If there’s one thing a mountain vacation home ought to be, it’s cozy. So says interior designer Alison Haltom, who helped a newly blended family of six (including four teenagers) remodel their ski-centric property near Truckee.
My whole inspiration for this place was the Scandinavian concept of hygge,” which is all about soothing moments, comfortable surroundings and a sense of inner contentment, explains designer Alison Haltom. At this ski home in the Sierra, she took the Scandinavian theme further by designing around a tranquil color palette, natural wood and stonelike finishes, and snuggle-worthy textiles.
“It’s very much a mountain home, but I didn’t want the design to be cliché. I mean, you might see bears out the window, but you don’t need to put 80 bears inside,” says Haltom. (For the record, there is one decorative bear standing sentry in the entryway.) “My vision was for something much more streamlined and contemporary.” Haltom also had to take into consideration that the owners are avid skiers, which meant choosing surfaces that could stand up to muddy boots and carving out relaxing spaces where the family could curl up together after a tiring day on the slopes.
“We were very lucky that the house had great bones and was very well cared for by
the previous owners. Like all homes after a while, it needed a refresh, but the configuration
was fantastic,” says Haltom, who managed to retain the original home’s
easygoing feel. “I love that it now has clean lines and a bit of minimalism but still feels
like a cozy, rustic cabin.”
