Style Highlight: BAVARIAN

How to get that European Mountain Home.

In the world of design, labels like "European," "Mountain," "Minimalist," "Eclectic," and "Mid-Century" often take on different meanings depending on who you ask. And living in Colorado, which is a total wasteland for any architectural style, this can feel especially abstract. With fewer iconic homes and variations in design, it’s easy to find yourself yearning for something more inspiring.

Over the next few months, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite design styles that go beyond the mainstream trends. These styles bring warmth, charm, and a sense of timelessness that you may not see often in our day-to-day surroundings. Stay tuned as I dive into:

Bavarian, Georgian, Ojai Cabin, Southern, English Colonial, The New Ranch, Organic Dark, Warm Modern, The New Art Deco Silver, and Timeless Traditional.

Today, with snow falling outside, I want to share my absolute favorite style: Bavarian. This style is my personal take on a classic mountain home. My love for it started when Joe and I almost bought a home in Minnesota that perfectly embodied this charming look. I immediately fell in love.

In Colorado, the typical mountain homes tend to lean heavily into "mountain modern" styles often sleek, minimal, and without much soul. These homes can age poorly and, in my opinion, lack the warmth and character that are the true heart of a home. If you're dreaming of a mountain getaway, I encourage you to look toward a Chalet-style design, like you’d find in the Alps, rather than the more typical American take on mountain living.

So, let’s explore the Bavarian style in more detail and see what makes it so special:

Bavarian Style: The Details

Architecture:

• Beams: Traditional European chalets often feature exposed structural beams, known as half-timbering. These beams not only provide structural support but also add a layer of charming decoration that brings a rustic yet refined feel to the space.

• Eaves: Chalets are characterized by wide eaves that extend over balconies, offering outdoor living space even in snowy conditions. These generous overhangs help define the building’s silhouette while providing shelter.

• Balconies & Railings: Whether large or small, chalets often feature balconies with classic flat-sawn balusters that add a rustic elegance to the exterior. These charming details invite you to step outside and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

• Roofs: High, pitched roofs with deep overhangs are a hallmark of this style. Often, the upper story of a chalet will project beyond the lower level, creating a dramatic yet cozy architectural feature.

• Windows & Doors: The charm of a Bavarian chalet is often found in its understated front windows and doors. Small, square windows and modest, perhaps even slightly weathered, entry doors with iron hardware capture the essence of this style—no need for anything grand. A simple Dutch door is perfect.

Interiors:

Inside, the Bavarian chalet embraces natural, raw materials that feel warm and earthy. This style isn’t about polished surfaces or flashy details; it’s about texture, simplicity, and the beauty of materials in their purest form.

• Materials: Rough-cut stone, limestone, and flagstone add depth and rustic beauty. Raw wooden beams and corbels help maintain the natural, organic feel, while burnished metals (like iron and zinc) add a subtle sense of refinement. The materials are matte and understated, avoiding anything shiny or overly polished.

• Finishes: Soapstone sinks, wall-to-wall carpet in bedrooms, and minimal lighting (think plaster sconces or simple iron fixtures) all work together to create a cozy, lived-in atmosphere. You won’t find glitzy chandeliers or ornate hardware here—just simple, timeless pieces that invite relaxation.

  

Furnishings:

The furniture in a Bavarian-inspired home is meant to feel equally cozy and durable, perfect for mountain living.

• Textiles: Think furs and wool throws draped over furniture, cozy rugs underfoot, and tapestries hanging from the walls, bringing softness and warmth to the room.

• Furniture: Log and iron furnishings, along with trestle tables made of rough-hewn wood, are essential in creating that rustic yet charming feel. Alpine chairs, banquette dining areas, and low, cozy seating all add to the sense of a welcoming home that’s perfect for gathering with family and friends.

The Bavarian style is all about warmth, simplicity, and an undeniable charm. It's a design rooted in nature, and it has a timeless quality that never feels out of place—whether you're in the heart of the Alps or nestled in the mountains of Colorado, Idaho, or California.

With love, Charisa