Why on earth do you live in Glarnerland? This is a question Anja and Sandro - the hosts of my home story in Mollis today - know only too well. The Zigerschlitz, often referred to in dialect in a somewhat negative way, is unfortunately often wrongly condemned as narrow and therefore narrow-minded. Because if anyone is open-minded, it's these two! The internationally active photographer and the trained architect moved from Zurich to Mollis in the summer of 2022 to raise their children. And after many years, they have swapped the cramped city view for an airy mountain view.
The spacious house from the 1980s was a stroke of luck, which they have transformed into a cozy home for their small family AND for guests with their keen eye for beauty. On the upper floor of the house, they have set up a great boutique studio that they rent out to guests from all over the world - the Kerenzer15. The two creatives themselves are often on the road around the world working on prestigious film and photography projects and know life out of a suitcase only too well. Since the birth of their daughter, traveling has decreased somewhat, but it is still a part of their lives.
> Our dream was to create something where we would also like to go. A place where you feel at home.
They succeeded, because me and my team already feel right at home in the Glarus mountains with the two globetrotters who have arrived. With the two of them, Mollis has become a beautiful oasis just waiting to be discovered by the nearby city dwellers in Zurich and the surrounding area.
When asked how they would describe their living style, the creative professionals answer in unison:
> We don't have an actual living style. Our furnishings should be natural and last a long time. We want to feel sustainably comfortable
The materials and items they use are all designed to last: Linen, natural soap and wine from the region, these unadulterated comforts also await the guests of Kerenzer15 - as their guest studio or boutique apartment is beautifully and modernly named with the abbreviated address of the house.
This appealing naturalness can be felt throughout the Bäblers' house. It must also come from Anja, I think as she kneels down in front of me in the garden and strokes Hermann the cat with stoic calm - in her linen dress and wild, loose hair with pretty silver highlights.
> Doing a lot with a little, that's our specialty.
The natural ease with which Sandro serves coffee with the typical Glarus spice, Mageträss, is also evident at lunch. Unstrained, but still wonderfully refined and carefully selected, that seems typical of the two of them. They really do make a lot out of very little! We enjoy hospitality, which is exactly how it should be - no more and no less.
The house is clearly a child of the 1980s - with all its advantages such as stability and practical room layout - but also with a few visual sins such as raw plaster, clunky fireplaces, strange covers, clunky sanitary facilities or terracotta tiles.
But the Bäblers know how to take the horror out of these little blemishes with style and humor. And they can even transform them into exciting breaks or details that set the tone.
- The raw plaster is given a glamorous makeover with golden buttons or dipped in a soft pastel color
- The far too present tiled floor in the entrance becomes a feel-good element and tone-setting detail with its warm terracotta tone
- Funny and practical details such as a utensil with small essentials for guests make you smile and feel at home
- The fireplace becomes the center of warmth and is involved in the design of the cozy 70s corner instead of being banished
What cannot be changed, or can only be changed with a large investment, is celebrated or simply embellished with naturalness, style and humor; and they do this so well that I too am increasingly taken with this place - and learn to love its rough edges.
> The Bäblers' house has soul and you can feel the people behind it.
Anja and Sandro are particularly proud of the Vipp kitchen in the boutique apartment. Alongside the sauna in the garden, it was one of their biggest investments and testifies to their sense of quality and purist beauty, which delivers what it promises. But it's not just the guest studio on the upper floor that is furnished with everything that gives them pleasure - the whole family home is. This is how they have managed to create a happy place for everyone. For their family, who always live there, and for all people who want to spend a short or longer moment with them in the beautiful Glarus region. Their fantastic home also offers me and my team a wonderful stage to showcase the selected products I have brought with me for the production.
The best thing about outdoor living at Bäblers is that they have 3 (!!) outdoor spaces to choose from, all of which are a little oasis from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I'm also a little proud that Anja and Sandro have adopted so many of my favorite pieces of furniture. In addition to the iconic Altorfer lounger and robust garden furniture from Manufakt, I find Swiss quality craftsmanship with a protective parasol from Glatz. So your knack for quality is also evident outside!
The private apartment of the two creatives is located below the boutique apartment on two floors. The terracotta floor provides a natural warmth, which they emphasize with their personal furnishing style. My favorite things, which I took with me to stage, are perfectly displayed here and feel just as comfortable as we do. On the upper floor, I am first greeted by a large hallway, a cozy bed, the children's room and another room with a great view.
On the 80s floor, the impressive, graphic things work particularly well: the colorful balls of the iconic wardrobe, the monochrome rug and the great chest from Moormann are eye-catching and bring a lot of exciting, playful contrasts.
Your daughter's children's room is a place to dream. I'm particularly taken with the floating clothes rail, which displays the beautifully selected clothes so beautifully and airily. But the great sideboards and modular cupboards also look light and inviting - and offer plenty of storage space for toys and collected works of art.
Come to rest
The bedroom is kept purist and clean. I therefore took the liberty of using a little color and accentuating the beautiful room with the new shades of blue and yellow. The dark wood of the bed looks beautifully calm and the large basket provides a natural look, a perfect stage for my colorful rugs, cushions and plaids.
