After a long day on the slopes, there’s nothing quite as comforting as climbing onto a comfy sofa and warming your toes in front of a roaring fire. But you don’t have to head to the Alps nor do you have to splash out on a costly holiday to achieve that feeling of comfort. With the 2018 Winter Olympics set to begin tomorrow, we thought it apt to bring you some handy tips on creating that luxurious Apres Ski look in your own home.
Here’s how to infuse a little alpine style into your interiors (ski lifts or black diamond runs not required).
Colours and Finishes
The alpine aesthetic takes inspiration from mountain forests, so stick with natural wood finishes and soft pale neutrals like greys, white, and taupe, all of which mimic the snowy landscape. Your next step should be adding natural wood finishes (along with plenty of greenery) to your colour scheme. Metal finishes shouldn’t be eschewed either. Whilst silver and chrome finishes bring a touch of icy coolness to the space, consider choosing gold and bronze to warm it all up beautifully. Mixing and matching your finishes is absolutely fine too!
Add in Your Textures
Layering your textiles is probably one of easiest ways to create cosy Apres Ski style. From faux fur, knitted blankets, and tartans to mohair and warm wool, textural accents create as much physical and visual warmth as possible.
Drape your throws over comfy deep-seated armchairs and add additional cushions to your sofa or bed. Consider some natural textures as well. For instance, a large wicker basket with a few more throws tucked inside for good measure is a wonderful unspoken invitation to cuddle up by the fireplace.
Don’t Forget Your Lighting
During the darkest months, additional lighting around your home is important, but don’t be so quick to switch the large ceiling light on in the centre of your ceiling. Soft flickering fairy lights or LED wire string lights can be used all season long and are perfect for wrapping around a headboard, mirror, or draped along the mantle to create a stylish and subtle look.
Of course, candles work beautifully as well and smaller accent lights like table or floor lamps will create soft pools of light in your room. As for the large light in the centre of the room? Look out for those made of natural materials such as wood or rattan to tie together your scheme but be sure to place the light on a dimmer switch to create ambience and warmth.
The Finishing Touches
Finally, consider finishing off your room with some whimsical forest creatures. Faux stag heads will add to the mountain ski lodge vibe as will textiles with illustrations of wildlife or winter fauna. Look for accessories inspired by nature and finish off with branches of winter berries or eucalyptus to add a subtle fragrance. Look out for scented candles in winter scents of pine, cinnamon and orange or spices too.
Now, all there is left to do is make some hot chocolates (or a hot toddy – no judgement here!), stick the Winter Olympics coverage on the box and enjoy the warmth of your winter lodge look at home!
You may also enjoy these posts from the Tile Mountain blog…
Four to the Floor: Four Ways to Cosy Up Your Floors for Winter
As a multi-award winning interior design content creator, Kimberly Duran is an Interior Design-obsessed American ex-pat, who chronicles her decorating journey and dispenses interior design advice in her personal blog, Swoon Worthy. When she’s not helplessly drooling over all the latest trends in design, she’s adding things to the imaginary ‘shopping basket’ in her head, she likes to get messy tackling DIY projects with her partner in crime, Wayne, stalking eBay for vintage bargains and filling her home with her favourite neutral – gold.