Whitefish Bay, WI

Louie Villa

Named after the family dog and tucked into a tree-lined street in Whitefish Bay, Louie Villa is a century-old Tudor with the kind of original character worth preserving — arched doorways, intricate millwork, and hardwood floors that tell the story of a well-loved home. In the kitchen, deep earthy blue cabinetry was paired with existing soapstone countertops for a space that feels collected and grounded. That same mid-tone blue threads throughout the home, anchoring each room in a calm, cohesive wash of color. In the entryway, the original terracotta tile floors were preserved and celebrated, with a wallpapered ceiling added above to echo their warmth and pattern. Wallpaper became a defining element of the project — appearing in the vestibule ceiling, mudroom, powder room, and as grasscloth on a built-in bookcase on the second level — layering texture and personality into every corner of a home that already had plenty of soul.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Margaret rajic