Swiss inspiration

WHEN Singaporean Shala S and her Dutch husband bought their home in Crans-Montana, a ski resort in south-western Switzerland, they knew exactly how they wanted it to be.

"I wanted it to be like a house in the Hamptons on the inside but a Swiss chalet on the outside," says Ms Shala, a former private banker. "We don't like anything too woody and dark. Our style is more modern, very minimalist yet functional, and we like to keep things understated."

The couple gave interior design firm Ansana free reign over the design of their two-storey, 6,000 square foot home.