Finding Refuge & Prospect in Design

Le Refuge de Solaise was a revelation. The twin human needs of refuge and prospect – coined by Jay Appleton – are magnificently captured in this chalet hideaway.

Looking down the Solaise mountain into Val d’Iseres and beyond to Tignes, the Refuge offers a sensorial and logistical escape into nature. You reach the Refuge on skis or by cable car and can only go back down to the village on two nights every week.

The design decisions are deliberate and further the feeling of escape. Raw vernacular materials combined with curvaceous carved furniture, cane details, and evocative touches of whimsy – the fringed tassels on the barstools were a favourite touch – and the interiors were perfectly balanced to allow the views to shine.

The final ingredient beyond the creation of refuge and the towering windows to prospect: the people. Thank you to an incredible team at the Refuge who made our stay so peaceful and restorative.

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