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Watts’ Interior Design Maestro, Lance Kleeba

by Chrisanne Robertson,
Fine Crystal Buyer, George Watts
Photo Credit: Manning Photography

Watts’ landmark store in Milwaukee’s East Town is a jaunt worth making, certainly for its architecture, dining in the city’s most historic tea room, the Watts Tea Shop; but most definitely for the Midwest’s most awe-inspiring array of stylish home and table appointments.

It’s here at George Watts that interior designer Lance Kleeba works. I sat down with him recently during the store’s busy tourist season, with preparations underway for its 140th Birthday Party on September 23rd.

When Lance first came to Watts as a teen, he came to wander the store and be inspired by lavish table settings and gifts. Years later, he would search the store for objets d’art for residential and business clients. Calling his style ‘Traditional Eclectic’, Lance mixes antiques with new pieces, like juxtaposing an English Highboy with a digital wall mural. He adores layering fabrics in different patterns in the same room, and on the table advocates mixing family heirlooms like your great-grandparents china from the 40’s with something current like sparkling stems by Marc Jacobs for Waterford.

Kleeba forecasts Americans nesting even more, and dinners and parties with friends becoming more focal. “Dinner gatherings where you pull out all the stops are a way to express your style and your personality. Increasingly, I see Home being a haven, and making your space more loveable is key. Time is precious when we’re there, and it’s great when all the pieces make being there fabulous. Expressing your taste also comes from training your eye and delving into the history of objects, both modern and great age.”

“Buy what you like, what touches you. It can’t be strictly based upon what’s an investment, although educate yourself and know what will increase in value because of hand-work or provenance.”

Lance has no formal training in interiors. He attended UW-Milwaukee and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in South African history. He travels widely with his partner but quickly adds he loves living in Milwaukee

“Milwaukee is becoming a major city. Urban living with the influx of more condos adds a real cosmopolitan energy. At Watts, we’re channeling a spirit of eclecticism with an always-changing assortment you won’t see at the mall or even in Chicago. We present the trends for our next generation of customers and we added a Second Floor destination called ‘Mister W’s’, which makes us more “man-friendly”. There you’ll find wine, bar and men’s accessories. Even though Watts has been very-gay friendly for decades, only within the last few years are we “out” with our ads which are our heartfelt welcome to the LGBT community in Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. Come Downtown for our Big Birthday Bash on September 23rd, but also keep us in mind when you want to create a Registry that reflects your tastes. You’ll have fun here, we’ll offer you a glass of champagne and we’ll give you expert direction for stylish living.”