This stunning 1979 time capsule ski chalet in Ontario has a fabulous open layout with walls of windows to magnificent mountain views. Cool mid century details can be found around every corner — including a freestanding orange fireplace, a smoky bittersweet orange built-in sofa sectional, gorgeous tile and vinyl floors, and even a suit of armor to guard over it all. Thanks to reader Matt who alerted us to this groove pad — currently listed for sale by Diana Monteith with Remax.
From the listing:
Price: $449,900
Year Built: 1979
Square feet: 2,099
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2Home/chalet with fantastic views of Horseshoe’s Ski Hill & sunsets. Architecturally unique custom designed. UV coated windows with a view from all main upper rooms & deck. Get lost in this retreat, set up on a hill with a very private setting. Custom hight end touches throughout. Master with ensuite. oversized main floor bathroom with separate shower, tub, double sinks & sauna. Family room with built in leather couches.
The kitchen and dining room are just as amazing as the living area — walls of windows give way to treehouse views of the forest below. The angular walls and ceilings give a very modern feel to this house, yet the original vintage details make it feel comfortable and homey.
The kitchen cabinetry matches what can be found in the main floor bathroom, and sports a large range hood that mimics the shape of the freestanding fireplace. We’re thinking that the wallpaper in this space is NOT vintage.
But the wallpaper in this space — yes! And it coordinates with the vinyl flooring! Quite possibly the coolest room in the house is the main floor bath — which looks like it may be just off the entryway — and even has a sauna. Both the floor and walls are adorned with squares filled with organic orange, brown and reddish orange shapes. We’re guessing the walls are wallpapered and the floor is a sheet vinyl. I love the pattern — too bad they don’t still make them like this. One thing is for sure — whoever built this house loved orange.
Not every 70s ski chalet has a suit of armor guarding the entry — but doesn’t he look perfect while doing it?
Another favorite detail is the front door — which looks like it is wood with brutalist three-dimensional metal tiles affixed to the front.
A huge thanks goes out to Diana Monteith — the listing agent and photographer of this amazing mid century home — for allowing us to feature this property here on Retro Renovation. If you are interested in seeing this property, contact Diana at (705) 725-2217 or email her ad dm@remax.net.
To see more, view our slide show below:
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Suzie says
I’m so glad I found this chalet capsule. I own a chalet built in 1976 with alot of the same features minus the suit of armor and sound effects. Our favorites are the floating stairs and floor to ceiling windows. We have grasped that 70s orange and rust vibe completely.
tikitacky says
I thought you might want to check this one out. Architect John. B. Perkins personal residence, first time on the market since he built it in 1968.
http://takesunset.com/2013/05/11001-bellagio-place-in-bel-air/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+takesunset+%28Take+Sunset%29
Rebecca Prichard says
That living room, with the fireplace, and those hanging orange lights! Wow. I love it. That wallpaper in the eating area…
John says
I was thinking the same things about this cool house! I also really love the front door. Well done 1970s design is the last decade of really nice design (in my opinion) before the 1980s came around with all the bland almond color appliances, horrid mauve, burgandy and grey fabrics and all the JC Penney overstuffed sofas LOL.
maude says
That suit of armor is so cool and so odd, lol.. I love it:)
Rick says
This is ’70s done far better than most I remember. But, seems everywhere were those half round cane swag lamps. It was the era of John Denver ‘country’ macrame etc. Apologies if out of line in posting this famous (but gone) ’70s Wisconsin motel
http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/
Diane says
I’m so sad The Gobbler exists no more. I would drag my family from NC to WI to stay there.
Matt says
I have personally viewed this astonishing property. Its the most whimsical strange property I have ever viewed in my life. Other than a mid 80s kitchen touch-up and an unfortunate recent replacement of the original parquet flooring with cheap laminate in the kitchen/dining everything- its as if time stood still. This house features odd details like an electronic front door mechanism, taking toilet seats and a doorman doorbell that speaks when ever a guest arrives. Upon entry you are greeted with slate tiles way before they were cool. Directly to your left is a Lemon-Lime coloured laundry room with built-in cabinetry over the washer and dryer! Directly across to the right of the entry is the spectaular spa bath with matching tile, wallpaper and cushion floor. Hollywood lighting, a sauna and a Knight (you can;t make this up) guards every talking flush. Back in the main hall you have suspended stairs. As you get to the middle landing you are greated to a copper-covered closet and flanked on each side are pine-paneled guest rooms (pretty unremarkable other than ridiculous solid wood carved joker/ace King/queen wood designs above the beds. Back to the landing you go up another set of stairs and are literally punched in the face with stunning views of the horseshoe valley highlands and the marriage of wood beams, paneling and bronzed commercial grade windows. The kitchen appears to have real solid wood cabinetry with mid-80s built in appliances. Beautiful oversized range hood is echoed on the other side of the house with the suspended orange fireplace! The dining room is cantilevered over the cliff and this is echoed on the other side with an open air deck. I could go on and on. From the beautiful Danish cado system in the upper study to the solid angled cedar walls in the master suite to the birdcage like vanity. Everything is detailed and has a story. In a neighborhood of bizzare late 70s swiss chalet style a-frames and other oddities this propery stands out literally above and beyond all (150ft+ above all to be exact). Pictures in my flicker link above.
pam kueber says
Wow! So: The suit of armor announces every flush???
Matt says
No! The toilet is talking, no the suit of armor. I guess I didn’t clarify it properly. Sorry for the confusion.
pam kueber says
I think the toilet seat should be miked to the suit of armor! Sounds like, in this house, the previous owners would have been game! Thanks for such a terrific report, Matt! And for the tip! Fantastic house *understatement*!
Liz says
Fabulous! Fave part is the sunken living room, literally everything from the stairs, depth, fireplace, all of it! the bathroom is hilariously vain. Gotta love it. Thanks for sharing!
John says
I LOVE this house…. because I love 70s style. True my home is beautiful 50s and I am decorating it that way. I do love the 70s though! The music, clothes, cars, (uh very early 70s on that one), fondue. 70s parties are the best…. When done like Swingtown, and not everyone coming in with afro wigs and left over hippy costumes. This place is really cool, and I wish I had the funds to snap this up. I can see people wearing tunics with bell bottoms, leasure suits, etc… in here. This also has the feel of a 70s sci fi movie or tv show set. Battlestar Galactica TOS…. Okay I just really nerded out on y’all didn’t I? =)
rebecca@midcenturymodernremodel says
Did someone say time capsule? Count me in! The fireplace and the front door and my favorite parts.
Terri says
The 70s had their place, and this is it. Oh, the parties that must have gone on there. The intrigue. Floating down the stairs apre ski in leopard print lounging pajamaes for a cocktail (never a drink, always a cocktail) to find Sven cavorting with a little ski bunny! Grabbing Juan’s sword . . . and discovering that orange floors have their uses . . .
Oh sorry, got caught in the moment there. I love this place. And hopefully someone who can afford their own ski chalet has enough choices of bland-ified ones that they can appreciate this gem and leave it the way it is.
Terri
John says
I can see everything you described!! Dont forget Fleetwood Mac, or ELO Strange Magic, Come Sail away by Styx or anything by Donna Summer playing on the reel to reel, the first ipod LOL I think a great cocktail for Sven and his party guests would be a Harvey Wall Banger. what fun! we dont do things like that anymore. =\
Terri says
John – perfect soundtrack and perfect cocktail! Poor Sven, she’d warned him that the last time was the last time . . .