Showcase houses-residences that have been ”taken over” and redecorated by teams of designers, then opened for public tours for some worthy cause-typically are homes that are for sale.
But this year`s Infant Welfare Society showhouse in Lake Forest, a 23-room Georgian, already had been sold and will become the home of a family of five soon after the tours stop May 19.
So when nearly two dozen designers were invited to work their magic on 20 of the mansion`s rooms, they got nods from the homeowners, input from their two young daughters (one likes pink, the other yellow) and created a bedroom suite for the mother of one of the buyers, fashioned by Carol Knott.
Some highlights: the trompe l`oeil curtains and rod on the wall in the front hall, a vision of Nancy McIlvaine of Portals Ltd. and Susan Bowey; Mary Southworth`s romantic master-bedroom suite and powder room, designed by Janie Petkus, Bruce Williams and Andy Noha. Alessandra Branca had chairs hand-painted in gold leaf to complement the built-in cupboards, which she filled with Flora Danica plates.
”We didn`t want the home to look as though you walked into a department store,” said Lanie Camino, who served on the design committee.
”We wanted the rooms to be individualistic, yet compatible with one another.”
More Top Picks Best Bathroom Scales
Showhouse hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10; no children under 8.
For more information call 708-234-6338.