Swiss Alps Hideaway, GR
A talented design duo with fascinating spatial solutions and trend-setting design work. I’ve regularly assisted with projects on-site and am always surprised by Nina and Dan’s diverse and creative approach. Keep up the great work!
— Max
The Challenge
Built in 1996, with a cramped floor plan featuring tile flooring, less-than-ideal lighting, cramped bathrooms, and small rooms. We had to rethink and redesign the entire floor plan. One of the clients’ requests was plenty of storage space distributed throughout the home. They also wanted a bathroom and a separate shower. They wanted an Alpine style, but with a modern twist (not “Alpine chic”).
Custom-made diagonal cabinets in the hallway.
Surprising materials and colors to add just the right touch.
The Idea
To create more storage space, we initially wanted to redraw the floor plan to see where we could conjure up some extra square meters. We didn’t want to clutter up the narrow hallway with rectangular cabinets, so we came up with the idea of custom-made diagonal cabinets. This also guides residents more smoothly from room to room without making them feel cramped (more on these diagonal cabinets below).
To make the small rooms appear larger, we used techniques such as optical illusions that alter the perception of size, seamless parquet flooring that flows into the next room, and narrow, tall mirrors.
The Alpine style has been stuck in a rut for years. With our Neo-Alpine style, we’re exploring a refreshing yet sophisticated reinterpretation of it. Our color scheme consists mainly of earthy tones, petrol blue, dark oak flooring, and functional elements in anthracite. Here and there, a touch of coral red adds subtle accents. This tried-and-true foundation gives us plenty of creative freedom to experiment with surprising materials and unique lighting fixtures.
A lamp hand-blown in Vancouver.
Rounded elements create a more harmonious flow between living spaces.
Seamless parquet transitions from one room to the next.
The implementation
Removing the first wall created a larger kitchen that opens onto the living room. We also combined two rooms into one large master bedroom. In this room, we were able to install a spacious closet with built-in lighting.
For the flooring, we chose solid oak parquet: rough-sawn and specially dried to prevent warping due to the high altitude. To create a cozier, alpine atmosphere, the parquet was extended up the back of the bed in the master bedroom.
GANG
We wanted to restrict the hallway width as little as possible. The custom-made diagonal cabinets fit naturally into the corners of the hallway and guide residents from room to room. The narrower sides of the cabinets house items such as shoes, cleaning supplies, and modem and TV box setups with all the necessary connections. The wider sides feature pull-out clothes hangers. This makes it easy to store all everyday items.
TOILET/SHOWER
To better connect the small room to the one in front of it, we laid the hardwood flooring so that it flows seamlessly into the hallway. The large 40 x 40 cm tiles in the shower add a sense of dynamism and spaciousness. We chose one of the smallest sinks available to make the room appear larger. The narrow, tall mirror cabinet with built-in lighting reinforces this sense of spaciousness.
Toilet/Bathroom
Freestanding bathtubs make a big impression in a small room. That’s certainly the case here, paired with the oversized ceiling fixture by Davide Groppi (D: 55 cm)—the room now seems to boast: “Hey, I’m not that small after all—look at all the space I have!”
The simple anthracite-colored heated towel racks from Vola were positioned so that guests can reach for a towel directly from the bathtub. The bars also serve as glove warmers and dryers, since the clients are avid skiers.
KITCHEN
A wok and teppanyaki were requested. The residents want to cook and entertain guests at the same time, so a central cooking island was also needed. Bora range hoods were chosen because they’re very powerful and don’t take up much visual space. But we also love classic and analog designs. That’s why we had to install real handles and tactile controls. Unlike touch controls, here you can actually feel what you’re doing.
LIVING ROOM
A lamp hand-blown in Vancouver adorns the ceiling above the dining table and echoes the colors used throughout the apartment. Round elements help tie the living areas together more harmoniously (chairs, coffee tables).
We replaced the old fireplace with a lighter, more elegant one that blends perfectly with the apartment's new style. We deliberately installed it at an angle so that it's visible from anywhere in the room.
