By Judy Carmack Bross
Co-chairs Shannon Shader, Jennifer Durburg, Susan Rolander, Dawn Talma, Barrett Erker, Cathy Crowley at Opening Night Preview
“By the time our doors close on May 25, we expect that 11,000 guests–a 3,000 person increase over 2023–will have toured the Showhouse which is a record for us. We are thrilled that this will translate into record funds for IWS Family Health, where every dollar we raise goes. Wendy Franzen, President, Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Lake Forest Chapter.
The volunteer-run Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, recognized as one of the top showhouses in the country, wraps up its 20th anniversary production May 25 with proceeds to benefit The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. Founded in 1911, the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago provides community-based health care to underserved Chicago area families through its Logan Square Chicago clinic. Services include pediatric health, adult health, pediatric and family dentistry, prenatal care, care coordination, primary care, short-term and long-term behavioral health therapy and speech therapy.
Executive Committee of the Lake Forest Chapter of Infant Welfare Society. Front: Shannon Shader, Wendy Franzen, Annie Liddle Back: Chrissy Davis, Jenny Mulliken, Eva Rice, Katie Donovan, Kate Holland and Kate Rother
The sold-out opening night party attracted 750 guests who gathered to see the transformed Pembroke Lodge estate and celebrate the work of more than 45 top interior designers and landscapers. Lavish food stations with cuisine donated by jdR Companies’ Chef John des Rosiers, dancing under a tent swathed in fabrics by Showhouse sponsor Schumacher, dancing to party band Maggie Speaks, and tours by the designers of their creations throughout the property kicked off this year’s show. The event was co-chaired by Devon Jeffers and Laura Werner and 2025 Showhouse co-chair Shannon Shader.
Jennifer Keenan and Cassic Buccellato
Liz Sherwood in the Mahjong Room
Showcasing the transformation of almost 50 interior and exterior spaces since it opened its lacquered Palladian blue door to the public, the board chose Pembroke Lodge, one of the earliest estates built along Lake Forest’s storied Green Bay Road, as this year’s site. Featuring a massive limestone Georgian-style main house, it was designed in 1895 by noted architect Henry Ives Cobb. Cobb, also the architect of the Union Club of Chicago, Chicago Athletic Association Building, Chicago Varnish Company Building, Newberry Library and several pre-1900 buildings at Lake Forest College and the University of Chicago, built the home on a small ridge and oriented it to take advantage of sunsets over the prairie landscape. The original estate was built on nearly 40 acres, with landscape architecture by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Pembroke Lodge was built for real estate and zinc mining entrepreneur David Benton Jones and remained in the family for 67 years. After David’s death, his daughter, philanthropist Gwethalyn Jones, sold over 31 acres to School District 67, where the City of Lake Forest’s Deer Path Middle School now resides. In the late 1930s, interiors on the first floor of the home were revised by David Adler and his sister, famed interior designer Frances Elkins, and the house saw the addition of a wood paneled study, living room and music room. Several years later, the 30-room estate saw the addition of a 75-foot pool and large pool house designed by David Adler. The pool was shortened substantially in the 80s and a jacuzzi along with two reflecting ponds were added.
Sometime in the 70s, the traditional aesthetic was abandoned and replaced with a more modern sensibility featuring stark white textured plaster walls covering all of the original millwork, including the wainscot paneling and crown moulding, and black polished marble floors were laid over the original hardwood floors.
When the current owners purchased the home, the interior reflected the contributions made from approximately 1980s through early 2000s of famed designer Richard Himmel and the previous homeowners’ penchant for Caesars Palace and collecting brightly-colored contemporary paintings, abstract sculptures and bright geometric, plush rugs. The challenge for the showhouse designers was to restore the home’s traditional detailing while making the home a warm, inviting and functional space for a young family. Approximately 75 percent of the home was taken down to the studs and mechanical systems were brought to current codes and standards, an elevator was added along with a smart home system. Hardwood floors were replaced throughout, along with the wainscot paneling, crown moldings, baseboard and casings. Original millwork and wallpaper were found beneath the layers during demolition offering clues like an archeological excavation.
For the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, 38 interior designers reimagined the 15,000-square-foot mansion, tennis hut and pool house.
Tennis Hut of Ash Street Interiors
Rosemary Wormley of Ash Street Interiors
Enjoy some of their rooms below:
Breakfast room designed by Stephanie McLean of Nora C. Marra Interiors.
