A Magical Christmas at Chalet Gronostai Featured in Weranda Magazine
Weranda | 2017
Enjoy a magical winter retreat at Górska Osada's Luxury Chalet Gronostai, nestled in the scenic mountains between Zakopane and Bukowina Tatrzańska. This alpine-style chalet combines traditional Podhale architecture with modern luxury, offering a perfect getaway for those seeking comfort and elegance in the heart of the Tatra Mountains.
Discover the Charm of Luxury Chalet Gronostai at Górska Osada
Snowy Mountain Retreat
Experience the ultimate snowy retreat at Luxury Chalet Gronostai in Górska Osada. This beautifully designed alpine chalet is perfect for a luxurious vacation and chalet renting opportunities, providing guests with an authentic highland experience in the Tatra Mountains.
- Interior Magazine | WERANDA
- Publication Date | January 2017
Photos:
Styled by:
Text:
Rafał Lipski
Agata de Virion
Joanna Helena
Article ContenT:
This article is a translation from Polish. The original article appeared in the Polish magazine Weranda on January 2, 2017. It was added to our website on September 14, 2024.
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
Absolutely magical, especially when frost and snow envelop the surroundings. Nestled among picturesque hills between Zakopane and Bukowina Tatrzańska, almost on the trail to Morskie Oko. Here, on a clearing surrounded by the Tatra National Park forests and the Poroniec river, architect and illustrator Urszula Górska-Iwicka has been building wooden alpine houses for years. Górska Osada, created by her, is a piece of the world that resembles more of a luxurious Swiss resort than a traditional Podhale hamlet. Modernly designed yet exuding a love for folk architecture and Podhale folklore, as well as the natural materials characteristic of this region – wood and stone – visible at every turn.
MODERN AND ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
The latest villa, where we celebrated a ski-themed Christmas and New Year’s Eve, still smells of resin. It appears entirely wooden, but its construction is more modern, mixed. “I chose this solution primarily for ecological reasons,” says Urszula. She wanted the villa to be warmer, with a stable structure, ensuring that while retaining the beauty of a highland house with spruce log walls, it would still be better insulated from the harsh conditions prevailing in the Tatras.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Urszula dedicated one room to a picturesque hole in the ceiling, through which one can admire the living room and kitchen from above. Urszula Górska-Iwicka, the owner and designer of the Luxury Chalet Gronostai and other buildings in Górska Osada, brought massive boulders from nearby quarries. The stonework was done by a friendly company – Tomka Trzopa’s Skalny Świat. The magnificent roof beams with highland ornaments are the work of a local sculptor – Jakub Kula. The designs were inspired by, among others, Witkiewicz’s Koliba.
Unique Interior Furnishings
All the furniture was designed by Urszula. The upholstered sofa, as well as the beds in the bedrooms, were made for her by a friendly upholsterer – Krzysztof Szymczyk from Sieniawa – Krzyś. Massive solid wood tables were carved from a giant spruce trunk. The kitchen fronts were made of old boards by Regalia Polska Manufaktura, framed in polished aluminum.
Natural and Rustic Charm
The villa, named Luxury Chalet Gronostai by the owner, stands on large mountain rocks brought here from local quarries. “I wanted it to feel like a house in the mountains – natural, wooden, on rocky ground, raw like the Tatra trails… To have the mountains close, even when sitting in a warm room by the fire.” Therefore, even the fireplace was placed on a large, over three-ton rock. It is the heart of the house, visible from every place – from the ground floor, as the designer gave up part of the floor on the first floor to expose the view of the attic construction with a cozy mezzanine. Those looking from above see the living room with the fireplace.
Craftsmanship and Tradition
The interior is beautiful. We admire the work of local craftsmen visible in every detail, as each required a human touch, and the craftsmanship of the sculptors, such as the large, richly carved roof beams. The designer was inspired by ornaments from Witkiewicz’s Koliba and beautiful patterns once found in an old cottage from 1866. Although Urszula draws from Podhale tradition, the interior looks modern and luxurious. The kitchen, freely laid out between the terrace and living room, has fronts made of old wood by Regalia, framed in polished aluminum. All other furniture was made by local carpenters from brushed spruce. “I like the rawness of wood,” says Urszula. “In my projects, I want to show the beauty of this material, its true color and texture, and support local craftsmen and folk artists.”
Nearby Attractions
Luxury Chalet Gronostai, along with several other alpine houses in Górska Osada, is three minutes away from the modern ski complex in Małe Ciche and five minutes from Bukowina Tatrzańska, which along with Białka is the largest ski paradise in Poland. Both places have modern geothermal aquaparks – Terma Bukovina and Bania.
Winter and Summer Activities
Everything is close from here. Snowmobiles in winter, horses in summer, and rope parks. But returning to Chalet Gronostai after a day full of attractions is pure pleasure.
