Lowering sofas in by ropes over the property, directing traffic, and getting little sleep, the grit behind the glamorous façade of luxury chalet decoration.
Pics: Anday Parent Photography
The brief was “no cliches, so no sheepskin, no leather or superluxe looks that befall many of the high-end private ski chalet designs," Collette Ward recalls of her high-end ski project in France's Les 3 Vallées, Chalet Diana.
There were to be no Fred Flintstone-type exposed stone walls or chimneybreasts or any raw-edged timber.
“Instead, the ask was that it be quite smart, more hygge than high Alps.”
She had worked for the owners on other projects in London, Italy and Gibraltar.
They liked her approach and her ability to knit classic and modern touches, along with her innate understanding of what the right soft furnishings bring to a space.
The project took two years to complete with Ward and her team, including her right-hand designer, Linda Hannay, flying into Chambéry for site meetings.
That was nothing compared to the efforts put in by some of her suppliers.
Her curtain maker used to ski over from Méribel to do the fittings – by road it’s a distance of 27 kilometres.
Set in the heart of the picturesque Savoyarde, in the village of St Martin de Belleville, the project was completely managed by Collette Ward Interiors from its Co. Wicklow base in Ireland.
Ward wanted to capture the essence of the place.
“The village is a proper Alpine village where people live. It’s got quirky, old-fashioned shops. It’s got a charm to it. There is less of the tourist influence,” she explains.
While an interior designer by day, Ward is also an equestrian who still competes in dressage.
In her downtime can be found behind the wheel of a horsebox.
She’s got nerves of steel as well as impeccable taste, traits that served her well on this project.
The six-bedroom ski-in, ski-out chalet can accommodate up to 13 guests.
Set over three floors with lift access to all, it was a new build that combined two chalets into one.
Two of the six bedrooms were at the ski-in level, where there is also a gym, sauna and boot room. There are four more bedrooms on the first floor.
The second floor is where all the living and entertaining happen. There are staff quarters to the back and two terraces to the front, one with a firepit and jacuzzi.
When the property was finally snagged, she and her team had to drive all the fixtures and furnishings to France in a 40-foot container.
They filled it, hopped on the ferry and arrived at the outskirts of the village at first light on a Sunday morning, a day they discovered when no commercial traffic was allowed through.
“People think our job is glamorous. I was directing traffic in a sleepy village in France on a Sunday. It was intense and a lot of fun.”
There were eight of them in total.
“Everyone rolled up their sleeves and got the big truck as close to the house. We lowered the sofas on ropes from the street over the house and into the property.”
No mountain climbers were commandeered to help out.
The seating was custom-made for the project and featured duck down back cushions and feather wraps on the seat cushions.
The living space is broken plan, with a chill-out area overlooking the balcony.
The striking suspended fireplace is by French company JC Bordelet.
There is a native timber floor throughout, topped by a piece from Rug Art bought because “it looked like a stormy sky”.
Morris & Co wallpapers were also shipped in and pasted onto walls.
The kitchen is behind the dining area - It’s set up for catering.
The dining area features a custom table that was made by Studio Terry in Portadown.
The firm supplies many high-end restaurants with their seating, including the recently opened Dion on Central Plaza, Dame Street, Dublin 2.
Ed Rhatigan of Rhatigan & Hick made the cocktail cabinet. A second lounge area has a hanging chair she bought online. It’s a bit of fun, she says.
The bedrooms are especially warm and inviting.
Harlequin fabrics, including a printed velvet used to make custom bedspreads that add a luxurious feel.
She used a mix of high-performance, textures, linens, velvets and tweeds to fit the landscape.
These included Jane Churchill and Harlequin fabrics.
Afterwards, the packing material was shipped back out to Ireland. They left no trace.
There was not much sleep over the 48 hours. “It was full-on,” she says with typical understatement.
Chalet Dianais is a modern luxury catered ski chalet for up to 13 guests. To book for the New Year period, the cost is €32,500. To book a consultation, visit Collette Ward Interiors
