Peter Porte, a fixture of American daytime television known for his high-profile roles in Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless, has successfully bridged the gap between soap opera drama and architectural sophistication through the comprehensive renovation of his 1920s Los Angeles residence. Sharing the home with his husband, banking executive Jacob Villere, Porte sought to move away from the sterilized, minimalist aesthetics common in contemporary Hollywood renovations. Instead, the couple collaborated with designer Charlie Barstein of Hano to execute a vision that Porte famously described as "Captain Hook’s boudoir"—a daring blend of navy velvet, intricate lace, and theatrical boldness that honors the home’s Spanish-style roots while embracing a whimsical, swashbuckling spirit.
A Vision Beyond the Fairy Tale Archetype
While Porte’s physical appearance is often compared to that of a Disney prince, his design sensibilities lean toward the complex and the moody. When Barstein first inquired about the creative direction for the property, Porte’s request for a space inspired by a classic antagonist provided a refreshing challenge for the design team. The objective was to create an environment that felt masculine and sophisticated but remained deeply rooted in the couple’s personal history and the home’s unique architectural heritage.
Barstein, who transitioned to this project after a series of minimalist, all-white commissions, found the couple’s enthusiasm for saturated colors and varied textures to be a professional turning point. The design philosophy for the home moved away from the "safe" neutrality of modern real estate staging, opting instead for a narrative-driven interior that reflects the owners’ backgrounds—Villere’s upbringing in New Orleans and Porte’s career in the performing arts.
Historical Context and the Legacy of the Property
Purchased in 2020 during a period of significant transition in the global real estate market, the property was originally a duplex that had been subjected to decades of "patchwork" renovations. The structure, which is nearly a century old, presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities. For Porte and Villere, the home’s history was a primary draw. The couple discovered that the property had a lineage of queer ownership, having been held by two other queer couples prior to their acquisition.
Furthermore, the residence carries a significant Hollywood pedigree. In the 1970s, the late Patrick Swayze was a tenant in the building, an era he detailed in his memoir. This connection to the golden age of Hollywood television and film served as a foundational inspiration for the renovation, reinforcing the couple’s desire to maintain the home’s character while upgrading its functionality for modern living.
The Architectural Evolution: From Duplex to Single-Family Haven
The primary architectural goal of the 2020 renovation was to reintegrate the duplex into a cohesive single-family home. This required stripping the interior down to its structural "studs" to remove mismatched elements from different decades. The renovation was managed in collaboration with the builder, Malkoe Design, and focused on creating an open, welcoming layout conducive to high-end entertaining.
Key structural updates included the installation of hexagonal terracotta floor tiles from Arto in the living room, a choice that honors the Spanish Colonial Revival style prevalent in 1920s Los Angeles. To facilitate a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, the couple added a large accordion window in the kitchen. This architectural feature connects the cooking space directly to an outdoor bar, allowing guests to congregate in the kitchen—a priority for Porte, who noted that the kitchen serves as the social heart of their home.
Interior Design and Materiality: The Palette of Captain Hook
The "Captain Hook" aesthetic is most visible in the meticulously curated living and dining spaces. In the living room, texture takes center stage. The fireplace features a limewash finish from Portola Paints, providing a tactile, aged appearance that contrasts with the refined furnishings. Accents of red, such as a shade on a Howe London sconce, provide a visual "pop" against more muted tones.
The dining room serves as a testament to the couple’s status as art and furniture collectors. The space is anchored by a set of eight red Vico Magistretti dining chairs, which Barstein describes as being treated like artwork rather than mere seating. These iconic chairs surround a solid oak dining table, illuminated by an Anders light fixture from Pinch Design. The walls are adorned with The Night by Robert Gordy, while the windows are draped in Zoffany’s Richmond Park Velvet, further emphasizing the theme of luxurious, saturated color.
The Secret Office and the Art of Whimsy
One of the most distinctive features of the Porte-Villere residence is the actor’s private office. Accessed through a secret door disguised as a bookshelf, the room is a deep-blue sanctuary where Porte films audition tapes, memorizes scripts, and practices meditation. This "hidden room" concept is a direct nod to the swashbuckling inspiration of the home, proving that high-end design does not have to sacrifice playfulness.
Inside the office, the design remains functional yet cozy. A custom plywood desk provides a workspace for Porte’s professional needs, while a small daybed features pillows covered in textiles by Kerry Joyce and Gregory Parkinson. The use of custom wooden shutters—a design element Barstein had long sought to implement—provides both privacy and a classic architectural finish to the space.
A Curated Collection: Art and Personal Heritage
The interior of the home is heavily influenced by Jacob Villere’s extensive art collection, which he has amassed over the course of two decades. The collection features eclectic, vibrant pieces by Southern artists, reflecting Villere’s New Orleans roots. Barstein noted that seeing the couple’s artwork early in the design process provided a roadmap for the home’s color palette and energy.
In the primary bathroom, the design takes a more sculptural turn. The space functions as both a bathroom and a closet, separated by vertical wooden planks. Above a custom concrete trough sink, three ceramic hands by artist Rob Wynne are suspended, adding a surrealist touch to the daily routine. Lighting throughout the private quarters includes Akari lamps by Isamu Noguchi, blending mid-century modern sensibilities with the home’s overall eclectic vibe.
Entertaining and the Outdoor Lifestyle
For Porte and Villere, the home is a stage for social gathering. The couple is known for hosting elaborate dinner parties and themed events, ranging from emoji-themed soirees to parties inspired by the HBO series The White Lotus. The outdoor bar and garden play a crucial role in these events.
The garden is a personal project for Villere, who handles the selection and maintenance of the property’s greenery. The couple spends their weekends "puttering" around local plant stores, a hobby that has resulted in a lush, private oasis that offers sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline. This dedication to the exterior environment ensures that the home feels like a complete estate, rather than just a renovated building.
Analysis: The Resurgence of Bold Narrative in Residential Design
The Porte-Villere renovation represents a broader shift in the luxury residential market away from "safe" design choices. As the real estate industry in Los Angeles continues to see a high volume of house-flipping characterized by neutral tones and open-concept "white boxes," projects like this one highlight a growing demand for personality and historical reverence.
By choosing to invest in high-quality materials—such as Portola Paints, Arto tiles, and designer furniture from 1stDibs and Design Within Reach—the couple has created a home that is likely to appreciate in value not just as a piece of real estate, but as a work of design. The integration of "whimsical" elements like secret doors and bold color palettes reflects a post-pandemic desire for homes to function as multifaceted sanctuaries that cater to the psychological and creative needs of the inhabitants.
Conclusion: A Masterclass in Personal Branding Through Architecture
The transformation of this 1920s duplex into a singular, cinematic estate is more than just a home renovation; it is a manifestation of Peter Porte and Jacob Villere’s joint identity. By honoring the queer history of the property and the Hollywood legacy of Patrick Swayze, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of color and theme, the couple has established a new standard for celebrity home design.
Through the expert guidance of Charlie Barstein, the "Captain Hook’s boudoir" vision was successfully translated into a sophisticated, livable space that defies the expectations of typical Los Angeles luxury. It stands as a reminder that the most successful homes are those that tell a story—one that is as bold, dramatic, and enduring as the careers of those who live within them.
