Journey Lookbook | The Bernese Oberland

An Alpine Paradise Between Tradition and Discreet Elegance

At the far western edge of the Bernese Oberland, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Saanenland unfolds its rare charm amid dense forests, crystalline lakes, and majestic peaks. This region, with Gstaad as its most dazzling jewel, comprises a constellation of ten alpine villages—Saanen, Schönried, Zweisimmen, Lauenen, Gsteig, Feutersoey, Turbach, Abländschen, Gsteig, and Rougemont—each proudly preserving its identity while cultivating the elegance of an exceptional mountain lifestyle.

A favoured destination for the international elite, the Saanenland is a world apart, where families seeking nature’s embrace coexist with artists, creators, and celebrities in search of discretion and purity. Here, alpine tradition meets cosmopolitan refinement: skiing on the slopes of the Gstaad Mountain Rides, hiking to high-altitude lakes, dining at starred restaurants, enjoying gastronomic festivals, discovering intimate galleries, indulging in selective shopping, or experiencing suspended moments in the spas of charming luxury hotels.

In winter, snow-capped peaks invite the finest alpine skiing and heli-skiing, Bavarian curling, snowshoe excursions, and the pure thrill of Snowpark Glacier 3000, from where, on a clear day, the iconic silhouettes of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn can be glimpsed. In summer, the mountains take on a different face: over 300 kilometers of trails traverse the region, offering hikers, cyclists, and thrill-seekers an unforgettable immersion in the raw beauty of Swiss landscapes.

Gstaad is both glamorous and discreet. Here, one discovers the soul of Julie Andrews, who described the resort as “the last paradise in a mad world,” as well as the spirit of Simmental cheesemakers, Alpkäse producers, and Michelin-starred chefs gathered for the Davidoff Flavors Festival, an unmissable epicurean summer rendezvous in the Alps. Access to this high-altitude refuge is easy, whether by road from Zurich or via the legendary Golden Pass train from Montreux—a journey that already prepares the eye for the impeccable aesthetics of the place.

Architecture as Living Memory: The Chalet, an Alpine Icon

The traditional chalet of the Saanenland is more than an architectural form: it embodies a culture, a philosophy, and a deep-rooted connection to place. Since the 1950s, strict legislation has protected the uniqueness of local construction: aged wood, steep roofs, carved balconies, generous overhangs, artisan ironwork, and log facades that capture the light and the seasons. No modern building could betray this silhouette. The style is respected, even revered.

New constructions, whether hotel or private, must adhere to this rigorous aesthetic continuity. No flashy glass facades or aggressive volumes: luxury here lies in discretion, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. The Saanenland thus maintains a rare cohesion, a sense of inevitability, as if the landscape and architecture had always been conceived together.

To fully understand this construction tradition, one must follow the Obersimmental House Trail (Obersimmentaler Hausweg). This educational and contemplative route, stretching from Zweisimmen to Boltigen, passes through a preserved territory dotted with centuries-old timber-framed houses adorned with wood carvings—testaments to a rustic yet sophisticated way of life, where carpentry is elevated to the level of heritage.

Chalet from the Swiss Village at the National Exhibition in Geneva in 1896. ETH Library Image Archive F.-F. Boissonnas
Chalet from the Swiss Village at the National Exhibition in Geneva in 1896. ETH Library Image Archive F.-F. Boissonnas

Our Maison’s Vision—Dialogue Between Chalet Spirit and Contemporary Excellence

In this grandiose setting, where nature imposes its silent majesty and every architectural detail tells an ancient story, our Maison draws deep inspiration. The Saanenland chalet is more than a shelter: it is an emotional resonance, an aesthetic refuge that combines noble materials, ancestral know-how, and a cultivated taste for simplicity. This philosophy guides every one of our creations.

It is precisely this intimate affinity with the alpine art of living that led us to open one of our boutiques in the heart of Saanen, on Gstaad’s main road. This exceptional space reflects our Maison: both discreet and refined, rooted in an extraordinary territory. The boutique offers a complete universe for decorating the region’s finest chalets: interior architecture, bespoke projects, exceptional rugs, throws, cushions, furniture, and a curated selection of vintage pieces, chosen for their rarity and precision.

We offer a contemporary interpretation of alpine living, faithful to the spirit of the place yet boldly reimagined. Our pieces feature natural wood, leather, woolen hides, and fur, while introducing clean lines, deliberate sobriety, and flawless finishes.

Our Saint-Moritz armchair in white mink embodies this duality: a classic, almost rustic silhouette transformed by a rare and sumptuous covering. It evokes the wooded salons of centuries-old chalets while introducing a touch of discreet luxury.

Our Alexandra throw, made from sumptuous Barguzin sable fur, expresses this vision most nobly. A symbol of rarity and excellence, it perfectly embodies the luxury advocated by our Maison—a luxury of silence, precious material, and essential beauty. Matching cushions extend this sensory experience into the hearts of sofas and armchairs, in a cozy, timeless ambiance.

Finally, our Zima rug, combining cowhide and wool, subtly evokes the imagination of alpine landscapes. Through its texture, contrasts, and natural palette, it recalls snow-covered mountain floors and translates, through design, the understated elegance of Saanenland interiors.

    À partir de 1 575 € / m² From 1 575 € / m²

    Saanenland: A Certain Idea of Alpine Luxury

    The Saanenland perfectly embodies what our Maison has sought to express since its origins: sincere, discreet luxury, rooted in a territory and driven by an absolute attention to detail. Here, beauty does not seek ostentation but harmony. It is read in the lines of a centuries-old chalet, the patina of an antique piece of furniture, the light of a winter morning on the peaks. This is the spirit in which we create.

    Through our presence in Saanen, at the heart of this exceptional region, we reaffirm our commitment to a luxury of essence rather than surface, an alpine art of living that combines the intimacy of a home with the power of the landscape. Our collections—furniture, rugs, throws, and rare furs—are not merely decorative objects but life pieces, designed to last, age gracefully, and accompany the precious moments of an extraordinary daily life.

    In the Saanenland, between silence and material, nature and architecture, a vision of timeless luxury takes shape—and it is precisely here that our Maison has found a home worthy of its measure.

    The art of upholstery by Norki, bespoke curtains in a typical Gstaad chalet.
    Curtains and bench upholstery
    Custom-made cushions and sofa upholstery in sheepskin and cowhide in a chalet in Gstaad.
    Cushions, throws and sofa covers
    Architecture and design office in Gstaad.
    Architecture and design office – Studio Chalet Norki
    Purchase rugs, throws, cushions, seating, and vintage furniture in Gstaad at the Norki shop.
    Rugs, throws, cushions, seating, furniture – Vintage Furniture Curation
    Decorate your chalet in Gstaad with Norki, upholstery, curtains, and custom-made decorative items.
    Gstaadstrasse 8, 3792 Saanen