projects, interior design and planning in a country house, photo

Among the many trends in world architecture and interior design, eco-style is one of the main directions. Modern man wants to be closer to nature, so he increasingly chooses the coziness of a village house, such as an alpine chalet.

The design of the house in the style of a chalet, outside and inside, is distinguished by distinctive details that preserve the main features of European medieval rural life. The centuries-old tradition of buildings is organically combined with modern technology.

Tour of history

Chalet literally means "shepherd's hut". So originally called seasonal farms for dairy cattle that existed in the Alps, on the border of France, Italy and Switzerland. With the onset of cold weather, people and herds descended into the valleys, and the chalet huts were empty all winter.

Already in the 18th century, the French appreciated the romanticism of mountain huts and began decorating parks with garden pavilions made in a recognizable rural style. With the advent of alpine tourism, chalets have slowly turned into holiday homes for enthusiasts of steep mountain trails and ski trails.

The living conditions and the harsh nature of the mountainous areas influenced both the choice of material and the architecture of the chalet houses. Modern projects follow an old-fashioned recipe using traditional construction and design techniques.

Chalet-style houses: modern realities

A chalet-style house reminds you of mountain peaks, sparkling snow and entrancingly clean air. For a person who is tired of everyday worries, such a house will become a haven from the modern rhythm of life, a place where you can put on a warm sweater and spend an evening around the fireplace, watching merry flames.

The house is also suitable for people who are accustomed to vigorous rest - hunters, travelers, photographers, skiers, snowboards and just nature.

style features

chalet houses or as they are often called, alpine (Swiss) houses were originally built on mountain slopes; they had to be built taking into account the nerves and height differences. The shepherds who lived in the Alps several centuries ago used in the construction only those materials that could be found nearby. The harsh climatic conditions of the highlands forced to build reliable, massive and warm houses that can last more than a dozen years.

Materials

A chalet-style house belongs to buildings of the combined type connecting several types of material. The union of stone and wood helps to create a practical, able to protect from bad weather and falling rocks, dwelling. Initially a solid stone walked on the foundation, ground and first floor; the roof and the attic floor were erected only from logs, later they began to use massive timber. Over time, the tree darkened, which gave the building a special, unique look.

Neither a gusty wind, nor a snowstorm, or torrential rain was terrible for such a home. In modern Alpine buildings, stone is replaced with brick or cellular concrete; the attic floor is built from profiled or glued laminated timber, often using frame technology. There are buildings from the rounded log or not planed timber.

Advantages of a combined alpine house

In the mountains of Europe there is little forest, but plenty of stone. To build an entire stone house is long and expensive, to build a completely wooden and at the same time durable housing is difficult. Compromise was a combination of materials.

The combination of stone first and wooden second floors allows to reduce the cost of construction, and then for heating. But houses in the style of a chalet are loved not only because of the opportunity to save; they have other advantages:

• Construction speed. The chalet house is built faster than a completely stone building. On the first, stone floor, you can live without waiting for the completion of the second.

• Durability. Stone bottom protects the premises from moisture; tree, being high from the ground, long retains its properties. With a large overhang, the roof protects the entire structure from the sun and precipitation; a layer of snow helps keep the inside warm.

• Environmental friendliness. A house built from natural materials does not affect health.

• Multivariate design. A chalet-style house is easily recognizable by its main feature: stone "bottom" and wooden "top". Further elaboration of the details of the style depends on the fantasies of the future owner and their skillful interpretation by the designer.Most often they try to preserve the naturalness of exterior and interior decoration, diluting it with features of other styles (from country to high-tech).

Exterior of the house in the Alpine style: distinctive features of the exterior design

The first houses of the chalet were strikingly different from the current analogues. The buildings were as simplified as possible, without spacious verandahs and, of course, without large windows that increase heat loss. During the cold season, shepherds hid young and weak animals in the structure.

Modern technologies have made the Swiss house more spectacular in appearance, preserving the tradition of building placement. The facade of the house in the style of a chalet is trying to turn to the east; This allows you to evenly illuminate the room. The main design features of the style remain unchanged and are visible from afar:

• Roof. The gable (as a rule), flat, with large extensions. It perfectly protects the walls from weather disasters (wet or snow drifts). The roof is covered with traditional wooden shingles or modern materials - soft roof or metal tile.

• Floors. Most often, two-story buildings are erected, the second floor is necessarily mansard.

• Windows. Maximum large, panoramic. Old shepherds sought to keep warm, the modern inhabitant of the chalet wants to enjoy the natural scenery. Modern technologies allow to combine the beauty of the landscape and the interior in an economical way.

• Terrace or veranda (often glazed). Like a roomy balcony, one of the indispensable architectural details. In the warm season it is used as a summer yard.

On our site you can familiarize yourself with the most popular house projects from construction companies represented at the “Low-Rise Country” house exhibition.

About the project: the layout of the house in the style of the chalet

The classic houses of the chalet were built on the mountain slopes; the place for construction was often not enough. This affected the internal structure. Architects have long studied the main features of the layout of the chalet, interior and exterior, and successfully use them in construction. Modern projects of houses in the style of chalets have basically a standard approach in the construction:

• Ground floor. There are no more cattle hiding here, no stockpiles of food and household equipment. On the first floor there is a living room, kitchen, study, on the second - bedrooms.

