As a child I spent many months in the Pyrenees, a beautiful mountain range between France and Spain.
Upon my Doctor's order, the treatment for my anemic state was to live at altitude. As a result, I developed a deep love for mountains, snow, brisk cold weather and most of all skiing.
I was commissioned by a client to design her ski house out west. I was thrilled at the prospect of working in my favorite environment. We started the project in September and our installation took place during a massive snow storm just before Christmas of the following year.
Here are some images that reflect my thoughts and vision for the ultimate ski house and mountain retreat.
Stone and hewed wood beam construction
Soaring ceilings with wood beams and wide plank flooring
My client's entrance foyer
AD Italia; No 343 Dec. 2009
AD Italia; No 343 Dec. 2009
Elle Decor Italia; No 12 Dec 2009
Living rooms with a warm inviting fireplace
Antique leather Club Chair with cashmere throws
to wrap oneself upon return from the slopes
Maisons Cote Est; No 46. Dec-March 2009
AD Italia; No 343 Dec. 2009
Hotel Les Fermes de Marie, Megeves, France
Hotel Les Fermes de Marie, Megeves, France
A must: Iron hand-made lighting by Jose Esteves,
exclusively at Interieurs, cast the warmest light
Unexpected industrial touches will help create a warm rugged
feel to the space all while being extremely functional
A large dining table for fondue parties and other great mountain meals
I designed this custom table with reclaimed
teak top and a cast iron base
Elle Decor Italia; No 12 Dec 2009
Found on Internet; source unknown
Some of the great unique industrial dining tables we offer at Interieurs
Bedroom Sanctuary
We incorporated reclaimed barn planks into
the walls of this loft bedroom suite
A Master Bedroom ...
... with its own fireplace
AD Italia; No 343 Dec. 2009
Found on Internet; Source unknown
A must for any bedroom: A welcoming armchair
with soft throws and pillows (from Interieurs)
A small industrial desk for those short notes to friends
Coffee nook in the guest suite
Posts
Great and timely post. Looks like a beautiful project. Congrats. There is an amazing book on houses in the Engaden that have been refurbished in a modern and very brave way that you should see, very inspiring. Loved the Italia pics too. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving comments.
ReplyDeleteSo fun to see some of your pieces in context. Loved the photos of your work and the inspiration. A mountain home can pull off the lodgey-inviting-warm living room with fireplace better than any other type of property, IMHO. The stone, wood, metal- just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow gorgeous! And that stone fireplace is amazing, as well as the bedrooms!! You are so talented!
ReplyDeletecote est is my favorite magazine so of course when i saw this i was instantly enthralled... i love these images... such a brilliant post. x pam
ReplyDeleteThis is a great place! The use of materials and lighting is fantastic...
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, much of the coast of B.C has places with this very same style! It is such a warm, comforting and inviting look.
Thank you so much for your sweet comments, Francine. I always look forward to your posts -- they are special, informative, and unique.
xo, Sarah
This is my favorite style...I mean I love modern, but this is comfort to me :) Sarah, I thought it looked much like Whistler as well!
ReplyDeleteVery best Francine,
Michelle
I really appreciate that you choose not the cliche' cabin design. Your choices were stunning; the mixture of modern, industrial, natural, is what make those rooms remarkable and timeless. My imagination runs wild. Such a terrific post. I only wish I had a home at Big Bear in Montana for you to design. Ohhh..the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping you and your beautiful family had a memorable holiday and your 2010 is off to a terrific start? I think about your mother and hope she is better with each week that passes.
Thank you for always leaving me encouraging, thoughtful messages. It is incredibly appreciated Francine. All my best to you, x deb
Francine,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations with your beautiful work!!! Stunning!You are so talented!
I am so glad to have discovered your blog!
I hope we keep contact!
Have a wonderful Sunday!!
xx
Greet
Wow! Now you've got me dreaming of ski trips and mountain lodges. This is a beautiful post! What a fun project this most have been. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend,
Crystal
Hello Francine,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you will be at Maison et Objet. If you'd like to join us for our bloggers get together please send your contact information to me at jackie_vontobel@msn.com and I will forward you the specifics. I'd love to meet you in person!
Jackie
i too love the industrial design pieces.
ReplyDeletethey add that 'something' special to a room.
whether they are meant to break up a heavy feeling that is beginning to develop in a room, or adding interest and whimsy.
i just what these pieces can do.
xx
Beautiful. What a great post.
ReplyDeleteFrancine, this is an incredible post - I was in Colorado over Christmas, at my in-laws mountain retreat, and there is something so beautiful and exquisite about the mountains. I prefer going there in the summer, though - my years in the South has caused a dislike for the cold!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about this blog. I adore your comments on my posts - I learn something from every one (and this last one was a great comment). I am adding you to the blogroll right now!
what a stunning post! i just adore those wood plank ceilings... so happy to have come across your gorgeous blog, thank you so much for the comment over at urban flea, they really do make my day! cheers!
ReplyDeletexo katherine aka. urban flea :)
http://www.urbanfleadesign.net
Wow! After living in Denver for 12 years and doing the ski lodge thing I thought uh, ok. But this is great! I really mean it this is ski luxury the new not overdone luxurious "lodge" I just loved it! I'm signing on as a follower youare obviously very talented! Maryanne
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog, just found it via Laura Casey Interiors blog. Can't wait to view more posts as time goes on. Best wishes in the new year.
ReplyDeleteHi Francine, these spaces are amazing and so are your gorgeous tables...I would so love to visit your shop! Hope to see you in Paris! Tracey xx
ReplyDeleteThe photo's here are just amazing, so inspirational.
ReplyDeletexx
Sorry I haven't stopped by.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Great post
yvonne
Francine, what beautiful images. I love your approach to rustic, mountain living. It' s natural, relevant and design driven...what's not to like?! Still waiting to hear about that trip to Bordeaux;) I bet we could get together a great little group...by the way, Deb from Dumbwit Teller posted on you, your work and blog today!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jaime
Would you mind emailing me @ jrogers@doxahome.com? I have a question for you and am unable to locate your email.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jaime
Francine, just a quick note to let you know that as I enjoy reading your blog so much I have tagged you with the Kreativ Blogger Award. Please reveal seven things about yourself and then pass the award along to seven more creative bloggers.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to reading many more of your wonderful posts in 2010!
Wow! I would love to stay in this place! You are very talented, thanks for sharing this place.
ReplyDeleteI adore log homes and cabins. Love what you did with the cozy bedroom that had the wood planks on the wall. Can't get enough of those large fireplaces!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Karen O.
Exciting, and Inspiring. Fantastic
ReplyDeletedesigns. Taking a second look. You must have had a wonderful trip. I am going out for Goat cheese right now...
yvonne.
The last picture looks great! Love this industrial look. and picture: AD Italia No 343 Dec 2009
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog ...
Greetings
veronique
I spent 12 years in Aspen in the 60's and 70's and whenever I see pictures like this, cabins in the snowy mountains, it makes me want to go back.
ReplyDeleteLove it!