Lake Forest, IL (July 6, 2020) The Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens (LFSH&G) officially opens on Saturday, July 11 and is poised to impress. Many of the areas most talented interior designers, landscape architects, builders and trades people donated countless hours to create an inimitable experience in one of the NorthShore’s most idyllic settings.  All proceeds from this year’s event benefit The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.

The 23-room, 11,000-square-foot, turn-of-the-century estate was designed in 1906 by Frost and Granger. The property includes a large house, a smaller adjoining house and extensive landscaping.  Bulley & Andrews Residential + Restoration and Bories & Shearron Architecture, with the generous support of the finest craftsmen from Parenti & Raffaelli, Hull Millwork and Hester Painting & Decorating, collaborated to design and build the fanciful garden folly which graces the west lawn.

The 18th century Chippendale style folly is the focal point of the iconic 1937 garden designed by Anne Hoyt Flanders.  The structure provides a special place of respite from which to admire the majestic ravine, featuring sweeping views across the lawn. Beneath its pergola style, slatted onion dome roof, one is shielded from the sun through Chinoiserie fret panels, yet open to enjoy the relief of cool Lake Michigan breezes.  The 16-foot tall garden folly will be available for purchase and 100% of the proceeds from the sale will benefit The Infant Welfare Society of Chicago.

Recently covered in Elle Decor, the showhouse is the quintessential format for interior designers and architects to show off their skills. See a preview of the house and learn more about each space’s unique inspiration here.

Open daily from Saturday, July 11, through Sunday, August 9, 2020, the event will observe State-issued safety guidelines. A limited number of tickets will be sold each day, divided by morning and afternoon sessions, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and must be purchased in advance at lakeforestshowhouse.com.