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December hits, and you can practically hear the mountains calling. As the world gears up with festive lights and holiday cheer, the summits tell a different story. Fresh snow blankets the peaks, enticing you into its romantic embrace and inviting you to trade the chaos for the calm.

I’m not your typical skiing aficionado. My journey into the world of slopes started fashionably late – 18, to be exact. In the early days, Mayrhofen in Austria was my snowy sanctuary and to paint you a picture, imagine slow lifts, freezing temps, and equipment that wouldn’t make the cut these days.

Fast forward and my love affair with skiing blossomed over the years. So much so that ended up purchasing a house in Telluride, Colorado. They have a saying there – “the winters bring you, but the summers keep you,” and too right. This corner of the world is where the US Ski Team practices their moguls because the runs there are absolutely spectacular. This is where I really came into my own on the slopes, once taking three months out to spend the entire time and I hold dear memories of the Colorado Rockies close to my heart.

Since having children, a place we love visiting which is a little bit closer to home, is Lech in Austria. Lech is a very charming and idyllic town, nestled in a part of the larger Alberg ski area. There is diverse terrain for different skill levels, from gentle bunny slopes to challenging runs for enthusiasts. The Tyrolean architecture in the area spans from medieval castles and fortresses to traditional wooden chalets adorned with flower-filed balconies. Cobblestone streets and a welcoming sense of warmth paired with a blend of boutiques and cosy cafes in the village centre make it a delightful visit.

We normally go for 10 days before Christmas and they call it millionaire skiing because there’s nobody on the slopes and it’s fresh powder. It’s gorgeous and it’s very romantic before Christmas. There are beautiful horses and sleighs, and hot chocolates. There’s also the most amazing toboggan where you put a torch on your forehead and snow down which is a delight.

Finally, the captivating slopes of Verbier in Switzerland. Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Verbier is a haven for winter enthusiasts seeking both adventure and refinement. Part of the Four Valleys ski area, what sets Verbier apart is not only its world-class skiing but also its cosmopolitan flair. The village exudes a chic atmosphere and the alpine architecture here seamlessly blends traditional Swiss chalets with modern luxury, offering a visual feast that resonates with any design enthusiast.

Lech - Credit Harry Dona

Design Inspiration

For me, a love for mountains and an affinity for interior design are not disparate realms. The same appreciation for colour, texture, and balance that guides my design choices is mirrored in the palette of snowy landscapes. The tactile sensation of freshly fallen snow underfoot, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow on mountain peaks – these are things that inspire great design.

Alpine regions are essentially a living canvas, each snow-laden slope and rugged peak contributing to a dynamic masterpiece. Just as I carefully curate elements in a room to achieve a harmonious balance, nature orchestrates itself on the grand stage of the Alps. The tactile experience of immersing oneself in such areas is akin to crafting a room with layers of comfort and sensory richness – design is not merely visual but a holistic sensory journey.

telluride Colorado: Credit Whit Richardson

My Favourite Spots

Lech, Austria
We always stay in Lech Lodge. A lovely lady called Sabine has looked after us for many years. She cooks your meals when you come home in the evening, she puts the fire on and brings lots of drinks for all the family. It’s just such a luxury and the kids love it.

Telluride, Colorado
The Sheridan Chop House is an incredible place to dine. It was designed by industry icon, and British designer Nina Campbell. 221 is also amazing. From their bread to pickles, ice cream to roux -, they take great care to create everything in-house. Also – their wine list is a dream.

Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier is fun. It offers the thrill of tobogganing down the longest run in western Switzerland or you can opt for a more leisurely dogsledding excursion. Cap off your day with après-ski at the legendary Farm Club, an institution 45 years young where David Bowie and Diana Ross have both hit the dancefloor.

Verbier

View our Chalet Project here.

About Katharine Pooley

Since its inception 16 years ago, Katharine Pooley has grown from a British firm undertaking predominantly domestic projects to an internationally lauded design studio encompassing architectural design, interior design, product design and property development. The company is currently working on significant developments in Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East.

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For 35 years, Arteriors have been proud to work with artisan craftsmen from across the globe to create the highest quality furniture, lighting, wall décor and accessories.

To cater for our extensive and always growing network of interior design clientele, each season we cherry pick pieces of inspiration from around the world, curating product collections tailored to a wide range of design led interiors.

For the past few seasons, we’ve taken direct inspiration from a range of global destinations to produce statement pieces that combine unique location-specific elements with our signature aesthetic.

Berlin Bauhaus

An architectural movement that proceeded to inspire art and interior design for generations, Bauhaus combines contemporary geometric shaping with unique materials. Material of choice for this collection is luxurious leather. This is seen across an assortment of upholstered furniture, as accent detailing on accessories, and as part of lighting designs. A variety of finishes and forms creates distinctive, design-led products that showcase the juxtaposition of using a material ordinarily associated with a more traditional aesthetic within sculpted and soft designs.

