Our imaginations are accustomed to thinking of perfect locations where it would be nice to welcome the New Year as a result of watching Christmas movies. Dreams are like tastes, they differ. Some people imagine a house by the sea with nothing in the distance but blue. Others envision the enduring allure of a tastefully furnished English country house with a dependable fireplace or a chalet with an all-timbered exterior to benefit from skiing. Then there are the big dreamers who want to celebrate the New Year in the sun on a wonderful, warm day.
Here are some of the spots we went to that, in our humble opinion, reflect those idyllic spots where it would be nice to spend the first day of the new year. Our mission is to inspire you while also making you dream.
Cozy fire place lounge, in the style of The Holidays
It’s impossible to think of the Christmas season without conjuring up images of the charming English country house that was the setting for the classic movie, The Holidays. This nicely sums up the feel of this quaint little cottage in the Cotswolds. Marie Solomon, co-founder of London-based architecture and interior design firm Bergman Design House, created this inviting haven by skillfully balancing new and vintage materials to create a pastoral interior that blends harmoniously with the surroundings. A British cottage that people would envy this side of the canal!
Convenient exterior-mounted interior
Danish architect Henrik Janse wanted to live in harmony with nature. Fulfill his childhood ambition of having a home where he can spend the holidays and more by imagining this unclassifiable villa on the Danish island of Minnesota. The nine spherical cabanas that make up this peaceful retreat create a continuous connection with the natural world. Large, straight openings, like this reading nook with a chaise longue, encourage that sense of osmosis. This sense of distinct everyday landscape is fully enhanced by natural lighting and cobblestone floors.
Cozy balcony with a view of the mountains
This cozy and rustic cabin near Megève promises a getaway with a view of the Alps. An old barn that Alexia and Laurent transformed into an excellent country retreat for city dwellers looking for green space and a white skyline. They created this stunning chalet with its exquisite wood deck under the direction of master builder Pierre-Emmanuel Charbonne (La Centrale de Rénovation) and architectural firm Atelier S. A second home that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, from frame to floor through walls made entirely of wood and painted with lime.