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In
the home’s mudroom, rustic hickory flooring, zebra print
chairs, exposed brick wall and a mule deer antler chandelier
made by Kruepke’s father give visitors a peek of what to
expect inside.
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Sheila Kruepke
has come full circle from the 16-year-old teen who was
"devastated" when her parents sold their multilevel modern
house and bought a condemned farmhouse. "I thought my mom and dad
had gone bankrupt," Kruepke recalls, noting her bedroom had
"nothing old" in it.
Today, she and
husband Jerry are restoring an 1868 farmhouse in West Bend, and
Kruepke fully embraces her restoration lineage. "It’s in my
blood," she says. "My brother does the same thing. My
parents have done half a dozen homes that I can remember."
Kruepke’s
parents own the barn next door to the five-acre property and also the
surrounding 45 acres on which they raise elk.
The farmhouse
renovation included practical matters such as beefing up insulation
and replacing windows. "Design-wise, we wanted to keep the
integrity and historical look of the home, but with modern
conveniences and design," she says.
Her playful eye
for design is evident throughout the home. "I don’t like things
that match," she says. "People tell me, ‘Did you ever hear
of Garanimals when you were a kid?’"
She worked with
Kelly Neumann of Vyolette Interior Design Consulting, Milwaukee, to
push the design limits, such as bringing in some unique Tracy Porter
chandeliers to play off the themes Kruepke had established. "I
appreciate the history in the old pieces, especially family
heirlooms," Kruepke says. "I wanted to tie them in with fun,
modern pieces of furniture."
The couple did
much of the work themselves, with some help, of course, from family.
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A
Tracy Porter rooster chandelier is a glamorous splurge in the
butler’s pantry, which includes an antique work bench and
overlooks a summer kitchen the couple is restoring.
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Exposed
Cream City brick walls bridge the shower and tub areas of the
master bathroom. The Tracy Porter chandelier and a copper
bathtub add elements of luxury to the room.
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A
playful color palette and exposed wood beams create a warm
bedroom environment.
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A
Birch and Willow twig light fixture in the dining room plays off
the rooster rug under the antique dining room table.
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Raw-edged
Cambria on the island and a concrete farm sink are unexpected
details in the kitchen. Though the footprint of the kitchen didn’t
change in the renovation, the Kruepkes changed the room’s
layout.
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Nature-themed
Thilbaut wallpaper plays off the mule deer antler light fixture
made by Sheila Kruepke’s father. A copper vessel sink sits
atop an antique wash stand.
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