• Lack of an entrance vestibule. If there is no veranda, the outer door sometimes opens straight into the living room, as in classic alpine buildings. In modern versions of the hall is provided at the request of the owner of the house.

• Combination. So that the walls do not reduce the internal area, it is practiced (on the 1st floor) to unite in one space two or three zones - the kitchen, the dining room and the living room. This space layout provides space and communication.

• Facade elements. Terraces for summer holidays are made spacious, often encircling the building.

• Details of the facade. The shutters, protecting the Alpine house from the piercing wind, with the advent of double-glazed windows turned into an original decor. But the tradition to decorate carvings on the roof, doors, railings of the terraces and balconies has been preserved.

• Interior details. A fireplace is an indispensable component of an alpine house project.

About the chalet style secrets on the video:

Modern chalet house designs do not aim to compete with ancient mansions. They are built with an emphasis on durability, comfort and coziness. Modern technologies allow to build three-story buildings, with a basement, sauna, garage and modern communications.

Features of building a chalet house

Modern chalet houses continue the traditions of medieval craftsmen. Construction companies offer modern and comfortable houses on a turnkey basis, both standard and tailor-made. High quality architects and designers, experienced engineers and builders take part in their creation.

Since natural stone (slate or pebble) is an expensive material , in the construction of the basement it is replaced with brick or foam concrete. Stone (natural or artificial analogue) is used for cladding. Exterior decoration of the house in the style of the chalet allows the use of textured plaster pastel colors. As for the attic, the tradition of its execution from timber or logs has been preserved.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of designing houses.Directly to communicate with representatives, you can visit the exhibition of houses "Low-rise Country".

Interior: Characteristics and Details

The chalet style, originally male and rough, has long been adapted to today's realities and divided into two directions. One is filled with rural comfort, peace and tranquility, the other with hunting romance. In the first, pottery and paintings in wooden frames prevail, in the second, tapestries and hunting trophies.

In the interior of both directions there are no random elements, as well as no ostentatious luxury. In any case, the living room of the house of the chalet will conform to the canons:

Interior of the living room in the Alpine house

A spacious room with high ceilings and panoramic windows will suit the interior of the chalet. Animal skins, massive furniture and warm carpets will highlight the charm of the style. Lighting can be multi-level. A semi-antique central chandelier (with imitation of candles) will create coziness along with sconces, table or floor lamps with lampshades made of natural fabric. An example of a chalet-style home interior, a photo of a spacious living room:

Colors and decor

In honor of all shades of natural wood, the style does not accept bright accents. If the color is not enough, you can add beige, black, wine, gray, cream or dark blue. Terracotta, marsh and wenge are allowed.

The details define the design of the chalet’s house; inside they are as important as in other styles. In the design can be traced alpine motifs. The required color is created by paintings and photographs in solid frames, with views of mountains, forests and valleys. In such an interior, ceramics looks good, but without glaze, dim, matte. Metal and plastic will seem like alien parts; luxury, gilding and mother of pearl are signs of bad taste.

About the project of a house in a natural style on the video:

Ceiling and walls

High, wooden ceilings. The ceiling beams wonderfully convey the atmosphere of the Alpine house, although in the modern version they are part of the decor (in the attic, open beams are part of the roof truss system).

Stone and wood are timeless classics, but today walls with decorative plaster or paint are completely acceptable. As decoration used tapestries. Hunting motifs - horns, animal heads and skins, hunting rifles add a touch of adventurism to the atmosphere.

It can be interesting! In the article on the following link read about the style of minimalism.

Doors and floors

Chalet designs involve the use of heavy wooden doors. They are decorated with carvings, wreaths of dried herbs. The floor is unpainted massive boards, covered with varnish (or stain). Sometimes a tree is artificially aged. The floors are usually decorated with carpets and animal skins.

Fireplace and furniture

A fireplace is a business card of style, a place of focus of the interior. It is installed in the living room, and even in the bedroom, faced with stone. There are electric fireplaces, over which plasma TVs look quite natural.

Furniture is wooden, solid, comfortable. Impressive-looking objects will fit into the style, soft, but having a rough appearance, with scuffs. Decoration of the living room will be a large leather sofa with pillows and blankets.

Textiles and household appliances

Natural (possibly unpainted) cotton, linen or wool (but not silk or synthetics) is welcomed. Coarse fabrics harmoniously support the natural, eco-friendly style of the village house.

Household and digital equipment, security systems are trying to hide under wooden wall panels, screens or facades of furniture. Such a disguise preserves the old atmosphere of the home.

What can be a modern house of a chalet, photos of interesting projects:

It can be interesting! In the article on the following link read about the TOP-5 of the most popular architectural styles of tan bottom houses.

It can be interesting! In the article on the following link read about a cozy cottage in style modern on the ocean.

Conclusion

All styles are evolving, and the style of the chalet cannot be avoided. Many designers experiment with furniture, lighting and accessories, keeping unchanged the elements of folk tradition. Thanks to this respectful attitude, chalet-style houses will always look modern and natural.

A durable and cozy capital structure, despite its simple origin, will appeal to both romantics and quite pragmatic people. All of them are attracted by the harmonious combination of natural comfort and conveniences of the modern world, embodied in the chalet house.