Sibylle Welti, a 52-year-old single mother, has transformed her modern condominium in Igis, Grisons into a sophisticated sanctuary that she shares with her 13-year-old son Lean. Following her separation from her husband in 2022, Welti has gradually redesigned their home into what she calls a "tasteful comfort zone" that perfectly reflects her personal style and artistic sensibilities.
The family's journey with this property began in 2014 when they were among the first residents to move into the nine-unit apartment building in Igis, located near Landquart. Even during the construction phase, the couple made significant modifications to their unit, converting the planned four-and-a-half-room apartment into a spacious three-and-a-half-room layout. The redesign created two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open kitchen, a generous living area, and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light. "I like it when spaces are roomy and bright," Welti explains.
After her husband moved out, Welti deliberately took a measured approach to redecorating their home. As a trained pharmacist who now works as an operations manager in the drugstore sector, she was mindful of not overwhelming her son with too many changes during an already difficult transition. "I didn't want to subject Lean to unnecessarily more changes in the new life situation after his father moved out," she says. The transformation into her personal comfort oasis was intentionally gradual, evolving step by step over time.
Welti describes her interior design style as a blend of modern and vintage elements, incorporating unique pieces with deeply personal touches. She acknowledges that her approach creates "a character apartment with a style that people either love or don't." The most noticeable changes occurred last spring when she painted selected walls in carefully chosen colors, with support from her new partner who shares her passion for interior design and decoration.
The couple finds inspiration together through various activities, including browsing during travels, visiting flea markets, exploring galleries and art museums, and leafing through the numerous art books in Welti's apartment. "Beautiful things attract me. I like art, but I'm not an art expert," Welti admits. Recently, she has discovered painting as a new creative outlet, setting up a small studio in the basement where she creates abstract works and street art-inspired pieces that now hang alongside prints from famous artists throughout her home.
For Welti, painting serves as a relaxing counterbalance to her professional responsibilities. "It's mainly a good and relaxing balance to my work. It's primarily a creative winter activity – or when Lean is at his dad's on weekends and I'm alone at home," she explains. Rather than focusing on still life subjects, she gravitates toward abstract painting and street art. "You won't find flower paintings here. I prefer to treat myself to fresh flowers," she notes.
The apartment's dining area, situated near the open kitchen with its cooking island, is separated by a sliding door from an adjacent office and guest room equipped with foldaway beds. A striking ultramarine blue-green wall with a backlit wall painting serves as the area's centerpiece. "This area gets used a lot – for reading or for an aperitif," Welti says, noting that the space could easily be converted back into a separate room with a door if needed.
The bright living room showcases a comfortable sofa and a Corbusier chaise lounge positioned by side windows, along with an additional small seating area near large windows that open onto the covered terrace. The space artfully combines vintage-style furniture with art objects and distinctive lighting fixtures. However, Welti admits that the television remains problematic: "The TV is the eyesore in this room. We haven't found a suitable solution for it yet. We rarely watch television, but with a teenager, you can't do without a TV completely," she says with a smile.
Teenager Lean has his own room, which he's free to decorate as he wishes. According to his mother, "He sometimes has a bit of difficulty with changes, but he really likes our home now and feels comfortable." Recently, one of Lean's friends visited and remarked that living in their apartment was "like being in a museum," Welti recounts with laughter. Indeed, the apartment does have a museum-like quality with its numerous paintings, various art objects, and carefully curated displays, yet it manages to avoid feeling sterile or impersonal.
"All objects and items have a personal story or are connected with memories," Welti explains. This includes a neon sign hanging above her double bed in the bedroom, mounted on a newly painted accent wall. "I received that for my birthday," she says. The decision to paint the wall in a striking pink shade required considerable deliberation, but she's pleased with the result.
Welti expresses satisfaction with the overall refreshing of her apartment, which included new paint colors and other small changes that created significant impact. These modifications were completed with support from her new partner and meticulous attention to detail. Through these gradual steps, she has created a true comfort zone for herself and her son. "My apartment now reflects my personality and my taste," Welti concludes, summarizing the successful transformation of their living space into a home that truly represents their new chapter in life.
