A Modern Arts & Crafts Haven in Whitefish Bay

The clients, a family with two young children, were already rooted in the neighborhood. “They’d bought the lot across the street from their existing home, knowing it was a tear-down,” Emily explains. “The goal was to build something that honored the historic homes nearby while still feeling fresh and livable.”

This meant taking cues from the Arts & Crafts era—natural colors, rich wood tones, handmade details—and reimagining them with a contemporary twist. With the help of architect Meg Baniukiewicz and Seymour Custom Builders, the team embarked on this ambitious project just as the world hit pause in early 2020.

Design: Peabody’s Interiors | Photography: Margaret Rajic

A Modern Take on Arts & Crafts

The heart of the home—the living room—was inspired by a single detail: the fireplace. Emily designed an Arts & Crafts–style surround using handmade tiles from Motawi Tileworks. The tiles couldn’t be cut because of their handmade nature, so she laid out the pattern piece by piece, using different sizes to create a look that felt historic.

Throughout the house, wallpapers with nature-inspired patterns, deeper trim colors, and a muted color palette create a quiet richness. The kitchen is a blend of practicality and artistry, featuring a custom metal hood by Vogler Metals and a striking kitchen island with a vertically applied end-grain wood surface—a chef’s dream and a tactile design moment.

Layers of Art and Texture

Emily sourced all original artwork for the home from Tory Folliard Gallery, adding personality and soul to each room. Custom upholstery from Hickory Chair, Kravet/Lee Jofa rugs, and patterned window treatments inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement create a cohesive, layered feel.

Lighting, too, played a starring role. “We wanted every fixture to feel like jewelry—pieces that would add character without overpowering the architecture,” Emily says.

The dining room bar is another standout, with leaf-patterned backsplash tiles that nod to nature, while the powder bath tells a moodier story with dark wood paneling, vintage lighting, and Visual Comfort Silhouette Fretwork Sconces.

The Thoughtful Palette

Color is subtle yet impactful throughout the home, with nods to nature’s greens and blues. The kitchen cabinetry is painted Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green, the moody powder bath walls are Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore, and the primary dressing room is cloaked in Benjamin Moore Midnight Blue, paired with a Farrow & Ball wallpaper that brings a touch of historic romance.

Every detail of this Whitefish Bay home—from the carefully selected finishes to the custom furnishings—reflects the client’s appreciation for craft, history, and natural beauty. Emily’s thoughtful approach and dedication to storytelling through design resulted in a house that feels rooted in its historic neighborhood while still being distinctly modern.

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