Cover The living room in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Interiors
The living room in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Interiors
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Blending the charm of the Swiss Alps with the elegant rituals of modern living, Portia Fox Design created a stunning chalet for a family to evolve in
Set against breathtaking alpine views, this contemporary chalet was conceived by Portia Fox Design to be a multigenerational retreat. With an emphasis on material elegance, this chalet balances technical precision with an enveloping sense of warmth.
When Fox and her team first encountered the property in 2022, the structure existed only as a partially completed concrete shell, offering an unusual level of creative freedom. “At that stage, the house was almost entirely open to interpretation,” she shared. “We were able to shape the interiors in direct dialogue with the architecture as it evolved.” The result is an Alps chalet that feels deeply integrated with its surroundings, while simultaneously reflecting the homeowners’ distinctive personalities.
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The lounge in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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The project’s anchor emerged from an unlikely source: a sculptural timber staircase the clients had encountered at HIDE in Mayfair. Captivated by its fluid form, they commissioned the same craftspeople, GD Staircases and Trabczynski, to create a bespoke interpretation for the chalet. Rising through the centre of the house in an organic flow of timber, the staircase became both the physical and conceptual touchstone for the project, setting the stage for an interior language defined by dynamic forms and understated detailing.
Arranged across three storeys, the chalet is intentionally delineated to support different rhythms of family life. The ground floor forms the social heart of the home, where an expansive kitchen flows into a formal dining area and adjoining professional kitchen. A reception room and library-office offer quieter moments of retreat, while a dedicated ski room provides direct access to the slopes. Moving into the lower ground floor, the atmosphere retains a sense of joviality through its guest bedrooms alongside a billiards lounge, informal kitchen, cinema, and a fully integrated wellness suite.
The kitchen in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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In the more private areas of the home, the atmosphere becomes more private, with two principal suites accompanied by dressing rooms and bathrooms that create a serene experience at the end of each day.
Despite the scale of the house, continuity is maintained through a carefully controlled material palette. Natural timbers, honed marble, wool, linen, and cotton recur throughout, grounding the interiors in a sense of permanence rather than seasonal trend. Each of the nine bedrooms carries its own tonal identity, yet all remain connected through a shared emphasis on texture and proportion. “We’ve always believed that detail defines experience,” mused Fox. “How materials meet, how a handle feels in the hand, how light moves across a surface—those are the decisions that shape the atmosphere of a home.”
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Above The dining room in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
The dining room in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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Nowhere is this more evident than in the dining room, where a bespoke elliptical table forms the focal point of the space. Crafted in Gloucestershire, the four-and-a-half-metre piece is topped with white lava stone poured in Italy, its highly polished surface reflecting the meditations of the mountain landscape.
Opposite sits the Nami Credenza by Demuro Das, a bronze sideboard whose textured doors were cast using coiled thread techniques inspired by traditional Dhokra craftsmanship. Together, the pieces establish a dynamic celebration of refinement and material honesty.
Above The multi-floor playroom in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
Above The indoor pool in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
The multi-floor playroom in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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To add a sense of rustic charm to the space, the other rooms in the chalet reveal a more playful sensibility. Three dedicated playrooms are positioned across different levels of the house, connected by a spiral slide that threads through the Alps family home. Designed in collaboration with Tigerplay and Flights of Fantasy, the spaces evolve according to age and use, from a two-storey play den with rope bridges to a billiards room and wall-mounted Scrabble installation intended for older children and future grandchildren alike.
The sauna in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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The fun is not limited to the children; the adults have their own space to enjoy the chalet’s extensive wellness areas. The spa level features a hot tub, sauna, steam room, spirit shower, pedicure station and juice bar, encouraging a slower pace of life no matter what season it may be outside. While each space forms a cocoon, it is masterfully infused with natural light to create a seamless connection with the verdant Alps outdoors. As a final touch, dried floral installations from Design by Nature enhance the meditative atmosphere.
Above The playroom in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
Above A bedroom in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
The playroom in a multigenerational family chalet in the Swiss Alps designed by Portia Fox Design
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Altogether, Portia Fox Design championed sustainability in the home by prioritising longevity and responding to the exquisite climate of the Alps. FSC-certified timber, bespoke joinery and durable natural materials will age gracefully as the family settles into the home. Meanwhile, the use of porcelain flooring in high-traffic ski-access areas maintains resilience amid the family’s adventurous spirit. Above, solar panels integrated into the roofline take advantage of the alpine summer sun, while a substantial subterranean climate-control system maintains a consistent temperature year-round.
Ultimately, the chalet succeeds because it balances its grand scale with a measured, reflective design story. It prioritises the establishment of soothing rituals amid the tranquil environment; as the family continues to evolve, such memories will become unforgettable memories to look back on with great fondness. “The intention was never simply to create a luxury retreat,” reflected Fox. “It was to create a home that feels lasting, personal, and genuinely lived in.”
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Credits
Photography: Richard Pickavance
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
