In the heart of Alta Valtellina, among the pristine peaks of the Alps and the fir forests that surround the valley, stands a luxury chalet in Bormio that perfectly blends alpine tradition with contemporary design. The renovation project, signed by architect Rachele Pellegatta, founder and artistic director of Dome Milano Studio, was carried out with the support of SAG’80, transforming a mountain home into an elegant, sustainable, and authentically characterful residence.
A Harmonious Dialogue Between Nature, Architecture, and Design
Immersed in a breathtaking landscape just a few steps from Bormio’s historic center — famous for its ancient stone portals and thermal baths — this mountain design chalet is the result of a meticulous architectural redevelopment. The project respected environmental and landscape preservation principles, in collaboration with the Sovrintendenza del Paesaggio (Heritage Commission).
The goal: to breathe new life into an existing structure while preserving its essence, reinterpreting it through a contemporary architectural language.
For the façade, Pellegatta chose a warm, soft hue — more in tune with the natural tones of the surrounding landscape than the original white — achieving perfect visual integration. Certain openings were closed, while others were repositioned to create a continuous visual dialogue between interior and exterior. The home is now completely energy self-sufficient, equipped with solar panels and a geothermal system that underscore a commitment to conscious, responsible architecture.
The Rebirth of a Chalet in Bormio: Fluid and Contemporary Spaces
Spanning 350 square meters, the luxury chalet in Bormio unfolds across three levels. The spaces have been redesigned to create fluid, open, and functional environments, minimizing dividing walls to enhance spatial continuity.
The ground floor houses the welcoming areas, the first floor contains the son’s apartment, and the second floor opens onto a large open space featuring a kitchen, dining area, and living room. The top level is dedicated to the sleeping area, with four bedrooms — two of which have en suite bathrooms.
The concept of a mountain “refuge” is reimagined here as a refined balance between comfort and contemporary living. Local materials and natural finishes, crafted by local artisans, create warm and inviting atmospheres: oat-colored oak planks, rough stone, and light grey clouded walls envelop the interiors in a tactile and understated embrace, in perfect harmony with the surrounding alpine landscape.
The Soul of the Chalet: Between Memory and Design
Every room in this Bormio home tells a story. On the ground floor, a palette of natural tones invites relaxation, featuring a large L-shaped sofa and the sinuous Harbor Laidback armchair by B&B Italia in a tobacco shade. The furnishings evoke the surrounding nature, with references to mountain woods, log-inspired accessories, and floral-patterned rugs. Some pieces belong to the owner, carrying sentimental value and establishing a subtle emotional bridge between past and present.
In the large living room on the upper floor, design meets memory through a sophisticated combination of vintage, artisanal, and iconic Italian pieces. Two Palinfrasca sofas by Molteni&C, prototypes by Luca Meda, sit alongside the Poggio coffee table, while an Arts & Crafts-style recliner inspired by William Morris adds a timeless note of elegance.
Light, a key element in the project, is masterfully introduced through the iconic Parentesi lamp by Flos, suspended like a graphic line between ceiling and floor.
The result is a coherent narrative made of harmonious contrasts, where modern lines and retro inspirations coexist in perfect balance. Oak boiserie, soft lighting, and natural fabrics establish visual and tactile continuity, while the Arbiter sofa by Maxalto and a black metal wall lamp from the 1950s — inspired by Serge Mouille’s designs — complete an intimate, welcoming corner ideal for reading, working, or simply admiring the landscape.
Dining as a Sensory Experience
The dining area represents the convivial heart of the chalet. Bathed in natural light and overlooking breathtaking views, it is anchored by a custom-made solid wood table, paired with eco-fur upholstered armchairs and a long built-in bench featuring a mountain tartan backrest.
Above, the poetic Skynest lamp by Marcel Wanders for Flos floats like a delicate woven nest, symbolizing the deep connection between design and nature.
In perfect harmony, the kitchen stands out for its monolithic matte quartz island and vertically slatted wooden cabinetry. Here, minimalist design meets material richness, expressing a discreet, refined sense of luxury. Every element of this mountain chalet renovation is conceived to merge beauty and function seamlessly.
Alpine Elegance in the Night Area
On the top floor, the night area captures the most intimate spirit of this luxury chalet in Bormio. The attic bedrooms are dressed in neutral tones and natural materials: wools, handwoven rugs, and upholstered headboards in vintage fabrics with alpine floral motifs. Soft lighting and tailored detailing create an enveloping atmosphere where simplicity becomes the ultimate expression of sophistication.
The bathrooms share the same artisanal care. Compact yet meticulously designed, they feature custom solutions that combine stone, wood, and glass, preserving the chalet’s authentic alpine essence. Each window frames a fragment of the surrounding panorama, turning nature into an integral part of the design.
A New Way to Experience the Mountains
The chalet renovation in Bormio signed by Rachele Pellegatta stands as a virtuous example of sustainable architecture and emotional design. It tells the story of the mountains not as an isolated retreat, but as a space of connection — between past and present, material and light, intimacy and openness.
This luxury chalet in Bormio becomes a contemporary mountain residence where elegance is expressed through material quality, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for nature.
A renovation that transforms a traditional mountain home into a sensory and sophisticated experience — an authentic retreat where every detail tells a story, and every space invites silence, warmth, and beauty.
