In 1925, Baroness Noémie de Rothschild hired architect Henry Jacques Le Même to build a chalet in Megève, then a rural village in the French Alps. The mountain home, with its double pitched roof and stone foundation, was the first of nearly 250 Le Même designed in the area, transforming it into the high-end ski resort it is today. Now, luxe vacation rental co. Iconic House has added one of the original Art Deco lodges to its collection of luxury home rentals, naming it Le Sarto and offering travelers the opportunity to stay within its historic carved-wood walls.
The seven-bedroom property’s recent update by Paris-based interior design studio Claves honors Le Même’s distinctive style, layering existing geometric lines and playful, figurative art with new versions. “We infused it with the Iconic House DNA by collaborating with contemporary artists, reviving the architect’s original furniture, and maintaining modern comfort and conviviality at the heart of the home,” says cofounder Robin Michel. Here are eight design ideas to steal from the delightfully Alpine project.
Photography by Mr. Tripper.
1. Lean into an Alpine aesthetic.
Above: With his series of Megève homes, Le Même created the archetypal Alpine chalet that’s inspired mountain houses all over the globe. And for good reason: It’s totally timeless.
Above: To celebrate the structure’s architectural significance, Iconic House and Claves opted to keep as much as possible. “The exterior façades were completely restored, with the original color scheme and historic balustrades reinstated,” says Robin.
2. Combine reds, pinks, and greens.
Above: Inside, the original honey-toned oak millwork is complemented by finishes and upholstery in a range of reds, pinks, and greens. “The color palette was designed to blend naturally with the abundant wood in the chalet,” explains Robin. “It brings together several shades to create a warm and vibrant interior.”
3. Consider a mural.
Above: Plenty of framed artwork hangs throughout the space, but the most impactful pieces have been applied directly to the walls, like this folksy landscape mural by local artisans Au Soli. “It’s a reinterpretation of a painting that Le Même adored, created by his favorite fresco painter Paul Charlemagne,” Robin says.
4. Add hand-painted details to millwork.
Above: A smart update for existing built-ins: Ceramicist Louise Defente breathed new life into the library’s original cabinetry with hand-painted images of florals, birds, and leafy vines.
5. Create cozy bed alcoves.
Above: Beds are tucked into alcoves for a snug feel, ideal after a day on the slopes.
Above: “The staircase, headboards, select doors, wooden bedroom walls, window frames, and carved interior woodwork, along with some of the original fittings, have been preserved,” Robin adds.
6. Bring mosaics into the bathroom.
Above: Guests can soak in the tub while admiring Héloïse Rival‘s intricate hillside mosaic.
Above: Behind the sink, tiny hexagonal tiles are arranged in a geometric pattern for visual interest.
7. Curate a bunk bed experience.
Above: For kids, bunk beds alone are exciting, but Claves incorporated graphic wallpaper, oxblood curtains, and rock climbing wall holds to make them particularly engaging.
8. Go for an unexpected ceiling.
Above: Home gyms are typically bland and utilitarian—but not at Le Sarto, where the ceiling is painted in stripes and zigzags. “The gym opens out toward the Calvaire, completely immersed in nature,” says Robin. “It echoes the colors and patterns of the historic exterior façade, in Veronese green with white crosspieces. We collaborated with Felicita Atelier for the interior paintwork.”
Above: The indoor pool is equally considered. “Designed as a nod to Le Même’s sanatoriums, it features woodwork details, a piece by Côme Clérino, and an opening that lets light in from the ceiling, a nice surprise for our clients,” says Robin.
For more, head to Le Sarto.
And for more ideas to steal from design-forward destinations, might we suggest:
