Perfectly Preppy Townhome Reveal

“We found a townhouse at 50th and France,” the homeowner shared. “It was very different from the style we liked, but we’ve been working with Lilu since 1997. Lisa knows our tastes, our family, our lifestyle, and the furniture we already have. So, when we found the townhome, we had Lilu come and take a look to see if Lisa could transform it.”

The move in 2021 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the family, and we were there with our clients every step of the way. The townhome, with its original southwestern/modern glam mash-up style, was a far cry from the fresh traditional aesthetic the clients loved. But this challenge was soon turned into an opportunity to create something truly special—a perfectly preppy townhome that felt like home.

“The main remodeling work was focused on the bathrooms,” the client explained. “We also closed up walls, put in wing walls in the dining room, painted, and added new window treatments. The goal was to make the house appropriate for our family and our style.”

One of the key elements of the project was the careful incorporation of cherished family pieces. “We brought as much of our furniture from the old house as we could. I didn’t want to buy new furniture—I liked our furniture. They were family pieces that had belonged to my grandmother,” the homeowner said. “We weren’t going to be spending a lot of time there, so I didn’t want to put money into new furniture when what we had was perfectly fine.”

Despite the challenges of blending old and new, we found a middle ground harmonizing the different styles. The result was a perfectly preppy townhome that beautifully integrated the client’s existing furniture, including a beloved antique Venetian glass chandelier, with fresh new pieces in the third-floor entertainment room and guest bedrooms.

“I really like our living room; it’s part of the kitchen—a ‘great room,’” the client reflected. “I really enjoy spending time there. I have my own office, which I’ve never had before. It has my grandmother’s desk and a chair that had been hers. There’s a gas fireplace in there, and I enjoy sitting in there, reading, and having my own space to work, relax, and focus.”

Throughout the project, we took the time to understand and respect the client's vision. “One strength Lisa has is the ability to work with couples and families. When multiple people have different ideas, she finds a way to blend those ideas or to incorporate what each person wants. She’s a good psychologist—almost like a marriage counselor—bridging two different ideas and coming up with solutions that work for both people,” the homeowner said.

In the end, this townhouse became more than just a downsized home—it became a perfectly preppy haven that seamlessly blended tradition, family history, and the fresh style the clients had always loved. It was a memorable experience to watch this townhome turn from a house to a home, which captured the essence of the clients' personalities and lifestyle in every detail.