Christian Kurth came to Milwaukee with a fitting Brewtown pedigree: His family ran the Kurth Brewing Co. in Columbus. Kurth wanted to strike out on his own, so he moved to Milwaukee with his wife, Amanda, and their three children in 1917.

He established Kurth Malting Co. - and built the neo-Mediterranean revival home that is this year's stunning Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse.

The stately five-bedroom home at 3026 N. Marietta Ave. was built with attention to detail, using the best craftsmen and materials of the day. The home - now owned by musician Martha Stiehl and her husband, physician James B. Stiehl - was designed by architect Robert A. Messmer.

Wrought iron grillwork was done by Milwaukee's master of the craft, Cyril Colnik. Intricate plasterwork was done by the master of that craft, Matthew Orlandini. Lilies are incorporated into the French mahogany woodwork and leaded glass windows. Other features include beamed ceilings, Palladian windows, a marble fireplace, Corinthian columns and basement ballroom.

The original price of the 6,500-square-foot home: $42,000.

The Kurths lived there until 1944. After that, the home changed hands often and went through an especially rough patch during the 1960s, according to Martha Stiehl.

At one point, five families lived there at the same time. The roof leaked and caused severe water damage. Chandeliers, wrought iron and original etched glass shower doors were removed. Stiehl credits a previous owner, Robert L. Kaufmann, with restoring the home.

"He rescued the house," she says.

The Stiehls lived in the home for 10 years with their two teenage sons and have since moved to Martha's family home in southern Illinois. The Stiehls put the house on the market - it's still for sale - making the home especially attractive as a show house. Usually, families move out of the show house for a few months, and the show house group finds - and pays for - temporary housing while an army of more than 35 designers goes to work. The housing expense was saved this year.

The Stiehls did little to the home other than update it. They replaced the 1960s-era light fixtures with crystal chandeliers from Europe.

The biggest project was the master bathroom renovation. During the project, workers found fascinating items. Newspapers stuffed into the walls revealed advertisements for high-button shoes. A job ad for a teacher noted that Germans need not apply.

Despite its square footage, Stiehl says the home was "very intimate," and she'll miss it.

The family's favorite feature was the rear staircase.

"Everyone played on the stairway. You could have family talks there," Stiehl said. "That was probably one of our favorite parts, one of the most endearing things."

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IF YOU GO

What: The 2011 Wisconsin Breast Cancer Showhouse

When: June 4 through 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: 3026 N. Marietta Ave.

How much: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Advance tickets at www.breastcancershowhouse.org, and at various shops, including Bayside Garden Center, Sendik's Market in Bayside, all Boston Store locations.

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OTHER EVENTS

Preview gala: 6 p.m. June 3 at the show house. $150.

Raise a Glass to Hope Garden Cocktail Party: 6:30 p.m. June 10 at the show house. $75.