Nestled along the banks of Lake Geneva is Valérie Chomarat’s latest project, a 19th-century villa turned primary residence for jet-setting repeat clients. Upon entering the home, the French-born architect and designer’s minimalist approach and skill for curating what she calls a “quiet atmosphere” is apparent. She collaborated with her clients to source a balance of contemporary and traditional elements, including furniture, antiques, and art culled from their blue-chip collection.
Throughout the process, Chomarat, a former mentee of British designer John Pawson, was guided by the question: “Which pieces will tell the best story?” She explains, “The idea was to select the perfect sofa, armchair, pendant light, etcetera, to represent their life and to make them feel at home.”
For one of the owners, a ceramicist, art is an integral part of any home’s story, so the designer and client chose pieces imbued with meaning. “There is a really strong artistic spirit in the house,” Chomarat reflects. A sketch by Swiss sculptor and artist Alberto Giacometti hangs in the dining room, providing a nod to the locale. A seascape by Edgar Degas appears above a card table in the lounge, reflecting the soothing blues and greens of the water just outside. In addition to the curved African sculptures that the client collects, a circular drawing by Carali McCall, a performance artist who recently exhibited her work at the Guggenheim Bilbao, graces a wall in the main living area where rounded edges reign. There are also subtle references to the original 19th-century owner, a butterfly collector, woven into the decor via textiles and winged specimens encased in glass dome displays.
On the main floor, airy rooms are connected by folding or sliding double doors, allowing for both uninterrupted lake views and intimate spaces to gather. “The rooms are not huge, but they each have a purpose,” the designer says of the original layout, which remains untouched. “The proportions of the rooms were all correct and working, so the idea was not to knock down the walls to open up the space.” An edited palette of beige, brown, and cream complements the restored walnut millwork that encases the original French doors and windows. Modern furnishings—a vintage library designed by Franco Albini, a pair of vintage IB Mason & Acton Schubert lounge chairs upholstered in sheepskin, a vintage Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso boucle sectional—lend a timelessness to the historic interiors.
Perhaps the most breathtaking aspect of this Geneva retreat is its relationship with the outdoors. The kitchen, for instance, is organized around a banquette that faces the dining room’s view to the lake, ensuring that the residents always feel connected to nature. In the den upstairs, large windows frame one of the property’s magnificent trees. Chomarat paired the treetop vista with a “funky” Cole and Son wallpaper, featuring mischievous monkeys amongst sprawling pomegranate tree branches. Similarly, in the primary bedroom, aqua blue silk wall coverings evoke the fluidity and serenity of the water.
For the project’s singular contemporary addition, a subterranean spa and indoor pool, Chomarat lined the walls with walnut slat-wood paneling, using material to connect the new and old spaces. The extension itself is discreet, respecting the historically protected area surrounding the villa. Overall, Chomarat’s effort is a harmonious blend of history, art, and modern design, all underpinned by her signature minimalist style. The strategic use of the home’s nature views effectively blurs the boundaries between the villa’s interior and the surrounding beauty, creating a peaceful sanctuary for its inhabitants. In other words, it’s a beautiful story.