Warm terracotta tones and terrazzo
The terracotta-colored tiled floor is very present. I like to play with it and use the warm color as an opportunity to play with red and pink tones. The round carpet with the great terrazzo speckles is perfect and works particularly well with the soft nuances. It lets me catch a glimpse of the fantastic corner room, which offers such a beautiful view of the Glarus mountains that I would prefer not to leave it.
Grafisch klar und kreativ zugleich
Eine klare Linie ist den beiden wichtig. Dass dabei aber auch stets Kreativität mit im Spiel ist, das ist den beiden wohl nicht so sehr bewusst. Die Einrichtugn wirkt auf jeden Fall frisch und klar – und mein neuer grüner Stuhl setzt sich hier nebst dem eklektischen Teppich nur zu gern in Szene.
Living with the Bäblers has depth
The basement of the house is where the real living takes place. Directly from the staircase you enter the open dining room, which also leads into the kitchen and the spacious living area. The living room is slightly 'lowered' thanks to three steps, which literally gives the room more depth. The play of warm tones also brings a lot of living feeling and coziness here.
The bookcase is an airy room divider that tells a lot about the life, interests and history of the residents. In addition to creative and intellectual reading beautifully arranged by color, you will also find many trouvailles and beautiful treasures of the creative family.
Verspielt & nonchalant zum grossartigen Interior
Die bunte Fiberglass- Stuhlikonen von Charles und Ray Eames für Vitra stehen normalerweise rund um den Esstisch. Aber beim Einzug ins neue Bergzuhause fanden sie erstmals den Platz im Wohnzimmer, wo sich die Kleine von Anja und Sandro grad ihre Lieblingsfarbe zu eigen gemacht hat. Ich liebe dieses Foto denn es zeigt, wie vespielt und nonchalant die kleine Familie mit dem Thema Einrichten und Interiordesign umgeht – und genau deshalb so viel bewirkt. Hier möchten wir Platz nehmen, ihr Lieben!
Sandro's favorite place: the sofa
> My absolute favorite place in the apartment is definitely the sofa. (Sandro)
No wonder, dear Sandro. After all, what other sofa nestles up so beautifully against the window fronts and makes you feel so cozy inside while at the same time bringing you into contact with nature and the beautiful view of the Glarus mountains? A place that invites you to unwind. The cubist marble table and the curved arched lamp contrast perfectly and skillfully showcase the fine interior design skills of their owners.
The wooden, coarse window frames are typical of the 80s. Together with the floor, they create an additional homely feeling.
This is how the Bäblers transform the dust of the 80s into the cool 70s
On the other side of the living room, I also find another typical relic of the 80s: a chimney. But instead of banishing it, Anja and Sandro have skillfully integrated it into the interior - and learned to love its services! Because in winter, a heat source like this brings a lot of cozyness into a home. The warm earth tones, the orange and the skillful use of brass, gloss and lambskin make the spacious corner look very stylish and even give it a trendy touch of the seventies.
> My personal favorite spot? In winter, definitely the fluffy armchair in front of the fireplace. (Anja.)
The open dining room is a place to linger. The large table with the iconic Eames chairs is not only perfect for lingering over a long dinner with your loved ones. It also welcomes guests who don't want to leave. Anja and Sandro play with tradition and modernity - the piebald cowhide is an eye-catcher that looks both rustic and modern. The elegant lamp harks back to the 70s and brings glitz and glamor to the bright room.
At Bäblers, creativity is the name of the game. Colorful disco lights glitter not only in the anteroom with the antique rocking horse, but also in your daughter's wonderful creative room, where the little one can let off steam to her heart's content. It's every toddler's dream to experiment with colors in there.
This creativity also comes into its own in the office, where she works diligently on photo projects. I like the fact that it's painted a dark color and contrasts nicely with the light living room.
I think the rack with the colorful plastic boxes is particularly successful - they create order and put you in a good mood at the same time.
(Image on the right: Credit Grafik Dafi Kühne)
Eine Küche wie ein Setzkasten
Die Küche ist ein richtig grosser Raum, der ein riesiges schwarzes String-Regal zum Besten bringt. Es wirkt wie ein riesiger Setzkasten, der die wichtigen Utensilien der Küche präsentiert, aber noch ganz viele persönliche Liebdinge zeigt. Bäblers ist es auch hier gelungen, die 80iger-Küche ohne grosse Investition nach ihrem Gusto zu gestalten, indem sie die Knöpfe der Türchen angepasst haben und viele feine Details ergänzt.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and for allowing me and my team to spend such a great day with you. You are great hosts and people. We will take a lot from you with us!
> The way you achieve so much with so few resources, but with so much style and passion, is fantastic and inspiring.
I have not only learned from you that prejudices, for example about places or design styles or eras, are nothing more than cheese. And that they should spur us all on to prove the opposite. So much can be done with a vision and a lot of passion and power!
With your wonderful boutique apartment for guests and your presence, you are doing so much for Glarus and I'm sure that nature seekers will soon be flocking to you.
All the best for you
Your Mooris.
Interview with the Bäblers
Info & Credits
Kerenzer 15 : https://www.kerenzer15.com/
Instagram: @kerenzer15
Sandro's photography: @sandrobaebler
