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After many years as ski club members at the Porter Heights Ski Club, Mel Fergus and her husband decided to create their very own getaway. At the base of the Southern Alps, in the serene Castle Hill Village, their magnificent mountain chalet showcases thoughtful design and Resene colours that reflect the deep connection of the surrounding rugged natural environment.
A stunning view of the mountain ranges in the distance. The dark timber stainshades of Resene Woodsman Treehouse, Resene Woodsman Driftwood and Resene Woodsman Pitch Black blend with the rugged landscape.
The cosy wooden interior features contrasting rafters and trusses in Resene Black and trims in Resene Half Masala.
A cosy reading nook and bookcase in the far corner of the living area adds a cosy touch to the chalet. The rafters and trusses are painted in Resene Black and trims in Resene Half Masala.
Complementing the home's aesthetic, without any white elements, Resene Black was used on rafters and trusses creating a striking ceiling design. Use Resene Aquaclear Natural on interior timber walls and ceilings to protect the finish while keeping its natural good looks.
The bedrooms are cosy and warm, painted in Resene Quarter Sorrell Brown with window trims in Resene Half Masala.
What better place to relax after a long day skiing or hiking. The trusses in Resene Black and reveals in Resene Half Masala are a stunning contrast against the cosy wooden interior.
A Southern Alps chalet designed for a cosy escape
After many years as ski club members at the Porter Heights Ski Club, Mel Fergus and her husband decided to create their very own getaway. At the base of the Southern Alps, in the serene Castle Hill Village, their magnificent mountain chalet showcases thoughtful design and Resene colours that reflect the deep connection of the surrounding rugged natural environment.
The inspiration for their home came after the sale of their club lodge. "We wanted to build ourselves a weekend getaway as a base for skiing, biking, and hiking," Mel says. Despite an initial challenge in acquiring a section in the village, the duo succeeded in securing a plot in the old part of Castle Hill Village. Their vision was to create a home that reflects the aesthetics of a mountain chalet and blends seamlessly into its environment.
Mel, with her keen eye for design, drew up the basic floor plan and elevations, which were then refined by a local draftsman. Construction commenced with a trusted local builder, also a fellow Porters skier, leading the project.
The dark exterior of the chalet sits beautifully in the crisp natural landscape. The board and batten is stained in Resene Woodsman Treehouse, soffits in Resene Woodsman Driftwood and bargeboards in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black.
The exterior design was careful and meticulous, adhering to Castle Hill Village's strict build and colour regulations. "We wanted our new home to fit into the rugged natural environment as seamlessly as possible," Mel says. “For the exterior batten and board, we chose Resene Waterborne Woodsman as we wanted it to have a longer life than an oil based product. Being a dark colour, we knew fading in our harsh climate would be an issue, and the more paint-like finish of the waterborne product would give us a bit longer before we needed to recoat.”
A stunning view of the mountain ranges in the distance. The dark timber stain shades of Resene Woodsman Treehouse, Resene Woodsman Driftwood and Resene Woodsman Pitch Black blend with the rugged landscape.
“My concept for the interior was to create a relaxed, cosy environment where you could chill out after a hard day’s skiing, biking or hiking,” Mel says. “We project managed the build ourselves and procured a lot of the materialsusing our contacts for painting and electrical work and of course sourced all our paint and stain from Resene.”
The cosy wooden interior features contrasting rafters and trusses in Resene Black and trims in Resene Half Masala.
A cosy reading nook and bookcase in the far corner of the living area adds a cosy touch to the chalet. The rafters and trusses are painted in Resene Black and trims in Resene Half Masala.
The interior of the home exudes warmth and cosiness, a stark contrast to the often harsh exterior environment. The living area, characterised by Resene Black beams and plywood features, is inviting and comfortable. The bedrooms are adorned with Resene Quarter Sorrell Brown, a soft, fresh beige, while the hallway and bathroom are painted in Resene SpaceCote Kitchen and Bathroom tinted to Resene Napa, a gentle grey taupe.
Complementing the home's aesthetic, without any white elements, Resene Black was used on rafters and trusses creating a striking ceiling design. Use Resene Aquaclear Natural on interior timber walls and ceilings to protect the finish while keeping its natural good looks.
Despite their meticulous planning, Mel and her husband faced some challenges along the way. "We had a rogue lighting wire in our vaulted ceiling that caused a day and a half of angst and lots of $$ to locate," Mel says. On top of that, the ceiling, packed with ceiling batts, offered limited access, but persistence paid off. "We got there in the end and many beers were consumed that night to celebrate!"
The bedrooms are cosy and warm, painted in Resene Quarter Sorrell Brown with window trims in Resene Half Masala.
What better place to relax after a long day skiing or hiking. The trusses in Resene Black and reveals in Resene Half Masala are a stunning contrast against the cosy wooden interior.
Mel’s chalet is a beautiful retreat hidden away in the Southern alps. Having hosted many friends and family members, and an addition of a hot tub, the duo’s home has become a beloved luxury.
While a few tasks remain before the build is entirely complete, Mel reflects on the journey with satisfaction. "We have had two fabulous winters hosting many friends and have also discovered what a fabulous summer environment we have found ourselves in."
design Mel Fergus, Infusion Interiors
build Phil Marsh, Plumb Level & Square
Top tip: Painting in winter can be a little trickier than painting in summer, but there are ways to make the job easier. If you are choosing to paint in these chilly temperatures, choose Resene Wintergrade Additive, which you can add to a range of selected waterborne Resene paints to winterise them. Wintergrade products and paints treated with Resene Wintergrade Additive will cure at low temperatures down to around 3°C. When painting outdoors in the cooler months, it’s best to wait a little longer in the morning for surfaces to warm up and then stop painting early afternoon to give your paint time to cure before the temperature drops overnight. If you’re painting indoors, heaters and dehumidifiers can help the paint dry faster.
Published: 12 Jun 2024
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colour to use or need colour
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
