These past few months have been extremely chaotic over here at Buckingham Interiors + Design, but in a good way!  I have so many new clients that I absolutely love, and several commercial projects that have been extremely fun to work on (yes, albeit time-consuming).  In addition to recently completing the foyer in the Chicago Merchandise Mart’s Dream Home, I also designed the foyer in the 2011 Lake Forest Showhouse.  Located in the leafy, historic Chicago suburb that is known for its graceful estates and stunning homes, this really was a pleasure to work on.  Designed by the esteemed architect Howard Van Doren Shaw in 1916, the 25 room Thorndale Manor was commissioned by railroad tycoon Darius Miller, and originally sat on an astounding 19 acres.  Although the house was in much need of some TLC, it still retains its original architectural details that were so meticulously crafted by Shaw.

The Lake Forest Showhouse benefits the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, and is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 showcase homes in the nation.  Having visited many of the LF Showhouses before, trust me when I say they are definitely worth seeing.  If anything, you’ll get a little taste of what Buckingham ID has been up to these days 🙂  Going on now through May 22!

For more info, how to buy tickets, and location visit the Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens website here!  Also, not only does this event benefit a worthy cause, it is also a great way to showcase this house, literally, because it is for sale!  If you are interested in spending $4.1 million, that is.  Contact Jean Anderson at Prudential Properties if you are interested.  And if any of you are the lucky new owner of Thorndale Manor, I’d be happy to lend a hand decorating the other 24 out of 25 rooms.

All interior images here are of my designed spaces throughout the Grand Foyer,  Staircase and Second Floor Hallway of the Manor Home.  All images were photographed by the amazingly talented and all around great guy,  Werner Straube, the favorite photographer of Traditional Home and Renovation Style Magazines.  I am always lucky when I get to work with Werner!

Thank you to my dear friend, Marjorie Skouras, who collaborated with me to custom design the gemstone chandelier hanging in the stairwell and whose pieces are represented in my showroom throughout the Midwest. Kudos to you for your new line represented by Currey and Company!  Thanks also to Oscar Isberian Carpets (Oscar and my husband and I grew up together- what a great claim to fame) for assisting me in my “crazy vision” to reinterpret the staircase first introduced in Lake Forest by Frances Elkins in the 40’s for one of her brothers’, famed architect- David Adler– pet projects down the road.

Many additional thanks go out to all who made this vision possible, Holly Hunt and Fromental, Bradley Hughes for their levity in allowing me to design poured lacquer consoles in my FAVORITE Ben Moore color, Nocturnal Gray, to blend with the stunning Dufour Wallpaper Screen circa 1815 from Richard Norton Inc, which was the first piece that I selected for this whole endeavor.  It was the inspiration- if you will- Farrow and Ball for their paint and wallpaper, Remains Lighting, Dessin Fournir,  Jim Thompson fabrics- thank you Tim Johnson,  and how could anyone not love the work of Todd Murphy featured on the second floor-available also through Buckingham ID, a pair of glass lamps by Swank Lighting added the finishing touch …also to the women of the Infant Welfare Board who made it extremely easy to enjoy this many months together.  Thank you for all of your hard work Lanie, Marcia, KK, Suzanne et all.