John McGivern and Steve Brandt chose deep colors for the walls and ceilings of their condo in the former Knickerbocker Apartments.

In his office, McGivern displays part of his collection of religious artifacts.

McGivern and Brandt say they buy what they like. The floor lamp on the right is from the set of the movie “Bonfire of the Vanities."

McGivern’s stained-glass windows add sparkle.

McGivern and Brandt have a views of the lake and downtown from their Knickerbocker home.

John McGivern and Steve Brandt redid their kitchen at the Knick. McGivern acquired many of the stained-glass pieces while on the road doing stand-up.

June 12, 2005

With interest in condominium living at its highest in years, there are now more choices than ever. When the Knickerbocker Apartments in downtown Milwaukee were converted to condominiums, many of the original studio and one-bedroom apartments were combined to form large and interesting condominiums.

A year ago, John McGivern, Milwaukee's own author, actor and comedian, found such a unit in the Knickerbocker while renting an apartment there. McGivern has earned accolades for writing and performing in such hits as "Midwest Side Story," "Shear Madness," and "Late Night with John McGivern." His movie credits include playing Bruce McIntosh, the trolley driver in the Disney movie "The Princess Diaries."

McGivern and his partner, Steve Brandt, a contractor, share the large condominium with birds' eye views of the lake and the surrounding neighborhood. Since McGivern lived literally across the hall, the move was easy. They were able to get access to the unit well before moving day. This allowed the men to choose colors and do the painting before any furniture entered the space.

They knew exactly where the furniture, artwork and accessories would go in advance. This allowed for a rapid transformation of the unit into the comfortable and inviting space it is today.

Before the move, when McGivern and Brandt were looking for a larger place, they really did not consider looking anywhere but downtown. McGivern enjoys the amenities of the neighborhood.

"I just love this building. There are people who have been here forever, and lots of new people moving in," he says.

The pair's comfortable approach to decorating begins with color. Both men agree that darker colors can make a room more interesting. They have tied the large condominium together room-by-room with color. The color of a ceiling in one room will appear on the walls of another.

McGivern's collection of antique English stained glass-windows hangs on the walls, adding subtle jewel tones to the rooms as sunlight streams through them.

John McGivern is home again in Milwaukee and performing in "Shear Madness." He and Brandt took time from their busy schedules to show freelance writer Stewart Dempsey their decorating successes, and offer some insight on color.

Q. Why did you decide to buy this condominium?

John: I wanted to stay in the building, and this condo has great views of the lake and downtown. There are windows to the south, west and north, which is unusual for a condo in a larger building.

Q. What projects have you taken on since moving in?

John: We redid the kitchen, and did some work on one of the bathrooms. We painted everything

Steve: Painting was the big thing that we did. We left the unit structurally as it was, but it definitely needed paint.

Q. What things would you still like to change?

John: There is no outdoor space, but we can't change that. I'm always finding a project but at this point, I'm done.

Steve: We will probably make some furniture changes. John likes to collect antiques - he has a stained-glass collection, and various other collections.

Q. Tell me about your overall approach to decorating your home.

John: I don't really have one. Whatever I like, I find a place for it. There's no method - only madness!

Steve: I think we buy what we like, what's comfortable.

Q. What is it about your home that sets it apart?

John: It really was the price. This building is affordable for this neighborhood and for the views. Other units for sale now in the building are going up in price. This is really a one bedroom and two studio apartments combined, and there are only five or six units similar to ours in the building.

Steve: We have two bathrooms and a very nice laundry room and office. We essentially have two living rooms, so we did have to buy some new furniture.

Q. Do you have a particular color scheme?

John: It is three basic colors, green, gold and brown. Each hallway flips the room color next to it.

Steve: We like darker colors. I personally feel painting a ceiling darker makes a room more intimate. We like the richness, and it pulls the room together. It seems people are getting into darker colors now.

Q. What parts of the condo most reflect your taste?

John: My office does. I have a lot of religious artifacts that are still packed away, but I do have some displayed in my office.

Steve: We are very compatible in our tastes. I like what John collects. The living room is my favorite room.

Q. Where do you spend most of your time when at home?

John: In the living room or the kitchen, unless I'm getting ready for a show. Then I'm in my study.

Steve: In the kitchen or living room.

Q. What is your secret for finding furnishings for your home?

John: I still buy old English stained-glass cottage windows on line (on eBay). I like going to Serb Hall auctions on Wednesday nights. We go to Riverview Antique Market and Milwaukee Antique Center.