The chalet: luxury in the mountains
They are both an eye-catcher and a place of longing when you trudge through the snow-covered landscape of various luxury ski resorts in winter: magnificent chalets, each one more beautiful, larger and more stylish than the next. How they have changed over time and what they can do today is revealed by Martin Wetscher, an interior design expert who sometimes makes chalet dreams come true with his residential galleries in the Zillertal.
In its original form, the chalet was nothing more than a shelter, mainly in the Swiss Alps. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when the noble English came to do sports and climb peaks here and there, that there was a desire for adequate accommodation. “They were,” says Martin Wetscher, “used to the comfort of their country houses and city villas – and have translated it to the Alps, so to speak.”
From the underground garage to the wellness oasis
Martin Wetscher knows what he is talking about. Founded in 1912 by Franz Wetscher as a small joinery, today the Wetscher workshops are among the most modern and innovative joineries in the country and the Wetscher living galleries are among the top addresses when it comes to individual, stylish living. And the luxury that today’s chalet owners can’t get enough of. “State-of-the-art technology, air conditioning, heating systems – everything there is has to be in there,” says Wetscher.
Underground parking, outdoor and indoor pool, wellness oasis and wine cellar are now standard features in Kitzbühel & Co. It even happens that your favorite car is given a standing place in the salon by means of an elevator, if desired. There is also a large number of open fireplaces and several kitchens, some of which can be used by the hosts and some by the staff.
Pride in wood
There are also clear trends when it comes to interior design. Stone – the more stylish, the better – is currently in particularly high demand for kitchens; otherwise, high-quality materials with a good feel are primarily used for sofas, cushions, etc. And history.
Of course, this also applies to wood, which is still a central component of the interior design of chalets in the Tyrolean region. Wetscher: “Here you go for spruce or fir, which are available in the Alps. Less Swiss stone pine, because it has a rural flavor.” When it comes to processing, there are no limits here: from pure reclaimed wood to boards that are trimmed to look old, from lacquered to stained to burnt. “The varieties are endless!”
Dressing room as a must-have in the chalet
Of course, wood is also used in the bedroom, or rather in bedrooms. “Today,” explains Wetscher, “there are always two for the hosts.” These are usually equipped with box-spring beds, which – as Wetscher knows – owe their popularity to chalets and chalet hotels.
Of course, the dressing room is a must in a sumptuous home. “There are usually two of these too – one for her, one for him,” says Wetscher. And these look very much like a boutique thanks to the foam furniture that displays luxury watches, shoe and bag collections. “You don’t want to do without anything that you have elsewhere,” summarizes the expert. It’s more about the perfect mix of functionality, modernity and alpine style.” And pure luxury, but that goes without saying.
All photos: Wetscher Living Galleries
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