Decorating & Design
This Photographer’s Modern Ski Chalet Is A Picture-Perfect Retreat
Published on February 1, 2021
Photographer Monic Richard is used to framing views, getting the best angles and capturing her subjects in the most flattering light. She applied this same approach to designing her family’s chalet home in the Eastern Townships, and the results are picture perfect. Monic owned the lot for 20 years before finding the budget to build her dream property in 2019. She designed the chalet herself, with a strong vision of what she wanted. “I like simple houses, so I started with a barn-like shape,” says Monic, whose main residence is in Montreal.
The 1,350-square-foot space includes a large kitchen and one-bedroom mezzanine (a second bedroom is on the lower level), which allows for the lofty high ceilings. Her biggest fear was having a chalet that looked and felt totally new. The aesthetic is as modern as it is traditional, where the open plan is warmed up by texture and treasured old finds. Monic carefully selected each material, bouncing her ideas off designer Sylvie Masse of Montreal’s Zig & Zag Design along the way. “She was my guide,” says Monic. “I was looking for something homey and Scandinavian. I like that mix.”
Scroll down to see inside this modern ski chalet!
The flat-fronted chalet, located in Sutton, Quebec, is stained charcoal in contrast to the snowy landscape, adding to the postcard setting. Spare lines and minimal windows on the street-facing side provide privacy and complement the home’s simple façade.
Fresh flowers are a cheery touch in the entry, where practical 30- by 30-inch porcelain floor tiles stand in for slate. An industrial exterior door sets the tone and is picked up inside with metal-framed windows and doors at the back of the chalet.
The sharp lines of the staircase and horizontal shiplap create eye-catching geometry. To bring in a heritage vibe, wide-plank oak was used for the flooring. Monic also added key pieces with a worn patina, like a wooden trunk she’s had for 30 years, and an antique chest. “Those elements help break it up and bring in warmth,” she says.
Monic comes to her chalet to rest and recharge.
A metal vanity and subway tile add an industrial edge to the powder room.
Tonal grays and whites echo the birch trees and snow outside.
A modern woodstove and radiant underfloor heating warm the main living area.
A trestle-style wood table, vintage Fritz Hansen chairs and a bench enhance the openness of the room.
Sylvie designed the kitchen with black slate counters creating a moody counterpoint to white shiplap walls. She chose unique cabinets from Ikea made of reclaimed wood and plastic bottles that really spoke to Monic. “They’re stylish and recycled,” says Sylvie. “I love how they have a beautiful matte black finish and don’t chip.”
Monic’s daughter, Charlotte, and son, William, lend a helping hand in the kitchen. Located just a five-minute drive from the slopes, the retreat is winter getaway for the family.
The principal bedroom is layered in soft textures, and it’s no coincidence that the window frames are all black. “The windows are like picture frames; for each view, I wanted to take care with what is seen outside,” says Monic. “When lying in bed, for example, you see a forest of little birch trees. That’s the part I like the most, especially in the winter. It’s very graphic, like seeing a painting in every window.”
The principal bathroom channels a Scandi vibe with a fresh white scheme and casual woven storage.
Monic Richard
House & Home January/February 2021
Sylvie Masse & Monic Richard