A Light-Filled Chalet in the Italian Alps, Updated for a Young Skier

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A 23-year-old mountain enthusiast and skier engaged Davide Gratteri and Marta Lavezzari of multidisciplinary Milan design firm Jab Studio to update his dated, chalet-style condominium in the Italian Alps. He lives full time in the space, a top-floor unit in a circa 1970s building, which has the wood beams, pitched roof, and mountain-framing windows. To update the 500-square-foot home for the young outdoors enthusiast, Jab mixed elements from traditional, wood-filled Alpine style with a contemporary floor plan and modular solutions for maximizing the small space.

Photography courtesy of Jab Studio.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 5 2 — Above: The bright interior has natural pine floors and custom furniture, plus a birch plywood kitchen and ceilings. The remaining surfaces are white, including the laminate countertops, Vola faucet, and painted walls and radiator. The slightly darker wooden ceiling beams and window frames are original to the unit.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 1 — Above: In typical chalet style, the windows frame mountain views.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 6 — Above: The apartment is filled with few decorative objects; all the furniture (except for the mismatched dining chairs and the sofa in the den in the next room) was designed by Jab.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 4 — Above: Jab used only three materials in the compact space—light wood, white fixtures, plus black metal accents in the ceiling lights, railings, and bath fixtures.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 3 4 — Above: The pine floorboards are installed in alternating directions “in order to underline space divisions,” according to the architects. At right, a folding wood door transforms the living room/den into a spare bedroom for guests.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 2 1 — Above: When not in use, the custom dining wood table tucks against the kitchen island to save space.

italian alps apartment black ceiling lights 2 — Above: Three matte black Lampe Gras ceiling lights—a favorite of architect Le Corbusier—hang above the dining table.

italian alps apartment windows on mountains white interior 7 5 — Above: The compact gray sofa is one of the few furniture pieces not designed by Jab.

italian alps apartment plywood drawers handles — Above: For the kitchen drawers, Jab had handles partially milled out of plywood to expose a darker ply inside.

italian alps apartment ladder stairs pine — Above: The stairs to the sleeping loft are made of unfinished pine.

italian alps apartment plywood interior built in bed 2 — Above: The lofted sleeping space makes use of the condominium’s pitched roof. The solid pine bed, a Jab design, has drawers embedded for extra storage.

The architects wanted a mix of wood in the space, so they lined the ceilings in birch plywood; “the result, in our opinion, is more complex and smart,” they say.

italian alps apartment perforated closet walls — Above: A perforated white screen obscures clothes storage in the lofted sleeping space.

italian alps apartment black mirror with light — Above: The materials palette extends to the bathroom, with a matte black metal mirror and pine open shelving.

italian alps apartment white tile wainscot — Above: A bathroom wainscot of rectangular ceramic field tile.

italian alps apartment black showerhead wood ceiling — Above: The shower stall is lined in a grid of white square tile.

plan for italian alps apartment interior — Above: The top-floor condominium is 46 square meters (almost 500 square feet) in all.

For more Italian idylls, see:

Pastels Go Rustic in an Italian Farmhouse

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Frequently asked questions

What is the article about?

The article is about a light-filled chalet condominium in Italy that was updated for a young Italian skier.

What was the inspiration for the redesign?

The designer was inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and sought to create a space that was both cozy and modern.

What were the key design elements incorporated into the chalet?

The designer incorporated a neutral color palette, natural materials such as wood and stone, and large windows to let in natural light and take advantage of the mountain views.

What was the goal of the redesign?

The goal of the redesign was to create a space that was functional for a young skier's lifestyle while also being inviting and comfortable for entertaining.

What are some notable design features of the chalet?

Some notable design features of the chalet include a stone fireplace, a built-in breakfast nook, and custom storage solutions throughout.

What was the approach to lighting in the chalet?

The designer used a mix of natural light from the large windows and strategically placed artificial lighting to create an inviting and cozy atmosphere.

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