COMMENT: The lodge look is a style well known all around the world, mostly featuring decadent ski lodges nestled in the Swiss mountains to Colorado to our very own backyard of Queenstown.
The lodge look can go in many directions depending on budget and the architecture you have to work with.
But here are a few tips on how you go from ski cabin to luxurious lodge retreat.
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1. Choose the high quality materials
High quality material selection is the number one priority to get right. Because you are mainly dealing with natural materials such as stone and wood, keep the palette sophisticated.
You will need to choose a couple of wood and stone samples to create a layered palette of different textures and tones, but all in the same material family. Pair it with a feature steel powder coat to add structure to the earthy collection.
It’s not just about the materiality though. To pull off the luxurious lodge look, it’s about the finish level and detailing. The workmanship will bring those materials to life from dovetailing joints to hand-rendered stonework.
Having a healthy ratio of glasswork will provide relief to the scheme and invite the panoramic views into every turn of the layout.
To pull off the luxurious lodge look, it’s all about the finish level and detailing. Photo / Supplied
2. Buy the right furniture
Equally the furnishings will tell the story of a decadent cosy lodge that you won’t want to leave. Many homeowners blow out on the build and don’t leave enough in the budget to style the interior properly.
With luxurious lodges, it becomes more about a careful curation of pieces rather than chucking in what you have and hoping it will work.
Just as the detailing of the architecture is a feature, think about furniture pieces the same way.
It's all about a careful curation of pieces rather than chucking in what you have. Photo / Supplied
You won’t need to fill the space to every square inch but instead make provisions for varied entertaining group sizes with investment pieces that will last.
A large format sofa in a boucle loop with an oversized floor rug near the fire would suit this style well.
Followed by a cluster of high-end armchairs and a large feature coffee table that is a conversation piece - screaming a hint of rustic design.
Your fireplace will be one of the main features to work into the interior scheme - deciding whether to build it in, divide the space or suspend to create a romantic nook.
Just as the architecture is a feature, think about furniture pieces the same way for your luxury lodge. Photo / Supplied
3. Go for rustic minimalist
Lastly, the interior style should be rustic minimalist, rather than full rustic to meet the luxurious end of this brief.
As this isn’t a style simply done, I would recommend hiring a professional team to achieve the right balance of high-end material selection and finishing detail.
Layer in New Zealand-made products such as wool throws, rugs, cushions and furniture to make this interior a space a cosy masterpiece that can be situated anywhere in New Zealand.
- Laura Heynike is director of Pocketspace Interiors