Meyer Desk, £5,403; Hoover Chair, £2,840
Sebastian Sofa Indigo Velvet £7,769' Santorini Chandelier £4,195

Bel Air Luxe, & Monaco Glamour

Collections that imbue luxury in the traditional sense of the word are inspired by Monaco and Bel Air. Both exude opulence and grandeur with highlight features such as sumptuous velvet seating and rich mahogany furniture with extravagant chandeliers to bring to life this vision of luxury.

Napili Naturals

Inspired by a true tropical paradise and timed to launch with the approach of the summer season, this collection sings with the use of natural rattan and raffia, and elegant use of lighter hues are reminiscent of such coastal destinations. We’ve strived to be innovative with material choices, incorporating open linen weaves, coconut shells and wooden beading within our decorative accessories.

Eleanor Lounge Chair, £2,824; Omega Cocktail Table, £1801
Misha Accent Chair, £2909; Newark Floor Lamp, £2,632

Shibuya Modern

The beauty of minimalism is redefined in a collection influenced by Shibuya. Striking, modern shapes and a muted tonal colour scheme are juxtaposed by a selection of woods and ceramics that break up an otherwise monochrome palette. The highlight product from this range that most imbues a sense of Tokyo’s architecture and cultural influences is the Stella cocktail cabinet. With a silhouette reminiscent of a Japanese kimono, fashioned from panels of oyster oak, epitomising the aesthetic of this distinctive collection.

Montreal Fusion

A combination of traditional European influences appear to jostle with a contemporary aesthetic in our product range inspired by Montreal. The charm of this city is this combination of centuries-old architecture with elements of contemporary flair, recreated in product design through a mix of finishes including wood, blackened iron, and pale ivory.

Reid Dining Table £5,283; Ruskin Chandelier £2,175

Through decades of meticulous research, and by working alongside skilled craftsmen from around the globe, we’re continuously inspired to experiment with aesthetics, materials and techniques. A selection of location-inspired pieces are available in our Chelsea showroom, and form part of our Spring collection.

Cover image: Pierson Wall Plaques £855; Perez Coffee Table £2,331

About Arteriors

For over 30 years, Arteriors delivers impeccable style and artisanal quality craftsmanship within the lighting, furniture, wall décor and home accessory categories to discerning customers worldwide. This three-decade journey in pursuit of extraordinary product – from the understated to the unexpected – had been and remain at the core of what Arteriors do each day. Arteriors’ business has matured and expanded into a timeless lifestyle brand that has become premier resource for interior designers and retailers worldwide.

Today, Arteriors continues to reinterpret materials, forming objects of perfect proportions and scale, resulting in bold interiors that bring ease to everyday luxury.

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‘Wave’ wallpaper by Katie Ridder

Over the past six months, A-Gent of Style started noticing around him the ancient Asian pattern of the wave and also fish scales. Suddenly, these two scalloped designs seem to appear everywhere before him and A-Gent soon realised they were ubiquitous – in shops or restaurants,  in the streets, in fashion, design and home magazines, online of course and many other appearances. What turned into a game of ‘spot-the-pretty-fish-scales-pattern’ almost ended up in an obsession and even hallucinations.

This is a compilation of all the images and photographs A-Gent of Style has accumulated featuring waves and fish scales in all their various shapes and representations.

Now, you too might start noticing them everywhere…..Will you catch the bug!?

Marion Cotillard in Jean-Paul Gaultier, Oscars, 2008

Jarrod Lim’s ‘Koi’ Chair

‘Pot Pourri’ wallpaper by Neisha Crosland

Le 1947 restaurant by Yannick Alléno, Le Cheval Blanc, Courchevel

‘Owl’ lantern by Soane

Korla’s ‘Grand Kyoto Koi’

Gate at Piccadilly Circus tube station, Glasshouse Street exit

‘Easton’ fabric by David Hicks, 1968

Danish cabinet by Julian Chichester (as seen at Decorex 2013)

‘Caducee’ clock by Jean Dunand, 1913 , estimate €100,000-120,000 at Felix Marcilhac auction, Sotheby’s, 11-12 March 2014 http://bit.ly/1dvv2Hl

‘Ecailles argent by Le Manach

Le Manach’s ‘Ecailles’ (as seen at Paris Deco Off 2014)

Dinner setting by Miles Redd

Urban Outfitters rug

Australian Aboriginal design

‘Coordonne’ tiles

Hartmann Risler et Cie (Rixheim), 1800

Gents at The Zedel restaurant, London

Finally, a shelf at home with some of A-Gent of Style‘s favourite packaging.
Not strictly waves or fish scales, more of an (Art Deco) fan shape this time
but that’s another blog post!

Author: Interior Designer Fabrice Bana, founder and editor of A-Gent of Style

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