of this ski chalet in Sutton, Que., doesn’t hint at the exuberant rush of sensory warmth you’ll find within. At this time of year, there’ll be a fire glowing in the woodstove, the scent of warm gingerbread cookies in the air and festive touches of fresh greenery conjuring up alpine magic throughout. “This is such a happy place at Christmas,” says the homeowner. “Everything is white outside and it’s so snug and cozy inside.”
The owner, who spends Christmas here with her adult children, designed the 1,400-square-foot property (which is only minutes from the slopes) with that exact feeling in mind. “When planning the space in 2019, I wanted something really modern that also felt homey,” she says. “I envisioned a classic barn shape with lots of natural light and views to the beautiful scenery outside.” She collaborated with designer Sylvie Masse of Zig & Zag Design to help her with the decor. The pair relied on relaxed materials, such as shiplap, which was added to the walls to impart a natural finish, and layered in plenty of texture, along with a few of the owner’s vintage items. “The house has a real energy that makes us feel good,” she says. “And there’s nothing better than seeing all my family happy together.”
Warm welcome
The mostly monochromatic entryway (previous page) is big on practicality. Black 30-by-30-inch porcelain floor tiles are quite impervious to snowy boots, and easy-to-access hooks, storage baskets and a bench make getting ready and coming home a breeze. Seasonal touches, like a fresh wreath and soft throw, dial up a bit of holiday warmth.
Photography, Monic Richard
“As soon as I arrive, I light a fire and put on Blossom Dearie’s Christmas album.”
Natural Elements
The holiday table reflects the homeowner’s approach to the design of the chalet. “I want to let nature be the star,” she says. “There should be a connection between what is inside the house and what is outside.” The earthy palette of the tablecloth and napkins is a relaxed nod to the rural setting, while the sweet white fir-tree candles used as decorative accents tie in with the snowy vista outside the windows. A garland of magnolia leaves brings a two-tone beauty that’s repeated in the linens and placemats.
Photography, Monic Richard
“It can’t be Christmas without candles – my mother taught me that.”
White oak FLOORING, Unik Parquet. windows, doors, Vaillancourt Doors and Windows. entryway PAINT, Snowfall White OC-118, Benjamin Moore. FLOOR TILES, Ramacieri Soligo. wooden DECORATIONS, Canadian Tire. BASKETS (in entryway), PLATES, GLASSES, CUTLERY, PLACEMATS, NAPKINS, CANDLESTICKS, CHRISTMAS TREE CANDLES, Crate and Barrel.
A VINTAGE TOUCH
Photography, Monic Richard
“The last thing I wanted was for the chalet to look brand new,” says the homeowner. Her vintage Arne Jacobsen dining chairs ensure a collected-over-time effect, and the striped woolly rug looks as though it could be a vintage find. Festive ornaments and pinecones, along with a tree-shaped cutting board, play up the season. “We always have a traditional turkey dinner at Christmas, although my children hate stuffing!”
Photography, Monic Richard
Photography, Monic Richard
Photography, Monic Richard
DINING TABLE, Ikea. PENDANT LIGHT, Jamais Assez. Christmas tree-shaped CUTTING BOARD, RUG, HomeSense. Faux MAGNOLIA BRANCHES, Walmart.
EDGY APPEAL
Photography, Monic Richard
Designer Sylvie Masse helped the owner finish the kitchen. “I had already sourced the black slate countertops and Sylvie found the black cabinets,” she says. “They were new at the time and not common, so it was great timing.” The owner designed the shelving unit to amp up storage without taking up too much space. Faux sheepskins soften metal stools, and holiday touches, like a sparkly star ornament, twig wreath and twinkly tree, signal the season. The vintage artwork above the tree is from Spain.
Photography, Monic Richard
“My daughter loves cookies, and every Christmas Eve we make gingerbread men.”
Photography, Monic Richard
Kitchen design, Sylvie Masse, Zig & Zag Design. COUNTERTOPS, Ardobec. CABINETRY, IKEA. Faux SHEEPskins, Floating SHELF FABRICATION by Olivier Burnham, Forge d’Oll. THROWS, Bouclair. STOOLS, Tolix.
MONOCHROME COOL
The black-and-white powder room is the only space in the chalet that has more of an industrial feel, thanks to glossy subway tiles and a contemporary vanity. The round sconces soften all the straight lines, and the rug adds pattern and more graphic appeal. Even here, there’s a little tree for a thoughtful holiday touch.
Photography, Monic Richard
Mirror (in powder room), RH. SCONCES, Homier Luminaire. WALL TILES, La Tuilerie. FLOOR TILES, Ramacieri Soligo. FAUX TREE, RUG, HomeSense.
RELAX MODE
Photography, Monic Richard
The living room beckons not only because of the snowy view. The honey tones of the oak flooring seem even warmer here near the woodstove, and the cushy sectional is both welcoming and tailored. “We spend a lot of time here reading and watching Christmas movies,” says the homeowner. The striking wood basket is a flea-market find from Sutton and layers in more vintage charm.
“It’s so funny. My grown children cannot have Christmas without their stockings!”
Photography, Monic Richard
Green Christmas
Photography, Monic Richard
An antique wooden trunk is the perch for the family’s tiny tree. “I like how small the tree is,” says the owner. “I didn’t want anything flashy.” The patinaed trunk furthers the distinctive mix of old and new and is a strong counterpoint to the geometric lines of the staircase and shiplap. The pops of green are fun and festive. “They show that a black-and-white or minimal colour scheme can be cheery just by adding colourful accents wherever you like.”
Photography, Monic Richard
Photography, Monic Richard
Photography, Monic Richard
SOFA, COFFEE TABLE, RUG, Maison Corbeil. CONSOLE, IKEA. Dominique Perron painting, ArtLab 341. STOCKINGS, Canadian Tire. Green velvet CUSHIONS, THROW, CANDLESTICKS, Crate and Barrel. White CERAMIC TREE, HomeSense. White CERAMIC HOUSES, Bouclair.
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