The architectural style of the chalet, which has become especially popular in the construction of country houses, reflects people's desire for prosperity and peace, to preserve family traditions and values. Large solid houses with a gable canopy, built of natural stone and wood, fit beautifully into the surrounding landscape. Successfully combining simplicity and sophistication, reliability and convenience, they have gained recognition in many countries, especially where harsh climatic conditions require additional protection from adverse environmental factors. A chalet-style house is not only a cozy, but also a very practical home.
Key Features of the Chalet Style
Initially, the word chalets called small rural houses in the Alps, characterized by a special architecture. The homeland of the Alpine style is considered to be the southeast of France, bordering Switzerland. Literally, chalet translates as "shepherd's hut." Residents of mountainous areas with an extremely harsh climate sought to build the most warm and reliable housing for their families.
The traditional chalet-style house was built from local natural materials: a strong foundation and a ground floor made of natural stone, and subsequent tiers and an attic - from hardwood (pine, larch). The sloping roof, which protrudes far beyond the outer walls, reliably protects the base of the house and the surrounding area from moisture, and in winter keeps the thickness of snow at the top. This design, characteristic of the Alpine style, makes the cottages easily recognizable. Snow hats in winter unusually decorate houses in the chalet style; their photos resemble fabulous towers wrapped in fluffy fur. In addition, snow reserves on the roof additionally insulate the attic floor, and also serve as a source of natural moisture for household needs.
By the way, the attic with a sloping ceiling and a spacious terrace that stretches across the entire facade of the building and is based on the construction of the ground floor is an indispensable attribute of the Alpine style.
Alpine house character
Like any home, a chalet-style house has its own character. It is primarily characterized by simplicity, reliability and comfort. Washed by rains, covered with winds, it stands firmly on its foundation and looks like a dwelling charm. Alpine home is not inherent in eye-catching luxury, but rather - wisdom and solidity. The appearance of the buildings has changed over time, but the chalet-style country house still remains a citadel of comfort and coziness that can protect not only from harsh climatic conditions, but also from psychological stresses. Laconic forms, clear lines, the romantic appearance of the house and the sweet breath of a coniferous log house give residents a sense of peace, stability, and joy of life.
Interior decoration
The chalet-style house is as simple inside as it is outside. The decoration uses the same natural materials - stone and wood. The design stylistics has been preserved to this day: furniture made of roughly processed wood, clay utensils, colorful homespun carpets, various rural attributes. A traditional element of the alpine home is a light elegant fireplace that creates a romantic atmosphere. The interior layout is characterized by the presence of a large kitchen and a spacious lounge, the decoration of which uses the color contrast of light stone and dark wood. As a rule, decoration elements lack pretentiousness, they are simple and subordinate to the functionality and practicality of the family lifestyle.
Chalet House - Stress Relief
An alpine-style house is a corner of psychological comfort, which is so necessary for a modern person living at an accelerated pace and constant stress. Chalets of our time are built using new technologies and materials that do not in any way worsen the climate stability of buildings and do not violate the original style. This takes into account the desire of a person to live surrounded by environmentally friendly materials. They build houses in picturesque places outside the city, which corresponds to the desire of romantics to stay warm and comfortable in the lap of nature, among simple, but made with love things.