Nordmarka : Alpine Chic in Southern Vermont

Interior Design by Gingham & Gable — A mindful mountain retreat where heritage, sustainability, and family legacy converge 

Photography by David McCaughan

Tucked quietly into the woods of southern Vermont, Nordmarka is not simply a vacation home, it is a deeply intentional retreat shaped around the art of easy living. Designed by Gingham & Gable for an outdoorsy, athletic, and multigenerational family, the reimagined 1980s mountain home balances performance and beauty with rare precision. Every decision was guided by a single goal: to create a place where one can truly kick back, without sacrificing refinement. 

The homeowners—a family of five with Irish and Norwegian roots—envisioned a weekend home that could grow with them, host extended family from abroad, and support an active, outdoors-driven lifestyle. Rather than tear down the original structure, the team preserved and expanded it through a seamless addition built in collaboration with local Vermont tradesmen, anchoring the project in craftsmanship and sustainability. 

That approach proved foundational. Sustainability guided both architectural and interior choices from the outset. “The clients’ decision to maintain the existing structure while expanding the footprint reflects a desire to be environmentally mindful,” explains designer Lisa Ehrlich  “Every interior choice was made with long-term use in mind—a mountain home designed to live peacefully with its surroundings, now and for decades to come.” The result is a house that feels intrinsically part of the landscape rather than imposed upon it. 

The name Nordmarka carries deep personal meaning, referencing the forested region north of Oslo where the husband spent his childhood skiing and hiking. That connection to place and memory lives on inside the home through a gallery wall of original family photographs in the lower-level lounge, an evolving archive that will grow as new Vermont memories are made. 

Throughout the interiors, Scandinavian simplicity meets Irish warmth in a careful balance of restraint and richness. Local artisans crafted custom woodwork and built-ins, while furnishings were sourced during a design trip to Round Top, Texas, alongside custom pieces designed specifically for the home. The result is layered yet calm—every element selected to serve both story and function. 

That balance is perhaps most evident in the home’s private spaces. For designer April Shen, the primary bedroom became a quiet anchor for the entire house. “The leather bed with a shearling trim is refined, but still warm and grounded,” she says. “It feels substantial and comforting without ever trying to steal the spotlight—the detail reveals itself slowly, which feels right for a mountain home.” Elsewhere, tactile choices such as wool wallpaper along the staircase and in the owners’ lounge add depth and softness, elevating everyday transitions into moments of intention. 

Functionality is the quiet star of Nordmarka. In the mudroom, a mirror offers last looks before heading out, while sturdy hooks accommodate hats and outerwear with ease. A once-overlooked stair landing was transformed into a hybrid lounge, storage, and office, complete with a custom French mattress concealing a deep storage well beneath it. Nearby, a built-in window cushion has quickly become the home’s most coveted spot—for reading, resting, and watching the snow fall. 

Performance was paramount throughout. Custom sofas were designed specifically for their spaces and upholstered in soft, durable performance textiles, proving that comfort and longevity need not come at the expense of elegance. Dining chairs and a custom banquette follow the same philosophy, while natural fiber carpeting reinforces the home’s commitment to sustainability and relaxed mountain living. 

In the kitchen, a concealed walk-in pantry allows for effortless grocery unloading, while open shelving keeps dishware accessible and the space visually open. The fireplace includes a thoughtfully placed wood cubby, enabling the family to stack logs at the start of their stay and enjoy fires without repeated trips outdoors. Throughout the home, discreet drink-drop tables appear beside seating areas—small details that quietly elevate everyday comfort. 

Downstairs, the lower-level family room centers around a custom leather corner banquette designed for games, snacks, and casual gatherings. Moveable stools migrate throughout the home as needed, adapting easily to shifting crowds. Custom bunk beds expand sleeping options for visiting friends and relatives, making hospitality feel seamless rather than logistical. 

Even the exterior received the same level of care. Outdoor lounge chairs—sourced in the Hamptons—are upholstered in durable, weather-resistant canvas with clean, contemporary lines, proving that outdoor living can be both rugged and refined. 

At its core, Nordmarka is a study in thoughtful restraint. There is a place for everything, and in that order comes a rare sense of calm. Designed for muddy boots and candlelit dinners, ski weekends and slow mornings, it is a home rooted in heritage, shaped by performance, and defined by the enduring luxury of living well—season after season.

ginghamandgable.com