Stephanie McKean described her creative process:
“In many ways this room is an homage to the kitchen I grew up in. My childhood kitchen had yellow laminate counters and when I think back to family meals it seemed like it was always sunny in our kitchen – which obviously it wasn’t. I wanted to bring that sunny feeling to this breakfast room. It started with the Harlequin carnation wallpaper which is so pretty and a little bit 1970’s. I decided to mix in the colorful handmade tiles on the floor which felt as though they could have been in the house originally. I had the buffet made out of navy laminate and upholstered the doors and drawers in a fun Harlequin fabric. The light fixture and the chairs are both colored rattan and also have a little 1970’s feel – although they are new and from Bonacina – a venerated Italian rattan company. The table is a lacquered wood pedestal table from Iatesta Studio and I felt like it was a warmer version of a Saarinen table. The plate rack holds a discontinued Chas. Haviland china pattern originally designed by Claude Monet. I love how modern and sunny it still feels! Most of the art was borrowed from Richard Norton Galleries – a favorite place to buy art. Finally, my hope is that the new family who owns this house will have as many sunny memories in this breakfast room as I had in mine!”
Amy Kartheiser in her Garden Room on Preview night
Rotunda designed by Kaylan Kane Design
Almost everything the designers have sourced for their spaces; both inside and out, is for sale with the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago receiving 15 percent of the proceeds.
Nine top landscape design companies transformed the home’s 3.5 acres, including a Versailles fantasy garden by JMR Landscape and the tennis courts and pool area.
Marita Simmons and Krysta Gibbons
William Franzen, Wendy Franzen, Kathy Fletcher, Hannah Franzen
Liz Sherwood, Kate Holland and Pim Alley
Board President Wendy Frazen told us:
“This year, visitors are truly blown away by the boundless creativity and attention to detail in the home. Guests often share that they are walking away with design ideas to implement in their homes. This creativity and attention to detail extends to the gardens as well—nine landscaping firms have created magical, inspiring spaces covering 3 and a half acres. Guests are also taken aback by the sheer magnitude of the home—many say they wish they could come back a second time to take it all in!
“It has been a gift to observe the herculean transformation of Pembroke Lodge over the last five months, which had suffered several indelicate renovations over the decades. In partnership with the homeowners, we took about 75 percent of the home down to the studs to undo those renovations and return it to its rightful place as one of the great estates in Lake Forest. What stands out most to me is the extraordinary level of craftsmanship in each room, from the millwork that was re-created from David Adler’s plans–he was hired in the 1930’s to revise the interior architecture–to the artistry exhibited and executed by our designers. Every inch of the 15,000 square feet has been thoughtfully considered by our designers and crafted by a massive team of skilled laborers.
“This is our 20th Showhouse, so our membership is well versed in what it takes to run these massive projects. The Lake Forest Chapter of IWS is an 85-person board, and the Showhouse requires all hands on deck. We have 12 committees, including tremendous work that is behind the scenes like House Ops which keeps the house clean and guest-ready, Transportation which keeps the shuttles running smoothly, and Volunteers which organizes staffing the home each day. One of the greatest compliments we often receive is how professionally run the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens is, and I attribute this to the dedication of our group, and the fact that many members serve for decades.
“We took possession of the home the first week in January. Members from our designer team, executive board, and our house manager have been on site almost every day since then, making sure deliveries, install schedules, and queries are handled properly.”
Mary McDonald, the internationally published Los Angeles-based designer, serves as the Honorary Chair of the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens and was featured at a lecture and lunch in April. with Dara Caponigro, F. Schumacher & Co. CCO and editor of Frederic magazine, serving as moderator and debuting the book, Glorious Gardens.
Chicago’s SPACE 519 will be popping up May 23-25 at the Showhouse offering signature salads, sandwiches, baked goods and an assortment of beverages from the store’s popular Gold Coast restaurant The Lunchroom. Owners Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel are donating 15% of food & beverage sales to Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.
The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens will be open to visitors Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday & Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., through May 25, 2025. Tickets are priced at $50 per person and include a detailed keepsake program book that aids with self-guided tours of interiors and property and includes sourcing information. All tickets must be purchased in advance at www.lakeforestshowhouse.com and ticketholders must arrive by shuttle from the East Lake Forest train station. Due to the home being situated on a private drive, there is no parking at the Showhouse or ride drop offs.
Wendy, William and Hannah Franzen
Suzanne Sykes in her Laundry Room
For up-to-date event information and to purchase tickets visit www.lakeforestshowhouse.com.
Opening Night Photos by Widia Viti.
