Packed Powder: Tour This Mountain Home Located in a Popular Canadian Vacation Destination

For most of us, getting away isn’t about deprivation. It’s about living well while leaving the everyday behind. For two Toronto families, that means escaping to this contemporary chalet in the Blue Mountains of Ontario. Designed by local architect Andrew Slade, with interiors by Catherine Staples, founder and director of Aspen & Ivy in Barrie, Ontario, this more-than-roomy retreat offers every comfort, all wrapped up in stylish spaces infused with rustic touches.

Fully oriented to the outdoors, with windows everywhere framing the wooded landscape and surrounding slopes, the house projects a lodge-like, away-from-it-all air, with a cathedral ceiling and a wall of stone rising two stories around a central hearth. The home’s open plan accommodates lively gatherings, with the kitchen, great room, and dining area tailored for easy movement and socializing. “Our design began with a focus on the kitchen and great room, which set the tone for the entire chalet, ensuring a cohesive design,” says Staples. “We incorporated stone, European white oak, along with reclaimed oak on the walls, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Aged iron sconces, hand-knotted rugs, limewash paint, and smoky oak flooring all play a role in generating an earthy, laid-back vibe. The kitchen strikes a fine balance between a crisp, streamlined look and a slightly looser aspect. The black, glass-fronted cabinets are decidedly contemporary. The island countertop, on the other hand, expresses Staples’ gift for bringing subtle rustic touches into play. “The Cambria Charlestown, Moraine-edged countertop on the island has a chiseled edge detail,” says Staples, “which adds a rugged texture that underscores the notion of the house as a relaxed yet elegant chalet retreat.” Similarly, the live-edge of the maple dining table—which can seat up to 14 comfortably—brings a casual note to the banquet-scale size of the piece.

In the great room, slipcovers, performance fabrics, and distressed leather allow folks to put their feet up after a day of skiing and snowboarding. While the adults relax with refreshment from the wet bar, kids can kick back upstairs in the bunk room, where suspended wicker chairs encourage lazing about. Throughout the home, a mix of modern and classic furnishings balance comfort and style to create an inviting atmosphere.

Staples embraced a collaborative approach on this project, engaging the architect and clients in conversation from the start. “This allowed us to ensure that the interior layout is functional, with appropriately scaled furniture and thoughtful space planning. Proactive coordination ultimately leads to a more efficient project timeline—and a superior end product.”