A Preview of The 2020 Lake Forest Infant Welfare Showhouse

Earlier this year, I announced that I was thrilled to be the honorary chair for the 2020 Lake Forest Infant Welfare Showhouse in beautiful Lake Forest, Illinois. The house was set to open in April, but like so many other things, it had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thirty-nine interior and landscape designers have been hard at work for months now, transforming a beautiful twenty three room, 11,000 square foot house Frost and Grainger house dating back to 1906. I am thrilled to report that the showhouse just opened this past weekend on July 11th and it will be open through August 9th.

{The Exterior of the House}

The showhouse benefits the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago which provides resources for some of the most under-served children in the area. If you are in the Chicago area, I hope you will come see what promises to be a spectacular showhouse benefitting a very worth cause! I had the pleasure of seeing the house firsthand when I went up to Lake Forest a few weeks ago for the installation. Congratulations to all of the designers who did a beautiful job transforming this beautiful home and to all of the wonderful chairs and organizers who have been a tremendous help and have done an extraordinary job. I’ll tell you one thing– bringing a showhouse to life in the middle of a global pandemic is no small feat! The house is rooted in history and its gracious architecture is on full display, while the interiors are reinterpreted in new and imaginative ways by the talented roster of designers. It’s important to remember that showhouses are fundraising vehicles for worthy charities. I hope you’ll consider making a donation to support the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago if you are unable to attend in person. In the meantime, I thought I would share a round-up of some of the rooms in the house. Enjoy!

{Entry Hall by Konstant Home featuring the Home’s Original Zuber Wallpaper | Photography by Aimee Mazzenga}

{Powder Room by Sarah Vaile Design featuring a Tropical Wallpaper by deGournay| Photography by Aimee Mazzenga}

{Sun Porch and Terrace by Shelley Johnstone Design featuring Gracie Wallpaper and a Mix of Classic Elements | Photography by Cynthia Lynn}

{Sunroom by M +M Interior Design featuring Wallpaper from the Erdem x deGournay Collaboration | Photography by Aimee Mazzenga}

{Eternal Eden Dining Room by Paloma Contreras– I will share a detailed post on my room separately including all sources. The fabrics shown here are all from Schumacher including the Cubist fabric on the custom settee and Loop Chairs in the manner of Frances Elkins by Bungalow and the Legere Fabric on London shades made by The Shade Store. The side chairs are antique 19th century Louis XVI on loan from Amy Kartheiser. The wallpaper is Eastern Eden by Iksel, the rug is Keno jute by Patterson Flynn Martin. The chandelier is by Coleen & Company while the lamps are vintage with custom shades by Sorella Glenn. | Photography by Aimee Mazzenga}

{My room was really all about the intersection of classic and modern elements coming together in an interesting, yet timeless way. This area features an original china cabinet which I chose to keep, but updated it by having the interior lacquered in Prussian blue. The interior features a Bunny by Hunt Slonem along with paintings by Kayce Hughes and Alexis Walter and a mix of fun glassware from Paloma & Co and vases by AERIN from Shelley Johnstone. I custom-designed the fireplace surround which was executed in Blackpool Matter Cambria stone. The fireplace screen by artisan Tommy Mitchell features hundreds of gilded tole butterflies. Above the fireplace, a beautiful abstract piece by artist Jane Timberlake Cooper. | Photography by Aimee Mazzenga}