In this blog we will take you through the story and inspiration behind this hand-painted advent calendar. Inspired by Colorado ranch houses and 500-year old swiss chalets, this log cabin is a loving dedication to the mountain lifestyle.
Ralph Lauren Log Cabin Inspired
At Melt, everything we do we want to exude style and beauty. Real luxury isn’t just a price, its a eye for the best there is. Hence when the Melt creative team was researching log cabins there was really only one that stood out beyond the rest. Ralph Lauren’s Colorado Ranch log cabin is the paradise only dreams could conjure…
Real taste is hard to come by. Search up ‘luxury log cabins’ and these slick, shimmering-lighted kitchens with views over snowy-topped peaks appear. Ultimately they are void of the life that these mountain settings deserve. Mountains are rich with alpine culture, mineral-saturated streams, tales of wolves and fireplace community. The mountains are a place to loose yourself in the sublime, almost oppressive clench of rocks that stuns as much as it scares.
A log cabin therefore should represent this feeling of awe and caution. There should be wide open windows to marvel at the view, yet simultaneously generous piles of logs to prepare for the winter cold.
Ralph Lauren’s interiors are a perfect balance. Respecting the history and tradition of the place, while combining the luxurious elements of grand rooms, walk in showers and incredible design… In the House & Garden interview, it is observed that…
“There are quilts and patchworks with Native-American motifs, and paintings depicting buffalo hunts. There are wide chimneys for fires of thick, crackling birch or beech logs and collections of Navaho, Sioux or Shawnee poetry. There are animal pelts, hunting trophies, Katchina dolls, antique feather headdresses, cowboy hats, multicoloured woollen ponchos and rugs from Arizona and New Mexico. Everything within these sturdy, red-cedar log cabins speaks of the region’s strong identity: its people, craftsmanship and past.”
The interiors of Melt’s Log Cabin are all inspired by real English furniture and antiques. Every piece of furniture in there exists and is heavy with history or English sensibilities. As we are an London-founded chocolate company, we wanted to put our own twist on the log cabin dream.
Swiss Chalet Inspired
Combined with the interiors and authenticity of Ralph Lauren, we decided to lean towards the quaint beauty of Swiss chalet’s. Villages like Chandolin and Zermatt in Switzerland are famous for their distinct wooden chalets, many of them around 500 years old. Their wood has aged exquisitely. The sunlight and weathering turns the wood black – so it can store heat well. Made with such craftsmanship that they only better with age.
Aligning ourselves with the skilled Swiss craftspeople of the past, our chalet advent calendar is entirely hand-painted. Every line on the wood has been painted painstakingly to recreate this aged look. We embrace natural lines and shapes.
Chocolate Advent Calendar: What’s Inside?
Filled with delicious, fresh, bespoke chocolates inside each of the amazing 24 rooms our favourite Christmas selections include: a selection of pralines, spiced truffles, Japanese inspirations and many more. Our chocolatiers hand-make every chocolate in our shops in Notting Hill.
We hope you enjoy this advent calendar as much as we enjoyed creating it.
